class topics: politesse basic pronunciation rules hotels

Page � of �1 33 French for Travelers

Class topics: • Politesse • Basic pronunciation rules • Genders, grammar and using a French/English dictionary (or other

translation assists) • Numbers • Handy expressions • Asking for directions • Hotels • Eating Out • Shopping — markets and shops • Car rental and driving • Emergencies, “State of Emergency” and Medical issues • Taking the train • Using the Paris Métro

Class format First 10-15 min: Pronunciation “warm-up” exercises using politesse and numbers Remainder of class: practice saying things in the day’s topics


La Politesse = Good Manners

Bonjour — “Good day” Madame — Ma’am Monsieur — Sir

Au revoir — “good-bye”

S’il vous plaît — “Please”

Merci — “Thank you”

Je vous en prie — “You’re welcome.” (You also hear this from waiters as they take away a plate.)

Comment allez-vous? — “How are you?”

Je vais bien, merci. — “I’m well, thank you.”

Ça va? — “How are you?” “How’s it going?”

When you leave a shop, you might say (or hear):

Bonne journée — “Have a nice day.”

Bonne soirée — “Have a nice evening.”

When you are heading for bed:

Bonne nuit — “Good night.”


Pronunciation

Vowels are not as elongated as English, and they are almost always a single sound (not a diphthong) • the alphabet • the numbers • the nasal sounds (un bon vin blanc) • la politesse (bonjour, au revoir, s’il vous plaît, merci)

Vowel sounds from paired vowels (like long-married couples, these combos are very predictable and stick together to make one sound)

AI = like the “ei" in lei AU = like the “o” in bone

EI = like the “ei" in lei EU = like the “oo” in book This also is virtually identical to the sound created by OEU. (There is one exception to this rule — when “eu” is the past participle of avoir, when it is pronounced as the French “u.” Don’t worry about that.)

OI = “wa” (as in water) OU = like the “o” English “move” (or, think St LOUis)

Flattening effect of double consonants on vowel sounds: bonne (f) = good femme = wife homme = man donner = to give

comme = like or as

ILL = almost always a “y” sound like the Y in “canyon” fille = girl, daughter famille = family juillet = July

The “Ls” are heard in words related to these three: “Milles villes tranquilles” (a thousand tranquil cities) — so “un village”


Nasals To create the nasal vowel sounds, you need to finish the syllable with your tongue firmly parked behind your BOTTOM teeth. An “completed” N finishes with your tongue at the roof of your mouth. “Un bon vin blanc” are the nasal sounds.

“IN” and “IM” are pronounced as the “IN” in vin or Rodin when they stand as a separate syllable. If syllabification breaks the word between the “I” and the “M” or “N” then there is no nasal, and the “I” sounds like ee as in “week.” Hence: IN or IM at the end of a word or followed by a consonant make nasals — im-po-ssi-ble in-ci-dent

but If they are followed by a vowel, not — i-nou-bli-able (unforgettable) —- ee - nou - blee - ah - ble mi-neur (minor) — mee - nuhr

Consonants can be tricky: H is never pronounced.

Most consonants that end a word are not pronounced. Some exceptions apply, which can sometimes be recognized by using the mnemonic “CaReFuL” — when the consonants in the English word “careful” are the last letter of the word they are often pronounced. “Lac” (lake) “hiver” (winter) “chef” (chef or leader) “mal” (bad) But there are a lot of exceptions to the rule!

When the last consonant of a word is followed by an “e” you say the consonant . So masculine “big” is “grand” (no “d” sound), but feminine “big” is “grande” — you say the D but the E is silent (this is not Starbucks).


Pronunciation of “G” Ga, Go, Gu = hard “G” as in GABLE Ge, Gi = soft “G” as in “GINGER”

manger = to eat je mange nous mangEons — the “E” is added to make the “G” soft

un guide — hard G un/une gendarme — soft G la gare = train station — hard G un garage — starts with hard G, finishes with soft G

Pronunciation of “C” — similar rules as for “G”

Ca, Co, Cu = hard C as in “Canada” Ç — will make a hard C soft — as in “français” or “ça” Ce, Ci = soft “C” as in “center” (“centre” in French)

Pronouncing the French “R” is a matter of developing the muscle that we don’t use much in English speech (we use it at the very start of “K”) and knowing where to park your tongue (behind your bottom teeth).


