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So, you’re ready to move to France! Will you live and breathe the amazing culture of the City of Love or stroll on the sandy wonders of the Côte-d’Azur? Maybe you prefer the lush countryside of the Alsace region and long to taste the elixir of its world-famous vineyards. Or waking up in Annecy with the smell of wildflowers and breathtaking views on the Alps mountains? Whatever you seek, there’s a beautiful corner waiting for you in France. But if you want to live there, let’s put it bluntly: You’ll have to make French money!

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Table of Contents

1. Get Your Paperwork Ready
2. Find the Right Job for You
3. Job-hunting in France from A to Z
4. Here’s Why You’ll Love Working in France
5. How FrenchPod101 Can Help You Get a Job in France

Moving to a new country is equally exciting and challenging, but finding a job abroad is mostly just a headache. However, no matter your skills or your level of French, if you know where to look and how to deal with the French working culture, you’ll always be one step ahead of your competitors.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the whole adventure of finding jobs in France, from work ideas to foreigners’ favorites, up to the best places for your job-hunting. Take it from a local: It’s not easy to find jobs in France, especially English-speaking ones, but it’s definitely rewarding!

If you’re reading to start working and living in France, we truly hope this guide will provide you with all the information you need on finding employment in this beautiful place.

1. Get Your Paperwork Ready

Before we go job-hunting, let’s get the bureaucratic burden out of the way and make sure you have everything you need when you find your dream job. Obviously, this only applies if you intend to work within the limits of the Law, something we strongly encourage for many reasons, ranging from your personal safety to the penalties you’d be exposed to otherwise.

1- Working Permit & Visa

If you’re from the EU-EEA (European Union - European Economic Area), you can live and work in France with very few formalities and restrictions.

For most other people, it’s significantly tougher, as France has tightened its immigration rules in recent years in an attempt to lower the unemployment rate. Priority is given to the native workforce or to European nationals, but there are still many sectors where foreign workers are welcome!

Do I need a Visa?
Find out by filling out a quick form from the official government website.

How do I apply for a Visa?
Once again, check the official website. It will guide you step-by-step and allow you to track your application.

Work and residence permits in France are a wide topic and the specifics depend on your home country, the kind of job you seek, and the set of skills you have to offer. So checking out the official website may be the best way to learn more about Visa requirements for foreigners to work in France.

In a nutshell, most employees looking for a job in France will need to apply for a Residence Permit or a Talent Passport Permit a few months before entering the country and will need to be sponsored by a French employer. It’s generally much easier to get the permit when applying for a highly qualified job than for entry-level work. You can read more about this on Expatica.com or Welcome to France.

2. Find the Right Job for You

As in any country, there’s a galaxy of different career fields or positions you could undertake in France. It first comes down to your personal tastes, but then also to your level of French because let’s face it: speaking French will always be a HUGE advantage.

Do I sound like “Captain Obvious” here? Believe me, this simple truth is much truer in France than in most other countries, because English isn’t yet so widely spread in the French monde du travail (“world of work”).

1- If You are Fluent in French

If French holds no secrets for you, you can afford being picky when finding a job in France! Depending on your skills and degrees, you’ll find a wide variety of jobs and can apply freely, just as you would in your home country.

Throughout your job-hunting, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked for proof of your fluency. DELF and DALF are French proficiency certificates and are a reasonably cheap option. They’re valid for life and widely recognized.

2- If You are Intermediate in French

You’ll have to be more flexible, but there will still be many more open doors than without any French in your arsenal! Don’t be shy about using it in your professional interactions and in advertising about your interest in learning more. Potential employers will appreciate it and it will greatly facilitate your job search.

You could also consider getting a certificate, such as DELF or DALF diplomas, but many employers simply test your level during the job interview. So, there are options when it comes to intermediate French jobs for foreigners.

3- If You are a Beginner in French

You’ll have to be open-minded and more creative, as many options won’t be available for you, like most jobs involving customer service or collaborative work. In that case, I recommend that you take a closer look at the Foreigners-friendly jobs listed in the next section.

I would also recommend that you work hard and smart to get at least the survival basics to get you through your working days in France. FrenchPod101 offers a wide variety of free resources and lessons, starting from absolute beginner. You can speed up the process with MyTeacher to get private one-on-one help and guidance from your personal teacher.

4- Foreigners-Friendly Jobs

Citizens of France are usually not really into foreign languages and their average English level leaves a lot to be desired. For you, this can be an amazing opportunity to fill all kinds of unsuspected vacancies! There are many types of jobs you can perform just by being a native speaker from your home country, or with an intermediate level of English and an open mind. Here are a few examples:

Language Teaching

This is always the first one that comes to mind, and for good reason! Teaching English is in high demand, but you could also find a job teaching another language.

For English teaching jobs, head to the following portals:

• ESL Café
• ESLemployment
• TotalESL
• TESall

For this kind of job, a TEFL certificate will often be asked for (although not many employers actually check if you really have it) and experience is usually requested.

There are countless academies and private schools in France, with more than 300 in Paris alone, and you should thoroughly research their reputation before applying. Chains of language schools can be a quick road to employment, but keep in mind that it’s often the least stimulating and financially rewarding.

Also, outside of the realm of famous academies, you might want to expand your search to primary and secondary private language schools as well as universities.

Tourism Industry

There’s a wide range of jobs in the tourism business where you can thrive just by being a foreigner or thanks to your skills in any language in high demand (English, Spanish, or Mandarin, to name a few).

Jobs range from Guide touristique (“Tour guide”) to working in an Agence de voyage (“Travel agency”). Working as a receptionist for hotels or Auberges de jeunesse (“Youth hostels”) is another popular option, but you could go off the beaten path and attend passengers on a luxury cruise or guide mountain hikers. Your imagination is the limit!

Check out the Pages Jaunes (“Yellow pages”), the French official business directory where you can find extensive lists of businesses by category and location.

NGOs and Think Tanks

Paris, especially, is the best place to start if you want to work for one of its many NGOs, Think Tanks, and institutions that are posting job offers on a regular basis.

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is a good place to start, with a frequently updated joblist on their official website.

You can also check the career section of UNESCO, as well as SOFRECO, or really any “Human Rights” association based in France, such as the FIDH.

Check out websites specialized in NGO jobs such as IndevJobs as well as general job directories like Indeed.

If you do check out some French job-hunting websites while looking for work in France, you’re likely to find success, followed by a fruitful career start.

Assisting Other Foreigners

Another way to use your unique position and expertise is to help other foreigners make it to France!

• As a Relocation consultant, you’ll help other foreigners move to France. You can find a list of Relocation companies to check out.
• Working as a French Red Tape Expert is another way to put your unique knowledge to work. If you’ve been in France for a couple of years or more, you should have learned a lot about the ropes and knots of French bureaucracy, as well as all of its overly complicated and soul-consuming rules and regulations!
• As long as France remains the top destination for British and US citizens wanting to buy a new home, either for vacations or relocation, there will be a high demand for Estate Agents. Check out Leggett Immobilier for an example of successful businesses hiring agents.

5- Volunteering in France

Now what if you want to get your first experience in France without going through the trouble of getting a work permit? Or to simply enjoy the local lifestyle for a short time on a tourist visa?

Then, being a Volontaire (“Volunteer”) in France might be for you, and although it’s not gonna make you any wealthier, it will lift your spirit with wonderful experiences and unique job opportunities!

Volunteering usually consists of offering your time and energy in exchange for lodging and, in the best case scenario, food. The workload is usually not overwhelming and it’s a great way to meet people and experience various jobs as well as the local lifestyle, without the commitment of an actual work contract.

You can find a wide variety of jobs from walking dogs (or horses!) to renovating houses or even helping on movie sets, but you’ll find that 90% of these opportunities are given by farms and hostels.

• Workaway and HelpX are two similar volunteering services. I personally find Helpx messy in its presentation (the job directory is quite terrible to look at) and Workaway has a significantly larger catalog. Both have a Premium membership for anything above just browsing the job listing. This means that you’ll have to pay a yearly fee to be able to contact the hosts (employers).
• WWOOFing is the most popular option for nature lovers. It specializes in organic farming and may help you indulge in your French wine-tasting fantasy! (As if you needed more reasons to relocate to France for a while!)

3. Job-hunting in France from A to Z

Now that you (hopefully!) have a better idea of what kind of work you’re aiming at, let’s see what the best ways to find ANY kind of job are!

