Switzerland : A Winter Paradise – French Story & Translation

Author: Raymonde

Discover the white paradise of Switzerland in winter through the eyes of a Malaysian immersion student, and practice your French with this easy French English bilingual story.

Use the floating blue icon in the bottom right to hide/reveal the English translations below or just click here.

Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Sherina, je viens de Malaisie et je suis venue chez Raymonde pour une semaine d’immersion en français en Suisse pour amĂ©liorer mon français et dĂ©couvrir la Suisse en hiver.

Hi ! My name is Sherina, I am from Malaysia. I came to stay with Raymonde for one week of French immersion homestay in Switzerland to practice my french and discover Switzerland in winter.

1 – The Ski Resort of Saint-Cergue in French Speaking Switzerland

Ce matin-lĂ , le ciel Ă©tait bleu et il avait neigĂ© toute la nuit. Alors, nous avons dĂ©cidĂ© de laisser les livres et les cahiers de cĂŽtĂ©. Nous avons sautĂ© dans la voiture et nous sommes allĂ©es en montagne, Ă  Saint-Cergue. C’est une petite station de ski qui se trouve Ă  mĂȘme pas 20 minutes de la maison de Raymonde.

That morning, the sky was blue and it had snowed all night long.  We decided to leave our books aside and hopped onto the car for an excursion to the mountains called « Saint-Cergue Â». Its’ a little ski resort which is merely 20 minutes away from Raymonde’s house.

winter french immersion switzerland

2 – Swiss White Paradise

Quand on est arrivĂ©es sur la montagne, la vue Ă©tait totalement magique. Je ne pouvais pas croire mes yeux, je n’avais jamais rien vu comme ça : c’était comme dans un rĂȘve. Les sapins Ă©taient couverts de neige, tout Ă©tait immaculĂ©, on pouvait Ă©couter le silence.

When we arrived on the top of the mountain, the view was completely magical. I could not believe my eyes, I had never seen anything like that : it felt as though I was dreaming . The trees were completely covered with snow, everything was immaculate, one could appreciate the moment of still.

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3 – Treking Through the Snow in Switzerland

Nous avons commencé une belle marche à travers la neige, nous étions seules dans ce paradis blanc. Nous avons seulement rencontré un couple en raquettes et quelques skieurs de fond (comme dans les pays nordiques).

We started a beautiful walk on a little snow path. We were all alone in this white paradise. It was just us . We only crossed path with a couple which was on a snowshoes promenade as well as a few courageous cross country skiers (just like in the Northern Lands)

winter french immersion switzerland

4 – A Surprise at the End of the Trek in Switzerland

A la fin de cette excursion, il y avait une surprise
 ! Raymonde ne voulait pas me dire quelle Ă©tait la surprise, nous avons marchĂ© et marchĂ© jusqu’à un trĂšs joli chalet perdu au milieu de nulle part.

At the end of this excursion was a surprise. Raymonde did not want to tell me what the surprise was. We walked and walked until we suddenly saw a tiny little cabin in the middle of nowhere.

5 – Getting Warm by the Fireplace in the Middle of the Swiss Jura

Quand on est arrivées dans le petit chalet, on a tout de suite été enveloppées de la chaleur du feu de la cheminée. Nous avons profité du feu qui crépitait pour nous réchauffer les mains et les pieds en attendant de manger.

When we arrived in the cabin, we were right away immersed by the warmth of the fire place. We took advantage of the crackling fire to warm our hands and feet while waiting for our meal to arrive.

winter french immersion switzerland practice story
Raymonde and I getting warm by the fireplace

6 – Sampling the Swiss Fondue

Dans ce petit chalet, la spécialité est la fondue au fromage. Nous avons commandé une fondue classique (il en existe toutes sortes) avec des pommes de terre à la vapeur. Pour accompagner cela, nous avons aussi pris un verre (ou deux) du vin blanc de la région (du Chasselas).

The speciality of this little place is « la fondue au fromage Â», the cheese fondue. We ordered a classic one (there are many to choose from) one with steamed potatoes. To go with it, we also drank a glass (or two) of the local white wine (Chasselas).

C’était la premiĂšre fois que je mangeais de la fondue au fromage. J’ai adorĂ©, c’était dĂ©licieux !!! La longue marche dans la neige en valait vraiment la peine.

 It was the very first time that I ate fondue. I loved it, it was delicious!!! It was all worth the long walk through the snow.

learn french in switzerland practice story winter
Miam !! La Fondue au fromage suisse, c’est dĂ©licieux !!!

AprĂšs une longue pause dĂ©jeuner, il fallait retourner sur nos pas. On avait pas envie de quitter cette douce chaleur venant de la cheminĂ©e. Quand nous sommes sorties du chalet, une autre surprise nous attendait. Il neigeait trĂšs fort comme au Pole Nord. C’était magique pour moi  ! Nous avions l’air de deux esquimaux qui bravaient la tempĂȘte. Quelle merveilleuse aventure !!

After a long pause of degustation, we started to retrace our steps. We did not feel like leaving this gentle warmth coming from the hearth. When we came out of the cabin, another surprise was waiting for us. It was snowing hard, just like in the North pole. It was magical for me! We felt like two eskimos braving through the storm. What a marvellous adventure !!

Mille mercis Ă  ma prof  de français et hĂŽte Raymonde pour ce jour exceptionnel que je n’oublierai jamais.

A million thanks to my French teacher and hostess Raymonde pour this exceptional day I will never forget.

If you liked this article, why not consider a stay at Raymonde’s home in French speaking Switzerland to better your French? Here is more info about the French Immersion Residential courses listed by French Today.

Learn French like it is really spoken today with French Today audiobooks: level adapted audio novels and grammar methods recorded at several speeds and levels of enunciation.

Author: Raymonde

Raymonde

Bonjour ! My name is Raymonde, I'm a French teacher and immersion host in Switzerland. I live in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, between Lac LĂ©man, the vineyards, and the mountains. It's beautiful here year-round, I'm sure you'll love it!

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