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20 Basic French Travel Phrases for Beginners

When traveling to a French-speaking country, having a basic understanding of the local language can greatly enhance your experience.

Learning a few essential French travel phrases not only enables you to communicate with locals but also shows respect for their culture and makes your interactions more enjoyable.

Today, we will introduce you to 20 basic French travel phrases that are perfect for beginners. Each section will focus on a specific category of phrases, providing translations, guidance, and example usage.

We will leave you with some tips for learning French at home. Follow this guide, and you'll be speaking French in no time.

20 French Travel Phrases

Let's dive into our comprehensive list of 20+ essential French phrases so you have the tools necessary to make yourself understood in France.

We will kick things off with greetings and polite expressions so you can conduct yourself well on your trip to France.

Greetings and Polite Expressions

When interacting with locals in a French-speaking country, it's important to start with a friendly greeting.

• Bonjour - Hello

The phrase bonjour is the most common and widely used greeting in French. It sets a positive tone for your conversation. You can use this greeting all day.

• Bonsoir - Good evening Bonne soirée - Have a good evening Bonsoir is used in the evenings, from around 6 pm onward as a greeting. Meanwhile, bonne soirée is used to express the desire that someone else will have a nice evening.
• Bonne nuit - Good night Just as in English, you would use bonne nuit as "good night" before going to bed.
• Au revoir - Goodbye When leaving someone at any time of day, au revoir is a polite and pleasant way to say "goodbye."
• Comment t'appelles-tu? - What's your name? (informal) Comment vous appelez vous? - What's your name? (formal) Quel est ton nom? - What is your name? (informal) Quel est votre nom - What is your name? (formal)

Once you have greeted someone, you can ask "What is your name?" either formally or informally, as the situation dictates.

• Je m'appelle... - My name is…
• Je viens de ... - I come from... La France - France L'Allemagne - Germany L'Espagne - Spain Le Royaume-Uni - The UK Les États-Unis - The US
• (Comment) ça va? - Are you alright? (most informal) Comment vas-tu? - How are you? (informal) Comment allez vous? - How are you? (formal) To show interest in someone's well-being, ask "How are you?" It's a common way to initiate a friendly conversation and display your courtesy. You can reply to ça va? with ça va or ça va bien , both of which mean "I'm alright". Or, use je vais bien , which also means "I'm alright".
• Merci - Thank you Learning to say "thank you" in the local language wherever you go will endear the natives to you. On your trip to France, you will find yourself saying merci all the time.

For instance, with the phrase ça va bien, merci. Et toi?, meaning "I'm good, thanks. And you?"

• De rien - You're welcome If someone thanks you in a French-speaking country, the standard reply is de rien .
• S'il vous plaît - Please (formal) S'il te plaît - Please (informal) When asking for something in a hotel, restaurant, among friends, or in any other situation, it is always best to say "please". As you can see, there is a more formal and less formal way to say "please". Use the informal with friends, and the formal in other social situations. If you are ever in doubt about whether to use formal language, it is best to err on the side of caution and go for the formal structure.
• Je suis désolé - I am sorry It is always worth knowing how to say sorry if you need to apologize for anything in French, for instance not understanding something or not knowing the answer to a question.
• Je ne comprends pas - I don't understand Je ne sais pas - I don't know

Can You Speak English/ French?

With the following phrases, you can swap out anglais ("English") and français ("French") with any other language, as needed.

• Pourriez vous parler français - Could you speak French?
• Parlez vous anglais? - Do you speak English?
• Je ne parle pas français - I don't speak French
• Je parle un peu français - I speak a little French
• Parlez lentement, s'il vous plaît - Speak slowly, please

Useful French Travel Phrases

One of the most important things to learn in French is how to ask for directions. Let's look at some common questions in French regarding directions.

• Où est la plage/ le gare - Where is the beach/ the train station You can use où est...? for any other singular object, such as la tour Eiffel ("the Eiffel Tower") and le bus ("the bus"). Just make sure to note the gender of the object so you use the right article.
• Où est le guichet? - Where's the ticket booth? Note that you can also say je cherche... , which means "I am looking for..."
• Où sont les toilettes? - Where are the toilets?
• Où sommes-nous - Where are we? As you can see, où means "where" in French. This is followed by a conjugated form of the verb "to be", être , and the object of the sentence.
• Excusez moi, je suis perdu - Excuse me, I am lost Finally, a handy phrase to know is "excuse me, I am lost". It's a good idea to keep a copy of your hotel information on your person so you can show people if you need help directing yourself home.

Miscellaneous Common French Phrases

Now that you have learned 20 French phrases for travel, we will list some other miscellaneous French phrases for everyday life in a French-speaking country.

• Je t'aime - I love you You will come across je t'aime in music, movies, and even on t-shirts, so it is worth knowing what it means. And you never know - you might want to use this French phrase yourself when you get to Paris, the city of love.
• Es-tu célibataire? - Are you single?
• Je ne sais quoi - I don't know what Paris is known as a romantic destination as it has a certain je ne sais quoi in the air that makes it so unique and magical.
• Je voudrais (un café) - I would like (a coffee)
• Un verre de vin - A glass of wine When in France, you will want to get your hands on a coffee or a wine as soon as you find the right spot to sit and people-watch.
• Je voudrais acheter... - I would like to buy…
• Combien ça coûte - How much does it cost?
• C'est trop cher - It's too expensive

Asking a question in French

Finally, a note on forming a French question. In general, to ask a simple question in French, you can use est-ce que. Take a look at the following basic French phrases.