1- General Job Search Engine

Official Websites

• Pole-emploi is the national agency for employment and as the biggest resource for French jobs, it’s your logical first stop. It has offices all over the country, but you can simply browse it online and lose yourself in its staggering number of job offers (688,535, at the time of writing!). Over time, it has partnered with more than 100 other job portals such as APEC or Monster.fr and is aggregating all of their results.
• APEC (Agence pour l’Emploi de Cadres) is another national agency specialized in the employment of executives, and it also has a very well-stocked job directory.

French Favorites

Forget about Craigslist and jump right in these born and bred French job-finding websites!

• Leboncoin - Emploi: If you’re looking for the French Craigslist, look no further. Leboncoin (“The good corner”) has a massive collection of ads and will keep you busy for weeks to come!
• MeteoJob: Although “only” ten years old (compared to its antique competitors), MeteoJob is now a force to be reckoned with.
• RegionsJob: Even if you’re into French job-hunting, you may not have heard of RegionsJob as it doesn’t fare very well in “Top Tens.” This is because its directory is divided into regions with different domain names such as NordJob or ParisJob. But all in all, it’s also a major player!

Here are a few more, in no particular order, that are still going strong:

• L’étudiant.fr (Major resource for young graduates)
• Cadre-Emploi (Similar to APEC)
• JobRapido
• Monster.fr
• Lesjeudis.com

Still not burned-out with job directories? Here are some more resources you can check out:

• Indeed, although not French, is the second-biggest job-hunting directory in France, with more than six-million visitors every month.
• Craigslist is also available in France. Remember when I told you to forget about it? Really, you should, unless you’re desperate enough to dig through its job section: a mass grave of creepy half-disguised prostitution ads of questionable legality.

2- Specialized Job Directories

If you’re looking for a job in a specific field and you’ve come out empty using the general search engines, try some more specific directories. I cannot list them all, but here are a few examples:

• Autorecrute is listing more than 1000 jobs in the Car industry.
• AFJV has a well-stocked directory for the Video Games industry.
• L’Hôtellerie Restauration is specialized in…guess what? Hotels and restaurants.

3- Getting Help Finding a Job

Temporary Jobs

The Agences d’Intérim (“Temporary job agencies”) are increasingly popular in France. They offer your resume to potential employers in exchange for a fee (paid by the employer).

The good thing is that you’re technically working for the agency and usually for a higher paycheck than what you’d get while on a normal work contract.

The icing on the cake is that the French working laws will shower you with financial bonuses such as the Prime de précarité (“Precarity bonus”) and the Indemnités de congés (“Paid leaves allowance”), to make up for the temporary nature of the contract.

Most Interim agencies have physical offices where you can directly meet someone and drop off your resume without arranging an appointment beforehand, but you can also register online.

Here’s a list of some of the major players in the Interim business:

• Adecco
• Manpower
• Randstad
• Kelly

Recruitment Agencies and Headhunters

Similar, but not confined to temporary jobs, the Agences de recrutement (“Recruitment Agencies”) and Chasseurs de têtes (“Headhunters”) can be a decent way to get help finding a job in France. But unless you have some skills that are in high demand or a couple of fancy degrees, they’re likely to politely thank you for your resume before burying it at the bottom of a huge pile of forgotten talents.

• Here’s a directory for Recruitment Agencies
• And another one for Head Hunters

4- Expat Portals and Communities

There’s a number of Expats work directories, listing various kinds of jobs, often related but not limited to English and teaching.

Some of these portals are:

• Jobs in Paris
• EasyExpat
• Expatica

Another possible place for finding employment in France are Expats communities on social networks and message boards, such as American Expats in Paris or Expats in France.

Obviously, I cannot list them all here, but a simple search on Facebook or Reddit will take you a long way.

5- Job Fairs

Find where you can attend the Salons de l’emploi (“Job fairs”) and get out there! You can have several interviews in one day, which is an amazing shortcut. But keep in mind that you’ll have to be well-prepared and very convincing to win them over in the few minutes they usually allow.

You can find more information about the dates and places of these events on nSalons or recrut.com.

6- Spontaneous Applications

With the rise of the internet, it has fallen out of grace, but I strongly believe in the power of the Candidature spontanée (“Spontaneous application”) and the Porte à porte (“Door-to-door”) as a way to differentiate yourself and catch an employer’s attention.

• Spontaneous applications can work anywhere. Get the email address of the company and send them some love in an emotional cover letter and an expertly crafted resume.
  
  Most French companies’ website will have a link called Contactez-nous, Nous contacter (“Contact us”) or Carrières (“careers”).
• Door-to-door is even bolder and will probably work best for small- to medium-sized businesses. It will do wonders at your local bakery, but the receptionist at the office of a multinational corporation such as Renault or Dassault-Aviation might be confused about what to do with your resume.

7- NETWORKING, The Power of People!

Why this enormous title? Because this is the most important way to find a job in France (and most likely anywhere in the world). To be honest, everything I’ve previously enumerated can give you some results, but it really counts for about 10% of the job opportunities out there. Where are the 90%, then? Networking, networking, NETWORKING.

Most jobs in France are found through relationships and contacts, and even the positions that you see listed on Pole-emploi often end up being filled by someone with contacts within the company.

My golden rules of successful networking are:

• Make the best of every single contact that you have and stay in touch with as many friends, acquaintances, and coworkers as possible, for as long as you can. It can take a lot of energy, especially if you’re not on the extrovert side, but it will pay off.
• Make sure everybody knows on social media that you’re looking for a job.
• Get out there! Take every opportunity to meet people with similar interests and genuinely make new friends. Maybe you’ll just end up doing yoga together, but there’s always a chance they’ll eventually lead you to your dream job.

4. Here’s Why You’ll Love Working in France

Working in France comes with a list of benefits that are truly hard to believe for many foreigners, including lots of days off and a collection of goodies and vouchers on just about everything. So let’s take a look at France work benefits and perks, shall we?

Job Security

Working in France, you’re protected by a heavy set of laws making you hard to fire and leaving you with a hefty compensation if it happens. Lately, some of these laws are being targeted by President Macron to make the Code du travail (“Labor code”) more flexible in favor of higher employment rates, but at the moment, French workers are well taken care of.

Unemployment Allowance

If you happen to lose your job or are coming to the end of your temporary contract, you can benefit from the Allocation Chômage: the French unemployment allowance program. You will be compensated monthly for about two-thirds of your former salary to help you find another job!

Transport and Food Subsidies

If you come to work using public transports, your employer will pay for at least 50% of your monthly Pass. In some cases, they can also pay for your gas if you come with a car.

On top of that, most companies pay half of your Tickets restaurant: vouchers that can be used in any restaurants or bakeries, and many supermarkets.

35-Hour Weeks

Many workers in France are working more than the legal limit of 35 hours per week. But in that case, they get compensated with paid vacations called RTT. That’s a fair amount of additional days off if you work 38 hours per week! And overtime is strictly regulated—you don’t mess with French working hours!

Paid Holidays

On top of your RTT, you’ll get five weeks of paid vacation per year. Oh, and did I mention around 11 days of national holidays (when we’re lucky enough not to have them on Sundays!) and some more special time off if you get married?

Health Insurance

If our cheap health care system wasn’t a good enough reason to relocate to France, many employers offer cheap deals on a Mutuelle: a complementary private plan that takes care of whatever the general health care isn’t paying for you.

Your Best Friend: the Comité d’entreprise

If you’re working for a big company, it’ll most likely have what we call a Comité d’entreprise (“Work council”). These guys are working full-time on your happiness by providing all kinds of perks: from cheap tickets to discounted holidays and various kinds of vouchers for books and gifts.

5. How FrenchPod101 Can Help You Get a Job in France

And here we are! You’ve learned what kind of work you can find in France, how to search for it, and more importantly, how to land the job of your dreams. Are you excited to work in France? Do you think you can gracefully blend in with the French work culture?

FrenchPod101 has tons of free vocabulary lists with audio recordings that can help you prepare for your job search:

• How to talk about jobs
• Professional meetings
• And much more!

Learn more about the professional vocabulary that you’ll need to quickly go through job offers, using the most important keywords that we’ve seen in this guide.

Remember that you can also use our premium service, MyTeacher, to get personal one-on-one coaching and have your private teacher answer any of your language questions during your job search!

About the Author: Cyril Danon was born and bred in the rainy north of France, Cyril has been bouncing off various jobs before he left everything behind to wander around the wonders of the World. Now, after quenching his wanderlust for the last few years, he’s eager to share his passion for languages.

For many, a grand-mère (“grandmother”) is a relative of unparalleled consideration and admiration. This is as true in France as it is in numerous countries around the world. Grandmother’s are so loved and respected that the French have dedicated a day just to celebrate them!

