French Vocabulary Note
The best way to improve your French vocabulary is to speak, read and listen. Below is a French text to read. Get the concept of each sentence and then write a summary of your understanding of the text. You can write this summary in French or in English as you please. The objective here is to increase your French vocabulary.
Une balade matinale
Les pénombres de la nuit commençent à peine à s’estomper. L’air frais et vif me pique le bout du nez. Je marche le long du chemin près des appartements encore endormis. De temps en temps, le son d’une voiture brise le silence en contre-haut.
Je m’engage maintenant sur la rue principale. Une femme, en pantalon et emmitouflée d’un bonnet blanc, marche à bonne allure sur le trottoir d’en face.
L’aube
À l’horizon les lueurs du jour effleurent la crête des collines qui entourent la vallée. Les corbeaux me survolent en direction de l’ouest. L’aube est leur signal de départ pour la journée. Ce soir, ils reviendront par centaines à la tombée de la nuit. Quelques-uns se sont arrêtés sur les branches d’un chêne. L’un d’eux commence à battre des ailes. Il bascule de la branche et tombe d’un mètre, à peu près, dans l’air, avant de déployer ses ailes et de reprendre sa volée pour suivre ses compagnons.
Le carrefour est vide, deux ou trois automobiles seulement y sont. Je traverse la route pour prendre la promenade qui longe le terrain de golf. Une gelée blanche couvre les pelouses du golf et les buissons de romarin qui bordent la route. Un mélange de rose et de bleu pâles peignent le ciel autour des hauteurs. J’arrive à Martha Morrison Drive, j’y fais demi-tour.
La lumière
La clarté du jour est là. Le son d’un aspirateur souffleur à feuilles s’élève dans le parc. Les premiers golfeurs sont sur le terrain, en short et chapeautés pour affronter le soleil qui ne va pas tarder à se montrer. Déjà, ses rayons se répandent sur les plus hauts sommets. L’atmosphère exhibe un bleu azur.
Les voitures se multiplient, d’autres randonneurs se joignent à l’éveil de la nature et la venue de la lumière. Tout brille, la journée s’annonce chaleureuse et riante.
Next Step to Improve your French Vocabulary
Now that you have done the exercise laid out at the beginning, read the English text below.
A Morning Stroll
The darkness of the night is just beginning to fade. The fresh, crisp air is stinging the tip of my nose. I’m walking along the path by the apartments which are still asleep. From time to time, the sound of a car on the road above breaks the silence.
I am now on the main street. A woman, wearing trousers and wrapped in a white bonnet, walks at a good pace on the opposite sidewalk.
Dawn
On the horizon, the daylight touches the crest of the hills that surround the valley. The crows, going west, fly over me. Dawn is their hint to leave for the day. Tonight, they will return by the hundreds at dusk. A few have stopped on the branches of an oak tree. One of them is beginning to flap, it swings off the branch and falls about three feet into the air before spreading its wings and resuming its flight to follow its companions.
The crossroads is empty, only two or three cars are there. I cross the road to take the boardwalk along the golf course. Frost covers the golf lawns and the rosemary bushes that line the road. A mixture of pale pink and blue paints the sky around the heights. I get to Martha Morrison Drive, I turn around.
Daylight
The day is here. The sound of a leaf blower rises in the park. The first golfers are on the field, in shorts and hats to face the sun which will soon show up. Already, its rays are spreading on the highest peaks. The atmosphere exhibits a pure azure.
Cars are multiplying, other hikers are joining the awakening of nature and the coming of the light. Everything is shining, the day promises to be warm and cheerful.
How do you feel about your French vocabulary on a morning stroll?
Did you learn a few words? Was it easy? Do you have any questions? Do you feel you have increased your French vocabulary? How did you do? Let me know in the comments.
Last Note
Join us for one hour of French conversation here.
Stepping through the gates, you stroll past the booths where local artisans display their wares. You climb the stairs to the Moulin Rouge Stage. There, you’ll see dancers demonstrating everything from the elegant minuet seen in the salons of the 1800’s to the enthusiastic and sometimes bawdy can-can. Be prepared to join in when James and Cynthia from the 
your face in the painting) and a miniature Eiffel tower, you reach a tree-shaded expanse. Amidst booths offering food, drink, and factoids about the Festival, Chef Josette’s 
Travel back in time to the French Renaissance. Then meander back to the 21st century by way of a 1930’s cabaret and the Hot Club of France. Artists perform tributes to Classic French music and artists but share some of their original work, and a bit of Cajun and Quebecois.
