French

[scruffy1]

I keep all the credentials from my previous walks, one framed on the wall the others are safe in a japanned box. I use them as a photo album to recall places visited, friends met along the way, and particularly pleasant evenings we spent together. The sellos are often real works of art and I enjoy just looking too. My question, how do you say sello in French, and more, something I haven’t found in the more accessible phrase books, what is the correct way to request one?

 

[Kitsambler]

English = Stamp
Spanish = Sello
French = Tampon
German = Pilgerstempel

Je voudrais s'il vous plaît un tampon. (Zhuh voo-DRAY see voo PLAY un tam -POHN).

Ich mochte ein Pilgerstempel bitte. (ich MERSH-tuh eye-n pilger-schtempel bitt-uh.)

In lodgings, the custom in France is to get your stamp when you pay up, which is often after dinner at the demi-pension gites. One pays upon arrival at the municipals, and sometimes on departure at the hotels. Churches will very often have stamps, generally self-serve, somewhere near the entry (you'll have to look around a bit). Some churches have special times and a special person with the stamp - and their schedule may not coincide with yours. If a church advertises an afternoon pilgrim reception, there will be a stamp available (along with a lecture in French and perhaps some snacks). Also, all French town halls (Mairies) have stamps (so I'm told), as well as restrooms.

 

[scruffy1]

Thank you! Everything I needed to know.
Miki

 

[oursonpolaire]

French churches will have stamps handy, although they will sometimes have to look for them. As well as mairies, tourism offices sometimes have good stamps, and historic sites along the way can give you some very dramatic ones.

 

[steve]

Following the evening church service is an excellent time to obtain the stamp.