Close your throat as if you're going to gargle or to avoid swallowing and say ‘k’ carefully, several times.There is no equivalent sound in English.” So says ThoughtCo.įollow these instructions to learn how to pronounce the French ‘r’: The ‘r’ is a kind of raspy sound pronounced in the back of the throat. “The French letter ‘r’ is one of the most difficult sounds in French to pronounce for most people. To finish it off nicely, make the French verbal sound when saying the end ‘r’, in your throat. MONT - GE - (like the starting sound of ‘general’) – NEV – RE (think phonic ‘r’ sound and not ‘re’ like re-write) – MONT-GEN-NEV-RE. To spell it out, in order to pronounce it as good as the French, you say it like this: Listen to the right way of saying it, to start you off on the right footing – Meanwhile, in 1907, the ski resort of MontGenèvre was declared officially open, marked by the first international ski jumping competition. Skiing for pleasure was modelled at this time when the local villagers and mountain population became curious and were given free skis to practice this new sport.
In 1903, the Minister of War began the first ski school in Briançon, training many military men to ski over the years. In 1895 two Norwegian army officers carried out a ski demonstration, introducing French soldiers to this practice.
This preferred route for pilgrimages to Rome is still a journey taken to the present day and recognised by UNESCO.īefore the turn of the 20 th Century, Montgenèvre was known as the ‘Dean of the Stations’. Montgenèvre, as part of the network of roads called the ‘Via Francigena’ - connecting countries beyond the Alps to Rome. So ancient history goes, pilgrims, merchants and armies of old used this alpine pass called the ‘Variante della Val Susa’, descending from what is known today as Col de Hautes-Alpes Commune and Historical Ski Resort, Franceīefore we go into the pronunciation of this magnifique French word and ski resort, allow us to briefly share the origins of Montgenèvre and where the story starts - this will no doubt inspire you to attempt to perfect your pronunciation on the matter!