summer vacation essay in french

• French in France
• DALF C1 & C2
• TCF for Quebec
• Online Exercises
• DELF Scolaire/Junior

DELF A1: Writing a Postcard or letter in french about your vacation

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

How do you write a postcard or letter in french telling someone, such as a friend, about your vacation? This is a common question to be found on many french exam or test paper. Well this article a step by step guide on how to write a postcard or letter telling someone about your vacation.  

In the Production Ecrite section of your french exam such as the DELF A1 exam, you will be required to write a message, email or letter consisting of 40 to 50 words.  So lets begin!

How to plan your postcard or letter in french

It is possible to plan and practice various response to the possible exercises before the date of your exam.  In general, when you are writing a postcard there are certain information you may include, such as:

• How You went
• Where you went (montagne, plage, campagne, ville…)
• When / with whom you went
• Where or with whom are you staying? (à l’hôtel, chez l’habitant, dans un camping, dans un gîte…) Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
• What you saw or visit/did or are doing, etc
• Are you enjoying yourself?
• What is the weather and or the place like
• When are you coming back?
• Sign your name

While it is not necessary to provide all of the above information, It is important to note that DELF exam instructions, sometimes select from the list above and specifically ask you to include such information. As a result, it is important to practice different response which will include different combination of the suggestions above. The ones highlighted in red are the basics and should almost always be included in your postcard.

Writing your postcard or letter in french

Sample exercise: writing  a postcard or letter in french about your vacation.

Exercise 1                                                                                                   15 points  

Vous êtes en vacances à Nice. Vous envoyez une petite carte postale a un ami à Paris. Vous lui parlez de temps, de vous activités et vous lui donnez votre date de retour. (40 à 50 mots).

Sample letter in french about your vacation :

Bonjour Jean,

  (Word count = 49)

Sample Exercise for You!

Salut______________,

Je suis en vacances à _____________ pour _________________. C’est une ville très ______________. je visite_________________. c’est________________. Il fait______________ . Je rentrerai chez-moi _____________________.

________________

Evaluation:

• Greetings : Bonjour Jean ( We could also use: “Salut Jean Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ”  “ Cher Jean” . Use “Chère” only if it is a female)
• Where you are and for how long: Je suis en vacances à Nice pour cinq jours
• What you did or are doing: Hier, j’ai jou é au volley sur la plage . Maintenant, je prends le déjeuner dans un petit café.
• Are you enjoying yourself? Super!
• What is the weather and or the place like: Il fait très beau, avec beaucoup de soleil.
• When are you coming back?:  Je rentrerai chez-moi samedi prochain.
• Farewells: Bises ( We could also use: “ Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 A bientôt” “or “a samedi !” or “a la semaine prochaine !” or “au revoir”)
• Sign your name: Janet

There is agreement of adjective and verb: un petit café. Plus I have used three tenses:

• Le présent: je prends, Il fait ,
• le passé composé: j’ai jou é
• le futur: Je rentrerai .

I have included the specific information that they had asked for. I have also stayed within the word limit. 

Remember to stick to the word limit and follow the instructions that are given. If they want you to provide any specific information such as when you are coming back, the weather, what you visited etc this must be included in your postcard. You will lose points if this is not done.

Check for Errors

Remember to read carefully through your text. Check to ensure that plural words have a plural ending. Make sure that there is agreement between adjectives and the nouns they describe (such as une belle église , un beau chateau ). Check all to ensure that all verbs are in the right tense and that the endings match the subject (such as Je vais for the present but Je suis allé for the past ). Check to make sure you have followed the instructions and fully used all the structures that you have learnt during your study.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• The Open University
• Guest user / Sign out
• Study with The Open University

My OpenLearn Profile

Personalise your OpenLearn profile, save your favourite content and get recognition for your learning

About this free course

Become an ou student, download this course, share this free course.

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.

1 Sur la Côte d'Amour

This section on summer holidays in France starts with a video sequence showing a typical beach scene from a French resort on the Atlantic coast. As well as finding out a little about the history of holiday-making in France, we hear present-day holiday-makers describing the advantages and disadvantages of a popular beach. A number of people then explain how much holiday they take and when they can take it. Finally we explore current trends and investigate how popular foreign holidays are among the French.

The video was shot partly in the Pays de la Loire region in the west of France and partly in Paris. In the first sequence we see an area that is particularly popular with the people of Nantes ( les Nantais ), namely the beaches around La Baule on the Atlantic coast to the west of the city. Like all coastal areas of France, this one has a name: la Côte d'Amour.

The opening video sequence uses archive and contemporary footage to show some of the ways in which the coast is used for leisure activities. It also traces a little of the history of holiday-making in France. Various people explain to us why they like the Batz-sur-Mer beach, or why they don't.

View the following video

Activité 2, Sur la Côte d'Amour

Transcript: Sur la Côte d'Amour

Key point 1: using visual clues.

When learning a language, it is important to be aware of visual clues. They often help you understand the context: for example, a shrug of the shoulders may indicate indifference or resignation, even if the words seem neutral. They can indeed give an idea as to the language the speaker may be using. They may also help your visual memory: you'll probably remember words and phrases better if you associate them with images. So, we begin with an exercise in visual concentration.

Warning signs on the beach

Pour vous aider

salariés workers, wage-earners (remember that French uses the masculine plural to embrace both sexes)

congés payés (m.pl.) paid holiday/leave

au moins at least

d'après according to

toute la journée the whole day

surveiller to keep an eye on

pas tellement/pas trop not very much

pas mal de (informal) quite a lot of

Grammar Point 1 Using ‘de’ in expressions of quantity

The word de is used in expressions of quantity (including negative quantities such as pas de ), whether the noun that follows is singular or plural.

trop de vent too much wind

beaucoup trop de monde far too many people

pas assez de temps not enough time

pas tellement d' amis not that many friends

plus de six semaines de congé more than six weeks' leave

moins de jeux fewer games

pas de glaces à la vanille no vanilla ice cream

énormément d' argent lots of money

un tas de mouches (informal) loads of flies

pas mal d' algues (informal) quite a lot of seaweed

des centaines de vacanciers hundreds of holiday-makers

But note the use of des with the expressions la plupart and la majeure partie when followed by a noun in the plural:

la plupart des Français most French people

la majeure partie des commerçants most shopkeepers

The suffix -aine indicates approximate quantities, except for (demi-)douzaine which may mean exactly (six) or twelve.

Hier, j'ai planté une dizaine de rosiers dans mon jardin.

Yesterday I planted around ten rose bushes in my garden.

Je vais passer une quinzaine de jours à Paris.

I'm going to spend a fortnight in Paris.

J'ai appelé une trentaine de campings, mais ils sont tous complets.

I phoned about thirty campsites, but they're all full.

Je connais une demi-douzaine de personnes ici, c'est tout.

I know about half a dozen people here, that's all.

Je voudrais une douzaine d' œufs, s'il vous plaît.

I'd like a dozen eggs please.

Key point 2: Learning phrases

We suggest that you learn the examples given. Here are two suggested methods to help you do this.

Where there is an English translation, cover up the French and try to translate the English back into French. Check as you go along. Then reverse the process.

Close your book and, from memory, write out all the examples in French on a piece of paper. Then look at your book in order to check back.

As you progress through studing a language, why not collect examples in a notebook for each grammar rule and make up some of your own too, using the new vocabulary that you have learned? Share these examples with other students.

Activité 3.1

1 Lisez les deux cartes postales écrites par Valérie et trouvez les dix adjectifs qui montrent qu'elle aime beaucoup cette station balnéaire.

Two postcards

pratique convenient

toutes mes amitiés all the very best

l'eau est bonne the sea is at a pleasant temperature

bonjour à say hello to

grosses bises (informal) lots of love (literally ‘big kisses’, used for family and close friends only)

The adjectives showing enthusiasm are: superbe, magnifique, pratique, merveilleux; joli, belle, beau, bonne, délicieux, idéales.

