50 Essential French Phrases for Traveling in France
You do not need to speak fluent French to enjoy your trip to France. Learning a few essential French phrases can help you greet people politely, ask for directions, order a meal and manage everyday situations with more confidence.
French people generally appreciate visitors who make an effort to use their language, even if the sentence is not perfect. A simple Bonjour before asking a question can immediately make an interaction feel warmer and more respectful.
Below you will find 50 practical French phrases for travelling in France, organised by situation. If you would like to practise them before your trip, personalised French conversation lessons can help you feel more comfortable using them in real-life exchanges.
1. French Greetings and Polite Expressions
Greetings are an important part of French culture. Knowing how to greet people properly makes interactions smoother and shows respect. Here are some common phrases and basic courtesies to remember.
1. Bonjour (Hello / Good morning) Use it during the day and when entering a shop or café.
2. Bonsoir (Good evening) Use it in the evening.
3. Salut (Hi / Bye) Keep it for informal situations and people you know reasonably well.
4. Au revoir (Goodbye)
5. À bientôt (See you soon)
6. Enchanté(e) (Nice to meet you) Add the final e in writing if you are a woman.
7. Ravi(e) de vous rencontrer – Pleased to meet you (more formal)
8. S’il vous plaît (Please)
9. Merci / Merci beaucoup (Thank you / Thank you very much)
10. De rien (You’re welcome)
11. Excusez-moi / Pardon (Excuse me / Sorry) Use either expression to attract someone’s attention politely.
12. Comment ça va? / Comment tu vas? / Ça va? (How is it going/How are you?)
You can also use “Comment allez-vous?” in formal situations or when speaking to more than one person.
Useful note: For more ways to express gratitude naturally, read how to say thank you. In a more formal context, we would use the verb remercier as follows : “Je vous remercie” (I thank you) or “Je tiens à vous remercier” (I insist on thanking you).
2. French Phrases When You Do Not Understand
A conversation may move quickly, particularly in a busy station or restaurant. These phrases will help you ask for clarification without feeling embarrassed.
13. Je ne comprends pas (I don’t understand)
14. Pourriez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? (Could you repeat, please?)
15. Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plaît ? (Could you speak more slowly, please?)
16. Parlez-vous anglais ? (Do you speak English?)
17. Comment dit-on … en français ? (How do you say … in French?)
18. Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire ? / Ça veut dire quoi .. ? (What does that mean?)
Practical tip: If words are not enough, show the person a map, address or photograph. A translation app can also help, but try the French phrase first: it creates a more personal interaction.
When traveling in France, clear communication can make your experience smoother. Knowing how to ask for help and overcoming language barriers will empower you to enjoy your trip fully.
3. Asking for Help and Directions
Learning how to ask for directions is useful even if you have your phone with you. Start with Bonjour, excusez-moi and then ask your question. For more vocabulary and example dialogues, see my complete guide to asking for directions in French.
19. Où est … ? (Where is …?)
20. Où se trouve … ? (Where is … located?)
21. Pour aller à la gare, s’il vous plaît ? (Which way to the train station, please?) This short form sounds natural in conversation.
22. Comment est-ce que je peux aller à … ? (How can I get to …?)
23. Je suis un peu perdu(e) (I’m a little lost)
24. Est-ce que c’est loin d’ici ? (Is it far from here?)
25. À droite (To the right)
25. À gauche (To the left)
26. Tout droit (Straight ahead)
27. Au bout de la rue (At the end of the street)
28. Pouvez-vous m’indiquer où est .. (Can you explain to me where is ..)
Pronunciation warning: À droite and tout droit can sound surprisingly similar to learners. If you are unsure, ask the person to repeat and point in the correct direction.
4 Useful French Phrases at a Restaurant
A few polite expressions will make ordering much easier. You can find more detailed vocabulary and dialogues in my guide to useful French phrases at a restaurant.
29. Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît (A table for two, please)
30. Deux couverts (Two people / A table for two (literally, “two place settings”)
31. Je voudrais … (I would like …)
32. Je vais prendre … (I’ll have …)
33. Je prends .. (I take..)
34. Est-ce que je peux avoir / je pourrais avoir … ? (Can I have / Could I have …?)
35. Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît (A jug of tap water, please)
36. L’addition, s’il vous plaît (The bill, please)
37. Est-ce que vous avez une option végétarienne ? (Do you have a vegetarian option?)
Cultural note: Do not call a waiter Garçon ! This sounds dated and may be considered rude. Say S’il vous plaît or Excusez-moi instead.
A useful grammar point: Je veux means “I want”, but it can sound abrupt when ordering. Je voudrais and Est-ce que je pourrais avoir … ? are softer and more polite. If you would like to understand this structure, review the present conditional in French.
5 French Phrases at a Hotel
Keep your booking details nearby and use these expressions when checking in or making a request.
38. Bonjour, j’ai réservé une chambre au nom de … (Hello, I booked a room under the name …)
39. Est-ce que je pourrais avoir une chambre au calme / avec vue mer ? (Could I have a quiet room / seaview?)
40. À quelle heure est servi le petit-déjeuner ? (What time is breakfast served?)
41. Est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages ici ? (Can I leave my luggage here?)
42. Quel est le code du Wi-Fi ? (What is the Wi-Fi password?)
These phrases help you navigate accommodations smoothly.
Practise French Before Your Trip
In my one-to-one French conversation lessons online, we can practise situations such as checking into a hotel, ordering in a restaurant and asking for directions, with feedback tailored to your level and travel plans.
6. French Phrases for Shopping
Remember to say Bonjour when entering a shop and Merci, au revoir when leaving. For more examples, explore these useful phrases for shopping in France.
43. Combien ça coûte ? (How much does it cost?)
44. Je cherche … (I’m looking for …)
45. Est-ce que vous auriez ce modèle en taille 38 ? (Would you have this item in a size 38?) For shoes, use the word pointure.
46. Où sont les cabines d’essayage, s’il vous plaît ? (Where are the changing rooms, please?)
47. Est-ce que je peux payer par carte ? (Can I pay by card?)
A phrase you may hear: Est-ce que je peux vous aider ? or Je peux vous renseigner ? means “Can I help you?”
7. French Phrases for an Emergency
Hopefully, you will not need these expressions, but they are worth saving on your phone before you travel.
48. J’ai besoin d’aide (I need help)
49. Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ? (Where is the nearest pharmacy?)
50. Appelez un médecin / la police, s’il vous plaît (Call a doctor / the police, please)
8. French Etiquette Tips That Make a Difference
The words you choose matter, but so does the way you begin an interaction. These simple cultural habits can help your French sound more natural and courteous.
Using “s’il vous plaît” (please) and “merci” (thank you) makes communication friendlier. Keep in mind that dining etiquette is also significant :
- Dining times are later than in the U.S. Some restaurants may have an early service at 7pm but most are at 7.30pm or 8pm.
- It is considered polite to show up 10 to 15 minutes late to a dinner party (to give your host some time to add the finishing touches). However, there are no such things in restaurants, particularly the busy establishments in Paris.
- If you order “une bouteille d’eau” you will get a mineral water bottle (for a fee). A carafe d’eau (a jug of tap water) is available everywhere for free.
- Tipping is included in your bill, but feel free to leave a few euros for smaller amount. In a fancier restaurant, a tip of 10% to 15% of the final amount in cash for a great service is appreciated but not compulsory.
9. A Few Regional French Words
Finally, know that some words such as un pain au chocolat can change dependent on where you are in France. It makes your travel even more interesting, for example,
- un pain au chocolat or une chocolatine (a chocolate croissant). Une chocolatine is used mostly in the South West.
- un sac en plastique or une poche (a plastic bag)
- un crayon à papier or un crayon de papier (a pencil)
- passer la serpillère or la since (to mop)
- un pichet or une carafe (a jug)
- des cagouilles or des escargots (snails)
- mamie or mémé or mémère (grandma)
Feel More Confident Speaking French in France
A few well-chosen phrases can make a real difference during your trip. Begin with bonjour, use s’il vous plaît and do not worry about making small mistakes. The more you use French, the more natural it will feel.
Would you like to practise before you travel? My personalised French conversation lessons can focus on the situations, vocabulary and pronunciation you will need in France.
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