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The Top 50 Common French Phrases for Travelers and Tourists

Whether you're planning a trip to france or any other french-speaking country, learning a few key phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience., introduction.

French is a widely spoken language that is popular among travelers and tourists. Whether you're planning a trip to France or any other French-speaking country, learning a few key phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience. This article presents the top 50 common French phrases that every traveler should know. These phrases will help you navigate various situations, interact with locals, and make the most of your trip.

Essential Greetings and Polite Expressions

• "Bonjour" - Hello
• "Merci" - Thank you
• "S'il vous plaît" - Please
• "Excusez-moi" - Excuse me
• "Pardon" - Pardon me
• "Au revoir" - Goodbye
• "Oui" - Yes
• "Je m'appelle [Your Name]" - My name is [Your Name]
• "Comment ça va?" - How are you?

Basic Conversational Phrases

• "Parlez-vous anglais?" - Do you speak English?
• "Je ne comprends pas" - I don't understand
• "Pouvez-vous m'aider?" - Can you help me?
• "Je cherche [a hotel]" - I'm looking for [a hotel]
• "Combien ça coûte?" - How much does it cost?
• "Je voudrais [a coffee]" - I would like [a coffee]
• "Où est [the bathroom]?" - Where is [the bathroom]?
• "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" - What is it?
• "Je suis perdu(e)" - I am lost
• "Est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes de crédit?" - Do you accept credit cards?

Transportation and Directions

• "Où est la gare?" - Where is the train station?
• "Je voudrais un billet pour [Paris]" - I would like a ticket to [Paris]
• "Je voudrais un billet aller-retour - I would like a round-trip ticket
• "À quelle heure part le prochain train?" - What time does the next train depart?
• "Est-ce que ce bus va à [l'aéroport]?" - Does this bus go to [the airport]?
• "Combien de temps cela prend-il pour aller à [la plage]?" - How long does it take to get to [the beach]?
• "Excusez-moi, je cherche [la rue Saint-Michel]" - Excuse me, I'm looking for [Saint-Michel Street]
• "Est-ce que vous pouvez m'indiquer le chemin?" - Can you give me directions?
• "Je suis en retard. Pouvez-vous appeler un taxi?" - I'm running late. Can you call a taxi?
• "Est-ce que je peux utiliser mon téléphone ici?" - Can I use my phone here?
• "À quelle heure ferme le métro?" - What time does the metro close?
• "Pouvez-vous me déposer à l'hôtel?" - Can you drop me off at the hotel?

Food and Dining

• "Une table pour [deux personnes], s'il vous plaît" - A table for [two people], please
• "Je voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît" - I would like to see the menu, please
• "Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez?" - What do you recommend?
• "Je suis végétarien(ne)" - I am a vegetarian
• "L'addition, s'il vous plaît" - The bill, please
• "Je voudrais réserver une table pour ce soir" - I would like to book a table for tonight
• "Est-ce que le service est inclus?" - Is the service charge included?
• "Je voudrais essayer [le plat traditionnel]" - I would like to try [the traditional dish]
• "Avez-vous des plats sans gluten?" - Do you have any gluten-free options?
• "Quelle est la spécialité de la région?" - What is the regional specialty?

Learning a few common French phrases can go a long way in enhancing your travel experience. With these top 50 phrases at your disposal, you'll be able to navigate through various situations, communicate with locals, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Remember to practice these phrases and embrace the opportunity to engage with native speakers during your travels. Bon voyage!

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Home » Articles » 60+ Essential French Phrases for Beginners to Start Speaking Now

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written by Benny Lewis

Language: French

Reading time: 18 minutes

Published: Jan 11, 2021

Updated: Jun 6, 2024

60+ Essential French Phrases for Beginners to Start Speaking Now

What are some French sayings? What are the most common phrases in French? And can learning a few powerful French phrases really help you start speaking right away?

Absolutely!

Even if you'll only be spending a short time in the country, learning a few basic French phrases can be very rewarding and make a big difference to your trip.

Let’s start by mastering some of the most common French phrases you need to know as a beginner:

I've long advocated that set phrases are the best thing for beginners to learn when starting out.

After all, isn't the goal of language learning to communicate?

How do you expect to communicate with anybody if the only thing you've learned so far is a verb table?

So whether you're planning to travel to Paris for a week or move to Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha! for the rest of your life, here are the most important and useful French phrases that you should learn A.S.A.P.

Listen to the French Phrases:

Here's a quick “French phrases” video I made that will help you with pronunciation for most of the phrases in this article:

Before we get started, if you’re looking for an online French course, here’s the course I recommend: French Uncovered – Learn French Through the Power of Story, a course with a fascinating new method by my friend Olly.

French Greetings and Polite Phrases

Bonjour – “hello”.

There are many ways in French to say “hello” , but bonjour is undoubtedly the most well-known. It's universally polite and friendly, whether the situation is formal or informal.

Bonjour is a combination of the words bon (“good”) and jour (“day”).

In the evening, you could also say bonsoir (“good evening”). A more casual way to greet people is salut , which can mean either “hi!” or “bye!”.

S'il vous plaît / s'il te plaît – “Please”

As a tourist, the last thing you want to be is rude. So when in France, remember what your mother taught you, and say s'il vous plaît (“please”) when making a request.

You can also say s'il te plaît. What's the difference? It's all about “you”:

In French there are two ways of saying “you”.

Tu is what you'd use when addressing a friend. Vous is a more polite and formal version, best used when talking to a stranger or older person.

( Vous is also what you should use when addressing a group of people in any situation, similar to saying “you guys” or “you all” in English).

So s'il vous plaît and s'il te plaît both mean “please” (literally, “if it pleases you”), but s'il vous plait is the more polite version. If in doubt, use s'il vous plaît .

(Why is it s'il te plait and not s'il tu plait ? It's a grammatical thing that you don't need to worry about as a beginner. Just learn the phrase as a whole for now, and things will become clear later.)

In fact, when asking for something in French – e.g. asking a stranger for directions or asking to see a menu in a restaurant, you should start with “ Bonjour. S'il vous plaît… ” It literally means “Hello, please…”, which would sound a bit strange in English, but it's the normal way to start a polite request in French.

Comment vous appelez-vous? / Comment t'appelles-tu? – “What’s your name?”

When meeting anyone, one of the first things you'll want to know is their name.

In French, you can find it out by asking “ Comment vous appelez-vous? ” (formal) or “ Comment t'appelles-tu? ” (informal).

Literally, these questions mean “what do you call yourself?”. You could also ask “ c'est quoi ton nom? ” – which is a more literal translation of “what's your name?”

If you're on the receiving end of this question, answer with “ Je m'appelle… ” (“my name is”, literally “I call myself”) or a simple “ Je suis… ” (“I am…”).

Oui/Non/Si – “Yes/No”

Two essential words to learn in any language are “yes” and “no”. In French, “yes” is oui and “no” is non .

Informally, it's also common to say ouais or ouaip instead of oui – like saying “yeah” or “yep” in English.

Then you have si . This is a handy little word that has no direct equivalent in English. Use it to say “yes” when someone asks you a negatively phrased question.

To illustrate what I mean, imagine that someone asks you, in English, “haven't you been to Paris?”

If you reply “yes”, it's not exactly clear what you're saying. Do you mean “yes, I have been to Paris – contrary to your assertion” or “yes, you're correct: I haven't been to Paris”?

French avoids this confusion with the word si . It means “yes”, but more specifically it contradicts the assertion in the question. In the above example, if you say si , it clearly conveys that you have, in fact, been to Paris.

Si is one of many linguistic features that I sorely miss when I speak English.

Comment allez-vous? – “How are you?”

This is the polite way of saying “how are you?” in French. Note the use of the polite vous rather than the informal tu .

Another, more informal way to say “how are you?” is ça va ? This phrase is extremely common – when in France you'll likely hear it several times per day.

If someone asks you “ ça va? ”, you can respond with a simple “ ça va bien ” – “it's going well”.

Excusez-moi – “Excuse me”

To get someone's attention, whether they're a waiter in a restaurant or a stranger on the street, say “ excusez-moi ”, “excuse me”.

This is also the polite way to ask someone to get out of your way. For example, if you're trying to exit a crowded train, a soft “ excusez-moi ” should (hopefully) be enough to make people step aside.

Pardon – “Sorry”

Picture getting off a crowded train, being careful you don't bump into anyone as you walk through the crowded metro station. But if a collision does occur, it's fine. Just say pardon , “sorry”, and all will be forgiven.

“ Pardon? ” is also how you'd ask someone to repeat themselves if you didn't hear or understand what they said. In this case, you should say it with a rising tone to indicate that it's a question.

Another way to say this is “ pourriez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?” – “Could you repeat, please?”

Merci beaucoup – “Thanks a lot”

And of course, don't forget to say thank you!

The French word for “thank you” is merci . Or you can make it stronger by saying merci beaucoup – “thanks very much”.

Use merci in all the same situations you'd say “thank you” in English.

Other Must-Know French Greetings and Polite Phrases:

• Nice to meet you – Enchanté
• How’s it going? – Comment ça va?
• And you? – Et toi?
• Are you well? – Vous allez bien?
• What’s new? / What’s up? – Quoi de neuf?
• Good, thanks! – Bien, merci!
• So-so / It’s okay – Comme ci, comme ça (Literally: “like this, like that”)
• Same as always – Comme d’hab
• It could be worse – Ça pourrait être pire
• You’re welcome – Je t'en prie
• Don’t mention it / You’re welcome – De rien
• Goodbye – Au revoir
• See you soon – À bientôt!

French Phrases for Maintaining a Conversation

Je voudrais parler français – “i would like to speak french”.

The French are famously protective of their language. Sometimes they can be a bit impatient with us anglophones, and reply in English to your imperfect French questions.

It's frustrating when this happens, but if you ever want to make progress in a foreign language, you absolutely must stop speaking English !

Be polite but firm when someone tries to speak English with you – tell them “ Je voudrais parler français ” – “I'd like to speak French.”

Note that, unlike in English, names of languages are not written with a capital letter in French.

Je ne comprends pas – “I don’t understand”

Sometimes pardon doesn't quite cut it. If you really can't figure out what the other person is saying, try telling them “ je ne comprends pas ” – “I don't understand.”

There's no shame in being a beginner! Just remember not to fall back to English when the going gets tough. If you don't understand something, persevere in French anyway – it's the only way you'll learn.

Que veut dire ça? – “What does that mean?”

Maybe the reason you didn't understand is because there was a specific word you didn't recognise. If that's the case, say “ que veut dire X? ” – “What does X mean?”

You can also phrase this as “ ça veut dire quoi? ” – “What does that mean?”

Plus lentement – “More slowly”

Sometimes, vocabulary isn’t the problem. You’d know the words if you could make them out, but you can't because the other person is talking too fast!

In this case, try saying plus lentement – “more slowly”.

Better yet, say a full sentence: “ Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plaît? ” – “Can you speak more slowly, please?”

Comment dit-on __ en français? – “How do you say __ in French?”

What if you need to say something in French, but the exact word escapes you?

Just fill in the blank in the above sentence: “ Comment dit-on X en français? ” means “How do you say X in French”?

A side note: the pronoun on , seen above, is an interesting one. It’s a colloquial alternative to nous (“we”). However, on is also used to refer to an unspecified person or people in general, like the word “one” is sometimes used in formal English. (If you speak German, note that on in this sense is like the German word man .)

One doesn't use the word “one” very much in modern English – one finds it rather old-timey and stuffy. These days you normally use “you” when you're talking about people in general.

Comment ça s'écrit? – “How do you spell that?”

If you learn a new French word using the phrase above, you might want to write it down before you forget it.

Unfortunately, French spelling isn't the easiest.

The relationship between spelling and French pronunciation can be complicated. Generally, it's easier to figure out a word's pronunciation from its spelling than it is to know its spelling from its pronunciation. I wrote a guide to help you with French pronunciation here .

So if you're not sure, ask someone “ comment ça s'ecrit? ” – “How do you spell that?” Literally: “How does that write itself?”

Or if you don't trust your own transcription abilities, try asking them to write it for you: say “ Est-ce que vous pouvez l'écrire? ” – “Can you write it (down)?”

Other Helpful Phrases for Maintaining a French Conversation:

• Can you speak more slowly please? – Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement s'il vous plaît?
• Can you say it one more time? – Pouvez-vous le dire une fois de plus?
• Do you speak French? – Parlez-vous français?
• Do you understand? – Comprenez vous?
• What do you do for a living? – Qu’est-ce que tu fais dans la vie?
• How old are you? – Quel âge as-tu?
• I’m _ years old – J’ai _ ans
• Where are you from? – D'où êtes-vous?
• I’m from… – Je viens…
• Are you married? – Es-tu marié?
• Are you single? – Es-tu célibataire?
• When can we meet? – Quand pouvons-nous nous rencontrer?
• What’s your phone number? – Quel est ton numéro de téléphone?

French Phrases for Getting Around

Où est… – “where is…”.

Struggling to find your way around? Not to worry. Just get a stranger's attention (remember what phrase would you use to do this?) and ask “ où est X ” – “Where is X?”

“X” could be many things: la Tour Eiffel, le Louvre, Notre Dame … or perhaps something less exotic, like le metro or un restaurant .

Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche? – “Where is the closest metro station?”

Another way of saying “where is it?” is où se trouve , literally “where is (it) found”.

Here's an example of où se trouve combined with another handy phrase to know: la station de métro la plus proche means “the closest metro station”.

One more piece of useful vocabulary: once you're in the metro station, you might want to ask someone “ où est le guichet? ” – “Where is the ticket window?”

Je voudrais acheter un billet – “I would like to buy a ticket”

Now that you've found the guichet , you probably want to buy a billet – a ticket. But what type of ticket do you want?

• un billet aller simple – a one-way ticket
• un billet aller retour – a round-trip ticket

Make your decision, and tell the assistant “ je voudrais un billet aller simple/retour pour X ” – “I would like to buy a one-way/round-trip ticket to X”, where X is your destination.

C'est combien? – “How much is it?”

France isn't the cheapest of countries – so whether you're at the guichet or elsewhere, it doesn't hurt to be price-conscious.