• Est-ce que vous parlez français? - Do you speak French?
• Est-ce qu’il parle français? - Does he speak French?
• Est-ce qu’elle parle français? - Does she speak French?

How to Learn French at Home

So, now that you have this useful vocabulary list to get you started, you will want to know how to start learning French at home. One great method is to watch French TV shows and movies.

This provides natural exposure to French slang and colloquialisms , idiomatic phrases, the French accent, and French culture. You can find great French shows on Netflix and Lingopie. Both streaming services offer French and English subtitles, and Lingopie has bonus language-learning features like digital flashcards and an interactive transcript.

You can also listen to French podcasts and French songs like La Vie en Rose and Je ne Regrette Rien. Any engaging resource that familiarizes you with French pronunciation and introduces you to new French words in a natural way is a great language tool.

Of course, you can also sign up for online French classes or find a private tutor. Many language learners also enjoy using language-learning apps to supplement their learning. You can also buy a French phrasebook if you want to have all of your useful French phrases in one place.,

FAQs About French Phrases for Travelers

Now, let's take a quick look at some frequently asked questions about basic French phrases for travel.

Is there another way to ask "où sont les toilettes?"

Yes, there is another way to ask où sont les toilettes? which means "Where are the toilets?" You can also say où est la salle de bain? , which means "Where is the bathroom?"

Both are appropriate in public and formal situations.

Is it rude to say "je ne comprends pas" in French?

No, it is not rude to say "I don't understand" in French. You can make the statement more polite by saying je suis désolé(e), je ne comprends pas , meaning "I'm sorry, I don't understand".

You might want to add répétez s'il vous plaît , meaning "can you repeat, please", or je ne parle pas français , "I don't speak French."

How do you say "s'il vous plaît" informally?

The phrase s'il vous plaît ("please") literally translates as "if it pleases you", but it is used like "please" in English. You can say "please" informally in French by switching out the vous ("you" - formal) for te ("you" - informal). So, it sounds like s'il te plaît.

Summing Up: Basic French Travel Phrases

Now that you have started to learn these 20+ basic French words and phrases, you are ready to dive into the French language and start practicing today.

Whether you're asking for directions, ordering food, or engaging in basic social interactions, these phrases will serve as a valuable tool during your journey.

French learners can head over to Lingopie's streaming site for access to a host of awesome French TV shows and movies with interactive learning features.

Your language-learning journey starts today with the help of Lingopie and this comprehensive vocab guide. Have fun learning French at home.

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Free French Travel Phrasebook

Table of contents

Get your free french phrasebook sent right to your inbox, what’s inside your free french travel guide, 🙋‍♀️  the basics, 🏠  accommodation, 🚃  transportation, 🛍  shopping, 🏀  hobbies/fun, 🥂  socializing, 🗣  conversation aids, 🌤  time and weather, 💻  telecommunications, 🚨  emergencies, download our free english-to-french phrasebook, take your french a step further.

To get your free French phrasebook PDF and start learning essential French vocabulary for travel and other common scenarios, please enter your info below and be sure to click “I want my free kit.” (Why a kit? Our French conversation guide is just one of the resources in the free MosaLingua Language Learning Kit, a complete set of goodies for independent learners. You’ll love the rest of the resources in the kit, too, and it’s all free of charge! 😉):

This eBook contains 45 pages and 10 00+ words and phrases in French, with English translations of course. It is organized by travel – related themes and ordered according to frequency of use (from the most commonly used vocabulary to more specialized terms).

If you’re planning a trip to France or Canada, or if you simply want to improve your conversational French, you’ll want to have this French phrasebook by your side!

Topics in Your French Travel Guide

To give you an idea of the themes covered in our phrasebook, here are some of the topics you’ll be able to talk about with the help of this French travel guide :

• Polite phrases
• The essentials
• Starting a conversation
• Eating out, going to restaurants
• Meat and fish
• At a hostel
• Household chores
• Daily life at home
• Asking for things
• Going camping
• Public transportation
• Asking for directions
• The cardinal points
• Traveling by car
• At the airport
• Buying and negotiating
• Buying food
• Going shopping
• Arts and crafts
• Banking and dealing with money
• Outdoor activities
• Cultural and religious differences
• At the beach
• Meeting new people
• Going out, nightlife
• Feelings and opinions
• Common mistakes and difficulties
• Expressing agreement and disagreement
• Ending a conversation
• Talking about your love life
• Personality traits
• The human body
• Physical appearance
• At the barbershop or hair salon
• Occupations
• Talking about the future
• Temporal phrases
• Making phone calls
• Electronic devices
• Road accidents
• Important signs

All of the French content above and more is available to you for free! To download your phrasebook, just click the “I want my free kit” button below. Then, keep an eye on your inbox for your free French Travel Phrasebook PDF  (we promise not to send you any spam, you have our word!):

If you want to learn more about the French language, its vocabulary, grammar, culture, and more, have a look around our blog . If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few popular articles and guides our readers love:

• Tips and tools to learn French, fast
• To find tools to help you with other important skills, check out our guide to the best online French resources
• And for much, much more vocabulary, and a scientifically proven method for learning it, download the MosaLingua Learn French app .

