The Internet offers invaluable resources for discovery of the world through units relating to simulated travel and tourism.
Click here for
Backround Information for Simulated Trips: maps, measures, flags, transportation
Simulated Trips to Paris
Detailed Lesson plans: A Simulated Trip.
Click here for Teaching Activities for Simulated Trips.
Return to French Home Page
For lists of maps, measurement converters, flags, rail and air information and other Backround information for planning simulated trips, click on Simulated Trips:Backround Information
Comparing the Weather
Weather World-Wide: select forecasts and weather reports by world-wide region.
USA Today's Index to World Weather: scroll to continent and selected country to link to information on 5 day weather and precipitation forecasts.
Météo en France pull up a map of France with today's temperature and weather symbols. Click on each region for a useful chart of the forcast for today, tomorrow and the day after. A helpful tip for teachers: click on a specific region then point your cursor on the weather symbol At the bottom of the frame pops up a written version of the weather. For example, touch the cloud to read "tres nuageux, courtes eclaircies" and the like. A great way for all to learn weather related terms!
Weather In France: click on map for weather reports.
Weather In Canada: click on map for weather reports.
Weather In Quebec Province: find weather in cities and towns of Quebec.
Weather for US, Canada, and Cuba: find weather reports.
Tourisme en France: a valuable site to begin your tour. Click on the words carte de France to pull up a map divided by regions or enter the city of your choice. Click on the arrow at each box to access the complete list. For example, for Région, clicking on the arrow pulls up all the choices of regions;the arrow at activités shows the different categories available and so on. Assign students different types of housing at Hébergement then have them choose activities and interests.
Je Vais en France: backround topics in French on France.
Les Institutions the menu on this French-language site from the French Government includes les Présidents de la Ve République, les Symboles de la République the symboles are useful for all levels of language study. For beginning levels of study, print out a paper copy of the page on J. Chirac and Valéry Giscard D'Estaing (there is a simple time line for both); xerox enough copies so each small group may practice reconstructing highlights of the life and career of each. Assign each small group a different segment of the life of each man for an oral presentation. Before class, on a blank sheet put in key dates to make a simple life line outline. As each student presents, audience fills in outline.
La Présidence de La France the main page of the French government offers a photo of Jacques Chirac and an interesting and easy-to- understand site La Présidence en 6 questions.
France A La Carte: 4 fact sheets in English on the commune, the mayor and French elections.
Schooling in France: complete and clear information in English on pre-university education in France.
French Higher Education: excellent backround information in English on universities and post-High school institutions in France.
Webfoot Guide to France: select town or region for lots of information.
Statistiques Sur La France: backround information in French on France.
French Postal Codes: find postal codes for French towns and cities.
Minitel French Telephone Directory: type in name and address to find telephone number.
Page de L'Ambassade de France:Cities and Regions on the Internet: click on selected cities and regions in France and Monaco; scroll down to information on media, government and other sites about France on the Net.
The French Embassy in Washington: lots of useful information in English and French and now in Spanish on France, including a profile of France, studies abroad, French language schools in the U.S., and a link to the Ministere de Culture site.
La France: clickable map of regions in France links with many informative sites from UREC in France.
France Guide: Régions de La France: clickable map showing 6 major regions of France: Paris/Nord, Sud, Centre Alpes, Ouest, Est and DOM-TOM, with detailed thematically arranged information on activities for visitors of all ages in French (Découvrez la France)or in English (Activities).
Regions of France: click on regions of France for a split screen menu of information in English. Learn about driving itineraries, hotels and restaurants for each region of France. Students can look up hotels and restaurants for an area, noticing the telephone numbers and finding each spot of the suggested itinerary on the map of France.
EurRail Pass Express: the definitive site for traveling through Europe by train. Click on articles in English for planning your 17 country European train trip. Order online, look up timetables and if you wish, download a trip planning program. Scroll to links for more European travel information.
The European Railway Server: extensive links to European Railway sites and pages, arranged by country. Scroll to bottom of page for major sites throughout the world.
Prenez le Train: look up timetables for trains from many cities in France, consult lists of stations and more, all in French.
TGV Timetables: click on TGV for useful backround information and timetables for TGV trains.
Eurostar Internet: consult the central site for information in English about the Eurostar. Learn about the Chunnel train between London and Paris. Click on tarifs and timetables and have students estimate the length and cost of a day trip or a longer crossing for different groups of travelers as part of a simulated trip.
Site de la SNCF click on voyages for timetables, destinations prices and more at this official SNCF, French RR site.
Les transports: click on les trains for information and a long list of links to info in French and English about trains around the world. For information on Airlines arranged by regions of the world, click on Compagnies Aériennes; select Location/Autos for options on leasing or renting vehicles in Europe.
La Cinquième: France's Education and Discovery channel: click on présentation, programs and actualitiés to read summaries of programs and learn about La Cinquième.
La Television en France: click on a TV channel heading to read summaries of programs and to learn about La Cinquième, Canal Plus, France 3, France 2, TF1, Ellipse, and Arte.
Les Radios françaises: click on a French Radio heading to find times and programs for Radio Brume (radio Rock), Radio France, Wit Fm and
Europe 2.
La France: click on France for information on 16 regions of France; click on Le Québec and on ailleurs for French-speaking areas.
Ski en France: select French, English or German language for tourist information and skiing conditions at French ski resorts.
Ski Resorts Around the World: plan a ski trip to a French-speaking destination using this guide in French.
Internet Tour de France Game 1996: read the description of this zany informative competition on Internet where participants try to predict results of stages of the famous French bike race held end of June each year. Click on archives of the 1994 and 1995 competitions to generate discussion then plan to be a part of the 1997 online game.
Click here for Putnam's "Detailed Lesson plans: A Simulated Trip"