To ask how much something costs, say “ c'est combien? ” – “how much is it?” You can also say “ Combien ça coûte? ” – literally, “how much does it cost?”

Où sont les toilettes? – “Where are the toilets?”

It's worth learning this phrase, because you might need it in a hurry! Où sont les toilettes means “where are the toilets?”

Although if you want to use a public toilet, you could be searching for a long time.

They aren't very common in France – and if you do find one, you'll probably have to pay to use it. You're probably better off buying something in a café and using their toilets instead.

(Why is it “ où sont “, when previously we used “ où est “? Easy: sont means “are” while est means “is”. Since toilettes is plural, you must use sont , not est – “where are the toilets?”, rather than “where is the toilets”, which wouldn’t make sense.)

À quelle heure est-ce qu’il faut régler la note? – “What time is check out?”

If you're checking into a hotel in a French-speaking country, one useful thing to know the checkout time.

One way to find this out is to ask “ à quelle heure est-ce qu’il faut régler la note? ” – “What time must we check out?”

Another similar expression is: “ quelle est l'heure limite d'occupation? ” (Lit: “What is the occupancy cut-off time?”

La carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît. – “The menu, please.”

France is famous for its food, so while you're there, you'll probably want to dine in a restaurant or two!

When dining out in any language, there are usually a few subtleties around how to order. Here I'll explain one of the more important things to know in French: the words for “menu”.

I say “words” because there are two main ways to say “menu” in French.

The general word is carte , which you may recognise from the expression à la carte .

A carte is what you typically think of when you hear the word “menu”. It's a list of individually-priced options; you pick and choose what you want, then add up the prices to get your total bill.

But you can also ask for a menu , which is usually called a “fixed-price menu” in English. When ordering from a menu , you pick an option for each course (starter, main course, etc.) and pay the same, fixed price no matter what you selected.

Whichever option you choose, inform the serveur/serveuse (“waiter/waitress”) by saying “ la carte/le menu, s’il vous plaît ” – “the menu/fixed-price menu, please.”

Je ne peux pas manger… – “I can’t eat…”

This doesn't apply to everybody, but for those to whom it does apply, it's very important: informing the waiter about your dietary restrictions.

The simplest way to do this is to say “ je ne peux pas manger de X ” – “I can't eat X”. Here are some of the more common ways to fill in the blank:

• cacahuètes – peanuts
• noix – nuts
• gluten – gluten
• fruits de mer – shell fish
• œufs – eggs
• poisson – fish
• produits laitiers – dairy products
• viande – meat

If you're vegetarian, say so with “ je suis végétarien ” (for men) or “ végétarienne ” (for women.)

A vegan is a “ végétalien(ne) “, although végan/végane is sometimes used too.

You could also explain “ je ne consomme pas de produits animaux .” – “I don't consume animal products”

Nous voudrions commander maintenant. – “We would like to place an order now.”

To “order” in French is commander , when you're talking about ordering something in a restaurant.

Don't confuse this with ordonner , which is used in the sense of “to order a person to do something”, such as in the military.

After receiving the carte or the menu , and perhaps informing the waiter of your dietary restrictions, you may be given some time to make a decision. When you're ready, say “ nous voudrions commander maintenant ” – “we'd like to order now.”

It’s also acceptable in nearly any restaurant to use on instead of nous for we, as I mentioned earlier: On voudrait commander maintenant.

Or if you're by yourself, say je voudrais (I'd like) instead of nous voudrions (we'd like). Bon appétit!

L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – “The bill, please”

One final bit of restaurant-related vocabulary – the bill (or “check” if you're American) is l'addition .

So when you're ready to leave, say l’addition, s’il vous plaît – “the bill, please”.

You’ll often hear la facture used in Quebec instead of l’addition – however both are perfectly understandable to waitstaff.

Other French Phrases for Out and About in France:

• Can you help me please? – Pouvez-vous m'aider s'il vous plaît?
• I would like… – Je voudrais…
• I’d like one of those please – J'en voudrais un s'il vous plait
• Three: Trois
• Four: Quatre
• Five: *Cinq

Learn more: French Numbers: Counting in French from 1 – 100+

Romantic French Phrases

Je t'aime – “i love you”.

Finally, let’s talk about love.

They say that French is a romantic language, so maybe in your travels you'll find love on the road? Or maybe after you get home, you'll want to use your newfound French skills to woo that special someone.

So how do you say “I love you” in French?

The French word for “to love” is adorer – but you generally only use this word when talking about things rather than people, for example to say that you love a place, book, or song.

When talking to a person, say je t'aime . Aimer usually means “like”, but in this context it means “love” in the most romantic of senses. Use it wisely!

Here are some other romantic French phrases:

• My heart – Mon cœur
• My love – Mon amour
• You’re beautiful – Tu es belle (to a woman); Tu es beau (to a man)
• You’re too cute – Tu es trop mignon
• I like you (Lit: “You please me”) – Tu me plais

Bonus: French Slang

Wondering what a famous French saying is that you could use in everyday life? Or how do you say “cool” in French slang?

Here are some bonus French sayings and slang to level up your French:

• Cool – Cool (yes, really! Just say it with a French accent 😉)
• Awesome – Génial
• That sucks – C’est nul
• That’s great – C’est top
• Don’t worry – T'inquiète
• Losing my mind – Perdre la tête

Over to You

Can you think of any other useful French phrases for tourists? What are the most important words and phrases for beginners to know? Let us know in the comments.

And if you’re ready to learn more French, check out the 111 core French words that are commonly used. Or learn some more fun French slang !

Benny Lewis

Founder, Fluent in 3 Months

Fun-loving Irish guy, full-time globe trotter and international bestselling author. Benny believes the best approach to language learning is to speak from day one .

Speaks: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Esperanto, Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, Dutch, Irish

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50+ French Vacation Words and Phrases (With Audio)

Whether you enjoy the feel of seawater and hot sand or the crisp mountain air, there’s nothing like a relaxing vacation.

However you choose to vacation, wouldn’t you love to do it all in French?

Here are 50+ useful French vacation vocabulary words and phrases , with example sentences so you can use them correctly in context.

So grab that passport and let’s get started!

French Vacation Vocabulary for a Smooth Trip

Talking about vacation plans, vacation accommodation, modes of transport, vacation activities, tips to learn vacation vocabulary, drill flashcards before your trip, visualize the vocabulary, watch authentic french videos, start using the words in your own sentences, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

This topic will require you to get comfortable with some basic interrogatives in French .

Common questions and answers

• où ? (where?)
• quand ? (when?)
• avec qui ? (with whom?)
• Comment voyages-tu ? (How are you traveling?)
• Je vais au / à la…  (I’m going to…)
• pendant (during)

Vacation seasons

• les vacances de Noël ( Christmas vacation )
• les vacances d’été ( summer vacation , also known as les grandes vacances )
• les vacances d’hiver ( winter vacation )
• les vacances de printemps ( spring vacation )
• les vacances de la Toussaint ( fall vacation ; All Saints)

Example sentences

Où vas-tu en vacances ? (Where are you going on vacation?)

Je vais à la plage / à la montagne / à l’étranger. (I’m going to the beach/to the mountains/overseas.)

Quand iras-tu en vacances ? (When will you go on vacation?)

Je voyagerai pendant les vacances d’été. (I will travel during the summer vacation.)

Avec qui allez-vous voyager / vas-tu voyager ? (Who are you going to travel with?)

Places people stay on vacation

• un hôtel (a hotel)
• une auberge de jeunesse (a youth hostel)
• un club de vacances (a resort)
• un camping (a camping ground)
• un appartement (an apartment)
• un gîte (a holiday home/cottage)
• une chambre d’hôtes (a bed and breakfast)

Phrases for making a reservation

• Je voudrais une chambre (I would like a room…)
• salle de bains (bathroom)
• pour une / deux / trois / quatre personnes   (for one/two/three/four people)
• du… au… (from [date] to [date])

Je voudrais une chambre pour deux personnes avec salle de bains du 5 août au 12 août. (I would like a room for two with a bathroom from August 5 to August 12.)

Pour mes vacances, je vais loger dans un hôtel. (For my vacation I am going to stay in a hotel.)

Je logerai dans une auberge de jeunesse. (I will stay in a youth hostel.)

L’année dernière, j’ai logé dans un camping. (Last year, I stayed in a camping ground.)

Getting to your destination

• en avion (by plane)
• l’aéroport (airport)
• en bateau (by boat)
• en train (by train)
• la gare (the station)
• le billet (the ticket)
• aller-retour (round trip)

Getting around your vacation spot

• en métro (by subway)
• en bus (by bus) 
• en taxi (by taxi)
• à pied (on foot)

Comment vas-tu en Belgique ? En avion ou en train ? (How are you going to Belgium? By plane or by train ?)

Où est l’aéroport, s’il vous plaît ? (Where is the airport, please?)

Je cherche la gare. (I am looking for the train station .)

À quelle heure est le départ de l’avion ? (What time does the plane leave?)

Combien coûte le billet pour Nice ? (How much does the ticket to Nice cost?)

Je voudrais un aller-retour pour le train qui va à Marseille. (I would like a return ticket on the train going to Marseille.)

This topic is a great opportunity to pick up common French nouns and verbs . There are hundreds of activities that you can add to your vocabulary list. Some common ones include:

• faire de la planche à voile (to windsurf)
• faire du lèche-vitrine (to go window-shopping )
• bronzer (to suntan)
• aller au restaurant (to go to the restaurant)
• nager (to swim)
• faire du ski (to ski)
• faire une randonnée (to go hiking)
• faire du vélo (to cycle)
• visiter des monuments / des musées (to visit monuments/museums)
• participer à une visite guidée (to join a guided tour)

Try to use this vocabulary with different tenses!

Aujourd’hui, je voudrais aller à la plage pour bronzer. (Today, I would like to go to the beach to suntan.)

Hier, je suis allé(e) faire du vélo en montagne. (Yesterday, I went cycling in the mountains.)

Demain, j’irai au restaurant avec mes amis. (Tomorrow, I will go to the restaurant with my friends.)

One of the best parts of going on a holiday in France is getting to eat out and sample food. So, food vocabulary should be in the cards. We’ll give you the basics for a vacation— for an in-depth guide to restaurant vocabulary in French, check out this article.

• le repas (the meal)
• le petit déjeuner (breakfast)
• le déjeuner (lunch)
• le dîner (dinner)
• la salle à manger (the dining room)
• le restaurant (restaurant)
• Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez aujourd’hui ? (What do you recommend today?)
• le plat du jour (today’s special)
• Je voudrais… (I would like…)
• L’addition, s’il vous plaît. (The check, please.)

À quelle heure est le petit déjeuner ? (What time is breakfast ?)

Comme dessert, je voudrais la crème caramel. (For dessert, I would like the crème caramel.)

Recommandez-vous le plat du jour ? (Do you recommend today’s special?)

Je voudrais des escargots. (I would like some snails.)

Make flashcards for the words above and go through them periodically before your trip. You don’t even need to carry around a stack of index cards—there are apps like Quizlet for creating flashcards online and even playing games to test yourself.

French vacation words tend to be highly visual, so consider  making mind maps , or visual diagrams that represent the words you want to learn. There are many examples of mind map templates online.

You can also create a memory palace . The idea of this memorization device is to visualize a location—say, your childhood home—and populate it with the relevant vocabulary. For example, you could visualize a building and each hallway, room or object would be associated with a word you wish to remember.

It’s a great technique for visual learners to create context for seemingly isolated terms.

The best way to remember any new French vocabulary is to learn it in context. And one of the best ways to do that is to watch videos in French from French sources. You can easily find French TV shows and movies on streaming services like Netflix. If you prefer shorter videos, you can find French videos about all sorts of topics on YouTube.

FluentU is another way to hear French how it’s spoken in actual French-speaking regions. It’s a language learning program that uses authentic videos with interactive subtitles as the core of its lessons, along with active learning features like flashcards and quizzes.

The videos on FluentU are sorted by topic, so you can easily find media that’s related to travel, such as news clips about French vacation habits or video tours of French open-air hotels.

You’ll be using the words and phrases below with real French speakers throughout your vacation. So, why not start practicing now?

For example, don’t just learn the word nager (to swim). Start creating sentences, like:

Où est la plage ? J’aimerais nager cet après-midi. (Where is the beach? I would like to swim this afternoon.)

Savez-vous nager ? (Do you know how to swim?)

To ensure your own sentences actually make sense, you can use a grammar checker like Bon Patron . 

Now that you’ve used all the tools and resources at your fingertips and you’ve prepared everything for your vacation, you’re ready to go.

Use your new vocabulary as often as you can and you’ll become good at communicating and recognizing repeated words.

Bonnes vacances ! (Have a good vacation!)

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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Bon voyage ! Have a Great Trip! Travel Phrases in French

• Post author: Language Garage
• Post published: August 18, 2020
• Post category: French / Travel / Vocabulary

In this post we’ll look at a lot of French vocabulary and expressions that will come in handy when you travel. Let’s start with the basics.

Ma valise My Suitcase

Before you travel, you of course need to pack. So let’s start there.

• la valise suitcase
• J’ai besoin de faire ma valise. I need to pack my suitcase.
• Ma valise est lourde/légère/pleine/vide. My suitcase is heavy/light/full/empty.
• Mes affaires ne rentrent pas dans ma valise. My clothes don’t fit in my suitcase.
• J’ai besoin d’un autre sac/d’une autre valise. I need another bag/suitcase.

À l’aéroport At the Airport

If you’re traveling, you’re probably going to leave from and arrive at an airport.

• un billet d’avion, une carte d’embarquement, un passeport, un vol plane ticket, boarding pass, passport, flight
• les arrivées, les départs, la porte, le retrait des bagages arrivals, departures, gate, baggage claim
• le contrôle des passeports, la douane passport control, customs
• J’ai besoin d’enregistrer mes bagages. I need to check my luggage.
• J’ai un bagage à main. I have a carry-on bag.
• Quand part le vol ? When does the flight leave?
• L’avion décolle à quelle heure ? What time does the plane take off?
• Il y a une longue file d’attente à la sécurité. There’s a long line at security.
• L’embarquement est dans dix minutes. We’re boarding in ten minutes.
• siège côté hublot/fenêtre, siège côté couloir, siège du milieu window seat, aisle seat, middle seat
• le pilote, l’hôtesse de l’air (f.), le steward (m.) pilot, flight attendant
• Veuillez attacher vos ceintures. Please fasten your seatbelt.
• Veuillez éteindre vos (téléphones) portables. Please turn off your cell phone.
• Combien de temps dure le vol ? How long is the flight?
• Nous atterrissons dans dix minutes. We’re landing in ten minutes.
• On doit passer à la douane et au contrôle des passeport. We need to go through customs and passport control.
• Où se trouve le retrait des bagages ? Where’s the baggage claim area?
• Où se trouvent les taxis ? Where are the taxis?
• Y a-t-il un train/un bus pour aller en ville ? Is there a train/bus to the city?
• J’ai besoin de changer de l’argent. I need to exchange money.