Activité 3.2

2 Le mari de Valérie n'est pas aussi enthousiaste qu'elle. Il écrit à un de ses collègues de bureau. Les mots ou expressions qui manquent dans le texte de sa carte postale sont donnés avec l'illustration de ce qui se passe à la plage pour vous aider.

Ce sont nos derniers jours de vacances. Valérie et les enfants sont tristes, mais moi je suis vraiment (a) __________ de rentrer à la maison! Je n'aime (b) __________ cette plage: il y a (c) __________ de (d) __________, trop (e) __________ sur la plage, beaucoup trop de (f) __________ (oh là là, les enfants et les transistors!) et il n'y a (g) __________ de vent pour faire de la planche à voile. Et puis, il (h) __________ trop (i) __________ : 36 degrés à l'ombre! Ah, la clim au bureau!

la clim air conditioning (short for climatisation )

à bientôt see you soon

Below are the words you should fit in the spaces:

pas tellement • mécontent • algues • mouches • vent • de monde • fait • pas assez • glaces • gens • froid • bruit • dauphins • bronzé • trop de • des centaines • chaud • différent • surveille • content

A busy beach scene with lots of people annoying Marc

Ce sont nos derniers jours de vacances. Valérie et les enfants sont tristes, mais moi je suis vraiment (a) content de rentrer à la maison! Je n'aime (b) pas tellement cette plage: il y a (c) des centaines de (d) mouches, trop (e) de monde sur la plage, beaucoup trop de (f) bruit (oh là là, les enfants et les transistors!) et il n'y a (g) pas assez de vent pour faire de la planche à voile. Et puis, il (h) fait trop (i) chaud: 36 degrés à l'ombre! Ah, la clim au bureau!

Grammar Point 2 Writing an informal letter or postcard

When you are writing to someone it is important to use the appropriate opening and closing phrases. These vary according to who you are writing to.

Make sure that there is agreement (in gender and number) between cher and the name or names that follow.

And you can of course add a message to someone else:

Meilleurs souvenirs à/Bien des choses à…

Kindest regards to…

Say hello to…

We suggest you start a section in a notebook devoted to letterwriting, in which you could record these and other examples of opening and closing phrases as you come across them (for instance when you get a postcard or letter from a French-speaking friend). If you have a dictionary which has a 'Language in Use'; or 'Communicative Grammar' section you will also find more examples there.

Would you like to spend your own holiday on the beach featured on the video? Activity 4 gives you the chance to express your views in writing and to revise the expressions you have met so far in this section. You will also be listening to some audio materials for the first time.

You will be

Looking at the advantages and disadvantages of a seaside resort

Expressing an opinion

Using 'de' in expressions of quantity

Writing an informal postcard

Activité 4 EXTRAIT 1

1 Relisez les activités 1 à 3 et trouvez les expressions qui décrivent:

les avantages et les inconvénients d'une station balnéaire;

les réactions personnelles des gens.

Notez-les dans votre Carnet. Par exemple:

2 Écoutez le premier extrait. Imaginez que vous êtes en vacances sur la Côte d'Amour. Écoutez bien tout: les voix et les bruits. Ensuite, écrivez une carte postale d'environ quatre-vingts mots à un(e) ami(e). Vous devez:

expliquer les avantages et les inconvénients de votre station balnéaire;

donner vos réactions (positives et/ou négatives);

utiliser quelques expressions de quantité;

utiliser les formules correctes pour commencer et terminer le texte de votre carte.

Base yourself on the three examples of postcards you have seen above. You can use phrases from the lists you compiled in step 1.

Audio Track 1

Transcript: Audio Track 1

• Sites and Monuments in Paris
• Sites and Monuments in France
• Things to do in Paris
• Things to do in France
• ACCOMMODATION
• RENTING A CAR
• CHEF SERVICE
• CONCIERGERIE SERVICES
• TRAVEL TIPS
• TRAVEL LUGGAGE
• Arrondissements
• Monuments & Landmarks
• Secret & Offbeat Paris
• More about Paris...
• Île de France
• More Regions of France...
• Aix-en-Provence
• More Cities...
• Castles and Palaces
• Cathedrals and Churches
• Gardens and Parks
• World Heritage Sites
• Villages of France
• Autumn / Fall
• Mardi-Gras / Carnival
• April Fools' Day
• Bastille Day
• All Saints' Day
• More Holidays and Celebrations...
• National Anthem
• Gallic Rooster
• National Day
• Motto of France
• Motto of Paris
• Coat of Arms
• French President
• Le Croissant
• French Cheese
• French Wines
• Christmas Food and Recipes
• French Nursery Rhymes
• France geography
• FUN QUIZZES
• MOVIES AND MUSIC
• FRENCH LANGUAGE
• BOOKS BY FRENCH MOMENTS
• BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
• The Secrets of the Eiffel Tower
• The Gems of Paris
• Office desks and chairs
• Travel suitcases
• LEARN FRENCH WITH PIERRE
• THE STORY SO FAR
• WORK WITH US
• THE NEWSLETTER
• HOW TO SUPPORT US
• PHOTO USAGE POLICY

Last Updated:  6 March 2024

All there is to know about Summer in France

Summer in France resounds like a magic word to the French as it refers to well-deserved holidays spent in one of the many beautiful locations in France. Whether by the sea or in the mountains, visiting cities or exploring the rolling hills of the French countryside, having holidays in France when summer is in full swing will reveal itself as an unforgettable experience.

About Summer in France

Summer in France is known as ‘ été ’, from the Latin word ‘ aestas ’ (meaning ‘time of the heat’).

Driving through rural France reveals many beautiful flowers blooming in fields, meadows, and forests all over the country.

The French usually take their holidays between 15 July and 15 August.

Holidaymakers from Northern France traditionally migrate south to the Mediterranean or the Atlantic beaches, causing enormous traffic jams along the motorways and roads.

Seaside resorts such as La Baule, Les Sables d’Olonne, Arcachon, Biarritz, Le Cap d’Agde, La Grande-Motte, Fréjus, Cannes, Nice, and Menton can be incredibly busy with visitors who flock there in their millions from France and northern European countries to soak up the sun. Visitors can also find water activities on the mainland in countless lakes and rivers.

The downside of coming to France in summer can be the hoards of visitors flooding into France’s major tourist regions ( Provence , the French Riviera , Languedoc, Périgord , and the châteaux of the Loire), the higher cost of airfares and accommodation, and some scorching days that can last one or two weeks (‘ la canicule ’).

In popular tourist sites such as Le Mont-Saint-Michel , Rocamadour and Saint-Tropez, souvenir shops and restaurants make a roaring trade.

Some shops may be closed in cities and villages for a whole month.

👉 Thinking of booking your summer holiday to France? Don’t forget to check out the latest P&O Ferries voucher codes to make sure you don’t miss out on a travel bargain.

Calendar of Summer in France

Summer in France is the year’s season when many festivals and events are organised, with two highlights: the Tour de France bicycle race and the national celebration of Bastille Day .

Summer in France Calendar

• 20 June – the beginning of summer
• third Sunday of June –  Fathers’ Day  (Fête des Pères)
• 21 June – Fête de la Musique (World Music Day)
• 24 June – St. John’s Eve ( Fête de la Saint-Jean )
• 14 July – Bastille Day (known in France as “Le 14 juillet” or “Fête Nationale”)
• 15 August – Assumption Day (Jour de l’Assomption), a public holiday in France
• Beginning of September – la Rentrée (return to school)
• 21 September – the start of autumn

Popular events in France during the summer

Here is a short selection of the main events taking place in France.

