Backround Information for Simulated Trips To France, To Paris and French-Speaking Countries:

Simulated Trip to Paris: where to stay; what to do; where to dine et al.

Scroll down this page for specific sites for Specific Information on Currency, Measurements, Schooling and Governement, Maps, Airlines ,Trains and TV Information

General Maps

· City Net: click on country then on regions and cities of choice.

· Virtual Tourist 2: map-based interface to City Net. Click on country of choice for information, tourist guides and pictures.

· Airlines On The Internet: Airlink Systems: scroll down for a thorough list of all airline carriers on the Net. Click on site in blue to link with the Airline that serves your area.

· European Home Page: click on 24 countries of choice.

· Maps of Europe: click on 46 countries of Europe.

· CIA World Factbook '95: select maps of countries and of major cities.

· U.Texas PCL Maps: click on country of choice for maps of countries, cities and regions to copy.

· Map of Europe: locate and click on flag of country.

· Maps of World countries: select countries of the world.

· Maps of Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Sweden: click on country of choice for selected cities.

Flags of the world: information and images of flags from countries all over the world. Scroll down to extensive menu to select a site loaded with fascinating information. Don't miss the many links to other flag sites!

Backround Information for your Trip

Converting Measurements

Planet Earth Home Page: scroll to files and counters and click on numbers for currency exchange, distances, clocks and time zone converters. Click on Internet country codes to locate sources on the Net.
The Universal Currency Converter select source and destination currencies then enter amount for a handy comparison. Scroll down for world-wide currencies.
Measurement Converter a site everyone will use and learn from! Convert temperatures, speeds, distances capacity and volume and more. Ideal for your FL class projects.
Convert plus: Demo a easy to use demonstration of the Converter plus system. Select area, distance, temperature or volume from menu then enter numbers for an instant print-out.
Entisoft Units Measurement Conversion Calculator click on measurement link in right-hand column for menu choices. Try miles to meters for an easy comparison.
Convert It! conversion tables for just about anything: try the metrology, acceleration ans area tables ro compare metrics with U.S. equivalents.
Metric Converter type in distance figures, click on measurement choices and compare the results.

Euro: excellent site to learn about the new European currency, the euro. Click on a language, then scroll down to choose a site.

Measuring Units Conversion Tables select this site for US to metric length, area, volume mass and temperatures.

Phonebooks Around the World: Pull up phonebooks from countries from around the globe.
The Kidproj Multi-Cultural Calendar: scroll down to months/holidays/countries/authors to learn about the ways kids from many countries celebrate their holidays and festivals. Don't miss the link to help teachers connect this calendar with ongoing curriculum. Select the link at the bottom of page to add your own submissions!

Click here for:

Simulated Trip to France and French speaking countries: where to stay; what to do; where to dine

Simulated Trip to Paris: where to stay; what to do; where to dine et al.

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.

Trips To French-Speaking Sites

Click here for:

Simulated Trip to France and French speaking countries: where to stay; what to do; where to dine

Simulated Trip to Paris: where to stay; what to do; where to dine et al.

Additional Information on France: Government Travel, and Schooling:

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 symbols 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.
Calendrier Scolaire 1999-2000 en France This French site offers a clickable map of Metropolitan France and its DOMs. Ideal for finding out school holidays in all 3 zones.
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.
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.
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.

French Cuisine: create meals from lists of French food (in French).
Electricité de France Lumières: See 4 Paris monuments by night, Mont St. Michel, Chartres cathedral, and sites in Rocamadour,Nancy and Cahors each illuminated by Electricité de France. A short description in French accompanies each exquisite color photo.
French Recipes in French: choose from hundreds of French recipes in all categories to plan a special French regional dinner.
European TV: Guides, Listings and More: a virtual TV Guide to weekly programs in France and 15 other European countries. Click on country of choice for weekly offerings with lots of information on each in language of country.
Télé Sept Jours pull up the daily French TV Guide. Click on grille horaire for an hourly grid of the offerings. Have students compare channels within a two hour period. Click on genres for an overview of programs by categories: what and when are the kids shows/sports/ dramas/documentaries. Pull up the daily horoscope too!

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.

Click here for:

Click here for:

Simulated Trip to Paris: where to stay; what to do; where to dine et al.

Simulated Trip to France and French speaking countries: where to stay; what to do; where to dine

Simulated Trip to France and French speaking countries: where to stay; what to do; where to dine

Simulated Trip to Paris: where to stay; what to do; where to dine et al.

France: 98 Coupe du Monde de Football click on the extensive menu for French-language information on the 1998 World Cup in Football. Plan a simulated trip with your students, using the English and French sites for backround information and warm-up activities. Investigate the history, locations and phases of the 98 Cup events. Have students in small groups plan each a phase of the World Cup, beginning in Marseille. Use geography sites to locate events and prepare a class party with regional foods from each World Cup location in France.
World Cup In Football Information visit this English-language site as well as the french site for stadium locations, calendar of events, qualifications of teams and many useful details on the 1998 Football World Cup.

Gares de Paris: click on 6 train stations to learn their history and destination points.
Paris and Trains: click on Paris for information then select prenez le train for train options and costs to specific destinations.
Serveur RATP: check Actualités to see if there are any strikes announced then proceed to lots of information about RATP, the Paris subway and bus system. Special excursions are explained, as are youth passes and the RATP museum. In addition, there are articles about transportation and a delightful one on bus Line 29 which winds its way through historic Paris.

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 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.
Trains-Tarifs et Distances and More: determine the cost of a train trip in France; read articles in French about trains.
Guide to the Train in Paris: read in English about train travel in and out of Paris.
SNCF Timetables: Timetables and information in French about SNCF trains.
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.

Shortest distance between 2 French towns: find out the distances between 2 cities in France.

Click here for

Backround Information for Simulated Trips: maps, measures, flags, transportation
Simulated Trips to Paris
Click here for:

Simulated Trip to France and French speaking countries: where to stay; what to do; where to dine