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Beginners’ French: A trip to Avignon
Beginners’ French: A trip to Avignon

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2.2.2 Demande des directions

Activité 13

1. Listen to these people asking for directions to the attractions they want to visit. Make a note of the attractions they're looking for.

Écoutez l'extrait et notez les attractions demandées.

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2. Check in the table to see in which establishment they will find each attraction.

Choisissez la bonne réponse.

(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
La maison de la culture
Le palais de la Gastronomie
Le petit musée du Bizarre
Le centre sportif
L'écomusée

Print out and read the transcript, then underline the phrases used to ask for directions.

Lisez et soulignez.

Answer

  1. The people you heard are asking for directions to:

    • la collection permanente d'objets grotesques et macabres

    • la dégustation des vins et fromages de la région

    • le sauna

    • les boutiques artisans

    • la salle de cinéma

  2. These are to be found in:

(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
La maison de la culture
Le palais de la Gastronomie
Le petit musée du Bizarre
Le centre sportif
l'écomusée

3. The phrases which show they are searching for something are:

Je cherche…

Je voudrais aller à…

C'est où, s'il vous plait?

Asking for directions

You have already met the expressions Je cherche (I am looking for) and C'est où…? (Where is…?).

Pour aller à…

Another way to ask how to get to somewhere in French is to ask the following, using a rising intonation pattern.

  • Pour + aller + à + [endroit] How do I get to [place]?

  • Pour aller au Palais des Papes How do I get to the Palais des Papes?

  • Pour aller à la mairie? How do I get to the town hall?

Note that: à + le is always shortened to au (au musée).

  • à + les is always shortened to aux (aux toilettes).

  • à + la and à + l' (in front of a vowel) do not change (à la piscine, à l'hôpital).

Je voudrais aller à…

  • Je voudrais + aller + à + [endroit].

  • I would like to go to + [place].

  • Je voudrais aller au marché.

  • I would like to go to the market

  • Je voudrais aller à l'opéra.

  • I would like to go to the opera house.

  • Je voudrais aller à la piscine.

  • I would like to go to the swimming-pool.