• The 24 Hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans) in June, the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, is held annually in Le Mans. The race is considered one of the world’s most prestigious automobile races.
• Eurockéennes Festival of Belfort (Eurockéennes de Belfort) in July, one of France’s largest rock music festivals in Belfort .
• Avignon Festival (Festival d’Avignon) in July is an annual arts festival held in the courtyard of the Popes’ Palace.
• Tour de France in June and July is the most famous bicycle race that always ends in the Champs-Élysées , Paris.
• Francofolies of La Rochelle in July, an annual music festival held in La Rochelle which aims at promoting francophone music.
• The Vieilles Charrues Festival (literally: the Old Ploughs Festival) in July is held in Carhaix, Brittany, France. It is one of the largest music festivals in France.
• Paris-Plages in July-August, a temporary artificial beach created each summer along the river Seine in the centre of Paris.
• The Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient (Festival Interceltique de Lorient) in August an annual festival in Lorient, Brittany, dedicated to the cultural traditions of the Celtic nations.
• The Lake Festival (Fête du Lac) is in August, and it is one of Europe’s biggest fireworks displays above Lake Annecy .
• Rock en Seine Festival in August, the last largest rock music festival of the summer held at the park of Saint-Cloud , west of Paris.
• Deauville American Film Festival (Festival du cinéma américain de Deauville) in September, a yearly film festival devoted to American cinema, takes place in Deauville, Normandy.
• Braderie de Lille in September, one of the biggest flea markets in Europe, attracts more than 2 million visitors.

Summer in France: the weather

Although temperatures vary across France, summer is generally a warm season in all places, whether on the plains, in the hills, or in the mountains. There are many long and hot blue-sky days. Evenings are warm to slightly chilly, depending on the location.

June and the beginning of July are usually mild and pleasant. Although visitors can count on beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures, this is a time when summer storms can be surprisingly violent.

From mid-July to mid-August, the weather is usually glorious throughout the country. It tends to be consistently very hot, with possible heat waves ( la canicule ) lasting several days or weeks. In Paris, it can get muggy and quite sticky.

The weather can be scorching in the sun-drenched valleys and plains of Provence , Languedoc and Corsica .

Days can be particularly humid in the great northeast of France (Champagne, Burgundy, Franche-Comté, Lorraine, and Alsace), as these regions are exposed to a semi-continental climate.

Visiting France in the summer

Summer is one of the best periods to visit France, from the Mediterranean beaches to the glamorous French capital and the majestic Alps . A fun and festive vacation atmosphere can be felt throughout the entire country.

The French coastline includes thousands of kilometres of excellent beaches and towering cliffs bordered by three seas: the North, Atlantic, and Mediterranean.

Cities and towns of France

Suppose you want to hit the hustle and bustle of French cities while relaxing on one of the many pavement cafés and restaurant terraces. In that case, summer is ideal as some of them (particularly in Paris ) will be deserted by the locals.

One of the best reasons to visit France in summer is that all museums and attractions are open with extended summertime hours.

Parks and Gardens

Parks and gardens show their best colours and scents with glorious examples in Marqueyssac and Eyrignac in the Périgord, the Luxembourg and Tuileries Gardens in Paris, Villandry in the Loire Valley and Monet’s Garden in Normandy.

It is a pleasure to stroll in France’s gardens eating fresh waffles ( gaufres ) or creamy ice-creams.

Festivals and summer events

In rural France, villages often run local festivals reminiscent of their old traditions.

The long summer days ending with late, warm evenings provide great opportunities to attend music festivals (particularly jazz music) and outdoor events such as markets offering their best fresh produce, dancing balls and spectacular light shows.

Spectacular lights show

For many years, French towns and tourist sites have run spectacular light shows at nightfall :

• the façades of the cathedrals of Amiens , Chartres and Rouen ,
• the châteaux of Chambord and Blois ,
• the square of Place Stanislas in Nancy, to list a few…

They are all magnificently enhanced with hi-tech lights and sound.

Camping in France

For a large part of the French population, summer holidays are synonymous with camping in one of the numerous camping grounds classified by a government-regulated star rating system.

Camping is part of the French culture, and one of its attractions is its reasonably cheap accommodation.

Upscale camping sites are usually found along the coasts where the weather is conducive to sleeping in a tent.

The recent French movies “Camping 1”, “Camping 2” and “Camping 3” starring Franck Dubosc relate to this experience shared by millions of French people each summer.

Barge cruising in France

A network of interconnecting canals crisscrosses the country for the delight of barge cruises.

More and more visitors enjoy this popular and relaxing way to explore the wonderful scenery of the French countryside.

The most famous canals are:

• the Unesco-listed Canal du Midi (linking Montpellier to Toulouse ),
• Canal de la Marne au Rhin ,
• Canal du Rhône au Rhin and
• Canal de Bourgogne (the last three are in France’s northeast).

English-French Vocabulary

(f) for  féminin , (m) for  masculin,  (adj) for  adjective  and (v) for  verbs

• Assumption Day = Jour de l’Assomption (m)
• autumn = automne (m)
• Bastille Day = Fête Nationale (f)
• beach = plage (f)
• butterfly = papillon (m)
• Father’s Day = Fête des Pères (f)
• field = champ (m)
• flower = fleur (f)
• forest = forêt (f)
• fruit = fruit (m)
• garden = jardin (m)
• harvest = récolte (f)
• holidays = vacances (f,p)
• Indian summer = été indien (m)
• leaf = feuille (f)
• leave = congé (m)
• meadow = prairie (m), pré (f)
• plant = plante (f)
• rain = pluie (f)
• season = saison (f)
• sparrow = hirondelle (f)
• spring = printemps (m)
• St. John’s Eve = Fête de la Saint-Jean (f)
• summer = été (m)
• summer hit = tube de l’été (m)
• sun = soleil (m)
• tree = arbre (m)
• vegetable = légume (m)
• winter = hiver (m)
• wood = bois (m)

Holidays and Celebrations in France

Learn more about the seasons, celebrations and public holidays in France:

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Name * * * * * * * * * * *

E-mail * * * * * * * * * * *

Website [optional]

Save my name, email and website in the browser for my next comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

France is the most beautiful country in the world. 🙂

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

50+ Important French Vacation Words and Phrases (With Audio)

Whether you enjoy the feel of seawater and hot sand or the crisp mountain air, there’s nothing like a relaxing vacation.

However you choose to vacation, wouldn’t you love to do it all in French?

Here are 50+ useful French vacation vocabulary words and phrases , with example sentences so you can use them correctly in context.

So grab that passport and let’s get started!

French Vacation Vocabulary for a Smooth Trip

Talking about vacation plans, vacation accommodation, modes of transport, vacation activities, tips to learn vacation vocabulary, drill flashcards before your trip, visualize the vocabulary, watch authentic french videos, start using the words in your own sentences, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

This topic will require you to get comfortable with some basic interrogatives in French .

Common questions and answers

• où ? (where?)
• quand ? (when?)
• avec qui ? (with whom?)
• Comment voyages-tu ? (How are you traveling?)
• Je vais au / à la…  (I’m going to…)
• pendant (during)

Vacation seasons

• les vacances de Noël ( Christmas vacation )
• les vacances d’été ( summer vacation , also known as les grandes vacances )
• les vacances d’hiver ( winter vacation )
• les vacances de printemps ( spring vacation )
• les vacances de la Toussaint ( fall vacation ; All Saints)

Example sentences

Où vas-tu en vacances ? (Where are you going on vacation?)

Je vais à la plage / à la montagne / à l’étranger. (I’m going to the beach/to the mountains/overseas.)

Quand iras-tu en vacances ? (When will you go on vacation?)

Je voyagerai pendant les vacances d’été. (I will travel during the summer vacation.)

Avec qui allez-vous voyager / vas-tu voyager ? (Who are you going to travel with?)

Places people stay on vacation

• un hôtel (a hotel)
• une auberge de jeunesse (a youth hostel)
• un club de vacances (a resort)
• un camping (a camping ground)
• un appartement (an apartment)
• un gîte (a holiday home/cottage)
• une chambre d’hôtes (a bed and breakfast)

Phrases for making a reservation

• Je voudrais une chambre (I would like a room…)
• salle de bains (bathroom)
• pour une / deux / trois / quatre personnes   (for one/two/three/four people)
• du… au… (from [date] to [date])

Je voudrais une chambre pour deux personnes avec salle de bains du 5 août au 12 août. (I would like a room for two with a bathroom from August 5 to August 12.)