Common French phrases to help with pronunciation:

C’est la vie — That’s life

Je ne sais quoi — I don’t know what (as in — That man has a certain je ne sais quoi)

Comme ci, comme ça — Literally, “like this, like that” — but in usage, “So- so” as in a response to “how are things?”

Voilà — “See there” (literally). In English it can be used for a “ta da” moment. In French, it also is used like we use “bingo” — as in, “you’ve got it!”

fait accompli — “a done thing” (His appointment to the committee is a fait accompli.)

raison d’être — “reason for being”

coup d’état — Literally “blow against the state (or government)” — indicates in English (and in French) the overthrow of a government

faux pas — “false step” used in English to indicate (usually) a social gaffe


Genders, grammar and using a French/English dictionary (or other translation assists)

Genders don’t follow consistent rules — lots of words end in “e” and are masculine, such as:

un problème (a problem) un musée (a museum) le Mexique

Virtually all nouns that end in -tion are feminine Virtually all nouns that end in -ment are masculine

Countries have genders — most Western Hemisphere countries are masculine

La France — France I am going to France: Je vais en France

Les États-Unis — the United States I am going to the US: Je vais aux États-Unis

Le Mexique — Mexico I am going to Mexico: Je vais au Mexique

Le Canada — Canada I am going to Canada Je vais au Canada

Mostly, French nouns need to have an article in front of them — either “the” (le, la, les) or “a” (un, une) or “some” (des) One trick to learning the gender of a noun is, when you learn the noun, make the gendered article a part of it: LA table, LE mur (the wall)


Notes on French prepositions They really aren’t translatable “content” words, they are grammatical connectors or labels.

TO: à + le = au à + les = aux FROM: de + le = du de + les = des

OF (de) or FOR (à) un verre de vin = a glass of wine un verre à vin = a wine glass (a glass for wine)

une tasse de thé = a cup of tea une tasse à thé = a teacup


Handy Expressions

Je voudrais … = I would like …

J’ai besoin de … = I need …

C'est combien ? = How much will it cost?

Comment dit-on … = How do you say …

Je ne parle pas français. = I don’t speak French.

Parlez-vous anglais? = Do you speak English?

L’addition, s’il vous plaît = The check, please (in a restaurant)

Quel temps fait-il? = What’s the weather like?

Il fait beau = It’s nice out

Il fait froid = It’s cold

Il fait chaud = It’s hot

Je m’appelle … = My name is …


Asking for Directions

Où est = where is Où sont = where are Où se trouve / se trouvent = where is / are (literally, “where does it (do they) find itself (themselves)”)

Où sont les toilettes? = where are the toilets?

Où est la station de métro? = where is the métro station?

Où est le Louvre? — Where is the Louvre? Où est le marché? — Where is the market

Understanding the answers

là bas — over there à gauche — to the left à droite — to the right tout droit — straight ahead derrière — behind you près d’ici — near here c’est loin — it’s far (from here)


Hotels

Don’t forget La Politesse!

Un hôtel = hotel

La réception = the receptionist, the reception desk (where you check in)

Une réservation = a reservation

Une chambre = a (bed)room

Avec deux lits = with 2 beds

Avec salle de bains = with a bathroom Avec douche = with a shower

Pour trois nuits = for 3 nights

Pour deux personnes = for 2 people

La facture, la note = the bill

Ça coute combien? = How much does it cost?

Le petit-déjeuner. Est-il compris? = Breakfast. Is it included [in the price]. (Beware: hotels, especially in Paris, will charge a lot for breakfast and there is usually an excellent café (or 5) nearby.

Y a-t-il un ascenseur? = Is there an elevator?

