Today has been challenging. Je parle le français ?
I don’t speak French at all. Worse, when I try, Spanish slips out instead—and even that is bad. Today proved it again. My goal was simple: rent a bicycle. Somehow, one of my first attempts at learning French in Uzès turned into a comedy.
Learning French in Uzès: At the Tourist Office
Parking a car anywhere in Uzès near my apartment on Rue St. Roman is nearly impossible, so a bike seemed like the best option. Uzès is surrounded by small roads, vineyards, and villages that are perfect for exploring on two wheels.
I walked over to the Uzès Tourist Office, tucked into the center of town near the main square. The woman at the desk greeted me with a smile, and thankfully, she spoke English. My new best friend. She pulled out a detailed map of Uzès, circled the local bike rental shop, and explained how to get there. Before I left, she suggested that I call ahead to reserve a bike. At the time, it sounded simple enough.
Back at the apartment, I dialed the number. Olivier, the owner, answered. That’s when things fell apart. I spoke English. He spoke French. Neither of us got very far. After a few painful minutes, I gave up and walked back to the Tourist Office. My new BFF picked up the phone and, in about thirty seconds, had it all sorted.
Lesson Learned
Lesson of the day: In France, you can get away with not speaking French face-to-face, but not on the phone. Without hand gestures, pointing, and a few shrugs, you’re doomed.
Lesson of the day: In France, you can sometimes get away with not speaking French when you’re face-to-face. People are generally kind and patient. They watch your hand gestures and usually figure out what you want. On the phone, without the smiles, the shrugs, and the awkward pantomime, you’re doomed. Words alone won’t save you when you’re speaking in the wrong language.
Learning French in Uzès: Bike Rental
The walk to Olivier’s shop was easy. Negotiating the rental was not. Between my English, his French, and a lot of waving arms, we figured it out. He laughed. I laughed. In the end, I had a bike for two days.
Once the rental was set, he hopped on his own bike and rode into town with me—probably to make sure I could actually ride. For the record, I can.
Did I mention he’s adorable? Too bad he’s younger than my sons. Shut my mouth.
Everyday Wins While Learning French in Uzès
That’s Uzès in a nutshell. A simple errand turns into an adventure. Not speaking French is frustrating, but it also creates connections I wouldn’t have otherwise. People meet you halfway. You laugh at your mistakes, and they laugh with you. In the end, you get what you need and usually a good story to go with it.
Riding back into the center of Uzès on my rental bike, I felt pretty good. I’d learned a little French, I had wheels, and a little confidence. Sometimes that’s enough.
Markets and Food
After all that, I was hungry. It’s a good thing Uzès makes finding food easy. Boulangeries, cafés, cheese shops—they’re everywhere.
At the market, the vegetables were piled high: tomatoes, peppers, zucchini with blossoms still attached. Strawberries were in season, sweet and straight from nearby farms. Melons perfumed the air, and figs filled wooden crates.
Here, shopping is simple. You buy what’s in season, what came from the fields that week. No packaging, no long-distance shipping. Just food that tastes the way it should.
I carried home a few things for dinner, happy to end the day with a bike, a story, and a basket full of what makes Uzès so special.
Not bad for a day that started with a ton of French faux pas.
Hungry yet?
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