Just to get you started!!

French learning tools:

• Alliance Française (Most large cities have an Alliance Française. Typically, their instructors speak French as their native language.)
• French tutor (Like myself, to supplement your progress with French and to inspire you to keep going!)
• Duolingo (There is a free version that can be accessed via an app on your phone, tablet, or computer.)
• Mango Languages (There is a free version that can typically be accessed through your local public library, you just need a library card / account.)
• Lawless French (This extensive language learning site is free.  Signup for weekly emails with lessons and features.)
• Kwiziq French (There is a free version that can be accessed via your phone, tablet, or computer.  One caveat is that you are limited to the number free tools that can be accessed each month for free.)
• News in Slow French (This is a great listening, reading and dictation tool.  There is a bit of free content; however, a paid subscription gives you access to all of the recorded weekly podcasts. There is a free app available for your devices.)
• Bien Dire “magazine” with audio (This is a French language learning “magazine.”  Depending on your chosen subscription, you will receive the “magazine” digitally, or as a traditional magazine. There two separate magazines: Bien Dire Initial and Bien Dire.  Each subscription is for 6 “issues” during the year, alternating months to allow for those who have subscribed to both.  The audio component can be downloaded to a device.)

Improve French listening skills

• Franceinfo (Available as a free app for your device.)
• Le Francais Facile avec RFI (Available as a free app for your device.)
• Radio France (Available as a free app for your device.)
• TV5Monde (Available as a free app for your device.)
• News in Slow French (Available as a free app for your device.) (With paid subscription, access to all content.)

French to English / English to French online translation dictionary:

• Word Reference (Available as a free app for your device.)

French news sources

• France 24
• Franceinfo
• Press Reader (There is a free version that can typically be accessed through your local public library, you just need a library card / account.)
• Radio France
• We Demain

Traveling to Paris:

• Several American airlines have non-stop flights to Paris, Charles De Gaulle. 
• Otherwise, most American airlines can get you to Paris or France with a lay over in a US city.
• British Airways, Iceland Air and Lufthansa are also possibilities, with layovers outside of the US.

Staying in Paris:

Vacation in Paris.  This American company, based in New Jersey, provides many accommodations in Paris, with a variety of locations, size of accommodation, and price ranges.  If you are concerned that language will be a barrier to making a reservation for an accommodation, this company communicates in English and is very responsive.

Museums to see in Paris: (so many to see, so little time)

• Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
• Centre Pompidou
• Conciergerie
• Musée des Arts et Métiers
• Musée Delacroix
• Musée du Louvre
• Musée de l’Orangerie
• Musée d’Orsay
• Musée Picasso
• Musée Rodin
• Sacré-Cœur, Paris
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Versailles Palace

Booking train reservations for travel in France and Europe: (I love the train!!)

• Rail Europe

French Immersion School in Provence:

• French School In Provence

French films / series: (these films / series do contain PG content)

• Amélie
• The Butterfly
• Dix Pourcent (Netflix series)
• Ensemble, C’est Tout
• A French Village (Netflix series)
• Intouchables
• Lupin (Netflix series)
• My Best Friend
• The Returned (series)

Films / series set in France (or at least have a French connection): (these films / series do contain PG content)

• Chocolat
• Da Vinci Code
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Emily In Paris (This Netflix series is a “postcard from Paris for Americans.”  Just a note of caution: les français are not a fan of this series.  From their perspective, it is too cliché, and not representative of la culture française, and not representative of real life.)
• French Kiss
• A Good Year
• The Hundred-Foot Journey
• Love Actually (anytime I’m feeling uncertain, this is my go-to film)
• Loving Vincent
• Midnight In Paris
• Ratatouille

English books with France as the main character:

• Cara Black:
  • Murder in the … Series
• Eleanor Brown:
  • The Light of Paris                         
• Elizabeth Delozier:
  • Eleanore of Avignon
• Martin Walker:
  • Bruno, Chief of Police … Series
• Mireille Guiliano:
  • French Women Don’t Get Fat  
• Peter Mayle:
  • Confessions of a French Baker
  • French Lessons
  • A Good Year
  • Provence A-Z
  • A Year in Provence

Oh là là … c’est tout pour maintenant !!