Pronunciation in French can be difficult: nasal sounds, special French sounds like “R” and “U”, silent letters…
For instance, how do you pronounce “Chambord”, the name of a famous Castle on the Loire river?
Today, let’s practice French pronunciation, while exploring together the lovely Châteaux de la Loire.
Index:
1. Les Châteaux de la Loire & Difficult Pronunciation: a presentation
2. Difficult French pronunciation, in detail
3. Your Turn Now – practice and quiz
1. Les Châteaux de la Loire & Difficult Pronunciation: a presentation
Listen to this presentation in the video lesson, and pay close attention to the pronunciation. Try to read along, out loud!
Le long du Val de Loire, au sud de Paris, des châteaux majestueux attirent les visiteurs du monde entier.
Along the Loire Valley, south of Paris, majestic castles attract visitors from around the world.
Ce sont des joyaux de la culture française, symboles de la Renaissance, entre le temps des châteaux forts et la puissance de Versailles. On les appelle les châteaux de la Loire.
These are jewels of French culture, symbols of the Renaissance, bridging the era of fortified castles and the grandeur of Versailles. They are known as the châteaux of the Loire.
Le plus grand d’entre eux est le Château de Chambord, construit par le roi François Ier pour montrer sa richesse et son pouvoir.
The largest of them is the Château de Chambord, built by King Francis I to showcase his wealth and power.
On peut y admirer des merveilles d’architecture conçues par Léonard de Vinci, ainsi que de beaux jardins à la française et un domaine naturel impressionnant.
Here, you can admire architectural wonders designed by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as beautiful French gardens and an impressive natural estate.
En descendant la Loire, on est ensuite accueilli par l’élégant Château de Chenonceau. Ses arches qui enjambent le Cher lui donnent sa silhouette si reconnaissable.
Heading down the Loire, you are then welcomed by the elegant Château de Chenonceau. Its arches spanning the Cher river give it a distinctive silhouette.
Deux femmes de pouvoir, Diane de Poitiers et Catherine de Médicis, ont grandement influé sur la construction et l’histoire de ce château emblématique, qu’on surnomme même “le Château des Dames.”
Two powerful women, Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici, greatly influenced the construction and history of this iconic château, which is even nicknamed “the Ladies’ Château.”
Mais pour visiter un vrai château de princesses, on peut préférer le château d’Ussé, souvent appelé “le Château de la Belle au Bois dormant.” Charles Perrault s’en serait inspiré pour sa version du conte.
But to visit a true princess castle, one might prefer the Château d’Ussé, often called “the Sleeping Beauty Castle.” Charles Perrault is said to have drawn inspiration from it for his version of the fairy tale.
De nombreux autres châteaux et manoirs émaillent la Loire, comme le château de Montreuil-Bellay avec ses remparts médiévaux.
Many other castles and manors dot the Loire, such as the Château de Montreuil-Bellay with its medieval ramparts.
Toutes ces belles demeures offrent des vues magnifiques sur les parcs, les jardins et la nature tout autour, pour faire de chaque visite une expérience inoubliable.
All these beautiful residences offer stunning views of the surrounding parks, gardens, and nature, making each visit an unforgettable experience.
2. Difficult French pronunciation, in detail
Today, we’re focusing on “correct French” pronunciation. Real everyday spoken French can be even more difficult! People often talk faster, cut letters, and more. You’ll find more about informal French in my other lessons, and in my programs such as the French Conversation club – where you’ll get a weekly live session with a teacher and fellow learners. You can practice your French within a safe, welcoming community.
Click here to learn more about my French Conversation Club.
But for now, let’s circle back to our French pronunciation difficulties. Listen and practice these French sounds with me, in the video lesson.
a) Nasal sounds
- “on”(/õ/) → a nasalized “o” (with your tongue at the back of your mouth) as in Long or Chenonceau.
- “an” / “en” (/ã/) → a nasalized “a”, as in Chambord or Elles enjambent le Cher. (= They span the river Cher.)
- “in” / “un” / “ain”… (/ɛ̃/) → a nasalized “i”, as in Un jardin (= a garden) or un symbole
Notice that:
- The “n” in their spellings becomes a “m” before the vowels “p” and “b” (but it doesn’t change the sound.) Example: Chambord, symbole
- Verbs in the third person plural (they) end in a silent “-ent”
- Some people say that “in” is a more open sound than “un” – but for me (in my Parisian accent) it sounds the same.
- “in” / “un” / “ain” has many different spellings.
Click here to learn more:
5 Mistakes You’re Making with the French “Ain” Sound (& how to fix them) (Comme une Française lesson)
b) “U” and “R” sounds
Examples:
La rue = the street
La nature = nature
La culture = culture
The French “u” sounds quite weird. It’s not the “ou” sound. It’s important that you hear the difference.
The French “r” sound is harsher and comes from the back of your throat.
Click here to learn more with these Comme une Française lessons:
c) “Euil”
It’s the sound in:
Un écureuil = a squirrel
Un œil = an eye
Un accueil, l’accueil = the welcome, the help desk, the reception (here, “u” comes before “e”!)
“Euil” sounds like “an eye” in English, but the vowel is deeper.
Click here to learn more:
How to pronounce the “euil” sound in French (Comme une Française lesson)
3. Your Turn now - practice and quiz
Practice:
Read the text of the presentation above, out loud and carefully. Compare with my pronunciation in the video lesson. Where is it different? What words make you struggle? Practice these again.
Final quiz:
Question 1) Pronounce “Elles chantent juste” (= They sing in tune) out loud. Can you hear the correct pronunciation in the four versions I give you in the video?
Question 2) What’s the French word for “a squirrel” ?
Question 3) Which of these answers does NOT end with a silent letter?
A) Chambord
B) Long
C) Catherine de Médicis
D) Châteaux
Answers:
Question 1 – D) With a “an” and “u” sounds.
Question 2 – B ) Un écureuil.
Question 3 – C ) Catherine de Médicis.
Congrats! Keep learning real everyday French with our next lessons for intermediate French speakers, and people who love to travel to France and visit castles and countryside!
Learn more with Comme une Française:
→ If you enjoyed this lesson (and/or learned something new) – why not share this lesson with a francophile friend? You can talk about it afterwards! You’ll learn much more if you have social support from your friends 🙂
Bonjour – me voudrais joindre les classes de conversation- comment faire ca?
Merci
Bonjour Geraldine !
Le meme son pour Daniel Auteuil ?