À l’hôtel At the Hotel

You’ve finally arrived, so let’s get you settled in your hotel room.

• Où se trouve l’hôtel ? Where is the hotel?
• J’ai une réservation au nom de ______. I have a reservation under the name ______.
• Où est l’ascenseur ? Where’s the elevator?
• À quel étage se trouve ma chambre ? What floor is my room on?
• la chambre, le lit, la salle de bain, la fenêtre, la télévision, le téléphone room, bed, bathroom, window, television, phone
• les draps, la couverture, l’oreiller, la robe de chambre sheets, blanket, pillow, bathrobe
• Est-ce qu’il y a un service en chambre / le room service ? Is there room service?
• Puis-je avoir une couverture en plus ? Can I have an extra blanket?
• Puis-je avoir un fer à repasser et une planche à repasser ? Can I have an iron and an ironing board?
• Puis-je avoir un sèche-cheveux ? Can I have a hair dryer?
• Est-ce que je peux faire laver mes vêtements? Can I have my clothes washed?
• Le chauffage ne marche pas. The heat isn’t working.
• La climatisation ne marche pas. The air conditioning isn’t working.
• Pourriez-vous nettoyer ma chambre ? Please clean my room.
• Puis-je avoir une autre chambre/une chambre plus grande/une chambre plus calme ? Can I have another room / a bigger room / a quieter room?
• Où prend-on le petit déjeuner ? Where do we eat breakfast?
• Y a-t-il une salle d’entraînement ? Is there an exercise room?
• Y a-t-il une piscine ? Is there a pool?
• Y a-t-il un bar ? Is there a bar?
• Y a-t-il un restaurant ? Is there a restaurant?
• Avez-vous le wifi ? Do you have WiFi?
• Quel est le mot de passe pour le wifi ? What’s the WiFi password?
• À quelle heure faut-il libérer la chambre ? What time is check-out?
• Je voudrais régler ma note. Je libère la chambre. I would like to check out. I’ve left the room.
• Pourriez-vous appeler un taxi ? Can you call a taxi for me?

J’ai faim. I ’m hungry.

When you’re traveling, it’s important to know some basic terms for food, drink, and how to navigate a nice meal at a local restaurant. Check out this post , which covers all of that!

• Où se trouve la gare ? Where is the train station?

Once you’re settled into your hotel, you probably want to know where things are in case you need to pop out and buy something.

• Y a-t-il une supérette près d’ici ? Is there a convenience store nearby?
• Y a-t-il une pharmacie près d’ici ? Is there a pharmacy nearby?
• Y a-t-il un supermarché près d’ici ? Is there a supermarket nearby?
• Y a-t-il un bon restaurant près d’ici ? Is there a good restaurant nearby?
• Y a-t-il un hôpital/un cabinet de médecin près d’ici ? Is there a hospital/doctor ’s office nearby?
• Y a-t-il une librairie près d’ici ? Is there a bookstore nearby?
• Y a-t-il un magasin de vêtements près d’ici ? Is there a clothing store nearby?
• Y a-t-il un magasin de chaussures près d’ici ? Is there a shoe store nearby?
• Où se trouve la station de métro ? Where is the subway station?
• Où se trouve l’arrêt de bus ? Where is the bus station?

C’est près de l’hôtel. It ’s next to the hotel.

Of course, if you ask where things are, you’ll need some basic vocabulary related to directions and getting around.

• Est-ce près d’ici ? Is it nearby?
• Est-ce loin d’ici ? Is it far from here?
• Puis-je y aller à pied ? Can I walk there?
• C’est près d’ici. It ’s nearby.
• C’est loin d’ici. It ’s far from here.
• C’est de l’autre côté de la rue. It ’s across the street.
• C’est à côté de l’hôtel. It ’s next to the hotel.
• Traversez la rue. Cross the street.
• Traversez le pont. Cross the bridge.
• Tournez à droite. Turn right.
• Tournez à gauche. Turn left.
• Allez tout droit. Go straight ahead.
• C’est à côté de la gare. It ’s next to the train station.
• C’est près de la gare. It ’s near the train station.
• C’est derrière la gare. It ’s behind the train station.
• C’est à gauche de la gare. It ’s the left of the train station.
• C’est à droite de la gare. It ’s to the right of the train station.
• C’est en face de la gare. It ’s in front of the train station.

Allons visiter la ville. Let ’s go sightseeing.

• Nous voudrions visiter la ville. We would like to go sightseeing.
• Avez-vous un plan de la ville ? Do you have a map of the city?
• Y a-t-il un bus/autocar touristique ? Is there a tour bus?
• Y a-t-il un guide ? Is there a tour guide?
• Nous voudrions aller dans un musée. We would like to go to a museum.
• Nous voudrions visiter une cathédrale/un temple/une mosquée. We would like to visit a cathedral/temple/mosque.
• Nous voudrions aller au parc. We would like to go to the park.
• Nous voudrions visiter une galerie d’art. We would like to visit an art gallery.
• Nous voudrions voir une pièce (de théâtre), un opéra, un concert. We would like to see a play/opera/concert.
• Nous voudrions visiter un château. We want to visit a castle.
• Nous voudrions visiter un monument. We want to visit a monument.
• Quels sites historiques doit-on visiter ? Which historical sites should we visit?
• Quels sites culturels doit-on visiter ? Which cultural sites should we visit?
• Où se trouve le meilleur quartier pour faire du shopping ? Where ’s the best neighborhood for shopping?
• Où se trouve le meilleur quartier pour sortir le soir ? Where ’s the best neighborhood for nightlife?
• Nous voudrions aller dans un bar/une boîte (de nuit). We would like to go to a bar/nightclub.
• Où peut-on avoir une vue panoramique de la ville ? Where is there a good view of the city?
• Nous voudrions visiter un marché. We want to visit a market.
• Y a-t-il des toilettes publiques près d’ici ? Is there a public bathroom nearby?
• Où sont les toilettes ? Where is the bathroom?
• Où se trouve la sortie/l’entrée ? Where is the exit/entrance?
• Combien coûte une visite ? How much does a tour/an entrance cost?
• Combien coûte un voyage organisé ? How much does a guided tour cost?         

Où va ce train ? Where does this train go?

You probably want to see some sights outside of the city, and for that you’ll need to get around.

• Nous voudrions aller à Tours. We would like to go to Tours.
• J’aimerais un ticket de bus/un billet de train pour Tours. I ’d like a bus ticket/train ticket to Tours.
• Combien coûte un ticket/billet ? How much does a ticket cost? ( un ticket = bus, un billet = train, plane)
• Je voudrais un aller simple, s’il vous plaît. I would like a one-way ticket, please.
• Je voudrais un aller-retour, s’il vous plaît. I would like a round-trip ticket, please.
• Quand est-ce que le train/le bus part ? When does the train/bus leave?
• Quand est-ce que le train/le bus arrive ? When does the train/bus arrive?
• Est-ce que ce bus/ce train va à Tours ? Does this bus/train go to Tours?
• Combien de temps ça prend pour aller à Tours ? How long does it take to go to Tours?
• Où puis-je louer une voiture ? Where can I rent a car?
• Comment puis-je me rendre à la plage/les montagnes/le parc national ? How can I get to the beach/mountains/national park?
• Combien ça coûte ? How much does it cost?

When you’re traveling, you probably need to by all sorts of things. Let’s cover that vocabulary.

• Où puis-je acheter une carte/une bouteille d’eau/une tasse de café ? Where can I buy a map/a bottle of water/a cup of coffee?
• Où puis-je acheter des lunettes de soleil/de l’aspirine/de la crème solaire ? Where can I buy sunglasses/aspirin/sunscreen?
• Où puis-je acheter des cartes postales/des souvenirs ? Where can I buy postcards/souvenirs?
• Où puis-je acheter quelque chose à manger/quelque chose à boire ? Where can I buy something to eat/something to drink?
• Pourriez-vous écrire le prix, s’il vous plaît ? Could you please write the price?
• Puis-je payer en liquide ? Can I pay by cash?
• Puis-je payer par carte bancaire ? Can I pay by credit card?
• C’est trop cher. That’s too expensive.
• Avez-vous quelque chose de moins cher ? Do you have something less expensive?
• Puis-je voir cela/ça ? Can I see that, please?
• Je vais prendre cela / ceci. I’ll take that/this.
• Puis-je l’essayer ? Can I try it on?

Do you want to learn French?

Check out our other posts on French language, culture, and more . And if you’re looking for convenient and affordable live French lessons with a real teacher, check out The Language Garage . Our lessons are given online in a virtual classroom, so it doesn’t matter where you live or work. We can come to you. And we have flexible options, with a free trial so that you can decide if there’s a fit. Check us out!

Image by David Mark from Pixabay .

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30 French Phrases You Absolutely Need When Visiting France

• Read time 16 mins

Today I’ve gathered up 30 of the most important French phrases when visiting France to share with you.

France is a dream destination for many and one of the most popular places to travel.

Traveling is a fascinating experience unlike anything else. If you want to get the most out of your journey, try engaging local people in their own language. Maybe your French sounds more like Pepe le Pew and you’re afraid that you’ll be laughed at.

The American stereotype of the French and native French speakers is not necessarily flattering and if you believe that, it might discourage you from trying.

The truth is that Franco-phones are very proud of their native tongue, and as such, they insist that it be spoken properly.

So if a French person corrects your French, take it as a compliment that they want to help you become better at their beloved language.

Try one of these French phrases out on your waitress, hotel clerk, or a passerby and see how much more interested they become! (here’s a pronunciation guide if you need it).

There are also some great online French courses , podcasts and apps that will take you beyond a few simple phrases.

Essential French phrases:

1. bonjour monsieur / madame (hello sir / madam).

If you only learn one of these French phrases well, let it be this polite greeting.

Bonjour means “hello” in French or more literally good (bon) day (jour).

It’s more than just a polite phrase; greeting a shop owner or employee with “bonjour monsieur/madame” – “hello sir/ma’am”, is not only a cultural norm, but it changes the tone of your visit drastically.

Just greeting the shopkeeper shows that you respect them and that you want to communicate with them, and no one can help you find exactly what you’re looking for like the owner.

Skip the bonjour and all you’re likely to get is a cold and unimpressive visit.

Some other ways to greet people is “Bonsoir” (bon swah) or good evening, and “salut” (sa loo): hi.

2. Comment allez-vous? (How are you?)

“How are you doing” or more literally “how are you going”.

It’s a formal way of initiating polite conversation.

If you were talking to a friend, you might say ça va (sa va)? meaning “it goes?” To respond, you answer in the same manner, changing your intonation to match your mood. Ça va with a sigh means something very different than ça va said with an exclamation point.

3. S’il vous plaît (Please)

Every traveler should know how to say “please” in the local language.

S’il vous plaît is “if it pleases you”.

Another version you might hear is “s’il te plaît” – the difference is which form of “you” you use. In French, “vous” is you in the plural, and also a formal address.

Te (or tu, but let’s leave pronoun troubles for another day) is for someone you know well, a friend, a family member, or a child.

4. Merci / merci beaucoup (Thanks / Thanks a lot)

Practically everyone knows how to say “thank you” in French.

If you want to make it a big thank you, add on “beaucoup” – many, making the phrase into “many thanks”.

5. De rien (You’re welcome)

“De rien” is the most familiar way to say “you’re welcome”, but not the only way.

“De rien” translates directly to “of nothing”, or in effect, “it was nothing.”

You’ll be safe using this phrase in most cases, but if you want more options, try “pas de quoi” (pah duh kwah) meaning “no need (to mention it)” or “avec plaîtir” (ah vehk plah zeeyuh) – with pleasure.

The latter is more common in the south of France.

6. Oui, s’il vous plaît / non, merci (Yes please / No thanks)

Oui and non are essential words to get you around Paris.

Oui means yes, and you may hear the more casual “ouais” or “ouaip” – the equivalent of “yeah” or “yep” in English. Non means just what it sounds like – no.

Another way to say yes is “si”, though it’s not used the same way as in Spanish.

“Si” is when you want to contradict someone’s statement or question by saying “yes”. For example, a French person asks, “vous n’aimez pas le chocolat – you don’t like chocolate?” to which, if you do in fact like chocolate, you would say, “Si, j’aime le chocolat – yes, I like chocolate.” (duh)!

7. Je m’appelle… (My name is…)

Now we’re getting into some harder French phrases.

Do you want to tell someone what your name is? Use “je m’appelle” or in English, “I call myself.” This is the most ordinary phrase, but if you want to say “my name is” that would be “mon nom est”.

It’s not very common, however, to use that particular wording.

If you want to ask someone else’s name, say “comment vous appelez-vous?” (KOmon vooz AH play voo).

If you were to be asking in a less formal setting, say to a child, you would use the “tu” form of the question: “Comment t’appelles-tu” (KOmon TAPleh too).

The grammar here is called a reflexive verb, where the object of the verb reflects back to the subject. I call myself, you call yourself, they call themselves, all use this reflexive form.

Several verbs use this form, but for the average traveler, they’re not very useful.

8. À bientôt (Goodbye)

You’ve made a friend in your travels and you’ve made plans to meet up again later.

When you say goodbye to them for the day you can say “à bientôt” meaning “see you soon”.

For more formal or long term goodbyes you can use “au revoir” (oh ruh vwah) or “adieu” (ah dyoo).

9. Pouvez-vous m’aider? (Can you help me?)

To ask someone if they can help you, start with “pouvez-vous” which means “can you” or more exactly “are you able to”, then fill in the blank with what you’re asking of them.

