# Hiking the Mercantour National Park

**Language:** French  
**CEFR Level:** A2  

> Master French outdoor and travel vocabulary by listening to Léa and Nicolas's conversation about hiking the stunning Mercantour National Park. It may feel challenging at first, but by the end of this course you will be able to fully understand and participate.

**Setting:** Léa and Nicolas are hiking a section of the challenging GR5 trail through the Mercantour National Park, sharing trail tips and refuge meals along the way. They met at a trailhead shuttle in Nice and decided to team up for safety and company during their mountain trek.

## Lessons

### 1. Introducing yourself to a stranger

While hiking the Mercantour trail, Nicolas and Léa introduce themselves and discuss where they are from.

### 2. Suggesting to use informal address

Nicolas suggests that he and Léa use the informal "tu" with each other, and they discuss his job as a bicycle courier.

### 3. Describing physical pain and discomfort

Nicolas explains how the mountain terrain is affecting his knees, and Léa reveals she is a physiotherapist.

### 4. Asking for and giving advice

Léa gives Nicolas practical advice on how to walk downhill safely and asks about the weight of his backpack.

### 5. Talking about the weather

Nicolas shares what he packed in his backpack, and Léa warns him about how quickly the mountain weather can change.

### 6. Asking about local wildlife

Léa warns Nicolas about slippery and windy paths, and Nicolas asks her if she has spotted any local animals.

### 7. Pointing out and describing plants

Nicolas gets excited about seeing marmots and points out a beautiful yellow wildflower, which Léa identifies for him.

### 8. Talking about outdoor hobbies

Léa talks about her love for the outdoors and surfing in Biarritz, and Nicolas shares his appreciation for both the sea and the mountains.

### 9. Expressing hunger and fatigue

Nicolas and Léa discuss the fresh mountain air and look forward to taking a break by the lake because Nicolas is getting very hungry.

### 10. Planning a shared meal

Léa and Nicolas plan their picnic by the water, listing the foods they brought and agreeing to share their meal on some flat stones.

### 11. Commenting on the scenery

Nicolas and Léa admire the blue lake water, discuss its freezing temperature, and agree that it is too cold for swimming.

### 12. Discussing accommodation plans

Nicolas and Léa talk about their plans to sleep at the same mountain refuge, looking forward to a good meal and wondering if there will be other hikers.

### 13. Describing a social atmosphere

Léa and Nicolas discuss the friendly atmosphere of mountain shelters and how easy it is to meet and talk to new people there.

### 14. Wishing someone a good meal

After comparing the quiet mountains to the busy city, Léa and Nicolas wish each other a good meal and thank each other after a long day of hiking.