Happy learning and hope to see you again soon!

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French Vocabulary: Travel and Tourism

Posted by Barbara Kruger on Friday, July 17, 2015 · Leave a Comment  

Creative Commons Image via The LEAF Project

French Vocabulary: Travel and Tourism le vocabulaire français: les voyages et le tourisme

• Travel and tourism terms are used in basic navigation scenarios.
• Gain the freedom to explore entire cities and beyond.

French travel vocabulary can help you get to where you need to go. You might be surprised that you don’t need to be fluent in French in order to travel! Be sure to also check out the lesson on Travel Arrangements !

un agent de voyage : travel agent

L’ agent de voyage aide avec l’organisation des voyages. The travel agent helps with travel arrangements.

une agence de voyages : travel agency

Ma soeur travaille dans une agence de voyages . My sister works in a travel agency.

les bagages (masculine) : baggage (always used in the plural in French)

Il y a des restrictions de bagages . There are baggage restrictions.

une banque : bank

La banque est à côté de la gare. The bank is next to the train station.

un billet : ticket

J’achète nos billets d’avion. I am buying our airline tickets.

un bureau de change : currency exchange service

Le bureau de change est dans l’aéroport. The currency exchange service is in the airport.

le change :  exchange (of currency)

Le taux de change est favorable. The exchange rate is favorable.

la douane : customs

Il faut arrêter à la douane . We must stop at customs.

une entrée : entrance

L’ entrée dans le musée est à gauche. The museum entrance is on the left.

un guichet : ticket counter

Nous faisons la queue au guichet . We are standing on line at the ticket counter.

un guide touristique : tour guide / tour guidebook

Je vais consulter mon guide touristique . I am going to consult my tour guidebook.

l’immigration  (masculine) : immigration

L’agent de l’ immigration tamponne nos passeports. The immigration officer stamps our passports.

l’information touristique (feminine) : tourist information

Ils cherchent de l’ information touristique . They (masculine) are looking for tourist information.

un plan de ville : city map

Je voudrais un plan de ville , s’il vous plaît. I would like a city map, please.

la saison touristique : tourist season

La saison touristique dure de mai jusqu’à septembre. The tourist season lasts from May to September.

un site touristique : tourist attraction

Il y a beaucoup de sites touristiques dans la ville. There are many tourist attractions in the city.

une sortie : exit

La sortie est clairement indiquée. The exit is clearly marked.

les toilettes  (feminine) / les W.C.  (masculine) : restrooms

Il faut payer un euro pour utiliser les toilettes . You must pay one euro to use the restrooms.

(les toilettes des) Dames : ladies’ restroom

Elle entre les toilettes des Dames . She enters the ladies’ restroom.

(les toilettes des) Hommes : men’s restroom

Il entre les toilettes des Hommes . He enters the men’s’ restroom.

une vaccination : vaccination

Les vaccinations ne sont pas nécessaires pour voyager en France. Vaccinations are not necessary to travel to France.

une valise : suitcase

Ma valise est la rouge là-bas. My suitcase is the red one over there.

un visa : visa

Il faut demander un visa du consulat. You must request a visa from the consulate.

une visite guidée : sightseeing tour

La visite guidée part de l’entrée de l’hôtel. The sightseeing tour departs from the hotel entrance.

Qui est votre agent de voyage? Who is your travel agent?

Que fait un agent d’immigration? What does an immigration officer do?

Quand ouvre l’agence de voyages? When does the travel agency open?

Où est le bureau de change, s’il vous plaît? Where is the currency exchange service, please?

Pourquoi est-il nécessaire passer par la douane? Why is it necessary to pass through customs?

Comment aller au site touristique? How do we get to the tourist attraction?

Combien coûte le billet de train? How much does the train ticket cost?

Quel est le taux d’échange? What is the exchange rate?

• Quizlet: French – Travel and Tourism via Kruger
• Youtube / mahalodotcom: How to Say Travel Phrases in French
• YouTube / geobeats: Basic French Phrases – Paris Travel Guide
• Youtube / Learn French: Travel Vocabulary
• Youtube / David I: French Airport Vocabulary
• Youtube / David I: French Taxi Vocabulary

Category: French Vocabulary Lessons · Tags: francais , french , tourism , tourisme , travel , vocabulaire , vocabulary , voyages

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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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Visiting France for the first time can be lovely. The museums and monuments of Paris are incredible, the sunny shores of the Mediterranean are sublime, and the mountains are majestic. But… not knowing French can make it challenging at times. That is why I am sharing some useful French phrases to know when traveling to France. 

Language barriers can always be difficult while traveling, especially if you like to get a little off-the-beaten path. 

Whether you want to feel a little more confident navigating around Paris or you want to at least be able to communicate a little while venturing to smaller French towns, these are some French everyday phrases that you may want to know. 