Pouvez-vous m’aider is “can you help me”, another handy phrase is “pouvez-vous prendre ma/notre photo? Can you take my/our picture?”

Another handy phrase is “pouvez-vous me dire les directions?” – “Can you tell me directions?” if you’ve lost your way.

Phrases for asking questions in French:

10. combien ça coute (how much does this cost).

Not all prices are labeled in shops, so before you get yourself into some major sticker shock, ask the shopkeeper “combien ça coute” How much does this cost? (You would ask for the price after greeting the owner with “bonjour” and maybe a question like Qu’est-ce que c’est? (what is it?))

11. Je voudrais cela (I would like this one)

You’ve been shopping at the chocolaterie (chocolate shop – an essential word in Paris!) and you’re ready to indulge in some edible heaven.

To ask for a specific bonbon (or pastry or cheese or perfume or purse or whatever) you tell the owner “je voudrais cela” – “I would like this one”.

12. Comment dit-on _____ en Français? (How do you say… in French?)

You want to say “I’m looking for my wallet”, but you don’t know how to say “wallet” in French.

To ask how you would say a word in French, ask “comment dit-on “wallet” en Français?” (P.S. It’s portefeuille).

Since most French people speak English, sometimes better than you, they’ll be able to understand what you want to know.

A word on the pronoun “on” (pronounced with the nose and without the “n”): Most folks who’ve studied at least a little French know the pronoun “nous” for the collective “we” in English.

In fact, French has two pronouns that work for “we”, and it also means “a person/people in general”.

English used to use a form of this, but one doesn’t use it much anymore, as one might confuse one’s listeners. (See what I did there?)

13. Où sont les toilettes? (Where are the toilets?)

A very important question to ask – where are the toilets?

You might have learned this question as “où est la salle de bain” but people might point you to the nearest bathtub; “salle de bain” is literally the room where you take a bath.

If you’re looking for free public restrooms, good luck – most of the public toilets in Paris are pay-to-use.

Best to just order a croissant at a café and use their restroom.

Food phrases in French:

14. excuse moi (excuse me).

Use this self-explanatory phrase to get someone’s attention, like to move out of the way when you need to exit the metro, or when you want to get a waiter’s attention.

A soft “excuse moi” is usually enough to get someone’s attention.

And for the love of French stereotypes of Americans, don’t use “garçon” to call your waiter, it’s demeaning and will mark you as one of “ces Americians” (those Americans).

On the same note as the word “garçon”, another often confused word we use in English that we borrowed from French is “chef”.

In French this doesn’t mean the cook – that would be “cuisinier” – “chef” actually means “boss”.

So if you call the head cuisinier “chef” then technically you’re right – he’s the boss of the restaurant.

But you would also call the head of the bank “le chef”, whether or not he can cook.

15. Je ne peux pas manger… (I can’t eat…)

If you’re concerned that you’ll be served a dish containing foods that you’re allergic to, you can tell your server “Je ne peux pas manger” – “I am not able to eat” or “I can’t eat.”

Some common food allergies in French are:

Les produit laitiers – dairy products (lay prod oohee lay tee ah)

Le gluten – gluten (luh gluten)

Les noix – nuts (lay nwah)

Les cacahuètes – peanuts (lay cah cah oowet)

La viande – meat (lah VEE yand)

Les fruits de mer – shellfish (lay fwee duh meh)

Le soja – soy (luh sojza)

Les œufs – eggs (lays oofs)

Notice the different article forms; like Spanish and Italian French nouns have an associated “gender” and articles and adjectives agree in gender and number with the subject, the assignment of gender doesn’t always follow sensible patterns. There’s little help but to memorize that soy is masculine and meat is feminine.

16. Je suis vegetarien / ne or vegan / e (I am a vegetarian / vegan)

I’m vegetarian or vegan.

The different endings indicated by the slash are masculine and feminine forms, and they have a slightly different pronunciation.

You might get a quizzical look if you as a man said that you were “vegetarienne”.

Another solid choice if you’re uncertain is to say “je ne mange pas la viande/les produits des animeux.” – “I don’t eat meat/animal products.”

17. Le menu / la carte, s’il vous plaît (The menu, please)

Welcome to the wonderful world of French cuisine.

Eating at a Parisian restaurant can be quite the cultural experience. When you ask for “le menu” you surprisingly won’t get the kind of comprehensive list of choices and their prices.

Le menu in a French restaurant is a fixed price and lists a few different choices for each course.

Think of those wedding rehearsal dinners or company Christmas parties where you’re given a short menu to choose from.

La carte, on the other hand, is what you’d expect at a restaurant in America.

This is where you order whatever you want off the list – a la carte, as it were.

18. Je voudrais un verre du vin (I would like a glass of wine)

To say and taste “vin” correctly, you have to use your nose.

Vin is a very nasal sound, similar to the French “on”.

To tell your server that you want a glass of wine to start your meal, say “Je voudrais un verre du vin”.

19. Délicieux! (Delicious!)

Paris is famous for its cuisine scene, with hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and bistros that make you want to become an expat.

If you want to let your waiter know just how good you think your meal is, tell him “C’est délicieux!” – “It’s delicious!”

However, unless you want to sound like a tourist don’t say “tres délicieux”.

It’s redundant since “very” is implied in the “délicieux”.

You could use “c’est vraiment bien”, which translates to “it’s truely good”.

Using French phrases to get around:

20. ou est la gare / le métro / l’aeroport (where is the train station / metro / airport).

Sometimes the most stressful part of travel is getting from point A to point B.

Getting lost and trying to get unlost is also a memorable way to connect with the local people.

To ask where something is, say “ou est la gare/le métro/l’aeroport” Where is the train station/métro/airport? “Ou est _____” is a handy little phrase to ask “where is _____”.

Adding any location to the end of it will have you pointed in the right direction in no time.

For example, “ou est le musee du Louvre?” is “where is the Louvre”.

Parisians call this famous landmark by its full name – the Louvre Museum.

21. C’est à droite / gauche / tout droite (It’s to the right / left / straight ahead)

In response to asking direction, if you’re fortunate enough to find a Parisian kind enough to reply in French to your less than perfect French, you might here “C’est a droite (right)/gauche (left)/tout droite (straight)” It is to the right/left/straight ahead.

To remember that “toute droite” is “straight”, think of the literal translation, which is “all right”.

If something is all right, then you don’t need to change your direction.

22. C’est loin d’ici / près d’ici? (Is it far from here / near here?)

It’s far from/near to here.

If you’re unsure how to phrase a question, you can always use the statement form such as “c’est loin d’/près d’ici” which means “it is far from/near to here”, and raise your intonation to indicate you’re asking a question.

You can change the meaning of what you’re asking by replacing “c’est” with what you’re asking about – la gare, le métro, l’aeroport, etc.

The preposition “de” doesn’t translate neatly into English; unless you want to go down the rabbit hole of prepositions now, just know that it can mean both “from” and “to”.

You may be asking “what’s with the apostrophe doing in loin d’ici, and in l’aeroport?” It’s used in French to avoid awkward diphthongs, or two vowel sounds together. This is part of what makes French sound so musical.

So instead of saying de ici, you contract the two words into d’ici.

The same works for the articles “le” and “la” in front of a noun that starts with a vowel sound – including words like “l’hôpital” and “l’hôtel” – both pronounced without the “h” sound.

23. Je cherche un bon restaurant (I’m looking for a good restaurant)

It’s dinner time and you want to know where the locals go for a good meal.

Tell someone “Je cherche un bon restaurant” and you’ve said, “I’m looking for a good restaurant”.

Resist the temptation to put “pour” after “cherche”, the verb “chercher” literally translates to “to search for” something.

Some other handy things to look for in Paris:

une fromagerie – cheese shop (oon frohm ah jzeh ree)

une chocolaterie – chocolate shop (oon shoh coh lah teh ree)

un parc – a park (ohn pahk)

le centre-ville – the town center (luh sehnt reh vee)

la plage (lah plahzj)

24. Au secours (Help)

If you get into trouble on your trip, say “au secours” to ask for help.

I can’t understand you!

25. Plus lentement / parlez plus lentement s’il vous plaît (Slower / Speak slower, please)

Sometimes it’s not what you don’t know, it’s how fast it’s said.

Parisians are notoriously fast speakers and no matter how many words you know, you just can’t understand because someone’s speaking too quickly.

There’s no shame in asking someone to slow down – “Plus lentement” or “parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît” will tell someone more slowly or speak more slowly, please.

26. Je ne comprende pas (I don’t understand)

Another essential phrase, when you just don’t understand someone and you need clarification, say, “Je ne comprende pas”.

At this point, the person speaking may just switch to English to help you.

27. Pardon? (Pardon)

Pardon is a handy word that has many uses.

It’s usually translated as “sorry”.

A common use is “I beg your pardon” if you accidentally run into someone or commit a Parisian faux pas.

28. Parlez-vous anglais (Do you speak English?)

Sometimes you just need to communicate in a familiar language and you don’t want to try using the few French Phrases you know.

When that happens, it still shows respect if you initiate communication in French with “parlez-vous anglais?” or “do you speak English?”

29. Je ne parle pas [beaucoup de] francais (I don’t speak [good] French)

In the event that you’re mistaken for a Parisian and another traveler or even a local (it’s been known to happen on occasion) will start speaking to you in French.

To politely say “I don’t speak French”, say “je ne parle pas francais” or “je ne parle pas beaucoup de francais” to indicate that you don’t speak much French.

You could also stammer in confused English or stare in confusion and shock, but just saying you don’t speak French is preferable.

30. Je t’aime (I love you)

And to end our fly-over of basic French phrases here’s one of the most loved phrases for travelers to use.

Tell someone “je t’aime” and you’re telling them that you love them.

Use it at your own discretion!

There’s a difference between the words “aime” and “adore” in French.

They mean the same thing, but “adore” is used for objects and things, like “j’adore Paris”, but for people, use “aime”.

To emphasise how much you love someone, say “je t’aime bien” – I like you VERY WELL.

French phrases will make your trip to France so much better

One quick word on the pronunciation of these French phrases: they are written to help the average English speaker, but the sounds are gentler than we would use in English, especially the vowel sounds.

Moving your sound slightly forward in your mouth will soften those American tendencies to flatten vowels and over-articulate consonants.

Speaking a foreign language in front of a native speaker is intimidating , especially with a culture that loves their language the way Parisians do.

But just give it a try – chances are even if your pronunciation is less than parfait (perfect), most people will appreciate that you’ve at least tried to meet them where they are.

The few that don’t appreciate it, well, too bad for them.

There are plenty more who will appreciate it and those encounters are what makes travel so rewarding.

Bon voyage! 🙂

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Loretta HOgg

This was awesome, merci beaucoup - c’etais une de plus mieux qui j’ai vu pendant ma dix ans. d’apprendre le français. j;’enverrai mon fils de 32 and qui best enthusiast d’apprendre français, merci Loretta,

REPLY TO LORETTA HOGG

Jérôme Paul

Bonjour, Very useful sentences if you have to stay in France or in a French-speaking country. The basic, I would say. But I saw some small (typing) errors. It would be great if you could fix them. 10. Combien ça coûte ? 14. Excusez-moi (‘excuse-moi’ is too familiar) 16. végétarien 18. un verre de vin 20. Où est la gare, l’aéroport ? 21. tout droit 26. Je ne comprends pas. 29. Je ne parle pas [bien] français. Voilà, thanks for all the content on the site. Jérôme

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50+ French Travel Quotes To Fuel Your Wanderlust

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: May 2, 2021  - Last updated: February 20, 2023

Are you looking for the best French travel quotes ? Here’s a compilation of travel quotes to fuel your wanderlust. 

France is the most visited country in the world. Also branded as the most romantic country on the planet, France has been attracting tourists of all races. Being the global center of culture , fashion , art, and cuisine, it is no wonder it’s able to attract 12.6% of the world’s total number of international tourists as per the United Nations World Tourism Organization . 

With its oozing charm and class, it’s no surprise France is able to bewitch the great minds to come up with inspirational quotes to romantic love sayings to travel quotes .   These French quotes about travels do not only entice people to visit the country, but they also serve as a sneak peek at what this place has to offer. And these travel quotes are good captions for Instagram too!

From the iconic bucket-list tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower , Nimes Arena , Côte d’Azur , Loire Valley Châteaux, and  Palace of Versailles , to the famous destinations for art enthusiasts like the Musee du Louvre and Musée Picasso, you will never run out of fabulous adventures when in France. 

Whether you prefer a fast-paced city vacation or a relaxing country tour, the country has always something for you. Whether you are there for the culture , the food , the romance, the language , the arts, or the fashion, you will definitely enjoy what you have come for. Plus a whole lot more! 

It offers unlimited possibilities. This must be the reason why a nation that doesn’t even speak the universal language attracts more visitors than other countries.  

Things you'll find in this article

“Rester, c’est exister. Mais voyager, c’est vivre.” – Gustave Nadaud.

