So, you’re thinking about a winter holiday to the French Alps but you haven't spoken the language since school. Even though you’re likely to be able to make yourself understood in English, locals always appreciate it if you try a few words of French.
It's also quite fun to learn a bit of the language, just don’t be too disappointed if they reply to you in English! Try some of our handy French words and phrases when you’re out and about in town and on the slopes, the locals will thank you for it.
Most of these will be familiar, but it's always good to have a bit of a Français refresher...
English: Hello French: Bonjour
English: Goodbye French: Au revoir
English: Yes French: Oui
English: No French: Non
English: Please French: S'il vous plaît
English: Thank you French: Merci
English: Do you speak English? French: Parlez-vous Anglais?
English: I don’t speak French! French: Je ne parle pas Français!
The mountain is a big playground and sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can’t figure out where you are or how to get back again! Skiers, boarders and lift-staff are a friendly bunch and will point you in the right direction if you ask. You could even try asking for a good mountain restaurant or après-ski bar – you might discover a hidden gem!
English: Where are we? (have your piste map ready) French: Où sommes-nous?
English: I’m lost! French: Je suis perdu!
English: I’ve lost my lift pass French: J’ai perdu mon skipass
English: Where is the ski school? French: Où est l’école de ski?
English: Where is the nearest bar/restaurant? French: Où est le bar/restaurant le plus proche?
English: How do we get back to resort? French: Comment revenons nous en station?
English: Where is the nearest ski lift? French: Où eat la remontée mécanique la plus proche?
English: Green/blue/red/black run French: Piste verte/bleue/rouge/noire
After a long day on the slopes, it’s time to head out and about. Whether you’re looking for a table for dinner, a supermarket for supplies or even your own hotel or chalet at the end of the night, these words and phrases will help you out...
English: Where is the Hotel/Chalet…? French: Où est l’Hotel…? Où est Chalet…?
English: One large beer please French: Une grande bière s'il vous plaît
English: A hot chocolate please French: Un chocolat chaud s'il vous plaît
English: A mulled wine please French: Un vin chaud s'il vous plaît
English: A table for one/two/three/four please French: Un table pour un/deux/trois/quatre personne(s) s’il vous plaît
English: Can we see the menu please? French: Pouvons-nous voir le menu s’il vous plaît?
English Where is the supermarket? French: Où est le supermarché?
English: Where is the bank? French: Où est la banque?
English: Right / left French: Droit / Gauche
English: Road French: Rue
English: Roundabout French: Rond point
English: Tourist office French: Office de tourisme
France is famous for its cheese and you can find some of the best in the Alps! Cows spend all summer roaming the lush green pastures and their milk is made into some of the tastiest cheese around. Here are some classic cheese to look out for during your holiday...
Tomme de Savoie: Mild-flavoured, semi-firm cheese made from cows’ milk with a distinctive brownish/grey rind
Reblochon: Squidgy, nutty flavoured cheese that is the main cheesy ingredient of tartiflette
Beaufort: A pale yellow, firm cheese with a smooth and creamy texture often found in fondues as it melts easily
Raclette: The name comes from the word ‘racler’ which means ‘to scrape’. It's semi-firm with a slightly sweet and nutty flavour
Traditional French alpine food is a hearty mix of cheese (fromage), potatoes (pommes de terre), onions (oignons), cream (crème) and bacon bits (lardons). For a taste of the Alps, make sure you try one of these...
Raclette: A huge wheel of raclette cheese is heated by a special machine (think small portable bar fire). The warm, melting cheese is then scraped on to your plate to be enjoyed with potatoes, cured meats, gherkins and pickled onions. Best enjoyed with a glass of local white wine (vin blanc). Legend warns that the cheese will harden in your stomach if you drink anything else! Check out how to eat it (with dignity) below
Tartiflette: The modern version of tartiflette was developed in the 1980’s as a way to boost sales of tartiflette cheese, but its origins go back much further. The baked mix of potatoes, cream, lardons, onions and cheese, cheese and some more cheese will leave you full and happy after a long day on the slopes
Croziflette: This is like tartiflette, but made with crozets (little square-shaped pasta) instead of potatoes, making a lovely, creamy pasta bake. Crozets originated in the Savoy region, so it really is a local dish
Fondue: Fondue started off in Switzerland but its popularity quickly spread across the Alps. A Savoyarde fondue is made of a blend of Comté, Beaufort, Reblochon and Abondance cheeses all melted together with a little bit of wine. It’s traditionally served with bread for dipping, but you might also find it served with cured meats and gherkins
It’s not all about cheese though. Sweets and desserts are just as popular in ski resorts as they are across the rest of France, and here are a couple to try…
Crêpes: A French classic and a great après-ski snack. Try them with chocolate, Nutella or ‘crème de marrons’, a sweet filling made out of chestnuts
Gaufres: Thick and fluffy waffles, as they should be! Try them just with sugar or, if you fancy something really indulgent, chocolate and whipped cream
Café gourmand: A fantastic French dessert that combines a coffee (usually espresso) with a selection of mini treats. it's perfect if you can’t make your mind up as you usually get three little puddings like crème brûlée, chocolate mousse, ice-cream etc.
Now you're armed with the key words, phrases and best things to eat, search for your perfect French ski holiday!