Whether you’re visiting Paris for a week or are planning a fun South of France road trip , these are the 17 essential French phrases you should learn.

PS- I’m going to attempt to somewhat provide how to say this for American-English speakers as French and American-English pronunciations aren’t the same. I recommend Google Translate for a better idea of how to pronounce these words. 

1. Bonjour/Bonsoir are definitely French words to know

I cannot emphasize enough how important this one is. It truly can make a difference between receiving good service at a shop or getting completely ignored. 

Bonjour (to use before 5 pm) and bonsoir (after 5 pm) essentially mean “Hello.” It is considered rude to not say this to employees at a market, store, cafe, etc. when you walk in.

I mean, when you think about it, it makes sense. Everyone wants to be acknowledged before being approached with questions or drink orders. So if you don’t say “hello,” you may experience the stereotypical “French rudeness.”

I’m not saying people can’t be mean (people can be rude everywhere), but often times the reason many Americans find that French people seem rude is simply that Americans didn’t say “bonjour” and were seen as rude first. 

And while this seems like common sense to French people and perhaps other cultures, in the US, it just isn’t as expected to say “hello” right away. 

So just be sure to always say “bonjour” or “bonsoir.”

To say “bonjour” it sounds like “bon gour” (kind of like how you would pronounce the second “g” in garage). Bonsoir sounds like “bon swar.”

2. Parlez-vous anglais? Is one of the French phrases to know while traveling

This is a basic French phrase to know that means “do you speak English?”

I don’t think people expect you to be completely fluent in French when you visit France, especially if you’re in the touristy parts of Paris for a short period of time. However, people always appreciate an effort. 

It is definitely seen as rude or ignorant to automatically start speaking in English when talking with a French person in France. And if you don’t know much French at all (or any really), just be sure to know “bonjour/bonsoir” and this phrase. 

It is pronounced, “parlay-vu ang-lay?”

If you hear them reply with a “oui” or “yes” then you can ask what you need to ask in English. 

3.Oui/Ouais & Non

You may recognize these French words to know. Oui means “yes” and Non means “no.” Ouais means “yeah,” so it is a little less formal. 

Remember that the “ou” parts of these words are actually pronounced with a “wuh” sound. So oui is pronounced “wee,” and ouais is pronounced “way.” 

No is basically pronounced the same as it is in English. 

4. Au revoir

Au revoir is how to say “goodbye” in French. So, if you’re saying goodbye while leaving a shop, this is what you’d say. 

It is pronounced kind of like “oh rev wah”. 

If this is a less formal setting, and you’re with friends, you can just say “salut.” This just means “bye.” It is pronounced more like “sal-oo.”

5. Bonne journee/Bonne soiree

These two basic French phrases to know mean “have a good day” and “have a good evening,” respectively. I use the same rules as bonjour/bonsoir as to when to say them, and it is a polite thing to say as you leave a shop. 

It is pronounced “bun gour-nay” (same “ge” sound as in “bonjour”) for “bonne journee” and “bun swar-eh” for “bonne soiree.”

Pronounced like “mare-see,” this is one of the must-know French words because you’ll likely be saying this a lot. 

It means “thank you,” and whether your server is bringing you your food or someone is handing you something, it is a nice thing to say. 

This means, “you’re welcome.” So if you’re holding the door open for someone in France and they say, “merci,” you can replay with this. 

It is pronounced like “du re-un” or kind of like how you would say “durian” (yes, like the fruit) but quickly. 

8. S’il vous plait is always one of the need-to-know French phrases

This means “please” and, just as you learned as a child, it is always important to say your “pleases” and “thank yous.” 

So, if you want to order something, just end with a “s’il vous plait,” to be polite.

It is pronounced like “sil vu play.”

9. Ou sont les toilettes? Is one of the most useful French phrases to know

This is an incredibly useful French phrase to know, especially as it means “where are the toilets?”

It is pronounced mostly like it is spelled, except the “ou” is pronounced kind of like “ooh.” But if you need to find the restroom in a restaurant, this is definitely something to know how to ask. 

Pronounced like “par-donn,” this phrase simply means “sorry” or “excuse me.” You’ll likely hear this one a lot in crowded places like the metro when someone accidentally bumps into you. 

It is a polite thing to say after you bump into someone or if you want to get around them.

11. Excuse-moi

This key French phrase to know means, as you can already imagine, “excuse me.” Pronounced mostly how it looks, it is mostly used as a way to begin a request, like asking for directions, or for getting someone’s attention in a polite way. 

12. Je suis desole(e)

This means “I am sorry.” It is a good French phrase to know if you knock something over, walk into someone, make a mistake, etc. 

As a clumsy person myself, I’ve definitely needed to know this phrase. 

This is pronounced like “ge swee dezo-lay,” (same “ge” sound as in “bonjour”) and the extra “e” is the feminine version of the word. 

13. Je voudrais

For beginners who want to order something at a cafe or restaurant, this is a great thing to know. This means “I would like…” and is pronounced like “ge voo-dray” (same “ge” sound as “bonjour”). 