Pour mes vacances, je vais loger dans un hôtel. (For my vacation I am going to stay in a hotel.)

Je logerai dans une auberge de jeunesse. (I will stay in a youth hostel.)

L’année dernière, j’ai logé dans un camping. (Last year, I stayed in a camping ground.)

Getting to your destination

• en avion (by plane)
• l’aéroport (airport)
• en bateau (by boat)
• en train (by train)
• la gare (the station)
• le billet (the ticket)
• aller-retour (round trip)

Getting around your vacation spot

• en métro (by subway)
• en bus (by bus) 
• en taxi (by taxi)
• à pied (on foot)

Comment vas-tu en Belgique ? En avion ou en train ? (How are you going to Belgium? By plane or by train ?)

Où est l’aéroport, s’il vous plaît ? (Where is the airport, please?)

Je cherche la gare. (I am looking for the train station .)

À quelle heure est le départ de l’avion ? (What time does the plane leave?)

Combien coûte le billet pour Nice ? (How much does the ticket to Nice cost?)

Je voudrais un aller-retour pour le train qui va à Marseille. (I would like a return ticket on the train going to Marseille.)

This topic is a great opportunity to pick up common French nouns and verbs . There are hundreds of activities that you can add to your vocabulary list. Some common ones include:

• faire de la planche à voile (to windsurf)
• faire du lèche-vitrine (to go window-shopping )
• bronzer (to suntan)
• aller au restaurant (to go to the restaurant)
• nager (to swim)
• faire du ski (to ski)
• faire une randonnée (to go hiking)
• faire du vélo (to cycle)
• visiter des monuments / des musées (to visit monuments/museums)
• participer à une visite guidée (to join a guided tour)

Try to use this vocabulary with different tenses!

Aujourd’hui, je voudrais aller à la plage pour bronzer. (Today, I would like to go to the beach to suntan.)

Hier, je suis allé(e) faire du vélo en montagne. (Yesterday, I went cycling in the mountains.)

Demain, j’irai au restaurant avec mes amis. (Tomorrow, I will go to the restaurant with my friends.)

One of the best parts of going on a holiday in France is getting to eat out and sample food. So, food vocabulary should be in the cards. We’ll give you the basics for a vacation— for an in-depth guide to restaurant vocabulary in French, check out this article.

• le repas (the meal)
• le petit déjeuner (breakfast)
• le déjeuner (lunch)
• le dîner (dinner)
• la salle à manger (the dining room)
• le restaurant (restaurant)
• Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez aujourd’hui ? (What do you recommend today?)
• le plat du jour (today’s special)
• Je voudrais… (I would like…)
• L’addition, s’il vous plaît. (The check, please.)

À quelle heure est le petit déjeuner ? (What time is breakfast ?)

Comme dessert, je voudrais la crème caramel. (For dessert, I would like the crème caramel.)

Recommandez-vous le plat du jour ? (Do you recommend today’s special?)

Je voudrais des escargots. (I would like some snails.)

Make flashcards for the words above and go through them periodically before your trip. You don’t even need to carry around a stack of index cards—there are apps like Quizlet for creating flashcards online and even playing games to test yourself.

French vacation words tend to be highly visual, so consider  making mind maps , or visual diagrams that represent the words you want to learn. There are many examples of mind map templates online.

You can also create a memory palace . The idea of this memorization device is to visualize a location—say, your childhood home—and populate it with the relevant vocabulary. For example, you could visualize a building and each hallway, room or object would be associated with a word you wish to remember.

It’s a great technique for visual learners to create context for seemingly isolated terms.

The best way to remember any new French vocabulary is to learn it in context. And one of the best ways to do that is to watch videos in French from French sources. You can easily find French TV shows and movies on streaming services like Netflix. If you prefer shorter videos, you can find French videos about all sorts of topics on YouTube.

FluentU is another way to hear French how it’s spoken in actual French-speaking regions. It’s a language learning program that uses authentic videos with interactive subtitles as the core of its lessons, along with active learning features like flashcards and quizzes.

The videos on FluentU are sorted by topic, so you can easily find media that’s related to travel, such as news clips about French vacation habits or video tours of French open-air hotels.

You’ll be using the words and phrases below with real French speakers throughout your vacation. So, why not start practicing now?

For example, don’t just learn the word nager (to swim). Start creating sentences, like:

Où est la plage ? J’aimerais nager cet après-midi. (Where is the beach? I would like to swim this afternoon.)

Savez-vous nager ? (Do you know how to swim?)

To ensure your own sentences actually make sense, you can use a grammar checker like Bon Patron . 

Now that you’ve used all the tools and resources at your fingertips and you’ve prepared everything for your vacation, you’re ready to go.

Use your new vocabulary as often as you can and you’ll become good at communicating and recognizing repeated words.

Bonnes vacances ! (Have a good vacation!)

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Enter your e-mail address to get your free PDF!

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe

special olympics sample persuasive speech quiz

The Local’s Guide to Enjoying and Talking About the Summer in French

France has four seasons : spring ( le printemps ), summer ( l’été ), autumn ( l’automne ), and winter ( l’hiver ), and each one has its own significance in French culture and everyday life.  

While we mostly associate summer with the south of France, the location of the famous Côte d’Azur, the summer weather and mood does reach the whole country and affect it in some important ways.  Let’s talk about all things summer in France.

How to say “summer” in French

The word “summer” in French is l’été . Although the French word for season, la saison is feminine, l’été is masculine .

When you want to use “summer” as an adjective in French, you would either say d’été or estival(e) .  It’s hard to say exactly why you should use either one, but as a general rule:

d’été is usually used with things that aren’t exclusively associated with summer. For example, as you’ll see on the list below, you would use it when talking about clothes , time, or rooms in a house. Be careful not to confuse this with de l’été (of the (this) summer), which I’ll talk about in the next section. 

estival(e) tends to be used with things we’d more likely associate with summer – for example, summer weather.

Again, this is just a general rule. If you’re in doubt, the good news is, people will understand what you mean if you use either one.

If you want to say “in summer”, “over the summer”, or “during the summer” in French, that would generally be “ en été ” or “ pendant l’été ”.   For example: En été, on va à la plage. (In summer, we go to the beach). And Il a bien grandi pendant l’été (He grew a lot over summer).  

La fin de l’été is “the end of summer”.

Some common summer-related French words

Here are some common summer-related French words. As you read them, remember the general rule about using d’été or estival (e) that I mentioned in the previous section of this article.

de l’été – of the (this) summer. This is used when talking about the trends and tendencies of this particular summer. A very common example is the expression le tube de l’été – this summer’s hit song.

une robe d’été – a summer dress/a sundress.

l’heure d’été – daylight savings time. Passer à l’heure d’été means to switch to daylight savings time/set the clocks forward.

les vacances d’été – summer vacation. This can mean either a vacation from school or other organized activity, or an actual planned summer vacation getaway. 

une cuisine d’été – an outdoor, covered space for cooking, eating, and storing food. In addition to a standard indoor kitchen, this is a very common feature in lots of houses in the south of France , where, as other French people often remark, inhabitants like to live outdoors. A cuisine d’été lets them not only eat outside, but even prepare their meals and store food there, since it usually includes some kind of stove or oven as well as storage areas. You can see some examples of typical cuisines d’été here . 

How to say “Have a good summer” in French

Summer is a time of leisure, vacation, and festivities in France, but interestingly enough, it’s not extremely common for people to tell each other “Have a good summer!”, as you’ll learn if you do an internet search for it.

With friends who are going away for a long time in the summer, I usually say Passe un bon été or Passez un bon été if there’s a group of them. They always understand and appreciate this, but it’s not necessarily the way native French speakers would put it.

Instead, it seems if native speakers of French want to say “Have a good summer”, they would either be very formal and say Je te/vous souhaite un bon été (I wish you/you all a good summer) or they would focus more on the vacation aspect, and use a very common French saying, Bonnes vacances ! (Have a nice vacation!).