Un étage = the floor (“first floor” in France is what Americans call “2nd floor”


Eating Out

Une table = a table

Pour quatre personnes = For 4 people

Le dîner = Dinner

Le déjeuner = Lunch

La carte = the menu

Le menu = a fixed price menu (usually 3 courses with a few choices per course, and usually a good deal)

Un repas = a meal

Un plat = a dish (as in a menu offering)

Une assiette = a plate (as in flat surface that food is served on)

Une entrée = a starter (as in, appetizer)

Le plat principal = main course

Le dessert = dessert

Une salade = a salad La viande = meat Le poisson = fish Le poulet = chicken Les fruits de mer (f) = seafood Les légumes = vegetables Un oeuf; des oeufs = an egg, some eggs La glâce = ice cream — quel parfum? = what flavor?

Je suis végétarien (végétarienne for female) = I am a vegetarian

L’addition, s’il vous plaît = The bill (or check), please


“Au Marché”¨ — at the market

order by grams or kilos — learn the metric system

Ça coute combien? — That costs how much? huit euros cinquante — €8,50 de l’argent — money de la monnaie — change, coins

du fromage — cheese un morceau de fromage — a piece of cheese des legumes — vegetables

des viandes — meats

des poissons — fish

des fruits de mer — shellfish

des fleurs — flowers

des épices — spices

des herbes — herbs

DAB (un distributeur automatique de billets) — ATM

un sac — a bag un sac à main — a handbag un sac à dos — a backpack

Où est le marché de livres? Au bord de la Seine. — Where is the book market? Next to the Seine.

à droite — to the right

tout droit — straight ahead


près d’ici — near here

c’est loin — it’s far (from here)

Supplies for a picnic —un picque-nique

du pain = some bread une boulangerie = bakery

du vin = some wine une cave = a wine cellar marchand de vin = wine merchant (marchande = f)

des raisins (m) = some grapes

du fromage = some cheese de la région = from the area

des pommes (f) = some apples

des tomates (f) = some tomatoes

des poires (f) = some pears

des pâ ti sse ries (f) (des tartes (f), des gâteaux (m)) = pastries — some tarts, some cakes

des assiettes (f) = some plates

des fourchettes (f) = some forks

des couteaux (m) = some knives

des verres = some glasses “un verre à vin” — glass for wine “un verre de vin” — glass of wine

des serviettes (f) = napkins


un ouvre-bouteilles = bottle opener

un demi-kilo des fraises = 1/2 kilo (= 1 lb) of strawberries

deux oranges = 2 oranges des oranges - some oranges

quatre abricots = 4 apricots

de la glace au chocolat = chocolate ice cream Quel parfum? = what flavor? N’importe quel parfum. (It doesn’t matter what flavor.) Qu’est-ce que vous aimez? = What do you like?

noix de coco = coconut

Bertillion *** Parisian brand of ice cream

une boule = scoop of ice cream

une coupelle = cup un cone = cone

Je voudrais … = I would like (the conditional tense conjugation of vouloir) vouloir = to want Qu’est-ce que vous voulez? = What do you want? je veux = I want

… de l’eau = some water … un verre d’eau = a glass of water … un verre d’eau avec des glaçons = a glass of water with ice cubes … une carafe d’eau = a carafe of water (this will get you tap water) … de l’eau glacée = chilled water (no ice cubes) … de l’eau gazeuse = fizzy water … de l’eau minérale pleine = still water … de l’eau plate = still water (from the tap) (plat/plate means flat) (note that “mineral water” in France is not equivalent to sparkling or fizzy water)


Driving in France

Useful links with pictures of road signs:

http://www.pedaldancer.com/2010/06/understanding-road-signs-in-france.html

http://www.france-pub.com/french/french_traffic.htm la location rental

Je voudrais louer une voiture. I'd like to rent a car.

J'ai réservé une voiture. I reserved a car.

un permis de conduire driver's license

Travaux = road works — slow down

une voiture avec transmission automatique automatic une voiture économie economy car une voiture compacte compact car une voiture intermédiaire mid-size car une voiture luxe luxury car une voiture décapotable convertible. un quatre quatre 4 x 4 un camion truck une voiture à deux portes/à quatre portes a two-door / four-door. C'est combien ? How much will it cost?

