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Paddington #4
Paddington Abroad
In this book Paddington Bear, with his friends the Browns, sets out to visit France. It is most exciting, for bears hardly ever go abroad for their holidays and Paddington is in charge of the maps, which means a lot of brainwork, ink, and marmalade. He has business worries as well, and not even the fire brigade, the police and an ambulance make it any simpler to take his spending money out of the bank.
Lots of other things happen too. For instance, Paddington nearly can't go to France t all, because no one had thought of getting him a passport. But he wins a prize for French cooking - he cooks escargots, which is French for sn**ls - and a prize for bicycling. He is squashed by a drum and slanged by an admiral, but in spite of it all, everyone is sorry to see him go home.
Lots of other things happen too. For instance, Paddington nearly can't go to France t all, because no one had thought of getting him a passport. But he wins a prize for French cooking - he cooks escargots, which is French for sn**ls - and a prize for bicycling. He is squashed by a drum and slanged by an admiral, but in spite of it all, everyone is sorry to see him go home.
123 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
88 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bond
629 books406 followersMichael Bond, CBE was an English children's author. He was the creator of Paddington Bear and wrote about the adventures of a guinea pig named Olga da Polga, as well as the animated BBC TV series The Herbs. Bond also wrote culinary mystery stories for adults featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful bloodhound, Pommes Frites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
January 17, 2019
More crazy Paddington capers as the Brown family go on holiday to France. I've only given this one four stars, instead of the usual five for Paddington books, as there are a couple of parts where the author completely skips over stuff that would have been great to actually 'see' happen, most notably at the airport; I felt a bit ripped-off by that time skip!
Still, it's all worth it for the final chapter where our intrepid young bear decides he wants to take part in the Tour de France. Hilarious!
Still, it's all worth it for the final chapter where our intrepid young bear decides he wants to take part in the Tour de France. Hilarious!
February 13, 2024
Paddington Bear and the Brown family travel to France for a holiday where Paddington gets involved in a spot of sailing and even enters the Tour de France. Another great story about one of my favourite fictional heroes.
May 22, 2019
More fun with Paddington, as he and the Brown family go on holiday to France. My favorite part of this book is when Paddington rides a tricycle in the Tour de France, a tricycle he has taken apart, cleaned, and reassembled himself. Unfortunately, there are a couple of parts left over after he puts it back together. But he sets off on the trike (with marmalade sandwich in its basket), and it turns out that the brakes won't work without the missing parts. But, as usual with Paddington, everything turns out all right.
October 11, 2025
A spot of excitement over a young bear’s circumstances. Yet if you know Paddington, you know that “things may get complicated now and then but they have a habit of turning out right in the end.”
It makes you wonder whether it’s just him, or “whether all bears are born under a lucky star!”
February 17, 2024
Paddington Brown the bear is a delightful character and in this volume Peggy Fortnum produces some absolutely charming illustrations, particularly of Paddington throwing a fit in his beret when people gather round him and think he is an onion bear and also when he is drinking cocoa from a bucket and when he is whizzing along on a tricycle!
To get to all that action, the Browns are going on holiday so Paddington makes his own arrangements, going to the library, chatting with Mr Gruber to get a feel for where he is going, arranging money from the bank and then packing an enormous amount of tackle to take with him.
Once at the airport the troubles magnify as there is a question of Paddington's passport. But they eventually make it onto the 'plane where Paddington spends time consulting his 'doings list' to see what he is going to get up to once in France. And when there he goes missing very quickly so the Browns panic a little and can't believe that he has got lost in half a day. Fortunately he turns up and once he spies a baker's shop run by Monsieur Dupont who supplies him with buns he is okay! He very quickly befriends Monsieur Dupont as he know where his buns will come from.
Later in the holiday he gets mixed up in the Tour de France, much to Monsieur Dupont's amazement and, on the tricycle that he has acquired, he leads the riders through the town and is cheered to the echo by the crowds, despite the Browns thinking that he has made a fool of himself.
But all good things come to an end at some time and eventually Paddington and the Browns prepare to return home; Paddington is quite sad at having to say goodbye to everyone, particularly Monsieur Dupont ... but as Mrs Bird tells him, there will be other things to look forward to because, 'Things happen to bears.'
And so they do, particularly those named Paddington!
To get to all that action, the Browns are going on holiday so Paddington makes his own arrangements, going to the library, chatting with Mr Gruber to get a feel for where he is going, arranging money from the bank and then packing an enormous amount of tackle to take with him.
