At the beach: à la plage

July and August are peak season for beach-goers in France. The beaches may be a bit more crowded at this time of year, but you couldn’t have better weather for enjoying the French Riviera.

Vocabulary • Shopping For The Beach • Warnings and Signage

France is framed by two main coast lines (as well as its land borders): the Atlantic coast of Normandy and Brittany, and the French Riviera of the south.

Though the Mediterranean coast (the south) is generally more popular — with beaches like Cannes and Nice–, the Atlantic coast features miles and miles of beaches (some of them nude), historical sites like Caen where the Normandy Invasion was executed, and beautiful old architecture like the cathedral of le Mont Saint-Michel and the old stone wall of Saint-Malo.

Lieux (Places) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Cannes Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Nice Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Caen Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
le Mont Saint-Michel Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Saint-Malo Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

There are enough diverse coastal sites in France to keep you busy for the whole summer!

Vocabulaire

The first time I visited the Atlantic coast of France, I stayed in a hotel in Granville called Le Grand Large. I thought this was sort of funny as Le Grand Large literally means “The Big Big,” and it seemed like an odd name to choose for a hotel, even if it was large.

Recently — in a totally unrelated conversation — I found out that le grand large is actually what French people call “the sea.” My point is, even if it doesn’t come up in your French conversation, it’s good to have an understanding of basic vocabulary in your surroundings.

À la plage Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	At the beach
l’océan Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	the ocean
la mer Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	the sea
le grand large Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	the sea (slang)

Shopping For The Beach

Did you forget to pack something? If you’re staying at a hotel or even a hostel near the beach, you can often borrow, rent or buy beach supplies from the front desk. If you can’t find it at the desk, just ask for a nearby shop.

Questions Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Questions
Puis-je louer…? Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Can I rent…?
Puis-j’emprunter…? Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Can I borrow…?
Où puis-j’acheter… Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Where can I buy…
de la crème solaire Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	some sunscreen
une serviette de plage Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	a beach towel
un parasol Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	a parasol (umbrella)
un maillot de bain Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	a swimsuit
un bikini Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	un bikini

Warnings and Signage

It’s important to be aware of your surroundings at the beach, especially when you’re dealing with signs in a different languages. You may need to know that it’s compulsory to take off your suit, or that dangerous currents mean that swimming is forbidden. Just as a general note, all beaches is France are topless optional in France.

"Area Reserved Exclusively for the Practice of Nudity"

Panneaux Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Signs
Plage Publique Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Public Beach
Plage Privée Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Private Beach
Plage Naturiste Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Nude Beach
Nudité Obligatoire Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Obligatory Nudity
Le chemin des planches Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	The Boardwalk
Baignade Interdite Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	No Swimming
Danger: Courants Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Danger: Currents
Limite Bains Surveillés Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	End of Life-Guarded Swimming Area
Les Chiens Sont Interdits Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	No Dogs Allowed
Les Chiens Doivent Être Tenus en Laisse* Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Dogs Must Be On A Leash
Interdit aux chiens même tenus en laisse Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	No Dogs Allowed, Even on a Leash
Les Pique-niques sont interdits Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Picnics Are Not Allowed
Le Camping est interdit Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	Camping Is Not Allowed
La Circulation de Tous Véhicles est interdite sur la plage Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.	All Vehicle Traffic is Forbidden on The Beach

*Look out when you are on a beach that permits dogs, because the French aren’t so fastidious about picking up after them. Despite numerous signs reminding dog owners to scoop the poop, it can be a bit of a minefield.