Overview of La Côte d'Azur

The French Riviera stretches from Toulon to the Italian border, including famous cities like Nice, Cannes, and Monaco. Each city has its own unique ambiance. For example, Nice is known for its beautiful Promenade des Anglais and its fascinating history, influenced by its proximity to Italy.

The outdoor lifestyle is everywhere thanks to a Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year – perfect for enjoying the beach, hiking, or wandering the charming streets of hilltop villages.

Art, Culture & Gastronomy

The Riviera has inspired countless artists. Henri Matisse lived in Nice, and the Picasso Museum in Antibes is a must-visit. The Cannes Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, attracts international stars every year.

While Monaco and Cannes exude luxury, villages like Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence offer authentic simplicity with picturesque lanes and stunning views.

The region is also famous for its Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy a salade niçoise, prepared with tuna, olives, eggs, and tomatoes, or fresh seafood paired with a glass of rosé.

Did You Know? The French Riviera was one of the first modern seaside resorts, popular with British aristocracy since the 18th century. Saint-Tropez, once a humble fishing village, became famous thanks to Brigitte Bardot.

Vocabulary: La Côte d'Azur

• La Côte d'Azur – The French Riviera
• La plage – The beach
• Le soleil – The sun
• Une promenade – A walk/stroll
• La nature – Nature
• Un village perché – A hilltop village
• La cuisine méditerranéenne – Mediterranean cuisine
• La salade niçoise – Niçoise salad
• Le luxe – Luxury
• Un musée – A museum
• Le Festival de Cannes – The Cannes Film Festival
• Où est…? – Where is…?
• C’est magnifique! – It’s beautiful!
• Je voudrais… – I would like…

Geography of Nice

Nice is situated on the southeastern coast of France, nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the hills. Its mild, sunny climate makes it a top destination for tourists worldwide.

The Promenade des Anglais

This iconic seaside boulevard is perfect for a leisurely walk or bike ride. Listen to locals exclaim, "On va se promener!" as they enjoy their stroll.

Vieux Nice (The Old Town)

Vieux Nice offers an authentic taste of the city with its narrow, colorful streets filled with small shops, cafés, and restaurants. Practice useful phrases like "Combien ça coûte?" (How much is it?) and "Je voudrais des tomates, s’il vous plaît."

Monuments and Museums

Discover art and culture by visiting the Matisse Museum, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, or the Castle of Nice for panoramic city views.

The Nice Carnival

Every February, the Nice Carnival animates the streets with vibrant parades, music, and grand floats that showcase the city's festive spirit.

Nice Cuisine

Indulge in local dishes such as socca, ratatouille, and the famous salade niçoise—all bursting with Mediterranean flavors.

1. Politeness First

In French, adding s’il vous plaît to the end of a command makes it more polite.

Example: Fermez la porte, s’il vous plaît.

2. Common Everyday Commands

• Écoutez = Listen
• Répétez = Repeat
• Regardez = Look
• Parlez = Speak
• Arrêtez = Stop
• Asseyez-vous = Sit down
• Levez-vous = Stand up
• Venez ici = Come here
• Allez-y = Go ahead

3. Classroom Commands

• Ouvrez votre livre = Open your book
• Fermez votre cahier = Close your notebook
• Écrivez = Write
• Lisez = Read
• Silence = Be quiet
• Concentrez-vous = Focus

4. Informal vs. Formal Commands

For respect, use the vous form (e.g., Écoutez, Répétez). For friends or peers, use the tu form (e.g., Écoute, Répète, noting the dropped -s).

5. Negative Commands

To form a negative command, place ne before the verb and pas after.

Example: Ne parlez pas.

6. Polite Requests vs. Direct Commands

In formal situations, use polite requests like Pouvez-vous… ? or Veux-tu… ? to soften the command.

7. Practice Commands

• Répétez après moi.
• Écoutez bien.
• Regardez le tableau.
• Ne parlez pas.
• Lisez la phrase.

