Coffee Break French

In this quick quiz, Max tests you on 15 French words that look just like English but don't always mean what you'd expect. You get a few seconds to decide whether each one is a true friend or a false friend, then Max reveals what it really means, from assister à and éventuellement to sensible and librairie . There are a few bonus tricky words along the way too, so play along and see how many you ca...

Max takes you into the world of the French apéro, one of the most enjoyable social rituals in the French-speaking world. You'll find out what an apéro involves, when it happens and how it can even replace dinner, along with the food, the drinks and the all-important phrase "on prend un apéro ?". Which would you choose: an apéro or a full dinner? ➡️ Click here to watch the video version of thi...

In this episode, Max takes one small but very useful French verb, 'mettre', and shows you five different ways it's used in everyday French. You'll hear clear examples for each meaning, including the handy way 'mettre' talks about how long something takes. By the end, you'll spot it everywhere and feel ready to use it yourself. ➡️ Click here to watch the video version of this episode . ➡️ To receiv...

There are three main ways to ask a question in French, and the one you choose depends on how formal you want to sound. In this episode, Max walks you through rising intonation, est-ce que and inversion, and shows you how to combine each one with question words like où , quand and comment . By the end, you'll be ready to ask just about anything in French! ➡️ Click here to watch the video version of...

Max walks you through five essential uses of "prendre", one of the most flexible verbs in French. You'll see why French uses "prendre" for ordering food and drinks, for catching transport, for illness ("j'ai pris froid"), for the very French structure "prendre quelqu'un pour quelqu'un", and for talking about duration. Which meaning surprised you the most? ➡️ Click here to watch the video version o...

Max breaks down five everyday English phrases that work completely differently in French, from "I miss you" and "I'm cold" to "it makes sense". Along the way, he explains why word-for-word translation leads learners astray and shows you the more natural French alternatives. Which of these have you been getting wrong? ➡️ Click here to watch the video version of this episode. ➡️ Want more tips like...

Max breaks down seven essential French words and expressions you'll hear every day in France but probably never learned in a textbook. You'll hear them in context, explore real-life examples, and understand the subtle nuances behind each one. Which one will you start using straight away? ➡️ Click  here to watch the video version of this episode. ➡️ Get free mini-lessons and language tips every we...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, we follow a compelling story set in a local café and help you build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  The café is at the heart of another unforgettable event and this day will be remembered by ever...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, we follow a compelling story set in a local café and help you build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  Sometimes joy and worry mix together and emotions run high Chez Nico.
 Dans ce neuvième chapitr...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, we follow a compelling story set in a local café and help you build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  The café regulars never miss an opportunity for a friendly comment and today there is something...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, we follow a compelling story set in a local café and help you build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  Some mornings start better than others and today is full of good surprises.
 Dans ce septième c...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, we follow a compelling story set in a local café and help you build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  Today the café is full of concern when one of the regulars faces a sudden worry. Dans ce sixièm...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, we follow a compelling story set in a local café and help you build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  There is a lot happening Chez Nico today, with exciting news and more customers than expected....

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, you’ll follow a compelling story set in a local café and build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  Even when the weather is grey, Chez Nico stays warm and welcoming. Dans ce quatrième chapitre, les c...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, you’ll follow a compelling story set in a local café and build your language skills naturally through storytelling.  Between special visitors and a very popular event, there is never a dull moment Chez Nico. Dans ce t...

Welcome back to Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, we follow a compelling story set in a local café and help you build your language skills naturally through storytelling. Some days are more emotional than others and today Nico lends an ear to a friend who is feeling down....

Welcome back to Season 2 of Scenes from the Coffee Break French Café! If you joined us in Season 1 then you will already be familiar with Chez Nico - our charming French café, where the aroma of fresh coffee lingers, conversations flow, and life unfolds around every table. In this immersive series, you’ll follow a compelling story set in a local café and build your language skills naturally throug...

Join us for a new mini Coffee Break French lesson in between seasons as we dive into one of the most delicious parts of the festive season: the French Christmas Eve dinner! 🎄🍽️ In this episode, you’ll hear about some of the traditional dishes enjoyed at Max’s family table on le réveillon de Noël : from oysters and snails to turkey, red wine, cheese, and of course the classic chocolate Yule log....

We’re back with another Coffee Break French espresso lesson, and this time we’re taking a stroll through one of the most atmospheric parts of the season: les marchés de Noël ! 🎄 In this episode, you’ll discover what you’re likely to find at Christmas markets across France, from the smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine to sweet crêpes and waffles, and the cosy stalls selling wooden toys...

We’re back with a new mini Coffee Break French lesson, and this time we're exploring a charming tradition that marks the start of the festive season in parts of Europe! 🎄✨ In this episode, you’ll learn all about what happens on le 6 décembre in the North and East of France, as well as in Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg. It’s a lovely cultural insight and a great opportunity to pick up festiv...

Join Mark and Max for this special episode of Coffee Break French, where we're talking about something a bit different. We receive emails and messages all the time asking us "where should I start?", so we thought we'd answer that in this episode. We share details about how Coffee Break French first started back in 2007 - and all of the French resources we have released since then. We hope you enjo...

Join Max for a coffee break in which he will guide you through one tricky point of French pronunciation: the difference between h muet (silent h) and h aspiré (aspirated h). 🤔 You’ll learn how words like l’homme (the man) link smoothly thanks to a silent h, while words like le héros 🦸 (the hero) create a pause because of the aspirated h. With clear examples and simple explanations, this lesson w...

We're back with a special bonus episode of the Great Coffee Break Treasure Hunt! Join us for a detailed explanation of this year's Treasure Hunt clues. Sit back, relax and enjoy listening to this episode on your next coffee break. ☕️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have reached the last clue of our virtual treasure hunt - La grande chasse au trésor de Coffee Break de 2025 - which will lead us to the final location! Test your French and detective skills as we reveal everything you need to know to determine the last destination. Remember to submit your entry form listing the location from each episode to be in with a chance of winning a prize. Click here to...

It's time for the third clue of La grande chasse au trésor de Coffee Break de 2025 , our virtual treasure hunt across Europe! Using the interesting facts we share, can you work out where checkpoint number three is? In case you missed it - everyone who correctly identifies the four mystery locations will win a free month's subscription to the Coffee Break Club , as well as being entered into a priz...