By learning about Grandmother’s Day in France, you’re also glimpsing a unique aspect of the country’s culture. From the commercial origin of this holiday to how it’s celebrated today, Grandmother’s Day in France is a reflection of both history and the present. And to think it all started with coffee…

Let FrenchPod101.com guide you through the details of National Grandma Day!

1. What is Grandmother’s Day in France?

In France, Grandmother’s Day is celebrated to honor grandmothers and show them the love they always shower us with. Grandma’s Day was first celebrated in France in 1987, and has grown since then into the holiday it is today.

2. When is Grandmother’s Day?

When is Grandmother’s Day? The date of Grandmother’s Day varies slightly each year in France, though it’s always on the first Sunday of March. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years:

• 2019: March 3
• 2020: March 1
• 2021: March 7
• 2022: March 6
• 2023: March 5
• 2024: March 3
• 2025: March 2
• 2026: March 1
• 2027: March 7
• 2028: March 5

3. How is Grandma’s Day Celebrated?

National Grandmother Day celebrations in France are all done in honor of one’s grandmother. Find out how the French celebrate this heartwarming holiday by reading the French text below (you can find the English translation directly below it).
—–
Les enfants créent donc à l’école des cadeaux pour leurs mamies et ce, dès la maternelle. C’est l’occasion pour les familles françaises de se retrouver. Les petits-enfants offrent des cadeaux à leurs grands-mères. Les présents les plus populaires sont les bouquets de fleurs ou les plantes, comme les orchidées . Une étude réalisée par les fleuristes français a montré que cette fête avait un impact significatif sur la vente des végétaux d’intérieur.

Durant cette journée, des évènements commerciaux ou non, sont organisés dans toute la France.

Par exemple, une “mamif” a lieu place de la Bastille depuis quelques années. Une “mamif” est un mot-valise jouant avec les mots mamie et manifestation. Le but de cet évènement était de réunir les mamies et leur famille.
Les grands-pères sont les grands oubliés du calendrier ! Effectivement, la fête des papis n’existe pas, contrairement à celle des grand-mères… Peut-être faut-il attendre qu’une marque créée cette fête ?

—–

Children create gifts for their grannies at school starting in kindergarten. It’s an occasion for French families to gather. Grandchildren give gifts to their grandmothers. The most popular presents are bouquets of flowers and plants such as orchids. A study carried out by French florists showed that the holiday had a significant impact on the sale of indoor plants.

During this day, events, whether commercial or not, are organized all over France.

For example, a “mamif” has taken place at La Bastille for a few years now. A “mamif” is a portmanteau word that plays upon the words “mamie” (grandma) and “manifestation” (rally). The event is meant to unite grandmas with their family.

Grandfathers are completely forgotten from the calendar! Indeed, “Grandfather’s Day” doesn’t exist, as opposed to Grandmother’s Day… Perhaps we’ll have to wait until a brand creates this holiday?

4. Additional Information

A survey was made of French grandmothers, and do you know what the main motivation for 80% of them is?

In France, there are more than 6 million grandmothers. They are an average of 65 years old and have four grandchildren.

And for 80% of them, the most important thing is to indulge their grandchildren, according to a survey carried out on French grandmas.

This certainly explains why grandparents are often accused of spoiling their grandchildren!

5. Must-know Vocab

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for National Grandmother Day in France, including “Grandmother’s Day” in French:

• Fête des Grands-Mères — “Grandmother’s Day”
• Dimanche — “Sunday”
• Mars — “March”
• Cadeau — “Present”
• Premier — “First”
• Annuelle — “Annual”
• Origine — “Origin”
• Marque de café — “Coffee brand”
• Fête commerciale — “Commercialized celebration”
• Offrir — “Offer”
• Grand-mère — “Grandmother”
• Visite — “Visit”

To hear each vocabulary word pronounced, check out our French Grandmother’s Day vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio with its pronunciation.

Conclusion

Now you know more about Grandmother’s Day in France. Do you celebrate Grandmother’s Day in your own country, or a similar holiday? Let us know in the comments!

To learn even more about French culture and the language, visit us at FrenchPod101.com! We offer plenty of information through insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and fun podcasts! Further, you can use our online community to discuss lessons with fellow French learners and check out our MyTeacher program for a one-on-one learning experience.

We hope you enjoyed today’s holiday blog. Keep up the study and practice, and you’re sure to reap the benefits and speak like a French native before you know it!

In the meantime, we’ll just wish you a Happy Grandmother’s Day!

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in French could be just what you need to find it.

Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your French partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At FrenchPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your French lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make French dating easy for you.

Table of Contents

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
4. French Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
5. French Quotes about Love
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
8. Will Falling in Love Help You Learn French Faster?

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date

So, you have met your French love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the French word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these French date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.

Would you like to go out to dinner with me?

• Tu veux aller dîner avec moi?

The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in French is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!

Are you free this weekend?

• Tu es libre ce weekend?

This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!

Would you like to hang out with me?

• Tu veux traîner avec moi?

You like her/him, but you’re not sure if there’s chemistry. Ask them to hang out first to see if a dinner date is next.

What time shall we meet tomorrow?

• On se voit à quelle heure demain?

Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.

Where shall we meet?

• Où est-ce qu’on se retrouve?

You can ask this, but also suggest a place.

You look great.

• Tu es superbe.

A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit - they probably took great care to look their best just for you.

You are so cute.

• Tu es trop chou.

If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.

What do you think of this place?

• Qu’est-ce que tu penses de cet endroit?

This another good conversation starter. Show off your French language skills!

Can I see you again?

• Est-ce qu’on peut se revoir?

So the date went really well - don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.

Shall we go somewhere else?

• On va ailleurs?

If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!

I know a good place.

• Je connais un bon endroit.

Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!

I will drive you home.

• Je vais te raccompagner en voiture chez toi.

If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.

That was a great evening.

• C’était une soirée géniale.

This is a good phrase to end the evening with.

When can I see you again?

• Quand est-ce qu’on se revoit?

If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.

I’ll call you.

• Je t’appellerai.

Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.

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2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date

You learned all the French phrases to make a date - congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in French below!

museum

• musée

If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.

candlelit dinner

• dîner aux chandelles

A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!

go to the zoo

• aller au zoo

This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children - you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!

go for a long walk

• faire une longue promenade

Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.

go to the opera

• aller à l’opéra

This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!

go to the aquarium

• aller à l’aquarium

Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.

walk on the beach

• marcher sur la plage

This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.

have a picnic

• faire un pique-nique

If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.

cook a meal together

• cuisiner ensemble

If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!

have dinner and see a movie

• dîner et voir un film

This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!

3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in French - think how impressed your date will be!

4. French Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day

So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in French yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in French? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your French love on this special day!

I love you.

• Je vous aime.

Saying ‘I love you’ in French carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.

You mean so much to me.

• Tu comptes tant pour moi.

This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.

Will you be my Valentine?

• Veux-tu sortir avec moi?

With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!

You’re so beautiful.

• Tu es si belle.

If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in French, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!

I think of you as more than a friend.

• Je vois en toi plus qu’un(e) ami(e).

Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the French dating culture.

A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

• Une centaine de coeurs seraient trop peu nombreux pour transporter tout mon amour pour toi.

You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.

Love is just love. It can never be explained.

• L’amour est simplement l’amour. Il ne pourra jamais être expliqué.

If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.

You’re so handsome.

• Tu es si beau/belle.

Ladies, this phrase lets your French love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.

I’ve got a crush on you.

• J’ai le béguin pour toi.

If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.

You make me want to be a better man.

• Tu me donnes envie d’être un homme meilleur.

Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your French girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!

Let all that you do be done in love.

• Que tout ce que tu fais se fasse dans l’amour.

We hope.

You are my sunshine, my love.

• Tu es mon soleil, mon amour.

A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!

Words can’t describe my love for you.

• Les mots ne peuvent pas décrire mon amour pour toi.

Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.

We were meant to be together.

• Nous sommes faits pour être ensemble.

This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.

If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.

• Si vous pensiez à quelqu’un en lisant ceci, vous êtes certainement amoureux/amoureuse.

Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!

5. French Quotes about Love

You’re a love champ! You and your French lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in French that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.

6. Marriage Proposal Lines

Wow. Your French lover is indeed the love of your life - congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the French custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.

7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines

Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.

8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn French faster?

Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer - of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. FrenchPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the French language.

Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn French Faster!

1- Being in a love relationship with your French speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
FrenchPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you French, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn French even faster.

2- Having your French romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced French language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies - a win/win situation!

3- A supportive French lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your French partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!