“rien ne développe l’intelligence comme les voyages.” – émile zola., “il n’y a d’homme plus complet que celui qui a beaucoup voyagé, qui a changé vingt fois la forme de sa pensée et de sa vie.” – alphonse de lamartine, “ce n’est que dans l’aventure que certaines personnes réussissent à se connaître – à se retrouver.” – andré gide, “ajouter deux lettres à paris, c’est le paradis.” – jules renard, “dans le voyage, il n’y a pas de certitude, seulement de l’aventure.” – anonymous, “le monde est un livre et ceux qui ne voyagent pas n’en lisent qu’une page.”   – saint augustin, “n’ayez jamais peur de la vie, n’ayez jamais peur de l’aventure, faites confiance au hasard, à la chance, à la destinée. partez, allez conquérir d’autres espaces, d’autres espérances. le reste vous sera donné de surcroît.” – henry de monfreid,  “paris est toujours une bonne idée.” – audrey hepburn, “le plus beau voyage est celui qu’on n’a pas encore fait.” – loïck peyron, “l’aventure c’est le trésor que l’on découvre à chaque matin.” – jacques brel, “on voyage pour changer, non de lieu, mais d’idées.” – hippolyte taine, “un des grands malheurs de la vie moderne, c’est le manque d’imprévu, l’absence d’aventures.”  – théophile gauthier, “sans l’incertitude l’aventure n’existerait pas.” – alain séjourné,  “de tous les livres, celui que je préfère est mon passeport, unique in octavo qui ouvre les frontières.” – alain borer,  “vis pour voyager et voyage pour vivre.” – unknown, “la vérité existe au-delà des montagnes, pour la connaître, il faut voyager.” – elizabeth finney, “tout arrive en france.” – françois de la rochefoucauld,  “la vie est un long champ à cultiver. voyager, c’est y semer la diversité de la terre. voyager, c’est l’embellir des couleurs du monde.” – jules lesven, “un voyage de mille lieues commence toujours par un premier pas.” – lao-tseu,  “ voyager c’est découvrir que tout le monde se trompe sur les autres pays.” – aldous huxley., “voyager rend modeste. vous voyez quelle petite place vous occupez dans le monde.” – gustave flaubert,  “voyager – cela vous laisse sans voix, puis vous transforme en conteur.” – ibn battuta,  “si vous pensez que l’aventure est dangereuse, essayez la routine. elle est mortelle” – paulo coelho,  “nous ne voyageons pas pour échapper à la vie, mais pour que la vie ne nous échappe pas.” – anonymous, “trouvons un bel endroit pour se perdre.” – anonymous,  “oh les endroits où vous irez” – dr. seuss,  “l’homme ne peut découvrir de nouveaux océans tant qu’il n’a pas le courage de perdre de vue la côte.” – andré gide, “où que tu ailles, vas-y de tout ton coeur.” – confucius,  “si vous avez la chance d’avoir vécu jeune homme à paris, où que vous alliez pour le reste de votre vie, cela ne vous quitte pas, car paris est une fête.” – ernest hemingway, “nous aurons toujours paris.” – howard koch,  “tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus.” – john ronald reuel tolkien., “je n’ai pas encore été partout,mais c’est sur ma liste” – susan sontag, “au long aller, peti fardeau pèse.” – anonymous, “quiconque ne visite pas paris, ne deviendra jamais vraiment élégant.” – honoré de balzac,  “la vérité est au delà des montagnes, pour la trouver il faut voyager” – french proverb, “a veces perderse no es una pérdida de tiempo.”, “voyager, c’est grandir. c’est la grande aventure. celle qui laisse des traces dans l’âme. “ – marc thiercelin,  “le vrai voyageur n’a pas de plan établi et n’a pas l’intention d’arriver.” – lao tseu , “je connais mes limites. c’est pourquoi je vais au-delà.” – serge gainsbourg, “je suis né pour écrire des vers.” –  theophile gautier, “les emplois remplissent votre poche, les aventures remplissent votre âme. une fois par an, allez dans un endroit où vous n’êtes jamais allé auparavant.” – dalai lama, “ma chose préférée à faire est d’aller là où je n’ai jamais été. le voyage apporte de l’amour et du pouvoir dans votre vie.”  – anonymous, “voyager c’est vivre.” –  hans christian andersen.

• “Celui qui voyagerait avec bonheur devait voyager léger.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Below are some of the most popular travel quotes in French that will definitely spark the wanderlust in you and push you to travel more. 

English Translation: “To stay​ in the same place​ is to exist. But to travel is to live.”

English Translation: “Travel broadens the mind.”

English Translation: “There is no man who is more complete than the one who travels a lot. He changed twenty times the way he thinks and his outlook on life.”

English Translation: “Some people only start knowing themselves, finding themselves, when they start going on an adventure.”

English Translation: “Adding two letters to Paris is paradise.”

English Translation: “When you are traveling, there is no certainty, only the adventure.”

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English Translation: “The world is a book and those who don’t travel only read one page.”

English Translation: “Don’t ever be afraid of life, don’t ever be afraid of adventure, trust chance, and destiny. Leave, go and conquer other places, other hopes. Everything else will come and it will be even better than you imagined!”

English translation: “Paris is always a good idea.”

English Translation: “The best trip is the one we haven’t taken yet.”

English Translation: “Adventure is the treasure we discover every morning.”

English Translation: “We travel to change, not to change a place, but to change ideas.”

English Translation: “One of the worst misfortunes of modern life is the lack of mishaps, the absence of adventures.”

English Translation: “Without uncertainty, the adventure wouldn’t exist.”

English Translation: “Of all the books , my favorite is my passport, the only octavo that opens up borders.”

English Translation: “Live to travel and travel to live.”

English Translation: “The truth exists beyond the mountains. To find it, one must travel.”

English translation: “Everything happens in France.”

English translation: “Life is a long field to cultivate. To travel is to show the diversity of the Earth. To travel is to beautify it with the colors of the world.”

English translation: “A journey of a thousand leagues always begins with a first step.”

English translation: “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”

English translation: “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

English translation: “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

English translation: “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It’s lethal!”

English translation: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

English translation: “Let’s find some beautiful place to get lost.”

English translation: “Oh, the places you’ll go.”

English translation: “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

English translation: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

English translation: “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”

English translation: “We’ll always have Paris.”

English translation: “Not all those who wander are lost.”

English translation: “I haven’t been everywhere yet, but it’s on my list!”

English translation: “On a lengthy journey even a small burden weighs.”

English translation: “Whoever does not visit Paris regularly will never really be elegant.”

English translation: “The truth is beyond the mountains, to find it you have to travel!”

English translation: “Sometimes getting lost is not a waste of time.”

English translation: “To travel is to grow. This is a great adventure. The one that leaves traces in the soul.”

English translation: “The real traveler has no plan and does not intend to arrive.”

English translation:  “I know my limits. That’s why I go beyond.”

English translation: “I was born to travel and write verse.”

English translation: “Jobs fill your pocket, adventures fill your soul. Once a year, go somewhere you’ve never been before.”

English translation: “My favorite thing to do is go where I’ve never been. Travel brings love and power into your life.”

English translation: “To travel is to live.”

“Celui qui voyagerait avec bonheur devait voyager léger.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry  

English translation: “He who would travel happily must travel light.”

If you enjoy these inspirational quotes, check out our list of love quotes, quotes about France and inspirational quotes too!

Get fluent fast now. Upgrade your French language skills with our free classes online today.

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

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7 Destinations in France Where the French Love to Go

Do as the locals do, and visit one of these gorgeous yet under-the-radar destinations in France.

The French know how to get around. Visit Greece, Italy, or Israel in August — when they generally vacation for the entire month — and you're bound to hear your fair share of "bonjours" and "au revoirs."

Generally, the French reserve domestic travel for school breaks or les ponts , when a national holiday falls at the end or beginning of a week, allowing locals to "make a bridge" with an extended weekend. Where locals go depends on a variety of factors such as season, distance, and cost, but whether they head for the snow-capped mountains, the vineyard-dappled countryside, or the rocky coasts, one thing is for sure: It will be beautiful. France's varied terrain is nothing short of spectacular, and I've had the great fortune of picking my jaw off the ground a variety of times since moving to Paris in 2014. While I spent the first few years visiting some of the major cities such as Strasbourg, Bordeaux , and Lyon, I slowly started venturing further afield to the small towns rarely mentioned in guidebooks. The following destinations, vetted by a few French locals, include spots worthy of a short break or longer.

Located off the west coast, south of Normandy, this 32-square-mile island is known for its salt marshes, oyster beds, and bike paths. To get there, you can take the train from Paris to La Rochelle (about a three-hour journey) and then drive or take a bus across Île de Ré's namesake bridge. There are a number of small villages on the island, each with its own atmosphere, beaches, seasonal markets, and seafood restaurants — all best discovered by two wheels through vineyards and the occasional field of donkeys. The main town, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with an ancient citadel and a colorful harbor where the docked boats sometimes end up moored depending on the tide. The island has a small smattering of quaint hotels and bed-and-breakfasts, but this is the type of place to settle into a house rental for barbecuing in the yard and feasting on oysters available at nearby farms between April and November.

The French love their chestnuts. In fact, if you've been invited to Christmas at someone's home, the ideal gift to bring is les marrons glacés or candied chestnuts. The round, prickly-cased fruit is generally harvested in the fall, and the southeast area of Ardèche (located between Lyon and Avignon ) produces over 4,000 tons per year. It's also famous for Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park , where half-day loop hikes from the tiny town of Laviolle, past the ruins of a centuries-old farm and through the Volane valley, are an ideal autumn activity. In the summer, its southern gorge, complete with a natural bridge spanning the river, hosts all the action, from kayakers and canoers to hikers and swimmers. The entry point village of Vogüé boasts all that you'd expect from a town nestled into the limestone cliffs of a medieval castle: cobblestoned streets, ocher roofs, and facades dripping with ivy.

Îles d'Hyères

There's way more to the French Riviera than Cannes and Antibes, and when the French crave that crystal-clear azure sea, some hop on a boat for one of the Hyères Islands located offshore between Toulon and Saint-Tropez. Upon disembarking the ferry and breathing in the salty sea air overlaid with the scent of cedar, you'll know you've come to the right place. The island of Port-Cros is favored by nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts for its wild terrain, while Porquerolles attracts sunbathers and snorkelers to its five soft-sand beaches. (Both islands can only be traversed on foot or by bike.) Of course, they're mobbed in the summer, but the season begins in May and winds down in late October, so there's ample opportunity to enjoy the olive groves and vineyards without the crowds. While there are small hotels on both islands, as well as a growing number of captains who offer their (docked) boats as hospitality havens, Hyères town has more options and day trips are super easy.

Les Alpilles and Le Luberon

When it comes to the northern area of Provence, the French love both sides of the Durance River for its two regional natural parks with dry valleys and arid limestone ranges: Les Alpilles in the west and Le Luberon to the east. Dotted around them, through winding roads and fields brimming with lavender in early July, are cities both big (Arles) and small (Baux). I'll never forget my first multilevel cheese cart at the homey Bistrot du Paradou, or visiting the Carrières de Lumières , a former quarry where works of art are projected onto cave walls set to music. It was magical to see Van Gogh's "Starry Night" come to life in a cool (literally and figuratively — especially in summer) underground setting. The area is best explored by car, since the driving is just as delightful as the destinations themselves. And although Google Maps may say it takes 90 minutes to reach the three-tiered Pont du Gard (the Roman aqueduct spanning the Gardon River), it'll feel far less with the windows down and music up.

Bassin d'Arcachon

About a 40-minute drive west of the city of Bordeaux, this place is where all the vignerons go to relax pre- and post-harvest or just for the weekend. The bassin (bay) is home to dozens of oyster beds, which you can see during low tide and taste from any number of harvesters, some of whom have waterfront picnic tables for a late-day slurp. The beaches on this part of the coast are composed of fine, soft sand, which makes visiting the famed Dune du Pilat (the tallest sand dune in Europe) a must. Arcachon town itself is small but quaint with a hilly historical district featuring 19th-century villas and a beachfront promenade where bike paths make for a picturesque commute. Cap Ferret across the bay, which can be accessed by ferry from the Arcachon pier, offers an even quieter, more exclusive respite for those with bigger pockets.

If your country was home to the largest "white carpet" on the planet, you'd grab your gloves and head for the French Alps, too. Every February, the French hit the slopes as if it were a religious rite. (Alas, I'm no snow bunny, but give me a fireplace and some cognac, and I'll play along in true après-ski style.) Located in the center of three valleys, Méribel is a favorite among families because of its wide, sun-soaked terrain and beginner trails. While Courchevel to the north is more champagne and caviar, and Val Thorens to the south is known for its black diamonds, Méribel in the middle offers a laid-back approach to alpine life. This is ski-in, ski-out territory, though, which means you could feasibly get a taste for all three over the course of a few days, depending on your ability and energy level. Architecturally, Méribel is also the quaintest resort, with multiple villages made up of traditional wooden chalets nestled in between pine trees.

Alsace Wine Route

The 105-mile Alsace Wine Route , from Strasbourg to just south of Colmar, is dotted with more than 100 picturesque villages. Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" would feel at home in destinations like Eguisheim and Riquewihr, with pastel-hued timbered houses, flower boxes hanging from windowsills, and 12th-century churches with bell towers and winding canals. During Christmas, twinkling lights and sleigh bells abound, not to mention markets touting vin chaud (mulled wine), spiced gingerbread, and pommes d'amour (candy apples). The best way to soak up all that Muscat? Flammekueche (otherwise known as tarte flambée or Alsatian pizza) with thin, crispy dough covered in cream, cheese, and bacon bits. Due to the region's northeastern location near the German border, the French generally spend at least four days here, exploring the villages and wineries specializing in rieslings and gewürztraminers, and often staying in chambres d'hôtes (bed-and-breakfasts) or hotels along the way.

Related Articles

128 Romantic French Phrases: Say I Love you in French

• Post category: French Language
• Post author: Nassie Angadi

With French being the language of love, and Paris the city of romance, you know that there are going to be some fabulous romantic French phrases and proverbs out there.

As someone who came to France as a singleton, did the whole “meeting a Frenchie” and getting married, I really enjoyed writing this article. Whether you are looking to meet someone , already in a relationship , or getting married, there is something for everyone.

From compliments to “I love you”s in French , there are some beautiful expressions, cheesy ones, and certainly some heartfelt ones. So allons-y and let’s get started!

☞ READ MORE: Top French travel phrases for every occasion

I. “I Love You” in French

Poetic and passionate, there are many different ways to say “I love you” in French.

And then there are of course all the ways to say “I love you” without saying “I love you”.

If you want to go a step further and quote sweet nothings to your loved one, here are some sweet and romantic French terms of endearment.

II. Flirty Phrases

However, if you are just starting off, imagine you are at a dinner party or a night out in a bar in Paris , and you catch the eye of someone special. A few flirty phrases and ice breakers in French will definitely come in handy:

I wouldn’t recommend going overboard, but you can find more pick-up lines, good and bad here.

III. Compliments in French

Once you’ve gotten in a couple of ice-breakers, it may be time to amp up the flirt-o-meter.

Just because French people don’t date much, it doesn’t mean that they are not prepared to spout out a few declarations of amour . French people tend to like subtlety so keep your French romantic phrases real.

IV. Dating, Kissing, and Relationships Expressions

Once you are past the basics, here are a few good French relationship expressions to launch into that phase of “dating”. I have to put dating here in quotes because French people don’t really do dating.

