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Language & Local Phrases in Chamonix

Discover key Chamonix local phrases

Updated

French is the official language spoken in Chamonix. As a hugely popular international tourist destination you may well find that in many restaurants, bars and hotels English is spoken.

However, if you decide to do some travelling into the surrounding, more rural villages, or happen upon a restaurant off the beaten track then it's a good idea to brush up on your French! If you are driving through the area or through France to reach your destination then a few handy phrases to ask directions will be a good idea.

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  1. Key phrases and translations

Key phrases and translations

General and polite conversation

  • hello - bonjour
  • goodbye - au revoir
  • please - s'il vous plaรฎt
  • thank you (very much) - merci (beaucoup)
  • how are you? - comment allez-vous?
  • fine - ร‡a va bien
  • I don't understand - je ne comprends pas
  • can you help me? - pourriez-vous m'aider?
  • excuse me - pardon, excusez-moi

Accommodation

  • do you have a room? - avez-vous une chambre?
  • single room - chambre pour une personne
  • twin room - chambre ร  deux lits
  • double room - chambre double/chambre pour deux personnes
  • booking - rรฉservation
  • with bath/shower - avec salle de bains/douche

Transport and directions

  • airport - aรฉroport
  • bus/bus stop - autobus/arrรชt d'autobus
  • coach station - gare routiรจre
  • train - train
  • railway station - gare
  • platform - quai/voie
  • timetable - horaire
  • left-luggage locker - consigne automatique
  • car - voiture
  • ticket office/ticket - guichet/billet
  • a single to... - aller simple pour...
  • return to... - un aller et retour pour...
  • I want to go to... - je voudrais aller ร ...
  • where is...? - oรน se trouve...?
  • over there - lร -bas
  • is it far? - c'est loin?
  • left - ร  gauche
  • right - ร  droite
  • straight on - tout droit

Money and numbers

  • money (notes) - argent
  • change (coins) - monnaie
  • credit card - carte de crรฉdit
  • how much is it? - c'est combien?
  • it's too expensive - c'est trop cher
  • 1 to 10 - un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix
  • 11 to 20 - onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize, dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf, vingt
  • 21 & 22 - vingt et un, vingt-deux
  • 30/40/50/60/70 - trente, quarante, cinqante, soixante, soixante-dix
  • โ€‹71, 72... - soixante onze, soixante douze...
  • 80, 81... - quatre-vingts, quatre-vingt-un...
  • 90, 91... - quatre-vingt-dix, quatre-vingt-onze...
  • 100, 200 - cent, deux cent

Latest News & Reviews

Find out all about what is happening in the Chamonix valley and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.

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Upcoming Events

Chamonix hosts a wide range of sporting events throughout the year. The biggest ones include the Mont Blanc Marathon in June and the UTMB trail running race in August. In March, the Unlimited Festival brings ravers to the mountains while Musilac Mont Blanc takes place a month later. At the end of July, the Cosmo Jazz Festival hosts concerts all around the valley.

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