Skip to content
Skip to main content
header search
ahihi OpenLearn
OpenLearn
Menu
sticky search

About this free course

Become an OU student

Download this course

Share this free course

Course content Course content
Getting started with French 3
Getting started with French 3

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

More free courses

6 Asking for directions and discovering more vocabulary

Based on what you have learned so far in the course, have a go at Activity 13 where you will ask for directions in Bordeaux.

Activity 13

You are at the tourist office in Bordeaux and you want to go to the four places shown in these photos. Look at the photos and ask questions in four different ways to practise the structures you have learnt to ask for directions.

Described image
Figure 2 (1) Bordeaux railway station, (2) Bordeaux town hall, (3) one of the universities in Bordeaux and (4) a cinema in Bordeaux
Show description|Hide description

Four photos of:

  1. Gare - Bordeaux railway station
  2. Hôtel de Ville - Bordeaux town hall
  3. Université - One of the universities in Bordeaux
  4. Cinéma - A cinema in Bordeaux
Figure 2 (1) Bordeaux railway station, (2) Bordeaux town hall, (3) one of the universities in Bordeaux and (4) a cinema in Bordeaux
To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

This is one possible answer. You could have used different structures with each of the destinations.

Où est la gare, s’il vous plaît?

Je cherche l’université, c’est où, s’il vous plaît?

Pour aller à l’hôtel de ville, s’il vous plaît?

(Est-ce qu’) il y a un cinéma près d’ici, s’il vous plaît?

In the next activity, you will read about the town of Béziers.

Activity 14

Part 1

You are in the tourist office in the French town of Béziers. Read the leaflet and then answer the following questions in English.

Described image
Figure 3 Béziers…La cathédrale Saint-Nazaire, Les 9 écluses sur le canal du Midi, Église de la Madeleine
Show description|Hide description

This is an image of a tourist brochure for Béziers. On the left there are photos of Saint Nazaire cathedral, the Canal du Midi and the Église de la Madeleine. On the right-hand side of the brochure is a description of the attractions and facilities that can be found in Béziers. The text of the brochure reads as follows:

  • Son histoire : visitez la cathédrale Saint-Nazaire, l’église romane de la Madeleine, les arènes romaines, le Vieux Pont, le parc des Poètes et le canal du Midi.
  • Sa culture : le musée du Biterrois, des festivals, le théâtre, des salles de concert, la culture vinicole.
  • Sa gastronomie : des restaurants gastronomiques classés Michelin, des vins fins, des spécialités régionales.
  • Son environnement naturel : des vignobles, des plages et des sports aquatiques sont tous à proximité de Béziers. Pour plus de renseignements, adressez-vous à la mairie ou à l’Office de tourisme.
Figure 3 Béziers…La cathédrale Saint-Nazaire, Les 9 écluses sur le canal du Midi, Église de la Madeleine

You are interested in old churches. What are you most likely to visit in Béziers?

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

Saint Nazaire cathedral; the Romanesque church of Saint Mary Magdalen.

Where can you find out about Béziers and its heritage?

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

At the museum.

What kinds of eating places does the brochure mention?

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

Michelin-starred restaurants and those offering regional specialities.

Where should you go to find out about sports and leisure?

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

At the town hall or tourist office.

Part 2

Read the leaflet again and find the French for:

  • the amphitheatre
  • the concert halls
  • the vineyards
  • the beaches
  • watersports.
To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

  • the amphitheatre = les arènes (f.pl.)
  • the concert halls = les salles de concerts (f.pl.)
  • the vineyards = les vignobles (m.pl.)
  • the beaches = les plages (f.pl.)
  • watersports = les sports aquatiques (m.pl.)

Part 3

Now, based on what you’ve learnt about Béziers, ask for directions to three different places which interest you, using Où est…? ‘Pour aller…? and ‘Je cherche… c’est où?

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

Your response will depend on your interests. Here are some possible questions:

  1. Où est la cathédrale Saint-Nazaire, s’il vous plaît ?
  2. Pour aller aux arènes, s’il vous plaît ?
  3. Je cherche le musée du Bitterois, c’est où, s’il vous plaît ?