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| Une jolie rue © LKL |
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| Vue sur Port-Grimaud © LKL |
English translation
Port Grimaud, France
While strolling along its little streets and looking at its fisherman's cottages, one could be forgiven for thinking that Port Grimaud is a typical old village, but in reality, it's far from being traditionally Provençal. Colorful and cute as can be, Port Grimaud is a lakeside village designed by the architect François Spoerry in the 60s. This "Provençal Venice" has 7 kilometers (about 4.3 miles) of canals and 12 (7.5) of docks and welcomes some 500,000 visitors a year.
The pedestrian is king in Port Grimaud. Driving and parking are very limited - you should leave your car in the big parking lot across from the visitor's entrance. You can visit this pretty town on foot, with the option to climb to the terrace at the top of the church tower for the best view of the town (cost: one euro). But the best way to get to know this sailing resort is on the water. If you're not planning to arrive on your own sailboat, there are boat tours, or else you can rent an electric boat to explore on your own.
Please scroll down for the side-by-side translation.
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Side-by-side translation
Port-Grimaud, France
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Port Grimaud, France While strolling along its little streets and looking at its fisherman's cottages, one could be forgiven for thinking that Port Grimaud is a typical old village, but in reality, it's far from being traditionally Provençal. Colorful and cute as can be, Port Grimaud is a lakeside village designed by the architect François Spoerry in the 60s. This "Provençal Venice" has 7 kilometers (about 4.3 miles) of canals and 12 (7.5) of docks and welcomes some 500,000 visitors a year. | ||
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The pedestrian is king in Port Grimaud. Driving and parking are very limited - you should leave your car in the big parking lot across from the visitor's entrance. You can visit this pretty town on foot, with the option to climb to the terrace at the top of the church tower for the best view of the town (cost: one euro). But the best way to get to know this sailing resort is on the water. If you're not planning to arrive on your own sailboat, there are boat tours, or else you can rent an electric boat to explore on your own. |
Comments
tres jolie cette ville, mercie de partage
Laura,
I am going from (2006) memory so forgive me if my details are less than accurate. Port Grimaud is right next door to St. Madeline which I liked better than St. Tropez because it is less touristy and just as pretty. Albeit St. Tropez gets a lot more million dollar yachts coming in to its harbor which a lot of people like to watch as they tie up to the docks. Did you get a chance to explore St. Madeline just across the bay from St. Tropez?
Since you went to Port Grimaud, you probably passed by the largest multipurpose store in the area called GEANT. I would equate it to our COSTCO here in the states. GEANT is located roughly where you would turn off going to St. Tropez from the main coastal highway or keep strraight to Port Grimaud. What I liked about GEANT is that walking back to the seafood and meat section, you are bombarded with a collision of wonderful scents and smells of fresh seafood together with fresh herbs and spices in the adjacent section. You just had the sensation that you wanted to taste everything in sight.
And finally, again if you drove along the coastal highway from Hyeres, you passed thru a little town called La Croix Valmer. Several months ago I had written to you to stop in at the Le Resto restaurant right on the northwest corner (only stoplight). Once a month the owner prepares a virtual feast called “Fete du Galloise” where he provides several courses of food from that region. I got indigestion trying to eat it all.
Anyway I envy your stay in the region. But your chronicles of the little villages in that area bring back fond memories my month long stay in Cavalaire-sur-mer, about 20 miles west of St. Tropez.
Merci beaucoup, madame.
A really beautiful resort to visit.I was there in 1982 on an excursion whilst on a
camping holiday up in the mountains,miles from anywhere and boy,was I glad to have the opportunity of a day out from that campsite .
I still have the sweater I bought in Port Grimaud that day A black one with the name of the resort written in white across the front
Thank you for bringing back to me some really
wonderful memories of France.
We will be going to the South of France in October and would like to spend a night ot three in the Port-Grimaud area. Can someone suggest a good place to stay. We prefer beautiful B&Bs or country inns. Thanks
Craig
Question: Is it possible that you could write out the numbers instead of just putting the number? I have the hardest time remembering how to say them, and I think that would help.
Oh Liz you are incredible.
les années 60 is pronounced sua-sun-t
7 kilométres is pronounced set
12 de quais is pronounced dooze
while 500 000 visiteurs is pronounced sunk-saun-mil
appréciez!
Liz – I have pages and pages of number exercises : http://french.about.com/library/begin/bl-numbers.htm
Laura K. Lawless
Learn French at About
I just have a quick question and forgive me for being so bold but shouldn’t “on serait excusable” be “il serait excusable”?
It’s always a pleasure to read your blog.
Jo
Jo -
Il serait excusable = It would be excusable
On serait excusable = One would/could be excused
Laura K. Lawless
Learn French at About
We are leaving tonight to spend two weeks in France. I have used your website extensively in the past few months and cannot begin to tell you how much it has helped me! I read your blogs regularly and have watched my comprehension grow steadily. Your grammar exercises and tests are superb! I can’t believe this is all for free. Our next trip will be to Germany in 2010. I hope the about.com people will be able to find an equally phenomenal guide for their German site. (you don’t by chance have a German-speaking clone, do you?)
Merci mille fois, Laura!
I have a great suggestion for a hotel in Port Grimaud. We stayed here last year for two weeks. It is a small hotel with maybe 20 rooms and 6 apartments, perfect location, great friendly staff:
Hotel Le Suffren
http://www.rivieraby.com/lesuffren/
We also enjoyed the town of Grimaud, about 5 ins away.
Je vous remercie de m’avoir aide avec mon comprehension.
j’ ai pensée que ”colouful” est ”coloré” en francaise. Mais vous avez ecrit ”Plein de couleur”.
Michel – coloré veut dire “colored” tout simplement.
Laura K. Lawless
Learn French at About