Three Reasons Why FrenchPod101 helps you learn French Even Faster when you’re In Love

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking French is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at FrenchPod101 is translated into both English and French. So, while your partner can help you learn French faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!

2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with French Culture
At FrenchPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in France. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your French partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!

3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic French Phrases
You now have access to FrenchPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your French soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly - remember to invite him/her to your wedding!

Can You Really Learn French Alone?

Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals?

Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn French or any language without traditional classroom instruction: FrenchPod101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is FrenchPod101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options!

Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning French or any language alone.

Also, don’t forget to download your free cheat sheet - How to Improve Your Language Skills too!

3 Reasons to Learn a Language Alone

1. Learn at Your Own Pace and On Your Schedule

In today’s fast-paced world, there just isn’t time for traditional classroom instruction. Between getting to class and studying on some professor or teacher’s schedule, traditional classroom learning is simply impossible to fit in. But when you learn French alone, you can study in bed if you like and whenever suits your schedule best, making it far easier to actually reach your goal of learning and mastering the language.

2. Learning a Language on Your Own Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Speaking in front of a class, pop quizzes, and tests are just a few of the stressors you will encounter when you learn a language in a traditional classroom setting. Specifically, these are external stressors that often derail most people’s dream of learning a new language. But when you learn French alone, there are no external stressors. Without the external stress and anxiety, it becomes much easier and more exciting to study French and reach your very own goals—all on your own!

3. Learning French Alone Helps Improve Cognitive Function and Overall Success

Learning a language on your own is indeed more challenging in some ways than being taught in a traditional classroom setting. In fact, while classroom instruction requires more rote memorization and following instructions, studying a language on your own requires more problem-solving and higher cognitive function to self-teach lessons and hit goals. So while it’s more challenging and requires higher levels of cognition, teaching yourself a language pays dividends throughout life by better preparing you for social/work opportunities that arise.

How to Learn a Language on Your Own with FrenchPod101

1. Access to the World’s Largest Collection of French Audio & Video Lessons

The best way to learn a language on your own is to study from native speaking instructors. Ideally, you want audio and/or video lessons that teach vocabulary, grammar, and provide actual French conversations and dialogue to help you with pronunciation. FrenchPod101 has hundreds of hours of HD audio and video lessons created by real French instructors and every lesson is presented by professional French actors for perfect pronunciation. Plus, all lessons can be accessed 24/7 via any mobile device with Internet access. And, if you download the PDF versions of each lesson, you can even study without Internet access once the lesson is stored on your device!

2. “Learning Paths” with French Courses Based Upon Your Exact Needs & Goals

Although FrenchPod101 has more than thousands of video and audio lessons, you need not review each and every one to learn the language. In fact, FrenchPod101 has developed a feature called “Learning Paths”. You simply tell us your goals and we will identify the best courses and study plan to help you reach them in the shortest time possible. So even though you are technically learning a language on your own, our team is always here to help and make sure you reach your goals FAST!

3. Advanced Learning Tools Reduce Learning Time and Boost Retention

When you have the right tools and French learning resources, it’s actually easy to teach yourself a language! In the past 10+ years, FrenchPod101 has developed, tested, and refined more than 20 advanced learning tools to boost retention and reduce learning time, including:

• Spaced Repetition Flashcards
• Line-by-Line Dialogue Breakdown
• Review Quizzes
• Voice Recording Tools to Help Perfect Pronunciation
• Teacher Feedback and Comments for Each Lesson
• French Dictionary with Pronunciation
• Free PDF Cheat Sheets
• And Much More!

Armed with our growing collection of advanced learning tools, it’s truly a breeze to learn French alone and reach your goals!

Conclusion

Learning a language on your own is not only possible, it’s actually easier and more beneficial for you than traditional classroom instruction. In fact, when you learn French on your own you can study at your own pace, eliminate stress, and actually increase cognitive function.

FrenchPod101 is the world’s most advanced online language learning system and a great resource to help you teach yourself a new language. With the world’s largest collection of HD audio and video lessons, more than 20 advanced learning tools, and customized “Learning Paths”, FrenchPod101 makes learning a new language easier, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom instruction.

And the best part is: With FrenchPod101, you can study in bed, your car, or wherever you have a few spare minutes of time. Create your Free Lifetime Account now and get a FREE ebook to help “kickstart” your dream of learning a language on your own below!

Learning about French holidays is an excellent way to gaze at the country’s culture from a viewpoint you otherwise wouldn’t. La Chandeleur is no different, providing you with a lot of great history to study and ponder.

La Chandeleur or “Candlemas” is a French religious holiday, known for the delicious crepes the French make to celebrate. In fact, it’s often called Crêpe Day!

As with many holidays in France and worldwide, La Chandeleur lost its religious meaning over time. Originally a day to worship the god Pan, and later Jesus Christ, most French today use Candlemas as a day of fun and good French food.

While the religious meaning is pretty much looked over today, many Candlemas traditions in France remain.

Find out more about Candlemas Day, from Candlemas traditions to information on its shifting meaning over the years.

1. What is Candlemas in France?

La Chandeleur, or Candlemas in France, was once an important religious holiday to the French people. It began as a day dedicated to worshipping the god Pan, as this was a custom Roman tradition. However, this Candlemas tradition came to an end in 472 when Pope Gelasius I decided to Christianize the holiday. Religious people would worship Jesus instead by lighting candles. Chandeleur comes from the word chandelle meaning “candle,” hence the holiday’s name.

Like most holidays, La Chandeleur eventually lost most of its religious meaning. But that doesn’t mean Candlemas traditions ended! Certainly not. This French holiday proves to remain largely celebrated and is held close to the French people’s heart.

2. When is Candlemas Day?

The French celebrate Candlemas on February 2 each year, which is forty days after Christmas. This explains the similarities in the two holidays’ names.

3. How is it Celebrated?

1- French Candlemas Traditions: Crepes

Candlemas is a holiday that French people celebrate with their family if they have young children, or with their friends. And this is France we’re talking about, so of course Candlemas celebrations are going to involve crepes and crepe-making! But why do French people make crêpes on this day in particular?

Well, at this time of the year, winter planting would begin. Peasants would use their excess flour to make crêpes. Also, with their round shape and golden color, they reminded people of the sun.

In France, making the crepes is just as much fun as eating them! The French have a fascinating Candlemas tradition: If you use a “frying pan,” or poêle à frire, you need to flip the crêpe without letting it fall! If it falls, it brings bad luck. In French, “good luck” is called Bonne Chance and “bad luck” is called Malchance.

In the past, an ancient coin was used while flipping your crêpe. Someone would hold the Louis coin in their hand, and if the crêpe fell properly they would be rich and have prosperity all year long. Nowadays no one does this, but you could still try it with your own currency if you want!

2- Religious Traditions

For those who still hold La Chandeuleur’s religious meaning close to heart, there are several religious traditions that take place.

This day is also called by some as the day of “the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple” (présentation de Jésus au temple) or the day of “the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary” (purification de la vierge Marie). This is due to the fact that in times past, it was customary for a woman to present herself for purification about a month after a boy’s circumcision; in the Book of Luke, this occurs with Jesus.

On Chandeleur in France, many people attend church with candles and have them blessed. It’s believed that the candles serve as a representation of Jesus’ claim to be Light.

Further, many French people light their homes with candles and put away Christmas decorations.

4. Additional Information

A few weeks before the day, French people will start seeing advertisements for crêpe batter in magazines or on television. There are two types of batter. One is made with wheat for sweet fillings, and the other is made with buckwheat for savory fillings.

Now, crepes are a kind of really thin, soft, pastry dough made with milk, eggs, flour, and a bit of butter to make it better. You put them in a pan, flip them, and fill them with whatever you like. Usually, it’s sweet with sugar, jam, or chocolate.

Crepes called Crêpes Suzette are a great classic of French cuisine invented by Auguste Escoffier. They’re made with melted butter mixed with sugar, Grand Marnier, orange, and lemon. They can be flambéed with Grand Marnier.

Crêpes from Brittany are also popular throughout France. If you go to Brittany, you simply must try this culinary specialty!

5. Must-know Vocab

Here’s some vocab you should know to celebrate Candlemas Day:

• soleil — “sun”
• farine — “flour”
• hiver — “winter”
• minuit — “midnight”
• crêpe — “crepe”
• chandelle — “candle”
• lumière — “light”
• présentation de Jésus au temple — “presentation of Jesus at the temple”
• fête religieuse chrétienne — “Christian religious festival”
• prospérité — “prosperity”
• proverbe — “proverb”
• purification de la vierge Marie — “purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

If you want to hear each of these words with its pronunciation, be sure to check out our French Candlemas Day vocabulary list. Here, you can read each word while listening to an audio pronunciation.