Summer weather in France

Culturally, summer in France starts around late June and ends at la rentrée – the period at the beginning of September, when most people are back from summer vacation and school and other activities start again. 

From an astronomical standpoint, summer in France is officially from June 21 to September 21. But the weather can be very warm before and after that period. For example, this year we had several days where the temperature reached 30 degrees Celsius (about 86 degrees Fahrenheit) in April and May, even though overall temperatures for these months were a lot lower, at times even a bit chilly.

Even summer itself can be a bit unpredictable in France. Sometimes, the days can start or end up quite chilly, even if it’s hot in the afternoon. So if you’re planning to visit, you may want to bring a light jacket or shawl with you if you’ll be out very early or very late.

What is France like in the summer?

By late June, French people are in the spirit of summer , with schools in their last weeks and travel plans fresh in many minds. People tend to want to spend more time outside, and in that spirit, most towns, cities, and villages will have some kind of festivities in the summer , from outdoor concerts and film festivals, to athletic competitions, novelties like Paris-Plages and more. If you’re traveling to France in the summer, definitely be sure to check the places you’re headed to see what’s on.

Two summer events that will definitely be going on to some extent, wherever you are in France, are the Fête de la Musique (Music Day) on June 21, and le 14 juillet (Bastille Day, July 14). 

La Fête de la Musique is a holiday celebrated in many countries, and quite the big deal in France. Anyone who wants to play music outside is welcome, and you can stroll the streets or even travel far distances across a region or city to attend concerts by amateurs and famous musicians alike.

“Bastille Day” in French is actually just called le 14 juillet (July 14), or sometimes La Fête Nationale (the national holiday). If you’re into history, this is because the date isn’t supposed to celebrate the storming of the Bastille, the event that kicked off the French Revolution in 1789, but the Fête de la Fédération, a sort of reconciliatory celebration celebrating the new nation, which occurred exactly a year later on July 14, 1790. If you’d like to read more about the turbulent and gruesome origins of the French Revolution and le 14 juillet , feel free to check out a blog post I wrote about it. The most common 14 juillet celebrations today are fireworks displays, which are put on by many French cities and towns .

Most French people have five weeks of vacation time, which they tend to spread out over the course of the year, but summer is when they tend to take the longest and most important trips. That’s why schools’ and other organizations’ summer breaks are often called les grandes vacances (literally, “the big vacation”) . 

It’s said that August is a time when things are dead in places like Paris, since so many people leave on vacation. It’s true that August is the most popular vacation month in France, but nearly as many people prefer to leave in July – and 31% of French people don’t go on vacation in the summer at all. 

So, if you visit France in August, especially if you’re in a major city or summer tourism area, you probably won’t find that the place has become a ghost town. That said, it can be harder or even impossible to make appointments with certain specialists, government workers, and so on.

Heatwaves and air conditioning phobia: How the French deal with summer heat

Summer weather in France can be pretty variable, from unseasonably cold days, to heatwaves ( la canicule ). Sadly, due to global warming, canicules have become much more common, even over the past few years alone. 

Even when summer temperatures are at their seasonal average in France, though, you might find them hard to bear, depending on where you come from. This is because the French have an aversion to air conditioning, and even to electric and ceiling fans!

The French will very easily admit that hot weather can be hard to get through. But they prefer to use techniques like keeping their shutters drawn and airing out the house in cool morning weather or taking cold showers and eating cold meals, rather than relying on AC or a fan. 

The reason behind this may not be what you’re expecting. Sure, the French are motivated by ecology to some extent. And sure, home air conditioning units do exist here but aren’t cheap (a small one currently starts at around 150 euros). But the main reason most French people don’t have air conditioning or possibly even an electric fan in their house – or, if they do, they use them sparingly – is…they’re afraid of cold air.

Most French people consider air conditioning a source of sickness, whether due to the contrast of a cool or cold interior and hot outside air, or the idea of recirculated air in general. Fans are a source of courants d’air (drafts), which most French people are convinced will cause colds and sore throats.

Although extreme cold can cause certain illnesses, it’s pretty much scientific fact that a draft or breeze on a hot day cannot.  Still, most French people are unconvinced. Even my French husband who, to my utter shock, insisted we buy an air conditioning unit a few hot summers ago, is wary of letting my son sleep with a fan in his room.  “He’ll get a sore throat!” he moans every time I turn it on in the stifling room.  

So far, my son has not had a cold or sore throat from sleeping with a fan blowing on him, and more importantly, he hasn’t suffered from heat exhaustion, stroke, or fever. 

Even if cold air did cause colds or sore throats, I can’t wrap my mind around why avoiding those usually mild conditions would take priority over avoiding overheating and all of the very serious conditions this could bring on. But that’s the way most French people think. Recently, during a heatwave, I was at a grocery store checkout line when the cashier sneezed. “It’s this air conditioning,” she grumbled. “I don’t know why they have to turn it on.” It was 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit) outside!

French people’s distrust of cold air in hot weather is a common complaint for visitors and residents from many other countries – especially Americans like me. I’ve spent significant time in places like Atlanta, Georgia, and various locations in Florida, where it regularly gets much hotter than a very hot day in France. But because air conditioning is just about everywhere in America – and it’s set to full-blast – you don’t really notice the outside temperature as much. In France, on the other hand, you have to learn strategies for keeping cool, and slog through the hot days.

This cultural difference makes for many amusing (and relatable) articles like this one . But there’s a darker side, too. That aversion to cool air can be lethal.

In August 2003, there was a two-week heatwave in France, with record high temperatures. Because of a lack of air conditioning even in places with vulnerable populations, like nursing homes, an estimated 14,000-20,000 people died . 

Let that sink in for a minute.

Up to 20,000 people died over two weeks, in temperatures that were high but not the highest on earth, because air conditioning and fans weren’t widespread or used by a majority of the population.

Some things have changed since then. For example, there are awareness campaigns and warnings when une canicule is coming, cool rooms in public places like city halls, and obligatory air-conditioned common rooms in nursing homes. But most French people are still at least a little bit wary when it comes to fans and air conditioning.

  How to dress like a French woman/man in the summer

In lieu of or in addition to relying on air conditioning, the French deal with the heat in a number of ways, including taking cold showers, drinking lots of water, splashing themselves with water or using a water mister ( un brumisateur ),keeping their shutters closed against the hot sun, and more. The way they dress can be another strategy.

You’ll see people wearing many different styles in France, from what you probably imagine when you picture a French person , to street or vintage or hippy clothes. Whatever the style, the general rule in hot weather is to favor light colors (making for a strange contrast from us Parisians’ usual “uniform” of blacks and grays), cotton, linen, and other light, natural fabrics, and light sneakers or sandals. People often wear hats or baseball caps, as well, especially children.

That being said, French people tend to wait until really hot weather to wear their absolute lightest clothing. I think it has to do with what I talked about before, that wariness of being cold. So, if you come to France in the summer, you’ll probably see people wearing sundresses and shorts, but you’ll also likely see at least a few others in long-sleeved blouses and trousers. Elderly French people often tend to stay covered up, as well, especially men. I know several older Frenchmen who wear a suit pretty much year-round. This isn’t for professional reasons; they’ve been retired for decades. It just goes back to another era, I guess. But I can’t understand how they don’t transform into a puddle of sweat.

One thing that you can be pretty sure of is that an overwhelming majority of French people don’t wear flip-flops. There are some exceptions, especially among younger kids who like streetwear and/or American culture. But in general, flip-flops are rare here, and until recently, even looked down upon as impractical and inelegant.

Still, if you come to France in the summer, your priority should be to enjoy the sites and culture, not to look like a native. So if you feel most comfortable in flip-flips and want to dress light even if it’s only in the low 20’s (high 60’s to low 70’s Fahrenheit), go for it. Don’t get overheated or uncomfortable and ruin your trip or stay.  

Well, maybe swap out flip-flops for more elegant summer footwear if you’re attending a formal event or meeting a client, celebrity, or other figure you want to show respect towards. 

