Reading

A2 French reading: a first trip on a sleeper train

Clara takes the night train from Paris to Nice for the first time: booking a couchette, packing, sleeping (or not) and waking up by the sea. A2 French with glosses and questions.

In short

An original A2 travel account in the passé composé and imparfait. Follow Clara’s preparation, her night in a couchette and her morning view. The times belong to the practice story.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A traveller opening a sleeper-train curtain onto the Mediterranean at dawn.
The view from une couchette rewards a first night-train journey. Illustration: Atelier

Ma première nuit dans le train

Le mois dernier, j'ai pris le train de nuit1 Paris–Nice pour la première fois. J'avais réservé une couchette2 dans un compartiment3 de six. Dans mon sac : un sandwich, une brosse à dents et des bouchons d'oreilles4.

Le train est parti à vingt et une heures. Dans le compartiment, il y avait un couple de retraités, un étudiant et une mère avec son petit garçon. On a discuté, puis le contrôleur a vérifié les billets.

À minuit, tout le monde dormait. Enfin, presque : le monsieur de la couchette du dessous ronflait5 très fort. Heureusement, j'avais mes bouchons d'oreilles ! Plus tard, le contrôleur6 est repassé pour annoncer l'arrivée.

À sept heures, je me suis réveillée7 et j'ai ouvert le rideau : la mer8 ! Le soleil se levait sur la Méditerranée. J'étais fatiguée, mais c'était magique.

Read it in English

Last month, I took the night train from Paris to Nice for the first time. I had booked a bunk in a compartment for six. In my bag: a sandwich, a toothbrush and earplugs.

The train left at nine in the evening. In the compartment, there were a retired couple, a student and a mother with her little boy. We chatted, then the conductor checked the tickets.

At midnight, everyone was asleep. Well, almost: the gentleman on the bunk below was snoring very loudly. Luckily, I had my earplugs! Later, the conductor came by again to announce our arrival.

At seven o'clock, I woke up and opened the curtain: the sea! The sun was rising over the Mediterranean. I was tired, but it was magical.

Stages of the trip
StageDetail
Preparationbooked a bunk; packed a sandwich, a toothbrush and earplugs
Departure21:00, compartment for six
Nighta man snored; earplugs helped
Morning viewwoke at 7:00, saw the sea at sunrise

Une couchette is a sleeping bunk. Clara has booked a place in a six-person compartment in this story. La couchette du dessus / du dessous names the top / bottom bunk. Use the account to distinguish preparation, events during the night and the view on waking.

Question 1No account needed
What did Clara pack?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

a sandwich, a toothbrush and earplugs. Un sandwich, une brosse à dents et des bouchons d'oreilles.

Question 2No account needed
What was the problem at night?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A man was snoring.. Le monsieur… ronflait très fort.

Question 3No account needed
What did she see when she woke up?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

the sea. La mer ! Le soleil se levait sur la Méditerranée.