Once at the airport the troubles magnify as there is a question of Paddington's passport. But they eventually make it onto the 'plane where Paddington spends time consulting his 'doings list' to see what he is going to get up to once in France. And when there he goes missing very quickly so the Browns panic a little and can't believe that he has got lost in half a day. Fortunately he turns up and once he spies a baker's shop run by Monsieur Dupont who supplies him with buns he is okay! He very quickly befriends Monsieur Dupont as he know where his buns will come from.
Later in the holiday he gets mixed up in the Tour de France, much to Monsieur Dupont's amazement and, on the tricycle that he has acquired, he leads the riders through the town and is cheered to the echo by the crowds, despite the Browns thinking that he has made a fool of himself.
But all good things come to an end at some time and eventually Paddington and the Browns prepare to return home; Paddington is quite sad at having to say goodbye to everyone, particularly Monsieur Dupont ... but as Mrs Bird tells him, there will be other things to look forward to because, 'Things happen to bears.'
And so they do, particularly those named Paddington!
November 15, 2012
Something I picked up to read before bed, short chapters, so low effort, and I used to love the Paddington stories when I was little. I'm very gratified to find that I still love them just as much, and that they're written in such a way as to be just as delightful and entertaining to adults as to children. Also, the illustrations are an infinite joy. I look forward to catching up with all the other Paddington books.
April 15, 2022
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. This was a fun addition to the Paddington series. I didn’t find it as humorous as the other Paddington books, but perhaps I just have grown a little too old. ;) I loved seeing the Browns and Paddington again, and it was amusing to see their Englishness in France! This is a very poor review but it’s been a while since I read this, so I will try to update it when I reread.
May 5, 2021
I just love a good Paddington story. He is so enthusiastic about trying new adventures and this time he goes on his first holiday to France with the Brown family. You know he is going to get up to so much unintentional mischief. Such a fun read.
January 8, 2023
wniosek po przeczytaniu tej ksiazki jest jeden
mis paddington uczy i bawi 🙆♀️
mis paddington uczy i bawi 🙆♀️
October 30, 2025
What an entertaining story! I loved that this Paddington story was set in France and featured the Tour de France. I don’t see that sport focused on in books very often, so it was a nice treat.
Content: replacement profanity
Content: replacement profanity
January 8, 2023
”All good things come to an end sooner or later,“ said Mrs. Brown as they drove away. “And the nicer it is the sooner it seems to end.“
”But if they didn’t end,“ said Mrs. Bird wisely, ”we wouldn’t have other things to look forward to.“
<3
”But if they didn’t end,“ said Mrs. Bird wisely, ”we wouldn’t have other things to look forward to.“
<3
November 14, 2024
I don't know why, but I really have a soft spot for anything coming out of Paddington's mouth. This book really made me laugh.
January 17, 2025
see this bear? very demure, very mindful, very silly
March 5, 2025
monseur le beaHHH toliau šenaniguoja, vis laukiu kada atsibos bet this is sooo good 😭😭 hugh bonneville french akcentas buvo extraOhdinierr, lenkiu žemai galvą ir net beveik atleidžiu kad jis ne stephen fry. susimąsčiau dar kaip svarbu audioknygose geras voice acting, nes net jei tas pats balsas įrašinėja visi tonų pakeitimai ar akcentai tiek daug duoda, ne tai kai būna monotoniškai viena linija įrašyta kur užsnoozini po minutės klausymo, tai šitos knygutės piooorfect. irrr vėl paminėsiu posh britišką akcentą ir patį žodyną nes man tiesiog nesuvokiama kas taip šneka, skamba biški atsilupėliškai (im sorry, dont ban me from coming UK gov😭😭😭) bet ir labai satisfying. ir matosi kad hugh bonneville dauntono abatija labai atsipirko, jis ten iš tikrujų tik ruošėsi šioms knygoms all along
August 15, 2020
Paddington is better at home, where his adventures poke fun at postwar stuffiness and officialdom.
December 13, 2008
This is the fourth book in the Paddington series and although I really liked it, it wasn't quite as good as the first three. However, if I had read this one as the second book about our little friend from the Darkest Peru, it would probably have gotten more stars. The thing is, by now you are used to Paddington getting in all the trouble possible to get into. So even though this book is about Paddington going to France, there isn't much new in it.
Still - it is amusing to read about Paddington preparing a typical French meal for the Browns (snails), Paddington playing the big drum in a band (and getting lost because he can't see the other musicians), Paddington trying to put up a tent and Paddington going to the bank and discovering how little interest you actually get...
