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Lost in translation

Every now and then, you come across text on a sign, website, or in a brochure that's funny. It's proof that it's not easy to translate from French to English, and sometimes French idioms have no direct equivalent in English. The flowery language of French brochures doesn't always work well in Shakespeare's tongue. Here are a few examples of translations that made us smile. We hope they'll brighten your day!

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Funny translations

Bouncy lungs...is that a condition?

'It is apotheosis Val Thorens will mark the end of the winter season. And what better than the great mountain air to catch his breath and approach the summer season lungs bouncy.'

Are you looking for cocoons to sublimate your stay? Try this résidence

'Located in the center of Val Thorens, [our] superior residence offers you ten kinds of apartments that could accommodate until eight people. Ergonomic, well decorated and very spacious, these cocoons will sublimate your stay.'

(A résidence in Val Thorens)

Ever wanted to familiarize with animals? Now's your chance

'[At] the Chalet d' Alpage... [you can] ...participate at the milking of the cows and goats...All day long, you can familiarize with the animals...' 

(Promotional literature for high mountain pasture chalets)

Do you want to stay here? Get swathed!

'Suspended in time, an ultimate symbiosis between modernity and ageless Savoie's tradition. Get swathed by the charm of the bedrooms...' 

(A Val Thorens hotel)

Have you got the yellow? 

'-Join your car right after, you will be quieter
-Insert your ticket into the terminal and get the yellow, it will serve you at any time to enter as leave
-You can park on the 1st available slot (position vacant). Thank you to respect the reserved spaces...and your neighbor's lot-Attention.'  

And that's only step 2 of 6, in the user guide for the resort parking. If you make it through 3, 4 and 5, here's what to do at step 6.

'After unloading your luggage, join a car and park on the parking areas limited to the car park entrance, then take your ticket at the reception, do not show up before the entry without a ticket, you prevent other uses of access the park.'

(Resort parking)

A small hamlet of mountain

'The decoration 'ethnic and smart' of this small hamlet of mountain articulated around a small central place draws an at the same time authentic and sophisticated atmosphere.

A first restaurant was opened the evening only, offers a card (map) rich and varied by Savoyarde specialities, such as we wish to rediscover them in mountain. The second restaurant will propose a world cuisine...and many other surprises!'

We think that might be enough surprises!

(An apartment complex)

A lot of travelling

'Isolated from the resort, [this chalet] will take you for a trip outside of the world. We will make you discover the reasons why it has become one of the landmarks in the resort for the traditional french cuisine. 

'[The chalet] also boasts a genuine yurt which, over the course of an evening, will transport you away to the Mongolian steppes.'

(A mountain restaurant)

Send us translations

We'd love to hear from you with any amusing translations you've spotted - contact us by email, info@valthorensguide.co.uk, or use our feedback form.