Paris Series
Intermediate (B1)Travelling to France, or hoping to.
For your trip to Paris: the conversations you'll actually have, so you can answer in French instead of switching to English.
Members: open the series →
How a lesson works
Every episode of 🗼 Paris Series is a full lesson. Here is what came with Tour Montparnasse. Each one is also an episode in 💜 The Private Podcast, and the free weekly episode is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
- The dialogue, at three speeds
Native speed, 🐢 Slow Audio and ⚡ À la parisienne.
- Transcript and translation
Every line in French, then in English, so nothing stays a blur.
- Key Vocab
The words the scene turns on, each with its English.
- Notes on the French people actually say
From this episode:
jeter un œil ✨🧩 = take a lookça va être chaud ✨ = it's going to be difficult - Two exercises
Fill in the blank, then Translate.
- A writing prompt
« Quelle est la vue la plus impressionnante que tu aies jamais vue ? Pourquoi t'a-t-elle marquée ? »
What you'll be able to follow
One continuous story, from the airport to the top of the Tour Montparnasse. Scenes from the episode list:
- Arrivée à l'aéroportArriving at the airport.
- Dans le métroOn the metro.
- Visite du musée du LouvreA visit to the Louvre.
- PickpocketsWatch your bag.
- Tour MontparnasseThe view from the top.
Listen to a real episode
The first minute of Tour Montparnasse 🏯. Noah and Mathilde argue about whether the view can beat Sacré-Cœur.
The highlighted phrases are the ones the lesson explains.
- gâche tout le charmeruins all the charm
- arrête de râlerstop complaining
- jeter un œiltake a look
- ça vaudra peut-être le coupit might be worth it (but the speaker is unconvinced)
- ça va être chaudit's going to be difficult
- NoahAlors, Mathilde, tu penses vraiment que la Tour Montparnasse va nous offrir une meilleure vue que le Sacré-Cœur ?So, Mathilde, do you really think the Montparnasse Tower will offer us a better view than Sacré-Cœur?
- MathildeC'est ce que disait la femme avec qui on a bu de l'absinthe hier soir. Elle avait l'air convaincante, non ?That's what the woman we drank absinthe with last night said. She seemed convincing, didn't she?
- NoahPeut-être, mais ce bâtiment... C'est une tache noire corporative sur la skyline de Paris. Franchement, il gâche tout le charme.Maybe, but that building... It's a corporate black stain on the Paris skyline. Frankly, it ruins all the charm.
- MathildeOh arrête de râler, Noah. Je vais jeter un œil par moi-même. Si les vues sont aussi bonnes que promis, ça vaudra peut-être le coup.Oh, stop complaining, Noah. I'm going to take a look for myself. If the views are as good as promised, it might be worth it.
- NoahSi tu le dis. Mais franchement, ça va être chaud de battre le Sacré-Cœur. Ce dôme blanc avec ses petites ruelles en dessous, c'est iconique.If you say so. But honestly, it's going to be tough to beat Sacré-Cœur. That white dome with its little streets below, it's iconic.
- MathildeBon, on est arrivés. Qu'est-ce que tu en penses de l'intérieur ? Moi, je trouve ça un peu vide et sans âme.Well, we've arrived. What do you think of the interior? I find it a bit empty and soulless.
- NoahOui, ça manque de vie. C'est froid et impersonnel. Mais bon, montons voir la vue. On ne perd rien à essayer.Yes, it lacks life. It's cold and impersonal. But anyway, let's go up and see the view. We have nothing to lose by trying. ...
- MathildeWow, Noah, regarde ça ! C'est comme un jeu de société géant. On voit chaque monument parisien.Wow, Noah, look at this! It's like a giant board game. We can see every Parisian monument.
Tap any line to jump to it.
What readers say
I have a trip planned to Paris to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. French with Amélie has helped me get more comfortable with speaking than the apps that I use.
I studied French in high school and college and was an au pair in Paris. My language skills got rustier and rustier. Our son now lives in Paris — I am determined to be able to converse with him in French! This newsletter is just what I needed to get back in the saddle: perfect topics, just long enough and challenging enough to learn new words and phrases, but also perfect to practice what I already know. Merci!
French learning made enjoyable and relevant.
🧪 Series Tests
Every ten episodes, a test on exactly what you've just studied, so you know the block has stuck.
Questions, answered
Who is 🗼 Paris Series for?
Intermediate (B1) learners heading to Paris, or dreaming of it. Every episode is a situation a real visitor hits: transport, hotels, restaurants, tickets, directions and the odd minor disaster.
Do I need to go in order?
It's one continuous story, so in order works best. Every episode still stands alone, so you can always jump to the one you need.
Is the series free?
Two episodes are free to try: the boulangerie and Tour Montparnasse. The rest is a members' series, part of the 💎 Premium Program. Premium starts with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What comes with each episode?
The dialogue at three speeds, the transcript and translation, Key Vocab, notes on the French people actually say, two exercises and a writing prompt.
Can I listen on the go?
Yes. Every lesson is also an episode in 💜 The Private Podcast, with ⚡️ Live Transcript. The free weekly episode is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Not sure it's your level?
Take the free listening test: eight clips, about two minutes, and you'll know where you stand. Find your French level.