You know, I sometimes imagine Louis XIV — you know, the one with the "L'état c'est moi" and the impressive wig collection — floating through the world, giving stern looks to any French child who dares to say "Hello". His mission to make French the world's language still resonates 350 years later. With remarkable success, I might add.
I gesture like a mime on cortado, desperately trying to convey "turn a little to the left" without words. The result? A ballet of misunderstandings, with the model elegantly turning right while in the background, waves rhythmically crash against the rocks, as if trying to laugh along in time.
And so I present to you my little photographic French survival kit — available both here to read directly and as a PDF format to print on a single sheet and take with you. For all colleagues who might find a "française" in front of their lens who would have made the Sun King proud. Just scroll down for the essential vocabulary, or download the complete kit — you never know when the next charming protest against the English language might appear on the beach.
Parlez-Vous Pose 2025?
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Look at me
Regarde-moi -
Look elsewhere
Regarde ailleurs -
Head up
Lève la tête -
Head down
Baisse la tête -
Undress slowly
Déshabille-toi lentement -
New pose
Nouvelle pose -
On your knees
À genoux -
Sit down
Assieds-toi -
Stand up
Lève-toi -
Lean against
Appuie-toi