L'assurance est-elle comprise? Is insurance included? La voiture prend de l’essence ou du gazole ? Does the car take gas or diesel?

faire le plein to fill it up (with gas)

http://www.pedaldancer.com/2010/06/understanding-road-signs-in-france.html

http://www.france-pub.com/french/french_traffic.htm


le gasoil, gazole diesel de l'essence (f) gas

à droite to the right

à gauche to the left

tout droit straight ahead

le feu rouge stop light

un péage toll

en panne broken-down un pneu crevé flat tire

stationner to park défense de stationner NO PARKING

un pare-brise windshield

les essuie-glaces windshield wipers

les phares headlights

la boîte manuelle manual transmission, stick shift les freins brakes

le volant steering wheel


Other automotive vocabulary

un accélérateur gas pedal une auto car une autoroute highway l'auto-stop (m) hitchhiking faire de l'auto-stop to hitchhike une bicyclette bicycle circuler to go, move (in reference to cars and traffic) le clignotant turn signal un conducteur driver conduire to drive doubler to pass un embouteillage traffic jam (literally a bottleneck) être / tomber en panne to break down en route on the way essence ordinaire regular gas du super premium gas une excursion trip excursionner to go on walks or trips le feu vert green light les feux de route high beams les feux de stop brake lights une moto (motocyclette) motorbike une autoroute à péage toll road rouler to drive la rue street une station-service gas station tourner to turn le transport transportation traverser to cross un vélo bike la clime (short for “climatisation”) air conditioning un conducteur supplémentaire extra driver les dommages damages une nacelle bébé baby seat un rehausseur intégral booster seat un siège enfant child seat le vol theft


Medical Conditions/Emergencies

General Terms for Emergencies

Emergency! Urgence ! 17 (Emergency #) Help! Au secours ! Fire! Au feu ! Thief! Au voleur ! Watch out! Attention ! accident un accident crash une collision explosion une explosion fire un feu flood une inondation gunshot un coup de feu police officer un policier fireman un pompier to need (a) ... avoir besoin d'... doctor … un médecin dentist … un dentiste nurse … un infirmier pharmacist … un pharmacien help … aide aidez-moi!!


From: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/france.html

State of Emergency

French authorities have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions for terrorist attacks in Europe.

France’s Parliament approved an extension of the state of emergency imposed after the Nice truck attack in July 2016. The state of emergency will now remain in effect until January 26, 2017.

The state of emergency allows the government to prevent the circulation of individuals and to create zones of protection and security.

The Government of France has released a free smartphone application, SAIP (Information Alert System for People), that will alert users to terrorist attacks, nuclear incidents, dam failures, or other exceptional events. The emergency system sends warnings directly to smartphones, and will include a brief description of what is happening and advice on how to react. The app is available in both French and English. You can download the SAIP app for Android from the Google Play Store and the SAIP app for iPhone from the iTunes store.

The French government has re-established border controls and movement may be restricted in some areas.

When traveling or living in France, you should:

Be aware of your local security situation, and take appropriate steps to bolster your personal security. Monitor media and local information sources, Paris’ Travel Information webpage, and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities. Address specific safety concerns to French law enforcement authorities, who have responsibility for the safety and security of all residents and visitors to France. Be aware that demonstrations and large events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. Avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. (Large public

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/france.html


gatherings can affect all major incoming arteries to the city in which they occur. Demonstrations in one city have the potential to lead to additional public rallies or demonstrations in other locations around the city and country.)

Crime: The majority of crimes directed against foreign visitors, including U.S. citizens, involve pick-pocketing, residential break-ins, bicycle theft, and other forms of theft.

Visitors to congested and popular tourist areas (e.g., museums, monuments, train stations, airports, and subways) should be particularly attentive to their surroundings.

Crimes of opportunity are more likely to involve violence on the street late at night or when the victim resists.

Women should exercise extra caution when out alone at night and/or consider traveling out at night with trusted companions.

There are high incidences of “smash and grab” robberies in economically depressed areas or on highly traveled thoroughfares such as roads to and from the airport. Thieves on foot or motorcycle will approach a vehicle that is stopped in traffic, smash a window, reach into the vehicle to grab a purse or other valuable item, and then flee. Keep doors locked and valuables out of sight.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy Paris at +(33)(1) 43-12-22-22. In Monaco, dial 17 to connect to the Police. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.