Conclusion

Now you know a little more about France’s La Chandeleur. What do you think about this holiday? Do you celebrate Candlemas or a similar holiday in your home country? Let us know in the comments!

To learn even more about French culture, be sure to visit us at FrenchPod101.com. We offer several blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and even host an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow students. And if you prefer a one-on-one approach to learning, be sure to download our MyTeacher app so you can learn French with your own personal teacher.

Be sure to create your account soon to learn French efficiently, and have fun while doing it!

Yes, even beginners can quickly learn conversational French well enough to carry on real conversations with native speakers. Of course, beginners won’t be able to carry a conversation the same way they could in their native language. But, just knowing a few tips like which questions to ask to keep a conversation going are all you need to speak and interact with real native speakers! But before we get to specific suggestions, let’s first take a closer look at how having real French conversations is so vital to your mastery of the language.

Learning to Carry a Conversation is Vital to Mastery of Any Language

Communicating with other people is the very point of language and conversation is almost second nature in our native tongue. For beginners or anyone learning a new language, conversations aren’t easy at all and even simple French greetings can be intimidating and awkward.

However, there are 3 vital reasons why you should learn conversational French as quickly as possible:

• Avoid Awkward Silences: Nothing kills a conversation faster than long periods of awkward silence, so you need practice and specific strategies to avoid them.
• Improve the Flow of Conversation to Make a Better Impression: When you know what to say to keep a conversation going, communication becomes much easier and you make a better impression on your listener.
• Master the Language Faster: Nothing will help you learn to speak French faster and truly master the language than having real conversations with native speakers. Conversations quickly expose you to slang, cultural expressions, and vocabulary that force you to absorb and assimilate information faster than any educational setting—and that’s a great thing!

But how can you possibly have real conversations with real French people if you are just starting out?

3 Conversation Strategies for Beginners

1. Ask Questions to Keep a Conversation Going

For beginners and even more advanced speakers, the key is to learn to ask questions to keep a conversation going. Of course, they can’t be just random questions or else you may confuse the listener. But, by memorizing a few key questions and the appropriate time to use them, you can easily carry a conversation with minimal vocabulary or experience. And remember, the more French conversations you have, the quicker you will learn and master the language!

2. Learn Core Vocabulary Terms as Quickly as Possible

You don’t need to memorize 10,000’s of words to learn conversational French. In fact, with just a couple hundred French words you could have a very basic French conversation. And by learning maybe 1,000-2,000 words, you could carry a conversation with a native speaker about current events, ordering in restaurants, and even getting directions.

3. Study Videos or Audio Lessons that You Can Play and Replay Again and Again

If you want to know how to carry a conversation in French, then you need exposure to native speakers—and the more the better. Ideally, studying video or audio lessons is ideal because they provide contextualized learning in your native language and you can play them again and again until mastery.

FrenchPod101 Makes it Easier and More Convenient Than Ever to Learn Conversational French

For more than 10 years, FrenchPod101 has been helping students learn to speak French by creating the world’s most advanced online language learning system. Here are just a few of the specific features that will help you learn conversational French fast using our proven system:

• The Largest Collection of HD Video & Audio Lessons from Real French Instructors: FrenchPod101 instructors have created hundreds of video and audio lessons that you can play again and again. And the best part is: They don’t just teach you French vocabulary and grammar, they are designed to help you learn to speak French and teach you practical everyday topics like shopping, ordering, etc!
• Pronunciation Tools: Use this feature to record and compare yourself with native speakers to quickly improve your pronunciation and fluency!
• 2000 Common French Words: Also known as our Core List, these 2,000 words are all you need to learn to speak fluently and carry a conversation with a native speaker!

In all, more than 20 advanced learning tools help you quickly build vocabulary and learn how to carry a conversation with native speakers—starting with your very first lesson.

Conclusion

Although it may seem intimidating for a beginner, the truth is that it is very easy to learn conversational French. By learning a few core vocabulary terms and which questions to ask to keep a conversation going, just a little practice and exposure to real French conversations or lessons is all it really takes. FrenchPod101 has created the world’s largest online collection of video and audio lessons by real instructors plus loads of advanced tools to help you learn to speak French and carry a conversation quickly.

Act now and we’ll also include a list of the most commonly used questions to keep a conversation going so you can literally get started immediately!

Today, classrooms are no longer the only or even best place to learn a new language like French. More and more people are finding that they can easily learn a language just about anywhere they have a few minutes of spare time, including their daily commute to work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American spends over 50 minutes a day commuting to and from work, or over 300 hours a year.

Rethinking Your Daily Commute to Work

But rather than simply sitting in traffic and wasting the time, you can instead use your daily commute to literally learn French in just a few short months! FrenchPod101 has developed specialized learning tools that you can use on your commute to work (and home again) to master the language in your spare time. Keep reading to learn how to get your free audiobook to use on your next commute so you can see for yourself how easy it is to transform “dead time” into realizing your dream of learning a new language!

But before we look at how to transform your commute home into a mini-classroom, let’s take a closer look at 4 reasons why traditional classroom settings just aren’t the best option for most people in today’s fast-paced world.

• Difficulty Getting to and From Class
• Learning on Someone Else’s Schedule
• Very Expensive and May Cost $1,000’s to Complete
• Can Take Years to Finally Complete Classes and Learn the Language

The simple truth is that traditional classroom instruction is simply not a viable option for most people in today’s very fast-paced, time-starved world. Now let’s examine how you can learn a language faster, more easily, and at far less expense than traditional classes—all during your commute to work and back home again!

3 Reasons Your Daily Commute Can Help You Master a Language

1. The Average Commute Time is More than 300 Hours Per Year

Between the commute to work and getting back home again, over 6 hours a week is completely wasted and not helping you reach any goals or objectives. But thanks to online language learning platforms with audiobooks and other resources that you can access during your commute, you can easily transform wasted time into tangible progress towards learning a new language. With over 300 hours available annually, your daily commute could provide you with enough time to literally master a new language each and every year!

2. Increase Your Earning Potential While Commuting to Work

How would you like to transform all those spare commuting hours each week into more money for a new car, house, or even a dream vacation? According to research, someone making $30,000 per year can boost their annual income by $600 or more per year by learning a second language. Added up over the course of a lifetime, you can boost your total earnings by $70,000 or more while achieving your dream of learning a new language during your daily commute!

How? From work-at-home translation jobs to working overseas, there are many ways to leverage your second language into more money in your bank account! So instead of wasting your precious time, you can make your commute more productive and profitable and the more languages you learn, the higher your income potential.

3. Repetition is Key to Mastering a New Language

Not sure if it’s practical to learn another language while commuting to and from work each day? Well not only is it possible—learning in your car on the way to and from work each day can actually help you learn and master French or any language much faster! The simple truth is that repetition is absolutely vital to truly internalizing and mastering any language. So, if you listen to audiobooks or even audio lessons on your commute to work and then repeat the same lesson on your commute home, the information is more likely to be “locked-in” to your long-term memory!

5 Ways FrenchPod101 Makes It Easy to Learn a Language On Your Commute

FrenchPod101 has been helping people just like yourself learn and master French in the comfort of their home, during their daily commute, or any place they have a few minutes of spare time. Here are five features provided by FrenchPod101 that make it easy to learn a new language while commuting to and from work:

1. The Largest Collection of Audio Lessons on Planet by Native Speaking Instructors
Every single week, FrenchPod101 creates new audio lessons by native speaking instructors. All lessons are short, to the point, and guaranteed to improve your mastery of French.

2. Word of the Day
Simply exposing yourself to new information and vocabulary terms helps increase your fluency and mastery of French. So every single day, FrenchPod101 adds a new Word of the Day for you to learn and memorize during your commute.

3. Daily Dose Mini-Lessons
Have a short commute to work but still want to make progress towards learning and mastering French? Not a problem! Our Daily Dose Mini-Lessons are 1-minute or less and designed to improve your grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

4. All Content Available on a Convenient Mobile App
You don’t need a PC or tablet to learn French during your daily commute. At FrenchPod101, all of our lessons, tools, and resources are available 24/7 via our Mobile App. That means you can access all of our audio lessons and other tools during your commute to work or any time you have a few spare moments!

5. Audiobooks and Other Supplemental Resources
In addition to the world’s largest online collection of HD audio lessons, FrenchPod101 has also created several audiobooks to enhance your understanding and make it more convenient than ever to learn a language during your commute!

