France

What to pack

France is big so it depends on where & when you’re going but know that it gets HOT by the sea!

Know before you go

Haley's Top 5 Tips:

  • In France, saying ‘hello’ can be the difference between being treated courteously or getting ignored! Always say ‘bonjour’ or ‘bonsoir’ when you enter a store or restaurant, and add the person’s title (madame, monsieur) for an extra dash of politeness!
  • Most restaurants in the French Riviera don’t serve food between the hours of 2 and 7 p.m. Bring a snack!
  • Never ask to take your leftovers to go! It is considered cheap and rude.
  • The French Riviera benefits from 310 to 330 days of sunshine per year! Do NOT forget your sunscreen and a hat!
  • Despite what you may have heard, the French are very kind people but not as overly expressive and loud as we can be in America. They appreciate when tourists are respectful and try to speak the native language, but don’t expect you to be fluent by any means. Typically, in larger cities, they will smile and respond to you in English to make communication easier.

Recommendations

say what?

A quick guide to helpful French phrases:

Bonjour [bohn-joour]– Hello!

Bonsoir [bohn-swah] – Good evening!

Madame/monsieur/mademoiselle [mad-am/mohn-seeur/mad-uh-mwa-zelle] – Mrs./Mr./Miss

S’il vous plaît [see-voo-play] – Please

Merci [mare-see]– Thank you

Santé! [sohn-tee]  – Cheers!

Je parle un peu français [Zhuh parl uhn peh frahn-say] – I speak a little French

Parlez vous Anglais? [par-lay voo ohn-glay] – Do you speak English?

Je suis désolé. Je parle un peu françaiss. Parlez vous anglais? – I’m sorry. I speak a little French. Do you speak English?

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