One thing you should note, though, is that many churches frown upon mini-skirts and very short shorts, as well as plunging cleavage and uncovered shoulders. In general, French churches aren’t as policed as ones in places like Italy, so you may be able to get in regardless of how you’re dressed, but just so you’re sure not to miss out on admiring their beautiful architecture and artwork, if you’re not covered in those areas, make sure to bring a shawl or poncho that you can slip on over your clothes.    

French summer foods

As befits the French love of food, certain meals are another way the French keep cool in summer. In very hot weather, French  people will tend to eat cold foods that don’t have to be heated or cooked , like salads ( des salades ) that are filling all the same (for example, a recent meal I had with French friends involved a huge salad made up of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, shallots, mozzarella cheese, and olives, with cold cuts ( charcuterie ) and baguette on the side) , caprice ( tomate-mozza ), and avocados sliced in half and pitted, then topped with canned tuna and mayonnaise ( un avocat au thon ) or shrimp (often in a mayonnaise-based sauce) ( un avocat crevettes ), to name a few popular choices. 

And of course, fruit is always a favorite. While the iconic summer fruit in America is probably watermelon, in France it’s le melon . This word stands in for various regional varieties of melon. The most famous is from the Charente-Maritime region. Most melons taste similar to cantaloupe.  

Eating ice cream is another great way to keep cool. Ice cream stands can be found just about anywhere people are doing outdoor activities in France, and you can also find lots of different varieties of ice cream and sorbets in French grocery stores, not to mention frozen food chains like Picard ( this particular ice cream flavor is my personal favorite – it is amazingly delicious).

Italian ice drinks, also known as slushees or icees, are called granités in France. They’re somewhat popular in the summer, but they can be very pricey, especially when you consider they’re often sold in small cups, not the huge goblets you get at gas stations in the US.   

Despite the wide selection of cold desserts, most French people tend not to overindulge. As I’ve written before , regardless of the delicious pastries and other sugary delights here, the French seem to prefer savory over sweet.

When it comes to drinks, water is the go-to in very hot weather. But remember that most French people – and French restaurants – don’t put ice in drinks, so if you want ice water, you should ask for de l’eau avec des glaçons, s’il vous plait. (Water with ice cubes, please.)

An alternative to water that’s great for kids as well as adults with a sweet tooth (like me) is cold bottled water with a flavored syrup added to it. You can read more about that here . 

If you want something with a bit more of a buzz, a cold glass of white or rosé wine is a popular choice in the south of France, while a cold beer is a favorite in the north. 

There are, of course, lots of other cold drinks that you can enjoy in France, from une limonade (a carbonated beverage that tastes a bit like Sprite or 7-UP), to a range of cocktails (here’s a list of the French’s favorites).

How can you learn French during the summer?

Maybe summer means you’re on vacation from school or have more free time in general. This may mean you’re looking for a way to up the ante on your French learning. There are lots of ways to do this.

One option that many people consider is taking summer courses in France. An online search should help you find the right one for you. Remember to consider your budget, what’s included in the price (just lessons, or accommodations and other benefits like excursions, as well?), the timing, and other important factors, like whether or not it’s an immersive French language program. If you’re not sure about what’s important, an online search for “how to choose the best French summer program for me” will result in a bevy of helpful articles (just be sure none of them have the ulterior motive of trying to sell you their specific courses).

But what if you don’t have the time or budget to take summer courses in France?  Don’t worry! There are other ways you can practice and perfect your French. 

For one thing, see if there are local French learning programs at universities, schools, and French organizations near you.

You can also opt for personalized French tutoring sessions . Check out websites, community message boards, and printed-out job ads at schools and community gathering spots to find a local French tutor. Ideally, they should be a native speaker.  

An online French tutor is another option. One of the advantages of this is that the tutor is more likely to be a native speaker, since the distance from your house to France doesn’t matter. Another good thing: You don’t have to worry about issues like transportation problems, a noisy meeting place, etc.

Whether or not you opt for face-to-face French lessons this summer, don’t forget that there are also lots of online French learning platforms and courses that can help you boost your French skills, too (including the French Together app ). These can be used on their own, combined, or along with lessons, to really give you an edge on all things French. 

And one word of advice: Whether you go the distance, by signing up for a summer French immersion course, or use online resources to practice and learn, it’s your desire to learn and your curiosity that will give you an important edge. You could be in a total immersion course in France, but if you’re too tired or distracted, you may not learn as much as someone who’s doing online tutoring or using language learning platforms and is super-motivated back at home. 

I say this from personal experience. I wasn’t able to do immersion programs, and when I studied abroad, many of my classes were still in English. And yet, because I loved French and wanted to learn, I used all the other resources available to me and voilà – I’m a fluent French-speaker today. Well, okay, voilà is kind of a simple stand-in for years of work, but hopefully you get the point.

With that in mind, I’ll leave you with a famous French quotation about summer (sort of) by Albert Camus: Au milieu de l’hiver, j’apprenais enfin qu’il y avait en moi un été invincible. (In the middle of winter, I learned at last that within me there was an invincible summer.)

• What are the best French learning apps in 2024?
• The 16 best websites and apps for French conversation practice
• Duolingo French review: The good, the bad and the ugly

Alysa Salzberg

Alysa Salzberg is an American writer, worrier, teacher, and cookie enthusiast who has lived in Paris, France, for more than a decade. She has taught English and French for more than ten years, most notably as an assistante de langue vivante for L'Education Nationale. She recently published her first novel, Hearts at Dawn , a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling that takes place during the 1870 Siege of Paris. You can read about her adventures here , or feel free to stop by her website .

Start Learning French in the next 30 Seconds with a Free Lifetime Account

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Write an Essay on How You Spent Your Summer Vacation

Last Updated: January 4, 2020

This article was co-authored by Alexander Peterman, MA . Alexander Peterman is a Private Tutor in Florida. He received his MA in Education from the University of Florida in 2017. This article has been viewed 52,562 times.

Writing an essay on how you spent your summer vacation is a classic way of starting a new school year. Think about this essay as an opportunity to tell a story about your summer while reflecting on the experiences you had. Choose a memorable moment you had this summer and start crafting your essay, giving as many details as possible.

Choosing a Topic

• These can also make nice visual aids if you are asked to present your essay.

• A list might be full of things like babysitting, attending a camp, working at a local store, taking a road trip, etc. This type of brainstorming can help you pick major events and other important moments from your summer.

• For example, maybe you spent your summer traveling around Japan. Think of a memorable moment you had while traveling — maybe you walked up a mountain in the pouring rain — and write about this moment, adding lots of details.

• For example, if you're writing about spending time at the beach, your outline could remind you to talk about the sandcastle building contest you entered, the dolphins you saw, and the ice cream you ate every day.
• Details might be what the other sandcastles looked like, how far away the dolphins were, and what kind of toppings were on your ice cream.
• Your outline is just to help you organize your thoughts — it can be written by hand or typed.

Crafting the Essay

• Instead of saying that you worked in a pet store, ate a PB&J sandwich, and walked home every day, talk about more than just your actions. You could talk about which pets are your favorites to work with, how it felt to eat the same sandwich every day, or what you thought about on your walk home.

• Using sensory details like these will help your readers visualize and engage with your writing. These help your audience make your experiences feel real to them, even though they weren't there.

• For example, instead of saying “I went to the beach this summer,” try saying “I spent my summer swimming in the frigid water at Virginia Beach.” The more details you can provide, the more engaged your reader will be.

• Instead of saying “the burger was really good,” you could say, “the burger was juicy and filling.”

• Don't just rely on spellcheck. It will help catch some errors, but it will miss some things, too.
• Ask a parent or other adult to read over your essay too, if you'd like.
• Setting your essay aside for a little while will give you a fresher perspective when you go back to revise it.

Structuring Your Essay

• Make sure your conclusion doesn’t just copy the introduction.