Conclusion

The average commute time of most Americans is over 300 hours each year and it’s the perfect opportunity to learn and master a new language. In fact, you can use the “dead time” during your daily commute to learn a new language and potentially boost your lifetime earnings by up to $70,000 or more! Whatever your motivation, FrenchPod101 has the tools and resources necessary to help you learn a new language each year during your commute to and from work. Act now and we’ll even provide you with a free audiobook to try out on your next commute!

We all know the importance of first impressions, but do you know how long it really takes for a person to make a judgement and put you in a mental box from which you might never get out? According to psychologists and communication experts, it’s around five seconds, just enough time to walk down the hall and say “Hello” or “Good morning.” Hence, choosing the proper greeting is the best way to make you sound fun and engaging to your friends, or professional and trustworthy to your business partners.

It’s even more important with French, as we can be pretty intense about manners and social “etiquette.” No wonder, we even invented the word. So, if you want to learn how to say hello in French as naturally as native speakers would and learn everything about greetings in French, buckle up and follow this French greetings guide!

1. “Bonjour” and “Salut,” Your French Bread-and-Butter

Wish there was a magic word to get you through 95% of your social encounters when it comes to saying “hello” or “good morning” in French? You’re in luck, there are two generic ways of how French greet!

• Bonjour (“Hello”) is as fail-proof as it gets. Literally, “Good day” (Bon jour), it can be used all morning and afternoon, with anybody, in any kind of situation. The beauty of Bonjour is that it’s neither too formal nor too relaxed; you cannot go wrong with it.
• Salut (“Hi”) is the casual bonjour that you use with friends and peers. It’s short, cheerful, easy to pronounce, and you can use it all day long. And the best part? You can also use it to say “Bye!”

2. Greeting Like a Boss!

Now that you have the basics, let’s get to the juicy part and learn some specific greetings.

• Coucou (“Hey”) is an odd bird, quite literally. Coming from the “cuckoo” bird sound, it’s a way to attract attention in a naïve and childish manner. One cannot get less formal than using Coucou, and it’s common in use between romantic partners or with close friends or family. If you want to sound cute or playful, Coucou is right for you and is an excellent French greetings for between friends.

1- Time-dependent Greetings:

• Bonsoir (“Good evening”) takes over when it’s too late to say Bonjour. Literally “Good evening” (Bon soir), you can use this French greeting after sundown. Don’t worry, nobody will ever get offended if you get you bonjour and bonsoir mixed up!
• How to say “Good morning” in French? We don’t! Unless you’re in Quebec, where French speakers use Bon matin. Better not use it in France, though, as it may sound quite awkward to an unprepared French audience.

/!\ Bonne matinée, Bonne journée, and Bonne soirée (Literally: “Good morning,” “Good day,” and “Good evening”) may sound like greetings, but they are only used to say goodbye!

2- Phone and Online Greetings:

• Allo? (“Hello?”) is only used for answering the phone in French, as a question, to make sure your interlocutor can hear you. Use it either at the start of the conversation or if you suspect the call might have dropped.

  If someone ever greets you in the street with a Allo, check your GPS: you’re most likely in Quebec where Allo is used for Bonjour while Bonjour? starts a phone conversation. Yeah, it’s slightly confusing.

• Cc, yop, and plop (“Hi”) can be used in online games and chat. Cc is short for Coucou (“Hey”), while yop and plop are just sounds.

3- The Magic of “Nice to Meet You”

Once you’ve met someone for the first time, you might want to add a polite or charming “Nice to meet you.” It can take many forms, but the most common and simple is:

• Enchanté (“Delighted”), which can be used for anybody, anytime, anywhere.

If you want to sound fancier or display your French knowledge, you can choose to use one of these:

• Ravi de vous rencontrer or Heureux de vous rencontrer. (“Happy to meet you.”)
• C’est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance. (“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”)
• C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer. (“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”)
  It can be cut down to Un plaisir de vous rencontrer (“Pleased to meet you”) or even Un plaisir (“A pleasure”). Sprinkle it with a charming smile and it can take you a long way!

3. How to Say “How are You?” in French

Now that you’ve said “Hello,” it’s time to break the ice and give some honey to whoever you’re talking to. With a simple “How are you doing?” or “What’s up?” you can be polite, show your interest, or even spark a conversation.

• Comment allez-vous ? [Formal] / Comment vas-tu ? [Casual] (“How are you doing ?”)

Literally “How are you going?” this is the easiest way to inquire about someone’s well-being. Other popular casual forms are Comment ça va ? (“How is it going?”) or Tu vas bien ? (“Are you good?”).

The typical follow-up is Ça va (“It goes”), a foolproof noncommittal answer. But you can make it a bit more personal with Ça va bien (“It’s going well”) or with the world-famous Comme ci comme ça (“So-so”) which literally means “Like this, like that.”

• Quoi de neuf ? [Casual] (“What’s new?”)

There are no standard follow-ups for this one, so you’ll have to come up with a genuine answer and curse your interlocutor for making your life so hard!

4. Tu or Vous: A Lesson in French Etiquette

Formal or casual? You have to choose it wisely, as French can be slightly more demanding with manners than in other aspects of the language.

1- Choose a “You”

The French have two distinct pronouns for “You”: Vous and Tu (formal and casual “You”), and each new encounter gets a bit trickier when you have to choose one. We can imagine how horrible it seems to English speakers, but it’s easier than it seems and even has some perks!

In a nutshell, here’s how it works:

• Friends, peers, family, kids, or teens, someone younger than you, and animals: Tu
• Anybody else: Vous (until decided otherwise by both parties)
• Whenever in doubt: Vous

See? Not so much of a headache!

When you feel comfortable enough, you can use Tu with strangers in informal situations (in a bar, club, or hostel), and anyone using Tu with you allows you to do the same. It’s also an interesting way to gauge your level of intimacy with someone.

2- Choose a Title

If you go for a formal greeting, you can add a title, but it’s not mandatory. It might come as a shock after the previous section, but there’s nothing complicated about titles. Hurray!

• Monsieur (“Mister”)
• Madame (“Madam”)
• Mademoiselle (“Miss”)

3- Formal and Casual Greetings

So, if we put everything together, what does it look like? Here are two examples of greeting conversations in French to help you figure it out:

[Formal] Julien meets Sebastien Laroche in a business meeting.

• Julien: Bonjour Monsieur Laroche. (“Hello Mr Laroche.”)
• Sebastien: Bonjour ! (“Hello!”)
• Julien: Comment allez-vous ? (“How are you doing?”)
• Sebastien: Ca va bien, merci. (“I’m good, thank you.”)

In this formal setting, Julien opens with the universal Bonjour, followed by the title Monsieur to show his respect. Then, he continues with a polite Vous. Maybe when they get comfortable enough, they will switch to the Tu.

[Casual] Julien meets his friend Cédric.

• Julien: Salut ! (“Hi!”)
• Cédric: Salut Julien ! (“Hi Julien!”)
• Julien: Tu vas bien ? (“How are you doing?”)
• Cédric: Ça va. (“All good.”)

Julien addresses his friend with a friendly Salut (“Hi”) and uses the casual Tu throughout the conversation.

5. Spice it Up with a Pinch of Slang!

Now that you know how to casually say “hello” in French, what about sounding even cooler with some slang? Here are some fun ways to say “hi” and impress your French friends with your laid-back fluency!

• Yo! (“Hi”)
• Wesh? (“Hi”)

This one comes from the Algerian Wesh rak (“How are you doing?”) and became increasingly popular in recent years, even though it’s frequently frowned upon.

• Ça fait un bail ! (“Long time no see!”)
• La forme ? (“How are you doing?”) — Literally “the shape?” from “Are you in good shape?”
• Bien ? (“Are you doing well?”) — Literally “Good?”
• Ça roule?, Ça gaze?, and Ça biche? are tough to explain, but all mean the same as Bien ?

6. The Secret Art of French Kissing

No more vocabulary here, it’s time to get physical and learn about kissing. But despite this deceiving chapter’s name, there won’t be any tongue involved! French greetings body language is one of the most vital aspects of the language as a whole, so without further ado, let’s talk about the most typical, infamous, and confusing feature of French etiquette: La bise.

1- Shaking Hands

Hold on! Before the kissing part, let’s get the classic and manly handshakes out of the way. Yes, we shake hands in France. We do it vigorously, with a firm hand while looking straight into each other’s eyes. You can shake hands with your friends, your father-in-law, every day with your co-workers, your boss, a friendly bartender, or really anybody you meet for the first or hundredth time. Shaking hands is still the most popular French greeting, by far.

