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Language & Local Phrases in Les Arcs

Discover key Les Arcs local phrases

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French is the official language spoken in Les Arcs. 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.

Key phrases and translations

General and polite conversation

  • hello - bonjour
  • goodbye - au revoir
  • please - s'il vous plaît
  • thank you (very much) - merci (beaucoup)
  • how are you? - comment allez-vous?
  • fine - Ça 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 à deux lits
  • double room - chambre double/chambre pour deux personnes
  • booking - réservation
  • with bath/shower - avec salle de bains/douche

Transport and directions

  • airport - aéroport
  • bus/bus stop - autobus/arrêt d'autobus
  • coach station - gare routière
  • 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 à...
  • where is...? - où se trouve...?
  • over there - là-bas
  • is it far? - c'est loin?
  • left - à gauche
  • right - à droite
  • straight on - tout droit

Money and numbers

  • money (notes) - argent
  • change (coins) - monnaie
  • credit card - carte de crédit
  • 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
  • ​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 Les Arcs 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

Each of the Les Arcs resorts holds a number of events throughout the year. International freestyle and freeride ski competitions, film festivals and snow & music parties take place in the ski area in the winter months, in addition to the usual après-ski parties featuring live bands and DJs. The summer, on the other hand, attracts a number of trail running and cycling competitions, as well as live concerts.

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