Community Q&A

• Write your essay from the first person point of view, using "I." Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.citationmachine.net/resources/student-blog
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/personal-essay/
• ↑ http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-for-writing-a-personal-narrative-essay.html
• ↑ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-smock/8-tips-for-dazzling-an-ed_b_5498918.html

About This Article

If you need to write an essay on how you spent your summer vacation, there are simple ways to take your writing to the next level. Choose a moment that stands out to you, like playing at the park with your friends or watching a movie you enjoyed. Think about all the feelings and thoughts you had, and use them to write sensory descriptions that will take the reader on the journey with you. Use your introduction to set the scene and draw your reader in. Then, use each paragraph to explore different aspects of your favorite moment. For example, if you won a video game competition with your friends, you can talk about the rivalry between you, the rounds of the game, and how you celebrated. For more tips from our Education co-author, including how to edit your essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Learn French With Chanty

Affiliate disclosure : this site contains affiliate links. This means that if you come to make a purchase, I will earn a little commission at no extra cost for you, and this helps keep producing free content for you. Thank you for your support.

• Jun 1, 2021

French summer essential vocabulary + Reading test

Updated: Jun 27, 2022

Summer or l'été in French language is one the favorite seasons of French people. It's the ideal time to forget about work, to travel, go on vacation, go to the beach or sea and enjoy holidays with family.

These recent years, summer has been impacted by the the COVID -19 pandemic situation, but there are still ways to enjoy your vacations.

Today we will see some keywords and expressions about summer (l'été) such as clothing names and activities you can do during summer and verbs to use in French.

After reading this lesson, if you want to take your French to the next level and learn with native speakers, in a structured way (CEFR), we recommend Lingoda, an online language school with affordable and effective group classes and private classes. You can access the free trial here. And if you like challenges, try the Lingoda sprint . You will get 50% or 100% cash back if you attend all the classes you subscribed for.

Essential Words for talking about summer (l'été)

Let's start with the must-know French word: l'été which means summer. The word été can also be used in compound tenses like passé composé , as the past participle of the verb être (to be) . So, do not make the confusion!

For example :

L'été dernier, je suis allée au Canada. => Last summer, I went to Canada.

Hier, j'ai été malade .=> yesterday I have been sick.

When talking about summer, we think automatically of the words sun, beach and months like June, July, August. Here is how the essential words related to l'été are called in French.

le Soleil : sun

la chaleur : heat

la canicule : heat wave

la plage : the beach

la Mer : the sea

la Montagne : the mountain

les vacances d'été : summer holidays

juin : June

juillet : July

août : August

You will certainly need to know these verbs to be able to make a small talk about vacations and holidays.

Voyager : to travel

Partir en vacances : to go on vacation

Aller quelque part: to go somewhere

Visiter : to visit (talking about visiting places)

Nager : to swim

Se baigner : to swim

prendre son congé annuel : to take one's annual leave

Disclosure : this post contains affiliate links. That means that if you come to click and make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost for you. And as an amazon associate, I will earn a commission for qualifying purchases.

12 Favorite Summer activities in French

In general to talk about activities that we do, we use the essential French verb faire. During vacations, people's favorite activities can be :

faire du surf or surfer : to surf

faire de la plongée : to dive

faire de la natation : to swim

faire de la randonnée : to hike

faire du ski nautique : water skiing

aller dans les montagnes : to go in the mountains

aller à la plage : to go to the beach

la pêche : fishing (do not mix it up with the peach (fruit) which is written exactly the same way)

faire un pique-nique : to picnic

faire un barbecue : to have a barbeque

bronzer : to tan

se bronzer : to sunbathe

How to name Summer outfits in French?

During summer, it's the time to take out from your closets the light and easy-to-where clothes and accessories like your short, tank top, hat, sunglasses.

Let's see how to call these summer essentials in French, the most common words and phrases.

un short : a short

un débardeur : a tank top

une robe : a dress

une jupette : a mini skirt

des tongs : flip flops

des Sandales : sandales

un sac en bandoulière : sling bag

une casquette : a cap

un chapeau : a hat

des lunettes de soleil : sun glasses

un maillot de bain : a swim suit

une serviette de plage : a beach towel

Linen (le Lin) and cotton ( le coton) are the fashion trend of summer season. Among the indispensables pour l'été, you will also need for sure your crème solaire (sunscreen) to avoid having des coups de Soleil (sun burns) .

Practise your French summer vocabulary

Through the text below, you will discover examples of sentences and phrases about l'été. You will also be able to practice your understanding of the vocabulary related to summer holidays.

So, read it and answer the comprehension questions with true (vrai) or false (faux) .

"J'adore les vacances d'été car c'est enfin le moment de passer du temps avec ma famille.

En général, nous allons au sud de la France. Nous allons tous ensemble à la plage. J'aime me baigner dans la mer; alors je prends toujours avec moi, ma crème solaire, mes lunettes de soleil et mon maillot de bain.

Ma sœur préfère ramasser des coquillages et construire des châteaux de sable. Quant à mon frère , il aime aller dans les montagnes pour faire des randonnées. Alors, pour satisfaire tout le monde, on passe quelques jours en bord de mer, et le reste du temps nous allons dans les montagnes. Cela nous occupe beaucoup et on ne s'ennuie pas du tout!

Cette année, nous sommes en confinement et je doute qu'on puisse partir en vacances d'ici l'été."

How did it go? How much did you get out of 8? I hope you enjoyed this lesson and the reading test. and if that's the case, don't forget to comment and give us a shout-out by sharing this with your friends. Thank you for your support!

Recent Posts

Making a phone call in French: essential words and phrases with dialogues + exercise

Talking about Money in French: a comprehensive guide

How to say no in French and alternative expressions

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• School Education /

Essay on Summer Vacation: Samples for Students

• Updated on  
• Jan 8, 2024

Summer vacation offers a cherished break from routine. It’s a time to unwind, explore, and create lasting memories. Whether relaxing on sandy shores or venturing into new cities, the freedom of summer allows for rejuvenation. Activities like swimming, hiking, or simply reading a book by the pool offer a sense of bliss. 

It’s a chance to bond with family and friends, sharing laughter and experiences. As the warm sunsets, the moments lived during this break become stories that enrich our lives and fuel our dreams until the next summer adventure arrives.

This Blog Includes:

Introduction, activities and destinations, quality time with family and friends, reflection on memories, returning to school, things to include in essay on summer vacation, essay on summer vacation in 100 words, essays on summer vacation: 200 words sample, essays on summer vacation: 400 words sample, a journey of self-introspection, in conclusion.

Also Read – Essay on Human Rights

Summer Vacation Essay for Students: How to Write 

When writing a summer vacation essay for students, it’s important to include a variety of points to provide a well-rounded perspective of the experiences and emotions associated with the break. 

Here are some key points to consider including in your essay:

• Introduce the concept of summer vacation and its significance for students.
• Set the tone for the essay by expressing the anticipation and excitement of the break.
• Describe the different activities you engaged in during your summer vacation.
• Discuss any trips you took, whether it was a family vacation, a road trip, or a visit to a new place.
• Mention specific destinations, such as beaches, mountains, cities, or cultural sites.
• Emphasize the importance of spending time with loved ones.
• Share anecdotes and experiences of bonding with family and friends during the vacation.
• Reflect on memorable experiences and moments that stood out during the vacation.
• Share stories or incidents that left a lasting impression on you.
• Transition to the end of the vacation and the feelings associated with going back to school.
• Express a mix of nostalgia and renewed energy for the upcoming academic year.
• Summarize the various aspects of your summer vacation and its impact on you.
• Conclude by highlighting the value of breaks like these in shaping holistic growth.
• During my summer vacation, I do a lot of new things and have fun.
• Doing artwork and playing with my friends are two of favourite things to do in summer vacation.
• During my summer vacations, I usually visit my grandparents and spend some days with them.
• Me and my sister help our grandfather to water plants. His hobby is gardening.
• At bedtime, I love to hear stories from my grandmother.
• One of the favourite thing of mine is the delicious food that my grandmother makes during summer vacation.
• During my summer vacation, I love to spend time with my family and watch movies with them.

