Lesson 17
Les vacances d'été
In this lesson, you will talk about travel plans using both the present and the futur proche (aller + infinitif).
Work through each section at your own pace — click to expand
Présent vs. Futur proche
In French, you can use the present for things happening now or already scheduled, and the futur proche (aller + infinitif) for plans you are going to do.
| Présent | Futur proche |
|---|---|
Je prépare mes valises maintenant. I'm packing my suitcases right now. | Je vais préparer mes valises demain. I'm going to pack my suitcases tomorrow. |
Je pars samedi. I'm leaving Saturday. (scheduled) | Je vais partir samedi. I'm going to leave Saturday. |
Nous visitons Barcelone. We visit / are visiting Barcelona. | Nous allons visiter Barcelone. We are going to visit Barcelona. |
Dialogue — On part en vacances en famille !
Lina and Nil pack for a family holiday in Spain — they are going to see their nephew and niece
Pink bold words are verbs. Click any word to see its meaning.
Présent + Futur proche ensemble
In everyday French you mix the two tenses all the time.
• Present → what's happening right now or already scheduled: Je prépare mes valises maintenant. / Je pars samedi.
• Futur proche → what you are going to do: Je vais visiter Barcelone.
You don't need a new verb — just combine aller + infinitive to push any action into the near future.
Point grammaire
Encore du futur proche — cette fois pour les voyages et les vacances.
What you'll learn: More 'going-to' future practice, applied to travel plans. Same structure — 'aller' + infinitive — but now with richer vocabulary around destinations, transport, and activities.