Medical Issues to have asthma = être asthmatique

to need an inhaler = avoir besoin d'un inhalateur to have diabetes = être diabétique to need sugar now =avoir besoin de sucre immédiatement Elle a besoin d’une piqûre de medicament to have a heart attack = avoir une crise cardiaque to have a stroke = avoir une attaque cérébrale to be drowning = se noyer to be in labor = être en travail to be lost = être égaré Je suis égaré to break one's arm, leg = se casser le bras, la jambe Je me suis cassé le bras.

I have … J’ai …

arthritis ... de l’arthrite

diarrhea ... la diarrhée

an earache ... mal à l’oreille

a fever ... de la fièvre

the flu … la grippe

frostbite ... des engelures

a hangover ... la gueule de bois

hay fever ... un rhume des foins

a headache ... mal à la tête

heartburn ... des brûlures d’estomac


hemorrhoids (piles) ... des hémorroïdes

motion sickness ... le mal des transports a runny nose ... le nez qui coule

sinusitis ... de la sinusite

a stomach ache ... mal à l’estomac

a toothache … mal aux dents I am … Je suis …

constipated ...constipé

jet lagged ... fatigué dû au décalage horaire

pregnant ... enceinte

sick ... malade

sunburnt ... brûlé par le soleil

tired ... fatigué In English, we say “to have” In French, they say “to be”

asthma …asthmatique

a cold ... enrhumé

diabetes ... diabétique

insomnia ... insomniaque In English, we say “I am” In French, they say “I have”


cold . … froid dizzy ... le vertige hot ... chaud seasick ... le mal de mer to be allergic to ... être allergique à ... ... aspirin ... l'aspirine ... iodine ... l'iode ... penicillin … la pénicilline

to have high blood pressure = faire de l'hypertension to have low blood pressure = faire de l'hypotension blood pressure = la tension arterielle to ache all over = avoir mal partout

to bleed saigner to cough tousser to faint s'évanouir to sneeze éternuer to throw up vomir

Parts of the body, from the top down

le corps body

les cheveux hair la tête head le visage face un œil eye les yeux eyes le nez nose la joue cheek la bouche mouth la lèvre lip la dent tooth

une oreille ear


le cou neck

la poitrine chest

un estomac stomach

le bras arm une épaule shoulder le coude elbow le poignet wrist la main hand le doigt finger un ongle fingernail le pouce thumb

le dos back

la jambe leg le genou knee la cheville ankle twisted ankle une entorse

le pied foot un orteil toe


“À la gare” = At the train station

La gare = the station

Un billet = a ticket Un aller simple = one way Un aller-retour = round trip La seconde classe, la première classe = 2nd and 1st class Un billet remboursable = refundable ticket Un billet échangeable = exchangeable ticket

Un guichet = a ticket window (with a clerk)

Une salle d’attente = waiting area

Un panneau d’information = information display

Le départ = departure L’arrivée = arrivals

Une place (assise) = a seat Une place duo = 2 seats next to each other Un carré = 4 seats, separated in 2 rows facing each other

Une réservation = a reservation

Voyager dans le sens du train = to be facing towards where the train is going

Un train direct = direct train Une correspondance = transfer Un changement = transfer

Le quai = the platform Le passage souterrain = the underground pass Le rail, la voie = the track (rail is pronounced like "rye" in English)

La voiture, le wagon (v sound, as in “vagon”) = the car Le bar = the snack car


Un contrôleur = a controller (ticket inspector)

Où est la gare? Where is the train station?

Où se trouvent les départs grandes-lignes ? Where are the long distance departures located? Savez-vous où est la voie numéro six ? Do you know where the track number 6 is? C’est bien le train pour Paris ? That’s the train for Paris, right? Est-ce que c’est bien la voiture 20 ? This is car number 20, right? Est-ce que vous savez de quelle voie part la correspondance pour Dijon ? Do you know from which track the connection to Dijon leaves? Est-ce que le train est à l’heure ? Is the train on time ?

Le trajet dure combien de temps ? How long is the trip? Vous avez un billet moins cher ? Do you have a less expensive ticket?