So if you wanted to order a croissant at a cafe, you’d simply say “Bonjour, je voudrais un croissant, s’il vous plait.”

14. Je vais prendre

This is very similar to “je voudrais” only it is more commonly used while ordering food or drinks at a restaurant or cafe. It means “I will take.” 

It is pronounced like “ge vay prend-ruh” (same “ge” sound as “bonjour” and the “ruh” part is fast). 

So you can also order a croissant at a cafe by saying, “Bonjour, je vais prendre un croissant, s’il vous plait.”

15. Je ne comprend pas

If someone is speaking too fast, or you simply just don’t understand what someone is saying, this is a must-know French phrase. 

It means “I don’t understand.” You pronounce it like “ge nuh com-prond pas” (same “ge” sound as “bonjour”). 

You can also drop the “ne” and it means the same, so that would be “Je comprend pas.”

16. L’addition s’il vous plait

Unlike in the US, servers in France do not come up to the table constantly and ask you how everything is tasting, if you need a refill, etc. In a way, it is really nice to be left alone. 

But, if you need to pay the bill and leave, you’ll have to flag them down. Do not and I mean DO NOT snap your fingers and yell “garcon.” That literally means “boy” and is super disrespectful. You won’t get much help when you say that. 

Instead, you can try to make eye contact/ give a small wave to get their attention and they’ll come over. Then, you’ll ask “L’addition s’il vous plait.” This means “The bill, please.”

L’addition is pronounced how it looks for the most part, and s’il vous plait is pronounced “sil vu play.”

17. Je ne parle pas francais

This means “I don’t speak French.” So if someone starts to speak with you in French and you don’t speak French, then you can reply with this. 

It is pronounced as it reads for the most part except for the “je” (it is the same “ge” sound as “bonjour”). You can also drop the “ne” and say “Je parle pas francais,” and it means the same thing.

These are definitely the must-know French phrases before you travel to France. 

Want to Learn More French? Here are some great resources!

Okay, say you’ve mastered these useful French phrases to know and you really want to up your game. Or, perhaps you’re planning to stay in France for an extended period and need to know more than the basics. 

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to learn French. Aside from taking an actual course in a classroom, there are apps like Duolingo , which I’ve used to brush up on my French and get better, and Babbel . 

Aside from apps, there are plenty of books, like Easy French Step-by-Step , or even Youtube channels, like Comme Une Francaise.

And you can also pay for online classes like on the Comme Une Francaise website . What I like about classes from here is that not only can you learn basics, but you can learn things like fast French and more spoken French to sound more fluent. 

French Television For Learning More French Phrases

When you learn a decent amount of French, then I recommend checking out some great French Netflix shows like Lupin , The Ultimatum: France , Call My Agent , The Hookup Plan , and The Circle France . 

These are great ways to hear how French actually sounds and start imitating the accent to improve your French. 

Plus, French shows give insight into the culture like in reality shows such as The Ultimatum: France or The Circle France . 

Whether you’re visiting Paris for a few days or you want to learn more about how to speak French, these are some great French phrases to know and other resources.

Want more France travel tips? Check out these posts:

• Best Weekend Trips From Paris
• 3 Days in Cannes
• Ultimate French Riviera Itinerary in 5 Days
• Nice in One Day
• Luberon France Villages Guide
• Best Alsace Christmas Markets
• One Day in Avignon
• Best Things to do in Cassis
• Best French Gifts
• Top Things to do in Beaune
• Best Day Trips From Annecy
• Hidden Gems of Paris
• How to Spend 10 Days in France
• 2 Days in Paris
• 1 Day in Cannes
• 1 Day in Colmar
• Best Smaller Museums in Paris
• Strasbourg Christmas Market Guide
• Best French Pharmacy Beauty Products
• Obernai Christmas Market Guide
• Riquewihr Christmas Market Guide
• Ultimate 7-Day Normandy Road Trip
• How to Visit Mont Saint Michel
• Weekend in Champagne Itinerary
• Things to Do in Paris in the Summer
• 1 Day in Paris
• How to Spend 4 Days in Paris
• Ultimate 5 Days in Paris
• Best French Cheeses
• Things to do in Grenoble
• Paris Day Trip to Versailles Guide
• Best Time to Visit Paris
• Romantic Things to do in Paris
• Where to Stay in Paris
• Best Things to do in Lyon
• France Bucket List
• Paris Bucket List
• Most Beautiful Cities in France
• Top Things to do in Dijon
• Annecy in Winter Guide
• 1 Day in Annecy
• Paris in January Guide
• Ultimate Paris 2024 Olympics Travel Guide
• Paris in the Fall Guide
• Top 15 France Road Trips
• Colmar Christmas Market Guide
• Ribeauville Christmas Market Guide
• Kaysersberg Christmas Market Guide
• Best Things to Do in Deauville
• Ultimate Normandy Cider Route Guide & Itinerary

Follow the journey!

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2 thoughts on “17 Useful French Phrases to Know When Traveling to France”

Love your info- just a little update: It’s Je ne parle pas français. No LE for the verb parler with a language!