2- Do We Hug in France?

Not really. Some people do, but many also tend to become uncomfortable, stiff, and clumsy when hugging is involved. We actually don’t have a word for friendly hugging and it’s usually kept for close family and romantic partners.

3- Fake-kissing with “La Bise”

In French, the word Bise refers to a kiss on the cheek. Applied to our typical daily greeting, it can be a weird, confusing, or even stressful moment for unsuspecting foreigners. Any gender combination can practice La bise, no matter their age, beliefs, or sexual orientation: this is a friendly greeting. La bise isn’t really a kiss, it’s just a way to say “hello” in French.

Its origins are unclear, but it’s believed to have become prominent sometime after the Social Revolution and Moral Emancipations of May 1968, even though many similar greetings can be found throughout the country’s history. Nowadays, kids start doing and receiving la bise from a young age, and it’s practiced among all social circles. You may have seen photos of our Presidents voraciously kissing German Chancellors or First Ladies alike!

4- How-to Faire la Bise

To do la bise (Faire la bise), you lean forward and touch cheeks with the other person while mimicking a kiss (with the sound and lips gesture). There’s no actual lips-to-cheek contact during the typical bise, just a slight brush of the cheeks. Then, switch cheeks and repeat the same process on the other side.

Pro-tips:

• Some people tend to exaggerate the kissing sound, producing a loud “Mwuaah” on each side, but there’s a good chance you’d be made fun of, if you do so.
• Make sure you don’t “air-kiss” by doing la bise without any cheek contact. Even though your lips are kissing the air, the cheeks should touch.

What Side? How Many?

Brace yourself and don’t panic. Although somewhat codified, la bise is a friendly greeting that shouldn’t be tainted with distress!

• Should you start with the left or right side? Doesn’t matter! If you’re not sure, just follow the other person’s lead and go with the flow.
• How many kisses? Well…it depends. Most French make two, southeasterners make three, while some regions are governed with the rule of four. If it escalates up to five or further, I’d get suspicious!

  Yeah, it can get confusing when you’re mentally prepared for two while the other person keeps going up to four, but nothing one cannot handle. Just adapt to whatever comes and always accept that more bises could be hiding around the corner!

You can even find some statistic maps for la bise, but don’t take them too seriously!

To Bise or not to Bise?

Now for the most important question: Should you do la bise or not?

Let us break it down for you:

• If you’re a woman, you can do la bise with friends, family, or peers, no matter their gender, and vice-versa.
• As a man, you can do la bise with female friends, family, or peers, or female strangers met in an informal context.
• As a man, you can also do la bise with your male friends and family, but it usually takes a higher level of intimacy and some people just don’t do it.

It might seem easier for women, but it’s not! When joining a big group of male and female co-workers, for instance, men can just do la bise to women and shake hands with men. Women, on the other hand, are somehow expected to do la bise to everyone. In my experience, however, it’s perfectly fine to just wave or shake hands. If anybody gets offended, they’re just not worth your time.

When joining a group of friends, you may have to do la bise to every single one of them and repeat the same social ritual when you leave. It might sound tedious, but with practice you’ll become fluent with la bise and greet everyone in no time!

Oh, and never be pushy! If you go for la bise and the other person doesn’t mirror your leaning movement or give you their hand to shake, just pack up your bise and don’t get bitter! While in France, you can just let your French hosts take the initiative and follow their bise habits.

7. How FrenchPod101 Can Help You Learn More French

You’ve learned how to say “Hello” in French and to rival with native speakers using fancy greetings and cool slangs. Together, we’ve unraveled the mysteries of la bise and you’re now ready for any casual or formal French encounter at any time of the day!

Next time you bump into a French person, offer them your most graceful Salut ! or Bonjour and see what happens next. Or why not prepare short dialogues to practice, and get comfortable with the Tu and the Vous?

FrenchPod101 has many resources, such as vocabulary lists, to help you improve your French in no time. You can download them for free from our website! Check out our list of Common ways to say “Hello” with audio recordings to practice your accent.

Thank you and we hope that you enjoy learning French with us! Now take your knowledge from this French greetings guide, get out there, and make the most of your new French language skills!

Table of Contents

1. Definition of the verb ‘Monter’
2. Which auxiliary verb to use with the verb ‘Monter’?
3. ÊTRE and AVOIR Conjugation in Indicative
4. When it has a Direct Object Complement (DOC), the verb Monter necessarily conjugates with the auxiliary AVOIR.
5. When the subject is a person
6. To talk about a level or a price
7. The verb ‘Monter’ conjugated
8. 10 French expressions with ‘Monter’
9. When ‘Monter’ is a noun

Hi everyone, in this article I share with you How to use the verb Monter.

1. Definition of the Verb Monter

1- Move up

• Example :
• Nous montons au sommet de la montagne. ? We climb to the top of the mountain.

2- Increase, grow

• Example :
• Le niveau du fleuve a monté. ? The level of the river has risen.

3- Put yourself on an animal or in a vehicle

• Example :
• Il monte à cheval. ? He rides horseback.
• Elle monte dans la voiture. ? She gets in the car.

2. Which auxiliary verb to use with the verb Monter ?

Depending on the context, the verb Monter is conjugated with

• the auxiliary verb AVOIR

or

• the auxiliary verb ÊTRE

3. ÊTRE and AVOIR conjugation in indicative

4. When it has a Direct Object Complement (DOC), the verb Monter necessarily conjugates with the auxiliary AVOIR.

To find out if the sentence contains a DOC, we ask the question QUOI (WHAT) or QUI (WHO) after the verb.

The verb + QUOI (WHAT) ? / QUI (WHO) ?

Examples :

• J’ai mangé une pomme. ? I ate an apple.
• J’ai mangé QUOI ? – une pomme. ? I ate WHAT ? – an apple.
• Guillaume a attendu sa mère. ? Guillaume waited for his mother.
• Guillaume a attendu QUI ? – Sa mère. ? Guillaume waited for WHO ? – his mother.
• Julien a monté l’escalier rapidement. ? Julien climbed the stairs quickly.
• Elle lui avait monté dans sa chambre quelques livres et un verre d’eau. ? She had brought him some books and a glass of water in his room.
• J’ai même monté les valises dans sa chambre moi-même. ? I even bring the suitcases to his room myself.
• Ses amis lui ont monté un bateau pour son anniversaire. ? His friends built him a boat for his birthday.

5. When the subject is a person

When the verb has no direct object complement, the two auxiliaries verbs (ÊTRE and AVOIR) are in competition. In fact, the auxiliary verb ÊTRE is used more often than the auxiliary verb AVOIR when the subject of the verb is a person. Note that AVOIR is sometimes possible in some contexts.

Examples :

ÊTRE

• Simone n’est jamais montée dans un avion. ? Simone never got on a plane.
• Harold est monté se reposer quelques minutes. ? Harold went up to rest a few minutes.
• Jeanne est montée à cheval pour la première fois la semaine dernière. ? Jeanne rode for the first time last week.
• Ils sont montés sur le toit pour enlever la neige. ? They climbed onto the roof to remove the snow.
• Philippe est immédiatement monté sur ses grands chevaux. ? Philippe is immediately mounted on his big horses.

AVOIR

• Sylvie a monté les valises dans sa chambre. ? Sylvie packed the suitcases in her room.

6. To talk about a level or a price

When Monter is used when speaking of a level or a price, the auxiliary verb AVOIR is used more often than the auxiliary ÊTRE.

Examples :

• Le thermomètre a monté à vingt-six degrés dans l’après-midi. ? The thermometer rose to twenty-six degrees in the afternoon. (or Le thermomètre est monté à vingt-six degrés).
• Le prix de l’essence a monté en flèche hier. ? The price of gasoline skyrocketed yesterday.
• L’eau du lac a monté encore aujourd’hui. ? The lake’s water has risen again today.
• Les enchères ont monté particulièrement haut pour cet article. ? Auctions rose particularly high for this article.

7. The verb Monter conjugated

8. 10 French expressions with Monter

The French expression / the literal translation into English = what does it mean

1. La génération qui monte / The rising generation = the generation that comes to adulthood
2. Le ton monte / Tone up = a situation of tension is created between people. The tone is the way a person says or writes something
3. La moutarde lui monte au nez / Mustard goes to his nose = he starts to get angry
4. Monter à cheval / Ride a horse = to practice riding
5. Monter le son / mount the sound (of a sound device) = to make the sound lower
6. Monter une couleur = give it more intensity
7. Monter la gamme = pass from the lowest sounds to the highest sounds
8. Monter une pièce de théâtre = put a play on stage
9. Monter au filet / Climb to the net = engage vigorously in an action
10. Monter à la tête de quelqu’un = obsessed, troubled, stunned by something

9. When Monter is a noun

1 - Action to go up

• Example :
• Il est en train de faire une montée. ? He is doing a climb.