Use descriptive language to make your experiences come to life for the reader. Additionally, aim for a balanced mix of personal reflection and broader insights into the significance of summer vacation for students.

Also Read – Essay on Waste Management

An incredible time to visit hilly destinations with family are holidays. They give an escape from the same monotonous life schedule. The summer season is an incredible time to have those stress free excursions and get in touch with nature which is nearly impossible in our daily schedules for the whole year. I visited my grandparents last year and stayed with them for two weeks. In contrast with the word summer, the cool thing about summer vacations is discovering new trails, creating new things, etc. During my stay with my grandparents, I also read novels and other books that helped me expand my knowledge of the world. For the remainder of the vacation days, I spent them playing games and cooking my favourite dishes.

Summer is a time to bask in the warmth of the sun, explore new horizons, and create lasting memories.

During this break, I embarked on a journey of relaxation and adventure. I had the opportunity to visit the serene beaches of a coastal town. The soothing sound of waves and the gentle caress of the sea breeze offered a perfect escape from the bustling city life. The sand between my toes and the sun kissing my skin provided a sense of tranquillity.

Holidays are an amazing time for us to visit hill stations with family. The summer season is a great time for us to take stress-free trips and get to trek in nature, which we aren’t able to do in our busy schedules for the entire year. Last year I visited my grandparents and stayed with them for 20 days. The best thing about the summer holidays is creating and discovering new things in the village. While enjoying my stay, I also learned some new things that expanded my knowledge. I spent the rest of the summer holidays playing board and video games and cooking under my mother’s supervision.

As the summer days slowly waned, a sense of nostalgia crept in. The memories and lessons from this summer vacation will continue to shape my journey as I return to the world of academics with renewed vigour and a heart full of gratitude.

Summer vacation, that much-awaited break from the mundane routines of school and study, is a time of rejuvenation, exploration, and personal growth. It offers the perfect opportunity to unwind, reflect, and create lasting memories.

During this past summer vacation, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. The journey began with a sense of anticipation and excitement, as I bid adieu to textbooks and classrooms. My destination was a coastal paradise, where golden sands met the azure sea. The tranquil rhythm of the waves provided a serene backdrop for relaxation, reflection, and renewal.

The break also provided ample time for cultural exploration. I wandered through quaint streets, explored historical sites, and engaged with locals to gain insights into their way of life. Trying local cuisine became a delightful adventure in itself, as I savoured flavours that were a symphony of tradition and innovation.

Amidst exploration, I found time to reconnect with my family. Shared laughter, deep conversations, and moments of camaraderie became the heart of the vacation. We hiked through lush trails, picnicked in meadows, and watched sunsets that painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. These experiences solidified the bonds that make family the cornerstone of our lives.

Beyond leisure, the vacation allowed for personal growth. I pursued hobbies I had set aside during the academic year, from painting to playing musical instruments. I also volunteered with a local community organization, an experience that not only gave me a sense of purpose but also introduced me to remarkable individuals and stories.

As the vacation drew to a close, a sense of nostalgia settled in. The days had flown by, leaving behind memories etched in the sands of time. The journey, both physical and introspective, had transformed me. I returned with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the world, the importance of relationships, and the significance of taking breaks to recharge.

A summer vacation is more than just a break from school; it’s a transformative experience that encompasses relaxation, exploration, and growth. It’s a canvas upon which we paint our memories, our passions, and our connections. As I stepped back into the world of academics, I carried with me the lessons and experiences of this summer, poised to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Related Reads:-

Summer vacation denotes the period of leisure in the summer season. Due to the elevated environmental temperatures, particularly in late May and throughout June, educational institutions such as schools and colleges remain shuttered during this interval.

Summer is a period of prime significance for children. Children have the freedom to engage in activities of their choice. During the break, they have the opportunity to revel in the company of their parents, closest companions, neighbours, and more.

Opting to frequent hill stations annually can provide respite from the unbearable summer heat.

We hope that this blog essay on summer vacation has given you some known and unknown facts and secrets about summer vacation. For more amazing daily reads that will help you build your IQ and improve your reading and writing skills, study tuned with Leverage Edu . 

Aditi Gupta

A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Finished Papers

Verification link has been re- sent to your email. Click the link to activate your account.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Our support team will be more than willing to assist you.

Customer Reviews

Can I pay after you write my essay for me?

Gombos Zoran

Finished Papers

Finished Papers

260 King Street, San Francisco

Updated Courtyard facing Unit at the Beacon! This newly remodeled…

Student Feedback on Our Paper Writers

Customer Reviews

• Password reminder
• Registration

Alexander Freeman

Deadlines can be scary while writing assignments, but with us, you are sure to feel more confident about both the quality of the draft as well as that of meeting the deadline while we write for you.

• History Category
• Psychology Category
• Informative Category
• Analysis Category
• Business Category
• Economics Category
• Health Category
• Literature Category
• Review Category
• Sociology Category
• Technology Category

Looking for something more advanced and urgent? Then opt-in for an advanced essay writer who’ll bring in more depth to your research and be able to fulfill the task within a limited period of time. In college, there are always assignments that are a bit more complicated and time-taking, even when it’s a common essay. Also, in search for an above-average essay writing quality, more means better, whereas content brought by a native English speaker is always a smarter choice. So, if your budget affords, go for one of the top 30 writers on our platform. The writing quality and finesse won’t disappoint you!

Premium essay writers

Essay writing help from a premium expert is something everyone has to try! It won’t be cheap but money isn’t the reason why students in the U.S. seek the services of premium writers. The main reason is that the writing quality premium writers produce is figuratively out of this world. An admission essay, for example, from a premium writer will definitely get you into any college despite the toughness of the competition. Coursework, for example, written by premium essay writers will help you secure a positive course grade and foster your GPA.

Our team of paper writers consists only of native speakers coming from countries such as the US or Canada. But being proficient in English isn't the only requirement we have for an essay writer. All professionals working for us have a higher degree from a top institution or are current university professors. They go through a challenging hiring process which includes a diploma check, a successful mock-task completion, and two interviews. Once the writer passes all of the above, they begin their training, and only after its successful completion do they begin taking "write an essay for me" orders.

Professional essay writing services

Finished Papers

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

offers a great selection of professional essay writing services. Take advantage of original, plagiarism-free essay writing. Also, separate editing and proofreading services are available, designed for those students who did an essay and seek professional help with polishing it to perfection. In addition, a number of additional essay writing services are available to boost your customer experience to the maximum!

Advanced writer

Add more quality to your essay or be able to obtain a new paper within a day by requesting a top or premium writer to work on your order. The option will increase the price of your order but the final result will be totally worth it.

Top order status

Every day, we receive dozens of orders. To process every order, we need time. If you’re in a great hurry or seek premium service, then choose this additional service. As a result, we’ll process your order and assign a great writer as soon as it’s placed. Maximize your time by giving your order a top status!

SMS updates

Have you already started to write my essay? When it will be finished? If you have occasional questions like that, then opt-in for SMS order status updates to be informed regarding every stage of the writing process. If you’re pressed for time, then we recommend adding this extra to your order.

Plagiarism report

Is my essay original? How do I know it’s Turnitin-ready? Very simple – order us to attach a detailed plagiarism report when work is done so you could rest assured the paper is authentic and can be uploaded to Turnitin without hesitating.

1-page summary

World’s peace isn’t riding on essay writing. If you don’t have any intent on reading the entire 2000-word essay that we did for you, add a 1-page summary to your order, which will be a short overview of your essay one paragraph long, just to be in the loop.

How Our Paper Writing Service Is Used

We stand for academic honesty and obey all institutional laws. Therefore EssayService strongly advises its clients to use the provided work as a study aid, as a source of ideas and information, or for citations. Work provided by us is NOT supposed to be submitted OR forwarded as a final work. It is meant to be used for research purposes, drafts, or as extra study materials.

Niamh Chamberlain

"Research papers - Obsity in Children..."

Business Enquiries

Diane M. Omalley

Customer Reviews

Finished Papers