After seeing someone a couple of times and a couple of kisses, French people usually consider themselves to be “ en couple ” (in a relationship). Yes, really.

So for instance, I’ve included the question “Will you be my boy/girlfriend?” but most French couples never actually ask each other this question. It tends to go without saying, and the next thing you know the couple is moving in together and having a baby .

There are times when you have an important question to ask:

Now, if you are on the receiving end and looking to answer yes (with a bit of passion) to any of these questions, you can say:

And there are the phrases for all the times you want to give someone the brush-off:

V. The Platonic “I like you” in French

One thing to be aware of is the phrase “ Je t’aime bien “, which means “I like you a lot”. However, it means I like you a lot, and not particularly in a romantic sense! This is what you might say to someone you might be turning down, as in “ Je t’aime bien, mais j’ai déjà une copine “, meaning “I like you a lot, but I already have a girlfriend”.

Instead, you want to say “ Je t’aime beaucoup ” meaning, “I like you a lot”, if you want to tell someone you are interested in them.

VI. Romantic Expressions

Now, if you planning on popping the big question and asking someone to marry you , you may need a few good French phrases to prepare for your proposal.

And here are some phrases for when you are talking about your partner to someone else:

Now, if you are planning to propose to your significant other, do check out my article on a traditional French wedding , as well as my tips on having that wedding in a château (why not!?).

☞ READ MORE: 22 French Love songs to swoon over

VII. Other Romance Vocabulary

Beyond the phrases, there is are certain words and phrases that just enthuse love and romance.

• amour d’adolescent – puppy love
• amour de ma vie – love of my life
• amoureux / amoureuse – boyfriend / girlfriend
• avoir le cœur brisé – to be brokenhearted
• bisous – kiss
• célibataire – single
• choper – to pick up
• craquer pour quelqu’un – to fall for someone
• déclarer sa flamme – to declare your love
• des bijoux – jewellery
• des bonbons – candy
• des fleurs – flowers
• des mots doux – sweet nothings
• des tourtereaux – lovebirds
• désirer – to desire
• draguer ( slang ) – to hit on
• du parfum – perfume
• embrasser – to kiss
• éperdument amoureux – lovestruck
• épouser – to marry
• faire l’amour – to make love
• faire un câlin – to hug
• flirter – to flirt
• fou d’amour – madly in love
• jaloux / jalouse – jealous
• l’âme sœur – soulmate
• l’amour – love
• l’epoux/epouse – spouse
• la lune de miel – honeymoon
• la passion – passion
• la piece montée – the cake at a traditional French wedding
• la Saint-Valentin – St. Valentine’s Day
• la tendresse – tenderness, affection
• le cœur – the heart
• le grand amour – true love
• le mariage – marriage
• les fiançailles – engagement
• les noces – wedding
• ma femme – my wife
• mon mari – my husband
• murmurer des mots doux – to whisper sweet nothings
• se fiancer – to get engaged
• se marier – to get married
• se pacser – to enter in a civil partnership (a particular legal status in France)
• se tenir la main – to hold hands
• son premier amour – first love
• sortir avec quelqu’un – to date somebody
• tenir une promesse – to keep a promise
• tomber amoureux (de) – to fall in love (with)
• tomber sous le charme de quelqu’un – to fall under the spell of somebody
• un amant, une amante – lover
• un amour éternel – endless love
• un baiser – a kiss
• un câlin – cuddle, hug
• un coup de foudre – love at first sight (lightening strike)
• un dîner aux chandelles – a candlelit dinner
• un nid d’amour – a love nest
• un triangle amoureux – love triangle
• un voyage de noces – honeymoon
• un(e) copain(e) – boyfriend/girlfriend
• un(e) fiancé(e) – fiancé
• une alliance – a wedding ring
• une bague de fiançailles – an engagement ring
• une déclaration d’amour – declaration of love
• une histoire d’amour – a love story
• une liaison – love affair
• une preuve d’amour – a proof of love

☞ READ MORE: French views on love & love-making

So have you found the French words to sweep that special someone off their feet? If you enjoyed that article, you may want to read more about the romantic nicknames French people give each other . A bientôt!

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The Meaning of “Faire le Pont” (French Expressions)

• Paris & Île-de-France
• Alsace & Lorraine
• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
• Bretagne & Normandy
• Auvergne Rhône Alpes
• Loire Valley
• Northern France
• Nouvelle Aquitaine
• Provence & French Riviera
• Festivities
• Facts and history
• Get the Look
• Moving to France
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ARTICLES ABOUT

How to start speaking french before your vacation.

Illustration by Aura Lewis , courtesy of the Bright Agency.

You’ve bought your plane tickets, done your hours of research, and planned your itinerary. You’re just about ready to go, but there’s one thing missing: You don’t speak French. Whether you’re heading off to Paris for some art and culture, Brittany for a breath of fresh Atlantic air, or Bordeaux for the wine tour you’ve always dreamed of, you’ll enjoy it even more if you have a bit of the language under your belt. But where should you begin? Luckily for you, here at Babbel, we have tons of courses to teach you everything you’ll need for your trip.

Learning some French for your vacation will make it easier for you to get around, to order exactly what you want to eat or drink in a restaurant or café, and to really experience the culture by making connections with the local people. Here’s a little timeline we put together to get you speaking confidently in just two weeks!

Days 1-3: Get Started With The Basics!

There are some pretty standard things everyone should know how to say in the local language when they travel to a foreign country. Here are just a few:

• How are you?
• Good morning / afternoon / evening
• I don’t understand
• How much is _______?

To master these things in French, we suggest you start with our French beginner’s courses. They teach topics that range from introducing yourself and asking simple questions, all the way to booking a hotel and finding your way around a busy Parisian train station! You’ll also find a number of lessons focused on pronunciation, so you won’t have to worry about being misunderstood when you speak.

Depending on what you plan to do during your stay, some courses might be more valuable to you than others. Really think about what you plan to do on your trip, and try to come up with a list of situations you can imagine yourself in.  We recommend taking a look at the courses on our web version so that you can see exactly what each lesson contains. This way you can pick and choose which lessons will be the best for you.

Here’s an additional lesson we think is a must-do:

Finish that one, and you’ll have the vocabulary and phrases you need to be the most polite tourist ever!

Days 4-6: Practice Ordering A Meal!

Ratatouille, bœuf bourguignon, crêpes, quiche … the list goes on! France is a veritable wonderland of food and flavor, and you’ll most likely be spending a fair amount of time in restaurants and cafés. That being said, you should plan to brush up on some useful words and phrases for ordering a meal. As menus are often only in French, it’s a good idea to learn as much food vocabulary as you can! After all, you want to make sure you know exactly what you’re ordering.

For example, let’s say you’re craving a nice Surf and Turf with scallops and a juicy steak, so you order the escalope  and  filet mignon. You will be understandably disappointed when you end up with a veal cutlet and a pork tenderloin. But don’t worry, we can help you avoid embarrassing situations like this. Under the “Countries and Traditions” category, you’ll find our “French Cuisine” section, which gives you a rundown of the culinary specialties from the different regions of France. After doing these courses, you won’t be surprised at what you find on your plate when you order  les cuisses de grenouille!

We also have a couple of other courses about food, drink, and ordering. Here are two you should try before you jet off:

These two lessons will introduce the phrases you’ll need in order to understand the menu, order food, and ask for the bill. The satisfaction of getting through an entire meal in a restaurant en français  will make the time you spend practicing absolutely worth it!

Bon appétit!

Days 7-10: Learn To Ask For Directions And Use Public Transportation

Getting lost in a place where you speak the language is bad enough. Now imagine being lost somewhere where you can’t communicate with anyone! Knowing how to ask for help will definitely lower your stress levels if you get turned around.

Now, you should have made it through some of the beginner’s courses, but just in case you missed some of them, here’s a little tip. In Beginner’s Course 2, you’ll find a unit called “Pardon, où est … ?” . These lessons will teach you all you need to know to bravely go where no tourist has gone before! You’ll not only be able to ask for and understand directions but also learn some vocabulary for common locations in a city. Make a list of the places you’d like to visit so you can learn the words for these things as well.

If you still feel like you want a little more practice, then check out these lessons too:

These will help you perfect the skills you learned from the beginner’s course, and also give you more specific information about using public transportation, which can be a confusing affair. It’s also a good idea to learn a bit about French signs and street names. After completing these lessons, you’ll truly be a well-prepared  voyageur!

Days 11-14: Put It All Together (And Have Some Fun!)

With just a few days left before you leave, you’ll want to review everything you’ve learned so far so that it’s fresh in your mind and ready to be used! This is where the Babbel Review Manager will come in handy. All of the core vocabulary and phrases you’ve picked up over the last two weeks have been stored there so you can easily go back over them and practice.

If you’re feeling confident with the basics, then now it’s time to have a little fun! We have a huge selection of courses with interesting cultural and linguistic content that you can find under the categories “Countries and Traditions” and “Specials.” With these lessons, you can get your French slang up to snuff ( cimer! ), find some ideas for sightseeing, learn a bit about true and false friends, and also pick up a few idioms to really impress the locals. We promise it won’t all be  pour des prunes!

After these two weeks, you should be more than ready to communicate effectively during your vacation. Our final tip for you is, of course, to have fun!

Bon Voyage!

The Essential France Travel Guide

Welcome to The Essential France Travel Guide ! From gorgeous coastlines and rolling vineyards to bustling romantic cities and historical sites, France has it all. And of course, it has all the wine and cheese you could ever imagine. As a matter of fact, we think you’ll fall in love with all things French as soon as you arrive!

People often think of Paris when planning a trip to France, but the City of Lights isn’t all that the country has to offer. France is ideal for slow travel. Just pick any of the delightful towns scattered from the coastlines of Normandy down to the Mediterranean Sea to explore.

This France travel guide advises you on the best insights on cities and destinations, designed with the slow traveler in mind. If you desire to know France more deeply and participate in cultural exchange, this guide is for you!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What can I expect from France?

Overview: Outside of Paris, it is easy to take your time in France. Most people aren’t in much of a hurry. Plus, it’s easy to get around the country with or without a car. Grab a baguette and a bottle of wine, and you’re set for the day.

Currency: The Euro (€) is the official currency of France

Electrical Plug: France uses the type C and the Type F electrical plugs, which have two round posts side-by-side. Get a plug adaptor to use your electronics in France.

Visa: France is a part of the Schengen area. A tourist visa allows Americans to enter Europe for a total of 90 days. You do not need to apply for a visa ahead of time; upon arrival, just let Customs know you are in Europe for touristic purposes.

Religion:  France is a secular state with some of the strictest laws in the world separating church and state. Although France is historically Catholic, most people identify as atheists or agnostic. France is also home to a visible Muslim population.

Languages: French is the main language spoken in France. Local dialects are spoken throughout the country. For example, Alsatian, a dialect of German, is widely spoken in parts of the Grand Est. Arabic is also spoken given the historical ties between France and North Africa.

Keep in mind that the French are proud of the French language. Generally, they are uncomfortable speaking English, unless absolutely necessary. To emphasize, signs and other types of information are rarely printed in English, especially in the French countryside. Brush up on your French before you go , or at the very least, download Google Translate!

Opening Hours: Standard work hours in France are 9 am-6 pm with a two hour lunch break around 12-2 pm. For the tourist, the key hours to know are: 1) bakeries open as early as 6 or 7am, and 2) retail generally opens at 10am. In other words, you can enjoy your coffee and croissant before hitting the local boutiques! Additionally, it is common for small businesses to be closed on Mondays after a busy weekend.

Regions: France is divided into 13 different administrative metropolitan regions including: Auvergne, Brittany, Bourgogne, Corsica, Centre-Val de Loire, Grand Est, Hauts de France, Ile de France, Nouvells Aquitaine, Normandy, Occitanie, Pays de la Loire, and Provence-Côte d’Azur.

Festivals/Celebrations: France has a variety of different festivals located all throughout the country. Some of the most popular French festivals include: Cannes Film Festival (May), Nice Carnival (February/March), Les Choregies d’Orange (celebration of Opera), Tour de France (21 days in July), Bastille Day (France’s independence day on July 14th), and the Menton Lemon Festival (February). 

Alsace (Grande Est) is well known for its month-long Christmas markets (December). Here, the magic of the season meets hot wine, ice skating, exquisite Christmas displays, and local crafts in a festive atmosphere.

Things to Do and See in France

France is so much more than what you see in the movies. The entire country has fairytale villages and castles, towering, French gothic cathedrals, and of course romance around every corner. Each city, region, and village has its own unique style and variety of things to taste, see, and experience. It is impossible to fit everything there is to do in one France travel guide. But, we have put together the best experiences to inspire you to slow down and immerse yourself in French culture.