Est-ce que je dois composter mon billet ? Do I have to punch my ticket? Mon train est arrivé en retard et j’ai raté ma correspondance. Qu’est-ce que je fais ? My train arrived late and I missed my connexion. What am I supposed to do? Je voudrais échanger mon billet : c'est possible ? I would like to exchange my ticket: is it possible?


Vous avez une réservation ? Do you have a seat booked? Est-ce que ce train s’arrête à toutes les gares ? Does this train stop at all the stations? Est-ce qu’il y a une voiture restaurant dans ce train ? Is there a food car in this train ?

Combien coûte le même trajet en première classe ? How much does the same trip cost in first class?

Helpful tips from about.com

1 - Don't Forget to Punch Your Ticket or You'll Get a Fine! (“Compostez Vos Billets”) Insert your ticket in the puncher and turn and repeat until you hear a punching sound. The box (usually yellow or orange) will punch the date on your ticket. If you forget to do this, you'll get a fine when the controller gets to you.

If you have purchased a ticket at a station or received a paper ticket by mail, you absolutely need to punch it. If you got a ticket online and printed it yourself (e-billet), then you don't need to punch it. If for some reason you didn't punch it, get to the controller before he confronts you, and tell him/her.

The punchers are located at the beginning of the platforms, and/or in the station.

2 - Where Is The Seat Number On a French Train? The seat number may be located on the back part of your seat, next to where your head would be, between the 2 seats. The number can also be on the side, still on the back part of the seat. Or it can be on the wall, next to your seat. There often are several numbers: two for one seat. The correct one for that train is the lit one.


3 - When Are Platforms Announced For French Trains? The train platforms are only announced about 20 minutes before the departure of the train, which can be nerve wracking when you are in a big "gare", and then a wave of people rushes to the platform, which can also be difficult to navigate. Look at the "tableau d'affichage" to find your platform.

4 - French Trains Can Be Quite Long, So Wear Your Best Walking Shoes TGV are often paired by 2, then the trains separated and each goes its own way after a certain station. So they can get VERY long. If you are running out of time, you may have to climb into the train just before it departs and continue walking to your car through the sitting passengers.

5 - How Far in Advanced Can you Buy Your Ticket Usually, train tickets go on sale 3 months before the departure. For special occasions, such as school vacations, tickets for major touristic destinations may be available sooner. Check out "Capitaine Train" to buy your tickets instead of SNCF.

6 - Don't be Alarmed If You See Soldiers At the Train Station. Even in normal times, when there is no particular threat, it is not unlikely to walk by heavily armed (machine guns) soldiers patrolling railway stations - Don't be alarmed, it is normal for France. The army often takes care of routine security in France, there is nothing unusual about it.

7 - Is Your Luggage Safe In The Luggage Compartment? You can place your luggage in a compartment at the beginning of the car, or on the overhead compartment (rather small), or on platforms located in the middle of the car. In First class of TGVs, you can sometimes slide your suitcase under the triangle formed by the back part of 2 seats.

Luggage compartments are rather safe – there are, however, thieves that come in just before the departure of the train, go through a car, grab a bag (often a smaller such as laptop bag or purse) and get off the train just before it leaves the station. Don’t leave computer bags or purses unsupervised at any time, or travel with very luxurious bags and leave them unattended.


source: about.com

Paris Métro

Sortie = Exit

Correspondance/s = connection (as in connecting line, transfer line)

Passage Interdit = Forbidden passageway/Do not enter (usually at the head of a tunnel not reserved for metro passengers)

Tickets = Tickets

Un carnet = Pack of ten metro tickets

Plan du Quartier = Neighborhood map (most stations have these near the exits, allowing you to get a sense of where you need to go even if you don't have a Paris map with you.)

Attention Danger de Mort = Caution: danger of death (usually seen near the head of the platform, around high-voltage electrical equipment beyond the usual boundary of the platform

En Travaux = Under construction/repair

La correspondance n'est pas assurée = Line transfer not available due to refurbishment or temporary shutdown (eg in emergencies)

"En cas d'affluence, ne pas utiliser les strapontins!” = In case of crowded conditions, please do not use the fold-down seats (inside metro cars)

Places prioritaires = Reserved seats (designated for the elderly, pregnant women, passengers with young children or disabled passengers. This sign is most often seen in Paris buses.)