My favourite small part of the book was a half page or so about Paddington and dictionaries. Paddington is put in charge of making the itinerary for the trip and he's not quite sure how to spell it. But it's impossible to look it up in the dictionary - he looked through all the E's and couldn't find it... "n the whole, Paddington wasn't surprised. He didn't think much of dictionaries and he often found that when he wanted to look up a particularly difficult word it was nowhere to be found." (13) His way of spelling it: eyetinnery...
My favourite story was about Paddington participating in the 'Tour de France'. He borrows an old three-wheeled cycle and because it's old, he has to take it apart and polish and oil it and put it back together. Unfortunately there are two parts left over when he is done assembling the tricycle but that doesn't discourage Paddington from entering the race. So he just sits on his bike - which has a basket on the handle-bars with marmalade sandwiches of course - and wait for the other racers and join them when they come - only to discover that what was missing is what makes the brakes work...
Luckily Paddington charms everyone around him and everything ends well - with only minor injuries...
It's about time that I mention the drawings of Peggy Fortnum in my reviews. She makes small excellent and very charming black and white drawings to illustrate the various stories and they add a lot to the books. My favourites in this book are the two of Paddington riding his bike...
So not much new in this book but still an enjoyable read. There is something very relaxing about sitting inside on a cold day with a blanket and a Paddington book in front of the fire...
Still - it is amusing to read about Paddington preparing a typical French meal for the Browns (snails), Paddington playing the big drum in a band (and getting lost because he can't see the other musicians), Paddington trying to put up a tent and Paddington going to the bank and discovering how little interest you actually get...
My favourite small part of the book was a half page or so about Paddington and dictionaries. Paddington is put in charge of making the itinerary for the trip and he's not quite sure how to spell it. But it's impossible to look it up in the dictionary - he looked through all the E's and couldn't find it... "n the whole, Paddington wasn't surprised. He didn't think much of dictionaries and he often found that when he wanted to look up a particularly difficult word it was nowhere to be found." (13) His way of spelling it: eyetinnery...
My favourite story was about Paddington participating in the 'Tour de France'. He borrows an old three-wheeled cycle and because it's old, he has to take it apart and polish and oil it and put it back together. Unfortunately there are two parts left over when he is done assembling the tricycle but that doesn't discourage Paddington from entering the race. So he just sits on his bike - which has a basket on the handle-bars with marmalade sandwiches of course - and wait for the other racers and join them when they come - only to discover that what was missing is what makes the brakes work...
Luckily Paddington charms everyone around him and everything ends well - with only minor injuries...
It's about time that I mention the drawings of Peggy Fortnum in my reviews. She makes small excellent and very charming black and white drawings to illustrate the various stories and they add a lot to the books. My favourites in this book are the two of Paddington riding his bike...
So not much new in this book but still an enjoyable read. There is something very relaxing about sitting inside on a cold day with a blanket and a Paddington book in front of the fire...
August 15, 2014
Oh, it is so much fun to go on vacation with Paddington! There's never a dull moment. He loves to try new things and has such a zest for life. His plans go awry, but it's okay because Paddington is a bear who always lands on his paws.
In this book we go with him to France. It is not bustling Paris, which I am more familiar with from pop culture, but Brittany, on the northwest coast of the country. Paddington's adventures take place in the rugged, beautiful countryside of that region. He cooks over a camp-fire, fishes, bikes and enjoys a village fair. Illustrator Peggy Fortnum captures his determined efforts to master life as an outdoorsman.
However, along with descriptions of Paddington's exploits, are lovely passages about village life in Brittany. Author Michael Bond writes, "The stars were shining in a cloudless sky, the sound of gay music from a nearby café filled the air, and at the end of the street leading down to the harbour they could see the lights from the fishing boats as they bobbed up and down in the water" (p.66).
This backdrop also allows Bond to place Paddington's story within the culture specific to Brittany. For instance, he takes part in a pardon, which is a traditional Breton ceremony. So, I was able to learn about the region's customs,even if some details of the observations are dated because the book was written in the 1960s. Some of the larger cultural events of France are also featured in the book, in particular the world famous "Le Tour de France."
Still, even though Paddington was on vacation in another country, I learned new British words as well. For instance, "roundabouts" are the British word for "merry-go-rounds" and "braces" are the British word for "suspenders." Any object within Paddington's grasp has the potential to cause a comic disturbance and such is the case with the "braces." I'll leave it at that.(It was in this section of the story that I believe I discovered why the Paddington doll from my childhood came with a change of clothes, that included a raincoat, hat and galoshes).
There are a great many funny and sweet moments in the book, from the planning and packing to the final moments of the vacation. As always, Paddington manages to annoy people, but more importantly he forges lasting friendships, in particular with a kind village baker.