Top Things to Do in France

• Paris – More often than not, Paris will be your starting point in France. The city is not only known for its beauty and romance, but also for its amazing architecture, historic sights, and mouth-watering French cafes and restaurants. Some of the best things to do in Paris are: the Musée de Louvre , Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Catacombs of Paris, Moulin Rouge, Arc de Triomphe , the Seine River, and the Musée d’Orsay .
• Mont Saint-Michel – Situated at the top of a tidal island this UNESCO Heritage site cannot be missed. Mont Saint-Michel, located on the border of Brittany and Normandy, is protected by fortified walls, in keeping with the magic of the middle ages. What was once a monastery is now one of the most visited spots in the country. To maximize the experience, consider staying on the island overnight to explore and capture photos in the moonlight.
• Hop a bicycle in Strasbourg – Located in the Grand Est and home to the European Parliament and Council of Europe, the city of Strasbourg boasts architectural wonders from every period since Medieval times. The timbered-lined City Center is also UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best of all, you can enjoy these sights by renting Strasbourg’s favorite form of transportation: the bicycle. Then, cycle over the Europe Bridge to Germany and back again!
• The Loire Valley – The Loire Valley itself is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Famous for having an abundance of châteaux (castles) (around 300 in existence) in the area, the valley stretches 174 miles (280 kilometers) down the river. The Chateau de Chambord is the largest castle and is well worth a visit . This is surely superb spot for slow and immersive travel through the countryside of France.
• Provence Lavender Fields – Visiting France in the summer comes with its perks, especially Lavender season (mid June-mid August). In the south of France throughout the Provence region, lavender fields take over the landscape, stretching for miles and miles in every direction. In addition to the lavender fields, the entire region of Provence is filled with charming villages and year-round markets.
• Gorge du Verdon – Located in the south of France, the Gorge de Verdon will amaze you with the most turquoise and teal-colored waters in all of France. The 15 mile (24 km) canyon stretching above the Verdon river, is an ideal place for low-impact water sports such as kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.
• Le Puy Camino – An extension to the Camino de Santiago in Spain , hikers can begin on a variety of French trails, the most popular being the one beginning at the Cathedral in Le Puy-en-Velay, France.
• Saint-Tropez Beaches – The coast of Saint-Tropez is any beach lover’s dream. Known as “the pearl” of Cote d’Azur, it has arguable the best coastline in the country with it’s crystal clear waters, white sands, and views for days. Additionally, the unofficial yachting capital of France offers many sailing and boating opportunities to see the coastline from a distance.
• Cannes Film Festival – One of the most popular and attractive events in the world for art and film lovers is the Cannes Film Festival. The festival is known for recognizing high-caliber films, and spectators can take in filmmakers and celebrities making their way down the red carpet, all while having some of the best views in Cote d’Azur.
• Go Skiing in the French Alps – While you may think of Switzerland when you think of the Alps, France shouldn’t be left off the list. Stretching across the southeastern part of the country, the French Alps is one of the most popular destinations for getaways and winter sports.
• Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte – This historic monument is the representation of the first France Formal Garden, dating back to the 17th century. The Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte, located just 34 miles (55 km) southeast of Paris in Maincy, is known for its geometric layout of gardens and landscaping, fountains, and eye-catching historical architecture. It’s perfect for a afternoon stroll. But, if you can, go in the evening for a candlelit dinner when the romance is gleaming.
• Wine Tasting in Bordeaux – A trip to France is not complete without going out for a wine tasting, and Bordeaux is the best place to be. While there are dozens of vineyards all over the country, the wines of Bordeaux are some of the tops in the country. The city itself is also a nice change of pace from Paris, being more slow-moving and walkable, and there are many vineyards to visit in the region.

Book a Tour in France

Browse amazing tours in France organized by our friends at GetYourGuide , and make the most of out your trip.

Typical Costs When Traveling

Accommodation – Costs have been rising higher and higher in recent years, but France is a country fit for any budget. Depending on your traveling style, hostels are available in most major cities, starting on average at 30€ and up per night. Budget-friendly guesthouses and B&Bs (75-100 €/night) are located throughout the country, as well as luxurious châteaux (200€/night) and hotels. Vacation rentals are very popular and can be booked through sites like Airbnb ( Get a discount with my link ) or VRBO .

Food – A traditional French breakfast consists of coffee, a baguette with butter and jelly, a viennoiserie (e.g. croissant or pain au chocolate ) and a glass of orange juice for $10. Lunch tends to last long in France, typically being the longest meal of the day. Dinner time, on average, starts around 7 pm. It is very easy to find a prix-fixe meal for lunch or dinner for 10-20€. Add wine for an average of costs 4€. Keep in mind that Europe, unlike the USA, does not offer free refills for drinks. That means each one must be paid for separately.

Transportation – The transportation system in France is very sophisticated and affordable, and you can easily get around larger cities using public transportation. For travel in-country, SNCF operates a system of trains ranging from commuter to high speed long distance trains. More on trains and busses in the booking section, below . You may easily search trips and book online, but please note fares are not typically available more than 6 months in advance. For the best price, book around one month in advance. To avoid lines—and due to lines being paperless post-COVID—pre-purchase online.

Activities – There is no shortage of activities in France. Most museums and historical sights have a small fee, if any fee at all (students and kids are usually free). Depending on your budget and travel style, activities can be easily done on a budget, or splurge for more sophisticated or drawn-out activities for a more immersive France visit.

Suggested daily budget – 40-80 EUR / 40-80USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out at casual establishments, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in luxury accommodation or splurge on meals, expect this to be higher!)

Money Saving Tips

Traveling slowly through France can be a good thing or a bad thing for your wallet. Depending on your travel style, a long and immersive trip may mean sticking to a tight budget. However, once you get the hang of French and European culture—something we hope this France travel guide is doing—it’s not so hard to save a a few euro.

• Skip the sit down restaurants  – While a sit-down meal is something recommended to do at least once in France, once is enough. It is very easy to find small cafes with take-out or street food options in most major cities. The taste is just as good and is usually half the price.
• Rent a Bike – Like many other tourist destinations, you can easily find bikes and scooters to rent for a few hours of your trip. Pick one up, and drop it off at any other city bike stand in the city. Just check signage to rent and pay via credit card using the mobile phone app.
• Book ahead in the high season – Budget accommodations in highly trafficked cities have a way of selling out in the high season. If you are sure of your travel dates, consider booking several weeks or months in advance in spring and summer.
• Sharing Economy Services – Download the BlaBlaCar ridesharing APP to see if someone is driving to your destination, and split the cost of gas. For accommodations, rent an Airbnb , couchsurf , or participate in a work exchange . (Of course, use good judgement if deciding to use any of these services.)

Where to Stay in France

In whatever city you travel to in France, it’s best to stay in the city center when possible. Try to book accommodation within walking distance (15 minutes) to the center. If nothing else, book a place close to a metro station for easy access to public transportation.

In smaller cities where you can walk the entire length of the city on 20-30 minutes, any clean, appealing location will be suitable.

Some lovely places to stay in France are:

• The ibis hotel chain has great properties at a great value! ibis Paris Bastille Opera 11th had the most beautiful lobby and breakfast area, too.

Traveler Tip: Look through reviews prior to booking to see how previous guests describe the atmosphere and nights sleep.

What to Eat in France

The typical French breakfast begins around 8-9 am. It is typically something light such as bread or a pastry, with a tea/coffee. Eggs are also common, typically on a croissant sandwich.

Lunch is enjoyed later in the day around 12-2 pm, and in many larger cities, shops and other buildings will shut down and close for lunch hours. Lunch tends to be the longest meal of the wine in France.

Dinner time in France starts around 7 pm. This tends to be the larger meal of the day, and one that can last late into the night, especially if you enjoy a glass of French wine or two. In France, eating dinner is not simply dinner, it is an event to gather and meet with friends, talk about your day, and relax. Keep in mind, that when eating out in most French restaurants, the bill will not be brought to you until you ask for it. Tipping is not required or expected, but a small tip is always appreciated.

Best Food to Try in France

Due to the entertainment industry and media, when most people think of France, what often comes to mind are baguettes, cordon bleu, or caviar. 

However, there is so much more to French cuisine than portrayed on television. Here are some French favorites not to miss:

Macaroons  – This delectable French pastry may be a popular treat all around the world, but a French macaroon is a mouth-watering delight. Most pastry shops will have homemade fresh macaroons made daily. Certainly, stop in for a few treats. 

Cassoulet  – A favorite dish of the French is cassoulet . This is feel-good food at its finest, consisting of white beans slowly stewed with meat. The type of meat will vary, but duck and pork are most commonly used. Some chefs will add vegetables for unique flavors.

Bouillabaisse – Originally from Marseille, bouillabaisse is a fresh fish stew that features herbs and spices. The recipe will vary from chef to chef, and city to city, but the most important part is the fresh fish. If you enjoy seafood, you must try bouillabaisse .

Additionally, cheese: If you are a cheese connoisseur or a food lover of any kind, don’t forget to taste the awesome variety of cheeses in France—the stinkier the better. Your taste buds will thank you later. 

How to Get Around France

Public Transportation – You will find a great network of public transportation including metro, rail, and bus services. Plan to do a lot of walking and enjoy pedestrian-only areas. Many smaller cities are completely walkable if you stay in the city center, meaning you will not need to take public transportation at all after arrival. Just use your own two legs!

Train – The transportation system in France is modern, and you can easily get around larger cities using public transportation. For travel in-country, France has 2 main Train lines: SNCF and OUIGO, operating in all major cities, and dozens of smaller villages as well. Most trips are easily searched and booked online , but please note fares are not typically available more than 6 months in advance.

Bus – If you have a little more time and/or want to save money, buses are typically cheaper than trains and run regularly. Some towns not serviced by train are accessible by bus, but please be aware they may only run once per day or only on certain days of the week. Check out our recommended booking tools to search and book schedules. Flix Bus , is a popular and well-known bus service in Europe, having routes throughout France, sometimes even as low as $2.

Budget Airlines – We prefer enjoying the landscape and the ease of traveling by train. Nevertheless, Europe boasts many budget airlines both to get to/from France as well as to travel within France. Prices are often similar to trains, so take into account the total travel time to decide if taking a flight is worth it to you. Ryanair is a popular budget airline in Europe that we have used many times. The planes are small, but you get what you pay for.

Car Rental – There are many towns and hamlets worth a short visit, so for the more adventurous heading off the beaten path ,  or a road trip through the Loire Valley perhaps, we suggest renting a car. Using highways can get pricey with an increase in toll booth prices, but can be avoided using less popular routes. France drives on the right side of the road (same as the USA), and stick shift cars are most common. Prepare to pay a premium to rent an automatic.

Rideshare – For the budget conscious and less risk-averse, ride shares using the Bla Bla Car APP are an option. Simply search for a ride, meet your driver, and split the cost of gas. This can be a great option to jump to a small village and an opportunity for cultural exchange . Additionally, especially in the south of France, hitchhiking is often very common. We know multiple people who have, in fact, hitchhiked the entire country (though it’s not our cup of tea)! When choosing a ridesharing option, it is most important to be safe. Use your gut and be smart; if something feels off, it probably is. Assess your risk, and be sure to get travel insurance .

When to Go to France

France is a country that experiences all four seasons. Depending on which region of France you are visiting, locations and times may vary for when is the best time to visit. Overall, springtime offers a combination of good weather, fewer crowds, and gorgeous views.

While France has amazing summers, it comes with big crowds and higher prices. Plus, the French are not known for a love for air conditioning, so be prepared to sweat.

September-November tends to be the shoulder season in France, offering lower rates, and attracting fewer visitors .

How to Stay Safe in France

France is safe for travelers, for the most part. There will always be petty crime in major cities and pickpocketing isn’t unlikely. Stay alert, and watch out for your surroundings at all times. If you are out after dark, stay in a well-lit area. In short, be smart and trust your instincts.

Riots and strikes are fairly common in France . When this happens, try to avoid major events or important buildings, and check for schedules (e.g. train station, buses, and airplanes) or announcements in advance of travel. 

Luckily, if you book online, more and more booking platforms tend to send emails and updates when strikes are occurring and will alter schedules.

Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance with World Nomads prior to your trip in case of an emergency or trip interruption. Check out the many benefits of travel insurance on our dedicated World Nomads page , or get a quote below.

Best booking tools for slow travelers in France

Check out our recommended booking tools for self-planned itineraries:

• Google Flights – Start your planning here. To get an idea of flight prices and routes, browse Google Flights by using the explore map.
• Skyscanner – Find flights that other search engines miss.
• Expedia – Best all around booking tool, search for hotels, flights, cars, vacation packages, and cruises. No matter where you are going, this booking tool help every type of traveler get the best value every time.

Accommodations:

• Booking.com – Access a clear, easy, and transparent hotel booking process that includes hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and more. It’s great for anyone who likes to stay organized and do research.
• Hostelworld – The leading provider of online hostel reservations to budget, independent, and youth travelers, Hostelworld has has a great search interface and the largest inventory of hostels to choose from.
• Airbnb – Rent a room or entire apartment to live like a local. (Use my link to get $65 off your first stay)

Transportation:

• Rome 2 Rio – Begin planning your in-country travel with this website offering air, train, bus, or taxi routes. (I like to use this as a research tool.)
• Trainline – Europe’s leading train and coach app, get the best available prices, times, and train/bus tickets for your journey. You can also purchase train and bus tickets directly from suppliers.
• Eurail – This all-in-one train pass offers flexible access to most trains across Europe and is good for a backpacking trip. Go wherever you want, whenever you want.
• Bla Bla Car – Find a carpool ride with this ridesharing APP. Just chip in for gas!

Activities & Tours

• GetYourGuide – Find and book city tours, day trips, and cultural experiences.
• EatWith – Join culinary experiences led by passionate hosts and chefs.

Travel Insurance:

• World Nomads – Don’t forget to protect your investment from trip interruptions to unexpected injuries.
• SafetyWing – Designed to meet the medical and travel needs faced by digital nomads and remote workers, insurance covers unexpected illness and injury as well as emergency travel-related issues like lost checked luggage.

Go to our resources page  for more booking tools we use to plan our trips.

Gear & Packing List

The landscape and climate can change drastically in French, so pack a variety of clothing and footwear if you’re planning to travel extensively. While the south is known for it’s sunny beaches, the northern coast can be cool and wet.

Check out my packing list for Europe . In addition, be sure to include the following for France specifically:

• a sun hat (summer) – women’s sun hat | men’s/unisex sun hat
• lightweight summer dress (women) or dri-fit button down top (men) for evenings out (summer)
• bathing suit (summer) – you never know when you might like to go for a swim

Shop My Travel Essentials

Expat Tip: The trench coat is the ultimate fashion statement in France, and super easy to pack!

France City & Regional Guides

Although this France travel guide is written on a country level, we recognize there are dozens of cities and smaller towns that allow visitors to slowly travel through France.

With this in mind, take a look at our France regional and city articles for the best tips on how to enjoy slow travel in France:

• 10 Best Day Trips from Strasbourg for Slow Travelers
• 12 Things to Do in Aix-en-Provence

France Guidebooks & French Tools

Check out our recommended France guidebooks, apps, and language learning tools to help you learn about the French language and culture.

Disclosure: Some of the links provided on this website are affiliate links from which I may make a commission if you make a purchase. See disclaimer for more information.

Blogger & Ex-Spanish Teacher

Tristina Oppliger has traveled to 35+ countries on five continents. Having previously lived in Spain, she loves studying foreign languages and cultures. In fact, she has a Master's in Foreign Language Education and is a former Spanish Teacher! Tristina is passionate about living free—remote work, exploring the world, and finding adventure wherever she goes.

