Advice #1: Break in your shoes now!

One of the most important things to work out before you go to France is your shoes!  You will be doing a lot on your feet, so whatever you wear needs to be comfortable and broken-in.  Please, don't try to break your shoes in there.  If you are purchasing a new pair for your European excursion, then NOW would be the best time to get them.  It is a good idea to have TWO PAIRS of shoes to alternate between.  This allows your feet to feel a little variety and avoids some aches that could come from only one type of footwear.  Also, pay close attention to and be prepared for blisters.  (Recently one of my students suffered a great deal from his blister.  It got infected.  Yikes!)

This was a site I found that had some helpful tips about what to wear in France in the springtime.  And this one was good for giving a fashion perspective.

P.S. Check out the very first post, there are some more links to explore on the itinerary. :-)

Some useful phrases

Peter Sellers as the Pink Panther reminds us how helpful learning another language (especially with good pronunciation) is.  But don't panic.  Most French know English and they are charmed by any attempt to speak their cherished language.

Here is a link to a page with some helpful vocabulary and a nice male voice to assist you in its pronunciation.

(Be sure to revisit the "itinerary" post because from time to time I add more links to it.)

Parlez-vous français?

Do you speak French?  Maybe you don't, but would like to know enough to get by when in France.  I will help you with some useful phrases.  I personally haven't used any language programs, but a student of mine highly recommends the Pimsleur method.  It's audio/aural and oral communication-based. 

If that would help, check it out.
http://www.pimsleur.com/

Presentation of the Castles in the Loire [lwar] Valley

PASSPORTS
If you don't have a passport, then this is the first thing to do to get ready for the trip. Are you wondering how to get a passport?  Click "PASSPORTS" to find answers.