AND… orally, the ‘ne’ is dropped. So, it sounds more like- Shhhh pahl pah frawn say

Hi Kelly! Thanks for catching that- sometimes I make mistakes as I’m still learning French. And I kept the “ne” just because this is more for beginners.

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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?

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French travel vocabulary.

If you’re planning a trip to France, knowing some basic French travel vocabulary can be incredibly helpful. Not only will it make it easier to navigate your way around the country, but it can also help you connect with locals and immerse yourself in the culture. In this article, we’ll cover some essential French travel vocabulary that you should know before you go.

Greetings and Basic Phrases

The first thing you’ll want to know when traveling to France is how to greet people and say basic phrases. Here are some important ones to remember:

• Bonjour – Hello
• Au revoir – Goodbye
• Merci – Thank you
• S’il vous plaît – Please
• Excusez-moi – Excuse me
• Parlez-vous anglais? – Do you speak English?

Transportation

Getting around in France can be easy if you know the right vocabulary for transportation. Here are some words you should know:

• Métro – Subway
• Train – Train
• Avion – Plane
• Gare – Train station
• Aéroport – Airport
• Billet – Ticket

Accommodation

Finding a place to stay in France can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know the vocabulary. Here are some words to help you navigate the world of French accommodation:

• Hôtel – Hotel
• Auberge de jeunesse – Youth hostel
• Chambre – Room
• Réservation – Reservation
• Petit déjeuner – Breakfast
• Douche – Shower
• Toilettes – Bathroom

Food and Drink

French cuisine is famous around the world, and trying traditional dishes is a must when visiting France. Here are some words to help you with the food and drink vocabulary:

• Fromage – Cheese
• Pain – Bread
• Croissant – Croissant
• Café – Coffee
• Menu – Menu
• Serveur – Waiter

Sightseeing

France is full of incredible sights to see, from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the beaches of the French Riviera. Here are some words to help you with the sightseeing vocabulary:

• Musée – Museum
• Monument – Monument
• Cathédrale – Cathedral
• Plage – Beach
• Jardin – Garden
• Carte – Map
• Guide – Guide

Shopping is a favorite pastime in France, and there are plenty of boutiques and markets to explore. Here are some words to help you with the shopping vocabulary:

• Marché – Market
• Magasin – Store
• Vêtements – Clothing
• Chaussures – Shoes
• Bijoux – Jewelry
• Argent – Money
• Rabais – Discount

Learning some basic French travel vocabulary can make your trip to France much more enjoyable and fulfilling. We hope this article has helped you with some essential words and phrases to know before you go. Bon voyage!

The 10 best English to French dictionaries to use in 2023

This article contains affiliate links. This means French Together may earn a commission for purchases made through these links. Read our full affiliate disclosure .

One of the most important tools you’ll need when you learn French is a French-English/English-French dictionary.

Whether it’s a print dictionary or an app you download and save on your phone, tablet, or computer, a French-English/English-French dictionary is a must. Even when you reach fluency in French, you’ll probably still need to look something up from time to time. I know I do!

But how to choose the right one for you?

To give you some ideas, here’s our selection of some of the best print French dictionaries and French dictionary apps out there.

The best French-English print dictionaries and apps

Here, in no particular order, is our choice of the best French-English dictionaries in print and app form.

Collins-Le Robert Concise French-English Dictionary

Format: Dictionary app

It’s hard to find a French dictionary app that garners praise beyond customer reviews, but this one crops up on many lists of the best French dictionary apps or essential apps for French learners. It’s even the subject of a  personal blog entry .

The Collins-Le Robert is a standard even in the print dictionary domain. It contains more entries than most of the other French dictionary apps out there, although the  Android version  seems to have more entries than the  iOS  one.

Price: $14.99+. Offline?: Yes.

Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary, 11th Edition

Format: Print dictionary

This massive, unabridged print French-English/English-French dictionary has a special place in my heart. I’ve had my copy (albeit an older edition) since I was a teenager learning French. It took many transatlantic flights with me in the years before I finally came to live permanently in France, which often caused my bag to be overweight!

Today, I still use it when I’m working on tricky translations or looking for a thorough definition of a word.

Price: $44.00-55.00. Check for sales and promotions on Harper Collins’ website .

English-French Dictionary by Larousse

This is another classic staple for any modern-day French-learner and includes more words than the Collins-Le Robert app, which is especially important if you’re going to use your app for  reading in French . The word count is the same for both the  Android  and  iOS  versions, which is nice and highly reasonable.

On the other hand, unlike the Collins-Le Robert, this app only seems to have verb conjugation tables, instead of a full-out conjugator, which may explain the lower price.

Price: $4.99. Offline?: Yes.

Word Reference French English dictionary

Like many foreign language speakers, translators, and teachers, I use the Word Reference dictionary almost every day.

Like the site, the app has a simple interface and is easy to use. Also like the site: you can consult and post questions on the forums.

Available for  Android  and  iOS .

Price: Free. Offline?: No.

French Dictionary & Thesaurus + English Translation by Farlex

Available for both  iOS  and  Android , this highly rated, popular app includes a voice search option, as well as other helpful features.

Price: Free. Offline?: Yes.

