Getting by in French

Valerie Worth gives a few tips on mastering the local tongue when out shopping for gifts and souvenirs in France.

Holiday presents - for friends and family back home, or just for yourself! - are part of every good trip away, so here's a little help in shopping for them. And remember, your efforts to speak their language are always appreciated by the French.

Something with local character?

When you go into a gift shop, the assistant will ask: 'Vous désirez?' or 'Vous cherchez quelque chose?' ('Are you looking for something?').

You might ask for something typical of the area: 'Je cherche quelque chose qui est typiquement Breton/ Normand/Français.' ('I want something traditional from Brittany/ Normandy/ France.').

One favourite is 'un bol avec un prénom' (a painted bowl with the person's name on it, originally from Brittany but now also sold in other regions).

Or you might want some 'faïence' - literally 'faïence' means earthenware, but it's available in many colours, such as the classic white with blue decoration. As well as 'assiettes' (plates), 'tasses' (cups), and 'soupières' (tureens), you could try 'mazagrans', slender mugs without handles used for coffee. Sets of six 'mazagrans' often come with a matching tray ('un plateau').

T-shirts or clothing?

Lots of towns sell T-shirts (that's easy: 'un tee-shirt'!) with local designs. You'll be asked what size you want: 'Quelle taille?'. French sizes are different from UK sizes, so if you need a smaller one than they offer, say 'plus petit', or for bigger say 'plus grand'. And if you're after designer clothes, ask the shop: 'Avez-vous la griffe X?' (Do you stock clothes by X?)

Naughty but nice?

For edible gifts, try the 'confiserie' (sweetshop), 'chocolaterie' or 'biscuiterie'. You can ask for the local speciality: 'Vous avez des spécialités de la région?'

For example, you'll find 'galettes' (flat biscuits) in Normandy, or 'kouign aman' (a very rich butter cake) in Brittany.

If you want some authentic local pâté, cheese, honey ('le miel') or even handharvested sea-salt ('fleur de sel'), look for the sign 'produits du terroir' (locally-sourced produce).

Or perhaps you'd prefer the local drinks? 'Le cidre bouché' (bottled cider) is found in both Brittany and Normandy, while the northern tip of Brittany produces delicious strawberry liqueur ('la liqueur de fraise de Plougastel'), and 'le Calvados' (brandy made from apples) can be bought throughout Normandy.

Or in any French supermarket (and onboard Brittany Ferries), there is 'crème de Cassis', blackcurrant liqueur which you add to white wine (such as Muscadet) to make the refreshing aperitif known as 'kir'.

Finally, remember that French shops will usually giftwrap for free: just tell them 'c'est pour offrir' (it's a present').

Enjoy your shopping!