A tip of my hat to Paddington for making the most of his time abroad. It always amazes me how he is able to make that gentlemanly gesture under the most trying of circumstances. He is "Monsieur Le Bear."
In this book we go with him to France. It is not bustling Paris, which I am more familiar with from pop culture, but Brittany, on the northwest coast of the country. Paddington's adventures take place in the rugged, beautiful countryside of that region. He cooks over a camp-fire, fishes, bikes and enjoys a village fair. Illustrator Peggy Fortnum captures his determined efforts to master life as an outdoorsman.
However, along with descriptions of Paddington's exploits, are lovely passages about village life in Brittany. Author Michael Bond writes, "The stars were shining in a cloudless sky, the sound of gay music from a nearby café filled the air, and at the end of the street leading down to the harbour they could see the lights from the fishing boats as they bobbed up and down in the water" (p.66).
This backdrop also allows Bond to place Paddington's story within the culture specific to Brittany. For instance, he takes part in a pardon, which is a traditional Breton ceremony. So, I was able to learn about the region's customs,even if some details of the observations are dated because the book was written in the 1960s. Some of the larger cultural events of France are also featured in the book, in particular the world famous "Le Tour de France."
Still, even though Paddington was on vacation in another country, I learned new British words as well. For instance, "roundabouts" are the British word for "merry-go-rounds" and "braces" are the British word for "suspenders." Any object within Paddington's grasp has the potential to cause a comic disturbance and such is the case with the "braces." I'll leave it at that.(It was in this section of the story that I believe I discovered why the Paddington doll from my childhood came with a change of clothes, that included a raincoat, hat and galoshes).
There are a great many funny and sweet moments in the book, from the planning and packing to the final moments of the vacation. As always, Paddington manages to annoy people, but more importantly he forges lasting friendships, in particular with a kind village baker.
A tip of my hat to Paddington for making the most of his time abroad. It always amazes me how he is able to make that gentlemanly gesture under the most trying of circumstances. He is "Monsieur Le Bear."
May 4, 2017
Nigdy nie byłam fanką Kubusia Puchatka, a dzięki dzieciom dowiedziałam się, że Miś Paddington także nie znalazł miejsca w moim sercu. Chyba mam ogólnie problem z misiami, a może tylko z brytyjskimi misiami? Nie wiem. Najważniejsze jednak, że synowi książki się podobały i namawiał mnie stale na kontynuację lektury. Co ciekawe, córce Paddington też nieszczególnie przypadł do gustu.
Paddington to dziwak jakich mało. Przybywa do Wielkiej Brytanii z mrocznych zakątków Peru, całkiem sam. Na szczęście misia przygarnia rodzina Brownów, która traktuje go jak pełnoprawnego członka familii, po części jako dziecko, a po części jak kogoś w rodzaju dalekiego, nieco dziwacznego kuzyna. Zresztą jak na Paddingtona reagują inni także jest ciekawe - mówiący i żyjący jak człowiek niedźwiedź nikogo nie zaskakuje. Zadziwiają innych za to jego wyczyny. Ma on bowiem tę niezwykłą przypadłość wplątywania się w najgorsze tarapaty. Wszystko to dzieje się mimochodem i niechcący, a efekt zawsze jest fenomenalny. Sam Paddington nie wie, jakim cudem udaje mu się ze wszystkich tarapatów wyjść obronną ręką.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot....
Paddington to dziwak jakich mało. Przybywa do Wielkiej Brytanii z mrocznych zakątków Peru, całkiem sam. Na szczęście misia przygarnia rodzina Brownów, która traktuje go jak pełnoprawnego członka familii, po części jako dziecko, a po części jak kogoś w rodzaju dalekiego, nieco dziwacznego kuzyna. Zresztą jak na Paddingtona reagują inni także jest ciekawe - mówiący i żyjący jak człowiek niedźwiedź nikogo nie zaskakuje. Zadziwiają innych za to jego wyczyny. Ma on bowiem tę niezwykłą przypadłość wplątywania się w najgorsze tarapaty. Wszystko to dzieje się mimochodem i niechcący, a efekt zawsze jest fenomenalny. Sam Paddington nie wie, jakim cudem udaje mu się ze wszystkich tarapatów wyjść obronną ręką.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot....