I’m an expat living in France – here’s how to make the locals love you

I ’d always been told that the French were cold. That integrating yourself here was an uphill battle. That breaking into firmly established French friendship groups was tougher than shucking an oyster with a blunt knife. But after two and a half years here, many of my closest friends are French. So what’s the secret to getting in?

French friendship groups are a hotchpotch of every different style, interest and way of life, and herein is your golden ticket. You, with your funny British accent and odd ways, are different, so there’s a spot waiting for you.

At home in the UK , my best friends in the world, a tight-knit group of British girls, all evolved together a little like an American high school cliché. We all look rather similar, dress rather similarly, and have similar interests. It’s different in France : childhood friendships often endure here, but from my experience they don’t develop a communal style and taste. The heavy metal fans and house lovers hang out together harmoniously.

Read more on France travel :

• How to do the French capital like Emily in Paris
• Where to go camping in France: The best coastal campsites for a beach holiday
• France travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

The single most important thing you can do to get French people to love you is to make an effort to speak the language . If you can’t communicate with people, how do you expect to form a connection with them? It doesn’t matter if your French is faltering – you’ll always find people ready to be patient with you. What they’re not likely to be so patient with is the arrogance of expecting everyone else to make the effort and speak in English just for you. Mistakes happen, even when you’ve lived here for years, so be prepared to laugh at yourself and turn them into anecdotes. I recently mixed up ‘puppy’ and ‘toilet’ (‘ chiot ’ and ‘ chiotte ’), much to the amusement of all around me as I declared I’d like to adopt a toilet.

Getting drunk and disorderly may be how we made friends as teenagers, but it’s not the way to endear yourself to the French, especially as we Brits already have a (deservedly) bad reputation for drunken behaviour abroad . The French love a drink, and sharing a glass of wine and some good food is a great way to bond with people, but vomiting up said food and shouting obnoxiously in ever more incomprehensible English? Not so fun.

Complaining is welcomed, but make sure it’s about the right things. Complain about the government, always. Complain about transport , and administration, and the rising costs of pain au chocolat, but never, ever complain about the quality of French food. Prepare to laugh in a self-deprecating way about British food too, when the tenth person that week recounts the horror story of their British school exchange, where the host family fed them nothing but Monster Munch and jam sandwiches with the crusts removed, and they thought they were going to die of malnutrition.

You don’t need to be over the top. Overt friendliness when you don’t know someone is often misinterpreted as fakeness in France. This is a country where there are two ‘yous’ after all – the formal ‘ vous ’ and informal ‘ tu ’, and it’s better to be polite at first, before warming up to big displays of affection.

Don’t take offence too easily either. For all the flowery words and phrases in the French language (why use five words when you could use 50?), they tend to be a lot more direct than we are. “I don’t have time to talk now” or “That’s a weird skirt” doesn’t mean “I hate you” or “I hate your entire wardrobe”, it means exactly what it says on the tin.

There is a chance they’ll hate your entire wardrobe, though, particularly if your mini skirt is too short and paired with bare legs. Another stereotype in France is that the British, despite our inclement weather, have an aversion to wearing adequate clothing.

All of this applies all over France, except in Paris , where even the rest of the French don’t dare to mingle, and not a single person has friends. We’ve all heard of Paris syndrome , where the French capital’s pretty face fails to live up to expectations , and leaves visitors feeling cold… and friendless.

I’m joking, of course, and I’m friends with several Parisians, but as with how Londoners are viewed elsewhere in the UK , the Parisians have a reputation for being standoffish. I’m convinced, however, that this is just a side effect of busy lives, as it is in London , and not intentional rudeness.

There’s no big secret to making friends in France, and if you put in the effort, it’s likely to be reciprocated. An old, unflattering saying goes, “God created France, the most beautiful country in the world. Feeling guilty and to keep it fair, he created the French people”. Thank God he did – I can’t imagine my life without them.

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

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France Dispatch

For the First French Town Liberated on D-Day, History Is Personal

Some aging residents of Ste.-Mère-Église in Normandy can still recall the American paratroopers who dropped into their backyard. It’s been a love affair ever since.

A parade of the military vehicles used during the American landing in 1944 in Ste.-Mère-Église, France, on Monday. Credit...

Supported by

By Catherine Porter

Photographs by Andrea Mantovani

Reporting from Ste.-Mère-Église, France

• June 7, 2024

American soldiers in uniforms spill out from the bars and cafes all around June 6 Square, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes.

Phil Collins blares from loudspeakers. American flags flutter from chimneys and windows, on overhead lines and even from around the neck of a golden retriever trotting by with her owner.

Is this really France?

“This is the 53rd state,” Philippe Nekrassoff, a local deputy mayor, said as he made his way across the square, with its Roman milestone and medieval church, while U.S. paratroopers wearing maroon berets played soccer with a group of local teenagers. “Americans are at home here.”

Here is Ste.-Mère-Église, a slip of a town in northwest Normandy with one main street. About 3,000 residents live in the town and its surrounding region, with its fields of cows and towering hedges.

Hundreds of U.S. paratroopers landed in the immediate area in the early hours of June 6, 1944. Four hours later — even before the world’s largest armada arrived to the nearby Normandy beaches — one of those soldiers hauled down the Nazi flag and hoisted an American one up over city hall.

“This was the first town to be liberated on the western front,” read two marble plaques, one in French and one in English, in front of the building.

The story of that liberation is now deeply threaded into the town’s identity.

While most villages across Normandy hold annual D-Day commemorations, little Ste.-Mère-Église hosts six parades, 10 ceremonies, 11 concerts and a parachute jump by current U.S. paratroopers.

Statues, plaques and historical panels dot many street corners. Shops have names like D-Day, Bistrot 44 and Hair’born salon. There’s a mannequin of John Steele, the American paratrooper immortalized in the 1962 film “The Longest Day,” hanging from the church steeple as he did on June 6, 1944, his parachute billowing.

At first blush, the town seems, well, too unabashedly and in-your-face American for a country that revels in self-criticism and understatement.

But stick around a bit, and the town reveals a relationship with U.S. paratroopers that is deep, sincere and disarmingly beautiful.

“There is a sense of welcome here that’s nothing like anything else in the region,” said Jacques Villain, a photographer who has documented the village’s celebration for 25 years and was the driving force behind the just-published bilingual book “Ste.-Mère-Église: We Will Remember Them.”

The town’s first D-Day commemoration was small and took place even while the war in Europe was still raging, he pointed out. On the first anniversary, Maj. Gen. James Gavin, by then the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, sent 30 soldiers back from Germany for the ceremonies.

Just after midnight on June 6, 1944, wave after wave of low-flying airplanes roared over Ste.-Mère-Église and the surrounding area. Spilling from them were thousands of parachutes, flitting across the sky like confetti.

One parachute floated right down into a trench dug in Georgette Flais’ backyard, where she was huddled with her parents and a neighbor. Attached to it was Cliff Maughan. Ms. Flais refers to him as “our American.”

“He represented, for me, something extraordinary — liberation,” said Ms. Flais, now 96.

She recalled how the German soldier billeted in her house burst into view, his rifle pointed into the trench. Ms. Flais’ father jumped up and begged the German not to shoot. Miraculously, he agreed.

Soon after, the German soldier realized the Americans had taken the town and surrendered to Mr. Maughan, who Ms. Flais described as preternaturally calm, handing out chewing gum, chocolate and cigarettes. He curled up on his parachute for a quick nap before heading out at dawn to fight.

“We kissed him warmly goodbye,” Ms. Flais said. “A friendship was born.”

As the first place to be liberated, Ste.-Mère-Église quickly became the place where fallen American soldiers were first buried — 13,800 in three fields turned cemeteries around the village. Local men dug the graves.

“It was just a little village of 1,300 inhabitants,” said Marc Lefèvre, the town’s mayor for 30 years who left office in 2014. “They were witness to the price of sacrifice, with all those trucks of coffins. That left a huge impact.”

One of the graves was for Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., who died of a heart attack five weeks after landing on Utah Beach. He was the eldest son of Theodore Roosevelt, the former U.S. president.

Simone Renaud, the mayor’s wife, was captured laying flowers on his tomb by a Life magazine photographer.

The reaction from grieving mothers in the United States was immediate. Hundreds sent Ms. Renaud letters, pleading for her to visit their son’s graves and send back photos. She complied.

Henri-Jean Renaud, 89, recently flipped through albums of carefully sorted letters to his mother, written in longhand, from 80 years ago.

Some of the women later came to visit the graves themselves. They ate dinner with the Renauds and sometimes stayed in their home. “I am still in touch with a family that had a kid my age,” Mr. Renaud said.

He still visits the grave of one soldier “from time to time, to say a little hello to him,” he said.

Years later, American veterans began to make pilgrimages to Ste.-Mère-Église for its annual D-Day commemorations.

The town had only one hotel, since renamed after Mr. Steele. So Ms. Renaud, who died in 1988, formed the Friends of American Veterans association, and many locals joined and hosted the visitors in their homes.

Volunteers spent afternoons driving around, trying to help the veterans find the exact spot in a field or marsh or tree where they first landed.

“For most of them, it was there they had their first losses, their first powerful emotions, the first friend killed, the first wounded,” Mr. Renaud said. “Those are things that mark you for life. So they were always trying to find that beginning.”

By 1984, Ms. Flais was teaching Greek and Latin in a high school in Alençon, about 140 miles away. On June 6 of that year, she was watching television when she saw on the screen an American soldier who had come back to Ste.-Mère-Église. He was broader, and wore a baseball hat instead of a helmet. But he had that same laid-back demeanor. She jumped in the car and rushed back to her childhood town.

“It was my American,” she said. “We fell into one another’s arms.”

Today, 80 years later, there are few veterans left. Their successors now crowd the town square, where Mr. Steele and his fellow World War II parachutists are celebrated and remembered as veritable gods.

They are joined by the thousands of re-enactment enthusiasts, tourists and French citizens who come to pay their respects.

“It’s overwhelming,” said Jonathan Smith, 43, whose trip here was a retirement present after 18 and a half years of service with the 82nd Airborne Division. “I didn’t make it 10 paces this morning without kids stopping me to ask for a photo and shake my hand.”

The local tourism office is expecting one million people to come into town over the 10 days of commemorations and celebrations this year.

Among them are the children and grandchildren of the Americans who were in charge on D-Day, from General Roosevelt Jr. to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the commander in chief of the Allied forces.

“I find I need to be here and be a part of it,” said Chloe Gavin, the daughter of General Gavin, who himself came back regularly before he died.

On a recent night, local families welcomed more 200 American soldiers into their homes for dinner.

Across the street from city hall, where the American flag that soldiers hung up in 1944 now hangs framed on a wall, three generations of the Auvray family sat in their garden with three U.S. paratroopers from Puerto Rico. The family matriarch, Andrée Auvray, regaled them with her memories of D-Day.

She was nine months pregnant and living on a horse farm just outside town that had been requisitioned by a battalion of soldiers with the German army. Just days before the Allies’ landing, the soldiers departed for Cherbourg, France, convinced the Allies would attack there, she said.

“We were so lucky,” said Ms. Auvray, now 97 and a great-grandmother of 13. “It would have been a blood bath.”

Three American paratroopers landed in her garden.

An American military hospital was quickly erected next door. Her farm became the health clinic and a temporary home for civilians, fleeing the battle that ensued after German troops tried to retake Ste.-Mère-Église. They fed 120 people for a month. She gave birth to her son, Michel-Yves, on a camp bed because her bed had been given to the injured.

Michel-Yves will turn 80 soon.

Ms. Auvray described the missiles exploding nearby, the gnawing fear that the Germans would retake the town and her gratitude that they did not.

“We lived through such anguish together,” she said of the American soldiers and French residents. “That’s why we have such a precious relationship.”

Catherine Porter is an international reporter for The Times, covering France. She is based in Paris. More about Catherine Porter

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Melinda French Gates announces $1 billion donation to support women and families, including reproductive rights

By Kelsie Hoffman

Updated on: May 28, 2024 / 7:42 PM EDT / CBS News

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates is donating $1 billion over the next two years to support women and families, including reproductive rights, as she steps away from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , which she helped to co-found nearly 25 years ago.

In a New York Times op-ed  published Tuesday, French Gates, whose last day with the foundation is June 7, said that she is committed to advocating for women and girls.

"While I have long focused on improving contraceptive access overseas, in the post-Dobbs era, I now feel compelled to support reproductive rights here at home," French Gates said in her op-ed. "For too long, a lack of money has forced organizations fighting for women's rights into a defensive posture while the enemies of progress play offense. I want to help even the match."

French Gates said as part of the funding she is directing new grants through her organization, Pivotal . The grants will be "to groups working in the United States to protect the rights of women and advance their power and influence. These include the National Women's Law Center, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Center for Reproductive Rights."

French Gates said she was motivated to make the donation in part because of the racial gap in mortality rates for women.

"In the United States,  maternal mortality rates continue to be unconscionable , with Black and Native American mothers at highest risk. Women in 14 states have lost the right to terminate a pregnancy under almost any circumstances. We remain the only advanced economy without any form of national paid family leave. And the number of teenage girls experiencing suicidal thoughts and persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness is at a decade high."

According to the Women and Girls Index , released by the Women's Philanthropy Institute, giving to women's and girl's organizations represents less than 2% of philanthropic support.

"Despite the pressing need, only about 2 percent of charitable giving in the United States goes to organizations focused on women and girls, and only about half a percentage point goes to organizations focused on women of color specifically. When we allow this cause to go so chronically underfunded, we all pay the cost," French Gates said. "As shocking as it is to contemplate, my 1-year-old granddaughter may grow up with fewer rights than I had."

French Gates said the $1 billion investment includes $200 million in grants aimed at increasing the work of organizations that are fighting to advance women's power and protect their rights, including reproductive rights, and $250 million that will be awarded later this fall to organizations working to improve women's mental and physical health worldwide.

"As a young woman, I could never have imagined that one day I would be part of an effort like this," French Gates said. "Because I have been given this extraordinary opportunity, I am determined to do everything I can to seize it and to set an agenda that helps other women and girls set theirs, too."

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Women's Health

Kelsie Hoffman is a push and platform editor on CBS News' Growth and Engagement team. She previously worked on Hearst Television's National Desk and as a local TV reporter in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

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