Contrôle des tickets = Ticket verification (by Metro officials)

http://about.com


Buying Paris Metro Tickets and Asking Advice

Most metro/RER personnel speak adequate English to sell tickets and answer your questions. But just in case, here are some helpful phrases and common questions.

One ticket, please = Un ticket, s'il vous plaît.

A pack of metro tickets, please = Un carnet, s'il vous plaît.

How do I get to X station? = Comment aller à la station X, s'il vous plaît?

Where's the exit, please? = Où est la sortie, s'il vous plaît?

Is this the right direction to go to X...? = Est-ce le bon sens pour aller à X?

Batobus

An alternative to the metro for sightseeing: http://www.batobus.com/en.html. The boats are essentially a shuttle service doing a circuit of stops on the Seine. Stops include Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, etc.

Metro Lines Explained

The Paris metro has a total of 16 lines identifiable by number, color, and end-of-line names. For instance, line 4 is magenta, currently has 27 stations, and is called "Porte de Cligancourt/Mairie de Montrouge" because it runs from the Mairie de Montrouge station south of the city to Porte de Clignancourt in the north.

Accordingly, you should always first figure out which direction you need to go relative to the line's endpoints.

If you are at Chatelet and need to get to Odeon, you'd look at the map and see that Odeon is located south of Chatelet, toward Porte d'Orléans. This is important because once you take the metro in one direction, it's impossible to change directions without exiting the turnstile and going through again. This becomes a costly mistake if you have single tickets, rather than a weekly or monthly pass. In addition, certain lines (notably lines 7 and 13) fork in several different directions at key points, so make sure to check your

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destination carefully before getting on one of these trains, ensuring that the train you're boarding goes to your stop.

Hours

During normal operating times, the metro runs Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. from 5:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m., and Fri.-Sat. from 5:30 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. The same late services also run the night before a public holiday.

To ensure you catch the last train, you should generally aim to arrive at the station approx. 30 minutes before closing, as final trains depart at different times depending on the station.

Major Metro Lines

Line 1 ( La Défense/Château de Vincennes): Stops include Louvre, Champs-Elysées, Chatelet, Bastille. Line 2 (Porte Dauphine/Nation): Stops include Anvers (Sacre Coeur), Gare du Nord, Champs-Elysées, Père-Lachaise Line 3 (Pont de Levallois – Bécon/Gallieni): Stops include St. Lazare, République, Père-Lachaise

Line 4 (Porte de Clignancourt/Mairie de Montrouge): Stops include Chatelet, St. Michel, Montparnasse. Line 5 (Bobigny – Pablo Picasso/Place d'Italie): Stops include Gare d'Austerlitz, Bastille, Place d'Italie Line 6 (Charles de Gaulle-Etoile/Nation): Stops include Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse, Champs-Elysees. Line 7 (La Courneuve – 8 Mai 1945/Mairie d'Ivry and Villejuif – Louis Aragon): Stops include Place d'Italie, Louvre, Opera. Make sure to check your destination along the southern axis as this line forks off in two.

Line 8 (Balard/Creteil):


Central stops include Invalides, Opéra, Bastille Line 9 (Pont de Sèvres/Mairie de Montreuil): Stops include Republique and Grands Magasins Line 10 (Gare d'Austerlitz/Boulogne–Pont de Saint-Cloud): Stops include the Sorbonne and the Gare d'Austerlitz train station. Line 11 (Châtelet/Mairie des Lilas): Stops include Chatelet and Republique. Line 12 (Aubervillers-Front Populaire/Mairie d'Issy): Stops include Abbesses (Montmartre), Grands Magasins, Montparnasse Line 13 (Saint-Denis – Université/ Asnières–Gennevilliers-Les Courtilles/Châtillon–Montrouge): Stops include Invalides, St. Lazare. Make sure to check your destination carefully as these trains fork off in several directions. Line 14 (Saint-Lazare/Olympiades): Stops include Chatelet, Gare de Lyon, Bibliothèque Nationale and the Saint-Lazare train station.

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