Do I need to know French to hike the Hexatrek?
Enjoying a trail dinner with French hikers
You can absolutely hike the Hexatrek without knowing French. However, learning some basics is going to make your life so much easier! Not only that, but learning and interacting in French is all part of the fun. It’s also an important piece of getting the most out of your hike and overall experience.
When traveling to any foreign country it’s a sign of respect to the people who live there to learn at least a bit of the local language and try your best. You’re going to be spending several months in France and interacting with locals all across the country, so getting some basics under your belt is just common sense!
Let’s take a deeper look into why it will be worth it to learn some French before you go:
1. Cultural Immersion:
Learning French allows you to immerse yourself more deeply in the rich culture of France. You'll be able to engage with locals, appreciate art, literature, and architecture, and understand the nuances of daily life. If you really want to learn about France, spend some time walking with French hikers. Nearly every French person I met had a wealth of knowledge about France, and it was fun to share our different cultural experiences.
2. Communication in small towns:
While many people in popular tourist areas might speak English, especially in larger cities, learning French enables you to communicate effectively in various situations. In rural areas or smaller towns, locals predominantly speak French, and your ability to converse in their language will enhance your interactions. You’ll more often than not be venturing into smaller towns, markets, and off-the-beaten-path locations, where English will not be as commonly spoken.
3. Enhanced Travel Experience:
Speaking French opens up a world of opportunities and experiences that might not be readily accessible to non-French speakers. You can more easily navigate menus, ask for directions, check into campgrounds, hitchhike, and interact with locals in a more meaningful way. I was offered places to stay, cooked meals, given rides, and more while I was on the trail. Trying my best to communicate in French made these interactions easier and more fun!
4. Respect for Local Culture:
Making an effort to speak the local language demonstrates respect for the host culture. Even if your French is basic, locals generally appreciate the effort, and it can lead to more positive interactions.
5. Navigating Administrative Processes:
Understanding French can be beneficial when dealing with administrative tasks, such as obtaining transportation tickets, booking accommodations, or seeking assistance from local authorities. If you find yourself in a sticky situation for any reason, knowing a bit of French is going to be a big help.
6. Culinary Experiences:
French cuisine is renowned globally, and knowing the language can enhance your culinary experiences. You can better understand menus, ask for recommendations, and engage in conversations about local food. It’s also going to make navigating the grocery store less intimidating, especially when you’re hungry. And you’re going to be hungry, like all the time.
7. Personal Growth:
You’re already going to go through a personal transformation while undertaking this trail. Acquiring a new language skill would certainly be icing on the cake! By the end of my trip, my comprehension had increased dramatically and I am continuing to study French even now!
Okay, now that I’ve convinced you to do some studying, how do you start? Here’s what I did to prepare before I left and some of what I continued to do on trail to improve and keep learning.
The Apps
Not all language learning apps are created equally and it’s going to depend on your learning style, but these are some that I’ve tried and enjoyed.They are suitable for all levels.
DuoLingo: You’ve probably heard of this app before or been haunted by its menacing owl mascot. I find it useful in creating the habit of learning since it will guilt you into practicing everyday with passive-aggressive notifications. It’s not the most effective for learning to speak, but it’s good for getting some vocabulary down and monitoring your progress. Plus it really gamifies the experience by adding prizes, levels, and a bit of competition, so you get a little bit of dopamine to keep you coming back for more. There is a free version of this app and also a paid premium version.
Pimsleur: Pimsleur uses 30 minute audio lessons to help with listening, comprehension, and speaking practice. I really like these lessons as it forces me to think and form sentences quickly and uses common conversation situations to teach vocabulary and grammar. The only drawback here is that you don’t get feedback on your pronunciation. This app costs about $18/month depending on your country.
LingoPie: Lingopie is a language learning app that uses real TV shows complete with subtitles. Every word or phrase is clickable for instant translations in real-time. After watching, review new vocabulary and grammar rules with built-in flashcards and word lists. Annual memberships start at roughly $72/year.
Other options are to turn your Netflix to French and add English subtitles. This will help you get a feel for what French sounds like and you’ll start to pick up phrases that are repeated. Even having this on in the background can help you absorb the language.
There are also tons of online language learning communities, exchanges, forums, and chat rooms you could dig into.
Practice Equals Progress
The best way on trail is to practice with French hikers. Most of the French hikers I met spoke pretty good English and were kind enough to speak it with me, but we would often be translating with each other and sharing new words and phrases. They will probably pick on you for your accent, but ignore this, it’s all part of the fun! They’ve got French accents when they speak English, so we’re all in the same boat! Alternatively, practice with shopkeepers or other locals along your path. Often you’ll hear the same phrases over and over again, so try to work on those. Try and do as many of your day to day interactions in French as you can and see how far you get.
Enjoy the Process
In the end, don’t let learning French overwhelm you. Your speaking ability shouldn’t affect your ability to get out there and hike this trail. Yes, it will make it easier if you learn some, but the trail is not impossible if you don’t. At the end of the day, it’s up to you what experience you want out there, so take that into consideration when starting your language learning journey, and most of all have fun.
Get the Full Guide
Hiking the Hexatrek: The complete guide to preparing for and conquering France’s newest long-distance thru-hike
Written by Lauren Roerick, the first North-American woman to complete the 3034 km trail.
Learn how to hike the Hexatrek and what to expect including:
how to get there
what to expect from each stage
cost breakdown and accommodation
how to get around France
full gear list and resupply planning guide
where and how to camp including all of my campsites
safety, support, communication tips
trail culture and expectations
how to prepare physically and mentally
If you’re considering thru-hiking the Hexatrek, this is book for you! Over 100 pages of detailed information, maps, and pictures to make sure you’re ready for the adventure!
*This is a digital download