July 5, 2021
Reading this again after many years made me realise how much Paddington influenced me, or perhaps how receptive I was to Paddington because I was already like him - a reader of maps, a lover of doings lists and itineraries, a connoisseur of marmalade, a giver of hard stares, and a wearer of duffel coats. What I love most about these books, aside from the wonderfully dynamic illustrations by Peggy Fortnum - Paddington's tricycle running away with him in the Tour de France is a peak moment - is the way in which things go right side up in the end because people are fundamentally good, open-hearted, and forgiving. Well, except for Mr Curry but even he has his moments and, after all, every neighbourhood has one. But also, and this seems pertinent in an age of inclusion, no one seems bothered by Paddington's being a bear - and he is a bear, or at least something unique and not a human boy in bear guise, with a strong sense of what's right. Perhaps the world no longer wants the kind of reassurance this series provides but that's a damn shame.
January 18, 2024
Paddington der kleine Bär geht mit den Browns auf Urlaubsreise, nach Frankreich. Doch der Trubel beginnt schon am Flughafen. Paddington hat keinen Pass, er wird doch hoffentlich nicht zurückgeschickt nach Peru? Nein, wie in allen Schlamasseln um Paddington, löst sich auch dieser auf und er kann in Ruhe Frankreich unsicher machen und zahlreiche neue Freunde finden.
Ich liebe Paddington Bär einfach und obwohl es ein Kinderbuch ist, habe ich mich kein bisschen gelangweilt. Nein beim Kapitel, in dem der kleine Bär versucht ein Zelt aufzubauen habe ich sogar Tränen gelacht. Die Geschichten um Paddington sind kurzweilig, nie belehrend und gehen zu Herzen. Ich werde wohl bald, auch die anderen Abenteuer des kleinen Peruaners zur Hand nehmen.
Paddington ist und bleibt Kult. Für Groß und Klein ist es einfach eine tolle Chance den Alltag hinter sich zu lassen.
Ich liebe Paddington Bär einfach und obwohl es ein Kinderbuch ist, habe ich mich kein bisschen gelangweilt. Nein beim Kapitel, in dem der kleine Bär versucht ein Zelt aufzubauen habe ich sogar Tränen gelacht. Die Geschichten um Paddington sind kurzweilig, nie belehrend und gehen zu Herzen. Ich werde wohl bald, auch die anderen Abenteuer des kleinen Peruaners zur Hand nehmen.
Paddington ist und bleibt Kult. Für Groß und Klein ist es einfach eine tolle Chance den Alltag hinter sich zu lassen.
July 30, 2008
I remember devouring all the Paddington books in rapid succession as a girl, but after reading just two of them to my kids, I've had enough. In this one, Paddington and the Browns go on vacation to France. It's cute and parts of it made both the kids and me laugh, but how many bear misadventures can one adult take?
August 24, 2023
So sweet and fun!
My husband and I read this aloud to our preschooler. The chapter length and vocab were a little above her head (she kept asking, "What happened?"), but my husband and I loved it. Every chapter had us chucking.
My husband and I read this aloud to our preschooler. The chapter length and vocab were a little above her head (she kept asking, "What happened?"), but my husband and I loved it. Every chapter had us chucking.
January 4, 2020
These help me fall asleep, quality content👌🏻
January 17, 2021
For me, a Paddington story is perfect for when I need a quick pick me up. Will be working my way through the rest of the series in 2021. Full of nostalgia.
October 2, 2022
Not my favourite Paddington book, but as always there are some adorable moments.
November 1, 2022
3,5 stars rounded up to 4.
Such cute stories to feel cheerful.
Such cute stories to feel cheerful.
November 12, 2017
Ikuisena Paddington- fanina tämä upposi jälleen kerran täysillä. Pieni ruttuinen karhu, joka joutuu tuon tuosta ongelmiin vain selvitäkseen niistä kohteliaisuudella ja herttaisuudellaan.
Varsin mainiota iltasatulukemista. Ainoastaan Bondin perinteistä englantilaisuuden kuvausta jäin kaipaamaan; Paddington on niin sidottu Lontoon Notting Hilliin, että Ranskassa toikkaroiva karhu vaatii totuttelua.
Varsin mainiota iltasatulukemista. Ainoastaan Bondin perinteistä englantilaisuuden kuvausta jäin kaipaamaan; Paddington on niin sidottu Lontoon Notting Hilliin, että Ranskassa toikkaroiva karhu vaatii totuttelua.
January 10, 2019
I'm really enjoying the Paddington books. This series is full of adventures, misadventures and humour! I love most animal stories and Paddington is cute, fun and full of life. Definitely recommend this series to younger audiences.
December 20, 2025
Hilarious and heartwarming as always! The best part was the Tour De France, when Paddington lost his brakes and went shooting downhill! Also, him getting caught in the ropes and being pulled to the main mast was funny too! Even mum had a good laugh, so it's definitely comedy gold.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews