Un été au bord de la mer

Practise your French reading skills in this summer-themed reading comprehension exercise for A2 level.

Top tip: use the translation for vocab support or head over to our list of summer vocab and matching exercises to practise the key words from the text.

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Translation

Summer at the Coast

The summer holidays are called “the big holidays” because they last for two whole months. It’s a chance for many French families to go to the seaside. In France, you’ve got the choice between the Mediterranean Sea in the south, the Atlantic coast in the west, the Channel and the North Sea. My aunt really likes Brittany because it’s not too hot: the sun isn’t as strong as in the south.

But my parents prefer the Côte d’Azur because it’s a change of scenery. The palm trees give the beach an exotic feel. When my brother can hang his hammock between two palm trees, he’s in heaven. He spends most of his days sleeping in the sun. My mum relaxes on a sunbed and reads her book while keeping an eye on all of us.

I always start my day by putting on suncream. I put on my sunglasses and my swimming costume. Then I’m ready for a day at the beach. There’s lots to do: keeping an eye on my little sister who can’t swim, checking that she’s wearing her inflatable, building sandcastles … Sometimes, we all play with the beach ball together. The first one who drops it, loses: they have to go and get the picnic.

We all eat in the shade. For dessert, there’s usually ice creams. Holidays are great!

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