Grand Tour French Dictionary

This is a good, basic, no-frills French dictionary app, with a simple interface. As of now, it’s only available for  iOS .

While the first two French dictionary apps on this list are cornerstones, Ascendo seems to be the young upstart. Available for  iOS  and  Android , this popular app has great reviews and its features and interface seem to be genuinely helpful.

A paperback Robert & Collins abridged French-English dictionary

The other suggestions on this list are easy to find, but this one – and any comparable dictionary – is a lot harder. Although it’s best to have an unabridged print dictionary at home, if you need to take one to class or on a trip, there are many paperback French-English dictionaries that will get the job done quite nicely.

Le Dictionnaire Le Robert & Collins Poche Anglais is available in France  and includes a PC version as well.  But it doesn’t seem to be widely sold in places like the US or UK. The same goes for other abridged paperback French-English/English-French dictionaries that have been updated in the past few years.

That said, a visit to a real-life bookstore in your area may be the answer. Many bookstores cater to students and language learners and will sell these special resources. The same is also true for public libraries.

Price: Extremely variable. Offline?: Yes.

Specialized French-English dictionaries

Some French-English dictionaries fit specific needs. Two of the most useful are travel dictionaries and pronunciation dictionaries. Here are are favorites in each of those categories.

Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary

Format: print and/or e-book

Although dictionary apps make it easy to carry a French-English dictionary with you, I personally prefer to also have a small print one on hand whenever I travel abroad. This way, you don’t have to worry about internet connection, your phone’s battery level, weather or other conditions, or potential theft (sadly, print books aren’t usually targets for thieves and pickpockets). A French-English travel dictionary won’t contain every word in French, but it will provide a decent amount of vocabulary, as well as sections on specifics like helpful phrases, food, and so on.

The Lonely Planet French Phrasebook & Dictionary is probably the best print French-English travel dictionary I know of that’s still published today. In addition to a 3500 English-French/French-English dictionary, this pocket-sized resource also contains things like tips on French culture and specific sections to help you understand French menus and communicate in case of an emergency.

If you’re still not convinced about having this book in print, it’s also available as an e-book  you can save on your phone, tablet, or e-reader.

Price: Around $6.00 for the print book and around $7.50 for the print and e-book purchased together.

Forvo French pronunciation dictionary

Most of the dictionary apps on our list include audio so that you can hear how a word sounds. But  if you want to take your French oral and aural skills to another level, you should think about downloading or using a French pronunciation dictionary.

Most French pronunciation dictionaries feature recordings of individual words, but several offer sentences or even full texts.

Some of these apps also have interactive elements, like being able to ask native French speakers to pronounce particular words or sentences for you.

Benjamin reviewed several French pronunciation dictionaries in this  article . The standout for him was Forvo, which has the most entries of any French pronunciation dictionary. Available for  iOS  and  Android , or even simply usable via its  website.  Forvo features audio of individual words as well as some sentences, that interactive capability I mentioned earlier that lets you ask native French speakers to pronounce something, and even French lessons.

Price: Free. Offline?: At the time of this writing, the iOS version of the app has an offline version, but the Android version doesn’t.

The most important feature to look for in a French dictionary app

Keep in mind that the most important feature of a French dictionary app is offline accessibility. After all, you want to be able to use it even if you don’t have internet access or have a bad connection.

Should I choose a dictionary app or a print dictionary?

There are advantages and disadvantages to each French-English dictionary format.

Some advantages of French dictionary apps include:

• Many are free
• They don’t take up physical space
• They can be taken with you just about anywhere your mobile device can go
• They can be updated to include new vocabulary.
• Many also include features like audio and verb conjugators.
• You can often connect a French dictionary app to your e-reader so that you can select a word and get its translation.

Some disadvantages of French dictionary apps include:

• Certain apps can only be accessed with an internet connection
• Your mobile device must be charged
• May be hard to use in extreme weather or temperature conditions

As for print print French-English/English-French dictionaries, advantages include:

• They can be used without a power or internet source
• It may be easier to flip through a page than to wait for something to load
• A print travel dictionary is less likely to be stolen than a dictionary app on your phone.

Some disadvantages of print French-English/English-French dictionaries include:

• None of them are free (although most are relatively inexpensive, especially if you get them secondhand)
• They take up physical space
• They may be heavy if you want to take them somewhere.

So, should you get a print French-English dictionary or an app? For me, the answer is…both!

I love using French dictionary apps like Word Reference, but I’m also very glad to have my unabridged print Harper-Collins French/English dictionary as well. I get the best of both worlds, and since my dictionary app doesn’t cost anything, it’s like getting two for the price of one.

Two French references – or even more than two – can be a great way to verify tricky words or phrases, or to find information (for instance, etymology) that’s in one but not in the other. So, why not take advantage of old-school pages and new-school screen displays when it comes to your French resources?

Do you have a favorite French dictionary app or pronunciation dictionary? If you do, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. If not, I hope this list is a good jumping-off point for finding the perfect one for you!