2 - Place where we go up.

• Example :
• Prenez par la montée, c’est le chemin le plus court. ? Take the climb, it is the shortest way.

3 - A little slope in front of a building

• Example :
• La montée du Capitole, à Rome, est grande. ? The slope of the Capitol, in Rome, is great.

4 - All that goes up

• Example :
• La montée de la sève dans les plantes. ? The rise of sap in plants.

Thank you for reading this article. Hope you enjoyed it and leave a comment if you have any question.

Thomas Ricomard
Fast French Learning

There’s something so delightfully romantic about France—or at least the idea we have of it. Golden fields, beautiful Riviera, foods that enlighten the mind, wines of endless variety, farniente… But summer and August—in terms of France holidays, especially—make for a very different vibe in many aspects of life, and it’s important for people planning to visit France in August to know what the place is really like.

In this article we’ll explain how Paris becomes a ghost town, see what types of weather you can expect in different parts of the country, and help you find the best destination according to what you like to do. In other terms, we’ll answer the question, of what France in August is really like.

1. The French During Holidays

August for French people is the month when everybody complains about how everyone takes their holidays at the same time. Thus in August, you’ll have both tourists and locals going to the best destinations in France.

Indeed, the French don’t hesitate to take long holidays, even if they own a shop or a restaurant that would highly benefit from the touristy seasons, and some places close for the entire month, especially the farther North you go. Some refer to Paris in August as a “ghost town,” or the “France August shutdown,” only peopled by tourists wandering around, trying to find a restaurant or anything that’s open.

If you don’t like crowds, avoid traveling in the South during the first two weeks of August, because that’s where you’ll find the biggest concentration of those on holiday, both foreign and domestic.

Check out our list of French words for traveling in France!

2. The Weather in France

France reaches from the North of Europe (kind of), to the South. There are three types of climate: oceanic, continental, and Mediterranean. Thus there’s no “best” place to visit in France during August. You have varied options and can choose your ideal temperature! Check out our French vocabulary list about summer!

1- Temperature in France in August:

• Temperature in Normandy: Between 12 C (54 F) and 20 C (68 F), 19 days of rain on average.
• Weather in Brittany: Between 14 C (57 F) and 22 C (72 F) on average.
• Weather in Paris: Between 15 C (59 F) and 24 C (75 F), 13 rainy days on average. Weather in Paris in August can be unpredictable; it can be very warm and nice, or be a downpour. If you’re aiming for good weather, don’t risk it.
• Weather in Lyon: Between 13 C (56 F) and 26 C (79 F) on average, 11 days of rain on average.
• Weather in Nice: Between 18 C (64 F) and 27 C (81 F) on average, 7 days of rain on average.

2- What to Wear in France in August:

The etiquette is pretty loose in France; you’re free to wear what you wish. To visit churches, you should have appropriate clothing, but it’s nothing too strict.

3. Markets

This isn’t particular to the month of August, but is a local phenomenon to enjoy every month of the year: the food and goods markets. It’s said that France counts no less than one-hundred exceptional markets. In August, there are more stalls, more artisan choices for tourists, and more vintage fairs.

In terms of seasonal products on the market in August in France, you’ll find courgettes, beautiful tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lots of yummy fruits. Here are some of France’s best markets:

1- Le Marché des Enfants Rouges: Paris, 3e Arrondissement

• Open everyday except Mondays from 8:30am to 1pm, and from 4pm to 7:30pm (2:30pm on Sundays).

This is Paris’ oldest covert market as it dates back to 1629! Owing its name to an old orphanage, it’s situated in the Marais and people often come at eleven o’clock in the morning to see what’s cooking, as it offers mostly food. You can find oysters or a tagine, for instance.

2- Le Marché Victor Hugo: Toulouse

• Open everyday except Mondays, from 7am to 1pm.

You’ll find about one-hundred stands in this market. Go to the Halle, where you’ll find restaurants on the first floor, and wonderful local products on the ground floor.

3- Carpentras

• Open every Friday, from 8am to 12:30pm.

There are many markets full of local products in the region since so much produce grows, but the Carpentras is one of the biggest—and where the connoisseurs go for great produce at great prices. In November, it’s the first market for truffles, but in August you’ll find the best seasonal fruits, among them melons. What’s good about this market is that it’s not only dedicated to food, so you can have a nice stroll around to find clothes, artisan products, and even plants.

4- Halles Bocuse: Lyon

• Open everyday except Mondays from 7am to 10:30pm, and from 7am to 4:30pm on Sundays.

It would be a shame to go to Lyon and miss this wonderful market. There are so many stalls that it’s difficult not to get swamped off your feet. You’ll find local produce such as the famous fish quenelles, but also seafood, sausages, and cheeses…

4. Things to Do in France in August

1- Museums

Museums in France in August often have longer open hours for tourists to enjoy beautiful art at their times of choice. There are so many wonderful museums open all year that it’s difficult to give you the best ones; it’s so subjective. However, an incredible experience to have in August, and something that’s truly unique, is the Carrières des Lumières. The site is an old query, reconvened in an exhibition space where nicely curated artwork is projected onto the huge walls, and animated and accompanied with music. What’s so great about visiting in August is that it’s very cool inside, a great rest from the daunting Provençal heat. The village next door is also a must, one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages.

• How much? 13,50 euros, full price.
• Where? Baux-de-Provence.

2- Activities

France’s nature scene and countryside are beautiful, and there are a lot of great summer sports you can indulge in while spending your August in France for the holidays. Canoe in the Gorges du Verdon (The French « Grand Canyon »), or go rafting, hiking, cycling… Don’t close yourself off to these wonderful sporting adventures just because it’s not what you think of when you think of France.

3- Beaches

Ask the locals for directions to the nicest beaches! There are always the tourist ones, and the ones for locals. So learn French to make friends with the locals and get juicy tips!! Also, check out our article on what to do and not to do on a beach in France! Final piece of advice: Don’t think the only nice beaches are on the Mediterranean coast; the Atlantic coast in August has some wonderful beaches!

4- Cafes

If you’re feeling lonely, remember that it’s pretty chill to ask somebody out for a coffee or a drink in France, and people are quite spontaneous. Learn here about the top French words to say on a date! Note that you can also apply the French dating knowledge to other countries.

5. Festivals

1- La Feria de Dax

• When in 2018? August 11th to 15th
• Where? Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feria_(festival)

This takes place in the South-Western town, not far from the Spanish border. You’ll hear folk music, see fireworks, and enjoy many other activities such as Corrida or bullfighting.

2- Rock en Seine

• When in 2018? August 24th to 26th
• Where? Ile-de-France
• Website: https://www.rockenseine.com/en/

One of the music festivals France has in August, this all-day rock festival typically takes place at the end of the month, in the west of Paris. There’s usually a great line-up!

3- La Nuit des Etoiles

• When in 2018? August 3rd to 5th
• Where? Multiple locations
• For instance: https://www.sortiraparis.com/arts-culture/walks/articles/42164-star-gazing-night-2018-at-the-montparnasse-tower/lang/en

This is the “Night of the Stars” festival that takes place at about four-hundred events all over the country, where people can meet and observe the night sky together. These events often provide certified astronomers to help you make the most of it!

4- Festival du Comminges

• When in 2018? July 21st to September 1st
• Where? Occitanie
• Website: http://www.festival-du-comminges.com/en/

This is the August music festival in France for classical music and choirs. In the South of France, it takes place all through August in the charming town that’s also on the way of the Camino de Santiago.

6. Can You Get Away with Speaking English?

It’s not for nothing that French people have a bad reputation when it comes to their English speaking. At FrenchPod101, we provide you with easy-to-use French PDF lessons, so you can learn the French you want at your own pace! And if you want to cut to the chase and learn the key phrases in French, well, we’ve got you covered. Check out our article on the subject, Useful French Phrases and Expressions, if you want to read more about it! By the way, the one thing that you must learn to say, even if you learn nothing else, is ‘thank you’ in French.

7. Conclusion

There’s something for everyone in France during the month of August. And even if you experience either rain (in the North) or scorching heat (in the South), come prepared and it won’t hinder your adventure too much. The last advice we can give you is to learn French with our classes at FrenchPod101 to enjoy your French trip in August to the maximum!