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      I prefer to…

Je préfère dormir à l’hôtel.	I prefer to sleep in a hotel.
Je préfère prendre l’autoroute.	I prefer to take the motorway.
Je préférerais ne pas laisser ma voiture ici.	I’d prefer not to leave my car here.

      I’d rather…

J’aimerais mieux faire le voyage par beau temps.	I’d rather make the journey in good weather.
J’aimerais mieux être assise côté fenêtre.	I’d rather sit next to the window.
On aimerait mieux faire la route de jour.	We’d rather drive in the daytime.

LISTEN OUT FOR

      Here are some key phrases you are likely to be hear when you’re travelling around.

Prochain arrêt:…	Next stop:…
Le train pour Nice part du quai numéro trois.	The train for Nice leaves from platform three.
Votre billet, s’il vous plaît.	Ticket, please.
Je peux m’asseoir ici?	Do you mind if I sit here?
Continuez tout droit jusqu’aux feux.	Go straight on till you get to the traffic lights.
Prenez la deuxième à gauche.	Take the second turning on the left.
C’est en face de la cathédrale.	It’s opposite the cathedral.
C’est tout près.	It’s very near.
On peut y aller à pied.	It’s within walking distance.
C’est à trois arrêts d’ici.	It’s three stops from here.

Lifestyle Tips

      • If you’re behind the wheel of a car, be ready to produce your driving licence if asked for it by the police. If you’ve left it behind, you may well be fined. The police officer might ask you: votre permis de conduire, s’il vous plaît (your driving licence, please). French drivers also have to be able to produce their carte grise (car registration document) and their attestation d’assurance (car insurance certificate).

      • Motorways are not free in France. When you go onto the motorway, you get a ticket de péage or ticket d’entrée. When you come off the motorway this will show how many kilometres you’ve driven and how much you have to pay.

      • At motorway tolls, some toll booths are manned, some are automatic (using bank cards), and some are reserved for drivers using the télépéage system which makes it possible to pay the toll via a sensor inside the car (with monthly bills sent to your address). It is best to stay clear of these lanes which are marked with a yellow “T” sign, as the drivers equipped with such sensors don’t take kindly to tourists holding up their fast lane!

      • Over the past years, covoiturage (car sharing) has become quite popular in France. It can be a cheap and convenient way of getting around, especially for short distances. There are many places where you can find offers for covoiturage, but local papers, and ad boards in shops are probably your best bet.

      • If you’re asked to produce your titre de transport on the bus, the train or the underground, it means that you have to show your ticket to the inspector.

      • Make sure you punch your ticket before you get on the train or bus. If you have forgotten to do so, it is advisable to go and see le contrôleur (the ticket inspector) as soon as possible or you might be fined.

      • If you’re in a hurry, you can hop on the train and buy a ticket for a small amount extra directly from a ticket inspector - go and see him or her as soon as you’re on the train or you might be suspected of resquillage (fare-dodging).

      • Queues tend to be informal in French-speaking countries. So if you’re trying to get to an information desk and don’t know if it’s your turn, just ask C’est à moi? or C’est mon tour? (Am I next?). If you want to let someone in before you, you can say après vous (after you).

Home from home

       Dors bien! – Sleep well!

      If you’re going to stay in a French-speaking country, the phrases in this unit will provide you with the language you need to help you find the sort of accommodation you want (hotel, hostel, self-catering accommodation or a flat to rent) and ensure that everything is to your satisfaction when you’re there. We’ll also give you a few tips on what the receptionist or your landlord or landlady may say to you.

ASKING FOR THINGS

      To say what kind of accommodation you want in French, use je voudrais or je souhaite (I’d like). voudrais comes from the verb vouloir and souhaite comes from the verb souhaiter. For further information on vouloir and -er verbs like souhaiter, see here and here.

      I’d like…

Je voudrais une chambre avec un balcon.	I’d like a room with a balcony.
Je voudrais réserver une chambre double pour deux nuits.	I’d like to book a double room for two nights.
On voudrait un dortoir de six personnes.	We’d like a six-bed dorm.
Je souhaite rester trois nuits.	I’d like to stay three nights.
Je souhaite louer votre gîte pendant deux semaines.	I’d like to book your gîte for two weeks.

      je veux is a slightly more direct way of saying what you want.

      I want…

Je veux un appartement bien éclairé.	I want a well-lit flat.
Je veux changer de chambre; celle que vous m’avez donnée est humide.	I want to change rooms; the one you gave me is damp.
Je veux qu’on me rembourse.	I want a refund.
On ne veut pas de chambre côté rue.	We don’t want a room overlooking the road.

      Use je tiens à to say that you insist on something. tiens comes from the verb tenir.

      I insist on…

Je tiens vraiment à avoir vue sur la mer.	I absolutely insist on having a view of the sea.
Je tiens à ne pas être dérangé.	I insist on not being disturbed.
On tient à être dans le centre-ville.	We insist on staying in the centre of town.

      When

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