The Talking Suitcase

Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist

France

40 Things To Know Before Visiting Paris – What First Timers Need to Know

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Paris, the City of Lights, is the European capital many Americans dream about one day visiting. Imagine taking strolls along the River Seine, visiting world-famous landmarks and museums and eating buttery croissants at an outdoor cafe.    Having lived in France for almost 4 years, we’ve learned a few things about French culture and its citizens.  Before you set out on your fantasy trip, take a look at our tips for things to know before visiting Paris.

Learn Basic French

Learning basic French will go a long way to making your trip successful.  When visiting a new country, it’s important to learn at least a few basic words and phrases in the local language.  Yes, many people in the touristy areas speak English, but you shouldn’t arrive without being able to greet someone in their native tongue.

Should Know:

Good Day = Bonjour /bon zor/
Good Evening = Bonsoir /bon swah/
Good Bye = Au Revoir /oh-ruh-vwah/
Please = S’il vous plaît /see voo play/
Thank you = Merci /mer-sea/
Excuse me & sorry = pardon /pahr-doah/
You’re Welcome = De rien /duh-rhee-uh/
Ma’am = Madame /mah-dahm/
Sir = Monsieur /mis-eeyuh/
Yes = Oui /we/
No = Non /no/

Good to know:

Take away (as in your food to go) = á importer /ah ahm-por-tay/
Do You Speak English? = Parlez-vous anglais? /par-lay voo an-glay/
I don’t understand. = Je ne comprends pas. /juh nuh com-pren pah/
Where Is the Bathroom? = Où sont les toilettes? /ehw ay lay twah-let/

When entering an establishment such as a shop or restaurant, it is always polite to say “Bonjour” in greeting. It is also polite to say “Au revoir” when leaving. Of course, the use of “S’il vous plaît” and “Merci” are important just as in the U.S. and other countries.

Learning the numbers 1 – 10 will also be beneficial.

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Daytrip from Nice: An Afternoon in The Roman City of Cimiez

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A trip to Cimiez is a great way to spend an afternoon if you have some extra time during your next trip to Nice, France. The charming neighborhood of Cimiez is home to the Roman settlement of Cemenelum built during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.  You also get a lovely aerial view of Nice city.

There are numerous attractions in Cimiez to occupy several hours.  Take a stroll through the olive-filled park, visit the Cimiez Monastery and church which is home to the Franciscan monks, tour the gardens surrounding the Monastery,  view the art collection at the Matisse Museum, and enjoy the history of the Roman amphitheater and archaeology museum.

 

Franciscan Monastery, Museum & Italian-inspired gardens – The monastery and church have been used by the Franciscan monks since the 1500’s!  The monks still live and work here today.  You may see them tending the gardens during your visit. The small Franciscan museum showcases the daily life of a monk and houses drawings and exhibits.  Plus it’s free to enter.

The gardens are mostly preserved in their original layout and include colorful flower beds, lemon and orange trees, herb gardens and climbing roses.

Olive Groves – The 200-year old olive trees are a great spot for a picnic or to let the kids run around and play.

Musée Matisse – The Matisse Museum houses the largest collection of art by the French painter Henri Matisse.   Visitors can admire his paintings and drawings as well as see furnishings, curtains and vases belonging to Matisse.

Tickets:
Adults (24 hour museum pass) = 10€
Children under 18 = Free

 

Musée d’Archéologie site de Cimiez et de Terra Amata – View objects from the life of Cemenelum including the excavated baths.   The site includes locker rooms (men and women shared the same locker room), toilets, swimming pools, hot and cold baths, a political bath (where men discussed politics), market, cemetery, cathedral and more.

Tickets:
Adults (24 hour museum pass) = 10€
Children under 18 = Free

 

Roman Amphitheater – Cimiez is home to one of the smaller Roman amphitheaters holding 5,000 spectators.   Walk the arena for free.

Signs to guide you to Cimiez if taking the tram
Signs to guide you to Cimiez if taking the tram

How to get to Cimiez:

1. One option to get a bit of a workout is to take the tram to Jean Médecin then walk up to Cimiez.  It’s a hike, but you’ll get to walk through a different part of Nice.  I don’t recommend this option with little kids as there are a lot of stairs.

2. Take bus 17 or 15 to visit the Monastery and Matisse Museum.  If you want to visit the Chagall Museum first, take bus 15.

Have you been to Cimiez?  What was your favorite part? 

Need more inspiration?  See our Ultimate Guide to travel in Nice.

Photo Diary Peillon, France: Our Southern Ascent

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Peillon, France

If you’re looking for an authentic French village along the Cote d’Azur, a visit to Peillon should be on your list when visiting Nice.  Getting off the train, you can spot the 12th century village perched on top of a cliff with higher mountains soaring behind.

The breathtaking mountain vista is a stark contrast to the Mediterranean views of Nice.  Walk the steep, narrow streets and image yourself, 500 years ago, living in one of the houses clinging to the rocks.

There are a couple of restaurants in Peillon if you’re looking for a nice meal.  There are no grocery stores or souvenir shops, so make sure to pack water and snacks.  The lack of touristy shops is part of what makes Peillon a breath of fresh air when compared to the rows of postcard merchants in Nice.

Looking down from Peillon, France
View of the valley from the mountainside of Peillon village

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Things to Do in Châtel, France with Kids {in Summer}

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If you’re considering a trip to the French Alps, Châtel must be on your list of destinations.  It would make a great home base from which to explore all that the spectacular Alps have to offer.

Chatel has the Famille Plus Accreditation, meaning that parents can rest easy knowing there are accommodations, restaurants, activities and hospitality services designed just for families.  This endorsement is based on continual examinations, so you know the  resort makes a concerted effort to uphold the high standards required.

If you want to stay connected in France and throughout Europe, eSIM cards will save money while allowing you access to call, text and browse the internet.

Things to Do in Châtel, France with Kids:

Summer Lifts in Chatel, France

Ride the summer lifts – In summer, the ski lifts are in operation to transport visitors up and down the mountains.  There are four lifts open, providing access to various points on the peaks.   Riding these turned out to be one of my kids favorite activities.  They loved the aerial views of Châtel and the surrounding countryside.  Plus I think it was just something new for them, so they wanted to ride up and down as many times as we would allow.  What kid doesn’t love rides?!

Ride the lifts (as many times as you want) for no additional fee with the purchase of a Multi Pass.

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10 Must Eat Foods in Nice, France – Local Nice Specialties

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Must Eat Foods in Nice, France

No visit to the French Riviera is complete without sampling some of the local Nice specialties.

In Nice, there is a mix of unique flavors only available in this region – traditional Provençal and Niçoise foods with a heavy Italian influence.  Being on the Mediterranean,  seafood and fresh ingredients play an integral role in the tasty regional specialties. From mussels and tuna to olives and eggplant, once you sample the local fare you’ll see why Nice is a favorite gastronomical city.

10 Must Eat Foods in Nice, France

1. Socca – A quintessential street food of Nice, socca is thin, crusty chickpea pancake with a soft interior. It’s cooked in a wood oven on a large round steel plate. I like it with a bit of pepper, but the kids just dig right in. It’s one of their favorite after school snacks. It also pairs well with beer for those that want a break from wine. Of course it would pair well with wine if you wanted a break from beer!

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