Describing Physical Appearance

• He is tall: Il est grand.
• She is short: Elle est petite.
• She is of average height: Elle est de taille moyenne.
• He is slim: Il est mince.
• She is plump: Elle est ronde.
• He is muscular: Il est musclé.
• About hair:
  • He has long hair: Il a les cheveux longs.
  • She has short hair: Elle a les cheveux courts.
  • I have curly hair: J’ai les cheveux bouclés.
  • He has straight hair: Il a les cheveux raides.
  • She is blonde: Elle est blonde.
  • He is brown-haired: Il est brun.
  • She is red-haired: Elle est rousse.
  • He has black hair: Il a les cheveux noirs.
• Describing eyes:
  • He has blue eyes: Il a les yeux bleus.
  • She has green eyes: Elle a les yeux verts.
  • I have brown eyes: J’ai les yeux marron.
• Useful phrases:
  • What does he look like? = Comment est-il ?
  • She is pretty. = Elle est jolie.
  • He has glasses. = Il a des lunettes.
  • She has freckles. = Elle a des taches de rousseur.
  • He looks young. = Il a l’air jeune.
  • She seems tired. = Elle semble fatiguée.

Family Vocabulary

• Dad = Le père (e.g., Mon père s’appelle Paul.)
• Mom = La mère (e.g., Ma mère adore cuisiner.)
• Brother = Le frère (e.g., Mon frère est plus jeune.)
• Sister = La sœur (e.g., Ma sœur est très gentille.)
• Parents = Les parents (e.g., Mes parents sont sympas.)
• Express family size (e.g., J’ai une grande famille avec trois frères et deux sœurs!)
• Useful phrases:
  • Who is in your family? = Qui est dans ta famille?
  • I have a brother and two sisters = J’ai un frère et deux sœurs.
• Talking about age (e.g., J’ai 10 ans. or Mon frère a 5 ans.)

The Verb "Faire" (To Do/Make)

Conjugation of faire in the present tense:

Examples:

• Je fais un gâteau. (I make a cake.)
• Tu fais tes devoirs. (You do your homework.)
• Il fait beau aujourd’hui. (The weather is nice today.)
• Nous faisons une promenade. (We take a walk.)
• Vous faites du sport. (You do sports.)
• Elles font la cuisine. (They cook.)

Tip: The verb faire is often used in expressions like faire le ménage (to clean) or faire attention (to be careful).

Nasal Vowels

French nasal vowels are pronounced with the air flowing through the nose. The main nasal vowels are:

• /ɑ̃/ – e.g., sans, en, blanc
• /ɛ̃/ – e.g., pain, vingt, matin
• /ɔ̃/ – e.g., nom, bon, monde
• /œ̃/ – e.g., un, parfum, lundi

Practice minimal pairs such as vin vs. veine to perfect your nasal pronunciation.

Partitive Articles

Partitive articles express an indefinite quantity, used when referring to some of a substance.

• Du – e.g., du pain (some bread)
• De la – e.g., de la confiture (some jam)
• De l’ – e.g., de l'eau (some water)
• Des – e.g., des fruits (some fruits)

Example: Je voudrais du fromage, s'il vous plaît.

Tip: Using partitive articles correctly will help you express your needs more naturally in conversation.

Vocabulary: Fruits, Vegetables & Basic Ingredients

• Pomme – Apple
• Banane – Banana
• Fraise – Strawberry
• Orange – Orange
• Raisin – Grape
• Carotte – Carrot
• Tomate – Tomato
• Oignon – Onion
• Poivron – Bell pepper
• Brocoli – Broccoli
• Farine – Flour
• Sucre – Sugar
• Sel – Salt
• Huile – Oil
• Beurre – Butter

Interactive exercise: Describe your favorite fruit or list the ingredients of your favorite recipe.

Review the basic commands, physical appearance descriptions, and family vocabulary from previous lessons to reinforce your understanding.