How do you pronounce "Versailles?"
 

Some Parisians seem to pronounce it "Vur-SIZ," with a slight "s" on the end. Is this <BR>correct?

<BR>Are you sure they were Parisians? <BR>Accents can differ of course, but the standard French pronunciation is <BR>close to: <BR>Ver-sigh.

Actually, I was told--by an actual French person--that the French often pronounce the last letter of place names so you'll know what they're talking about. (Evidently relying on context for other topics is an acceptable risk.) <BR>We seem to be avoiding the whole issue of how to pronounce a French R.

I thought about that but can't think how to explain that back of the throat sound in writing. <BR> <BR>Ben, Versailles is a common enough word that even if you pronounce it <BR>"a l'americain" I'm sure you'll be understood. <BR>

To be precise, I heard an art history professor (a Frenchman) in The Louvre say "Ver-size." That's why I was questioning it. Thank you.

i think it is ver-sail-less

Richard, I think that pronunciation would qualify as very "valley yankee." ;-)

If you are referring to the town in Kentucky then it should be pronounced 'Vur-sayles' BUT I suspect you mean the place in France and so the correct pronunciation is the one provided by Elaine.

From a student taking French... <BR>"vair sigh"