• What are the best French learning apps in 2024?
• The 16 best websites and apps for French conversation practice
• Duolingo French review: The good, the bad and the ugly

Alysa Salzberg

Alysa Salzberg is an American writer, worrier, teacher, and cookie enthusiast who has lived in Paris, France, for more than a decade. She has taught English and French for more than ten years, most notably as an assistante de langue vivante for L'Education Nationale. She recently published her first novel, Hearts at Dawn , a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling that takes place during the 1870 Siege of Paris. You can read about her adventures here , or feel free to stop by her website .

French Vocabulary: 100 Lists For Beginners + Learning Tips

Learning French vocabulary is your gateway to speaking French. On this page we’ve arranged over 100 lists of French words for beginners. We’ve covered many topics including food, animals, weather, clothing, family, sports and much more. Further down the page we provide several learning tips as well as a list of essential words and expressions.

French vocabulary lists by topic

The following table offers over 100 French vocabulary word lists:

French vocabulary: Essential survival words

If you take a trip to France, the following words are absolutely indispensable and should be the first words you learn.

• Merci Thank you
• De Rien You’re welcome
• Bonjour ! Hello!
• Au revoir ! Goodbye!
• Salut ! Hi!
• Comment allez-vous ? How are you (formal)
• Comment ça va ? How’s it going?
• Et toi/vous? And yourself?
• Enchanté! Nice to meet you!
• Ravi de vous connaître! Nice to meet you!
• Je m’appelle My name is
• Comment vous appelez-vous ? What is your name?
• Pardon! Sorry!
• Excusez-moi! Excuse me!

This page on our site offers a complete guide to the most common French words with audio.

Tips for mastering French vocabulary

1) consider some good online courses.

One of the best ways to prepare yourself for taking on French vocabulary is to try an online course. These courses do a great job teaching the reading and sound systems and present the vocabulary in a very logical way.

Over the years I’ve come to know Camille from Frenchtoday.com and highly recommend her course, A Moi Paris course for beginners.

2) Master pronunciation and reading first

One of my biggest tips for all new students for learning French vocabulary is actually master reading and pronunciation first.

The reason is that if you’re on shaky ground reading and pronouncing words you will never make yourself understood.

In addition, once you get the reading rules down, you will be able to make better connections between different words and have the ability to take on new words at a faster pace.

To master pronunciation you may consider looking into French Today’s Secrets Of French Pronunciation course .

The French accents are a big mystery for many beginner students. Many people don’t know how to read the accents and completely ignore them.

Knowing how to read the accents correctly is very important. Our French accents page is a wonderful resource for learning to read the accents.

3) Mastering Gender: A lifelong challenge

One of the biggest challenges for learning French vocabulary is remembering that each noun has an assigned masculine or feminine gender.

Unlike Spanish where feminine nouns simply take an -a, you cannot assume that all feminine nouns in French take an -e.

Mastering gender in French is lifelong process so don’t give up if you have a hard time remembering which words are masculine and which are feminine.

This page on our site covering French nouns gender rules gives common spelling endings for masculine and feminine words with lots of example words and exceptions.

4) Look for similarities between French and English

A very high percentage of the French and English languages overlap. Almost all words related to areas of high educational arears such as science, medicine, politics and philosophy overlap.

When learn French words take the time to ask yourself if there’s an English word that is related . This can help you memorize faster.

For example, un pantelon in French means pants. The English words is embedded in the French word!

Here’s a fun one: The French word “éviter” means to avoid? How do you remember this? In English if something is “inevitable” it’s “unavoidable”.

5) Learn with a tutor

One of the best way to learn new words is use a tutor. A highly skilled tutor can ascertain your level and see to it that during every paid hour you learn the maximum number of new words. A great website where you can find French tutors is italki.com .

6) Use movies and TV shows

There are many other ways to learn French vocabulary that are much less traditional but highly effected.

One way is to simply watch French movies and series on Netflix. Pause the video when you come to a word that you want to remember, look it up and add it to your list.

Lingopie is a tool similar to Netflix that steams languages with both French and English subtitles simultaneously.

The app has a tool for creating vocab list. I feel that Lingopie is a great took for building vocab at a very rapid rate.

French vocabulary words for survival in France

Before traveling to France it would be a great idea to get a grasp of basic survival words. Here are a few words and phrases you absolutely must learn.

Asking directions

While on your trip you will inevitably find yourself in situations where you have to ask directions. Try your hardest to ask in French! Here’s a longer list covering vocabulary for asking directions .

• Où est ? Where is ?
• Où est la gare ? Where is the train station?
• Où sont ? Where are ?
• Où se trouve ? Where is ?
• Où sont les toilettes ? Where’s the restroom.

Basics for taking an Uber or taxi

Knowing a few works or phrases can come in very handy when taking an Uber or taxi. Here’s a longer list covering taxi vocabulary .

• Je vais à . I’m going to .
• Voici l’adresse. Here’s the address.
• Allez tout droit. Go straight ahead.
• Tournez ici. Turn here.
• C’est à droite/gauche. It’s to the right/left.
• Je descends ici. I’ll get off here.

A few words for expressing language difficulties

It’s very likely that you’ll find yourself in situations where you have a hard time making yourself understood and understanding what’s being said to you. Here are a few phrases you can use in these conversations.

• Je suis desolé! I’m sorry!
• Je ne comprends pas. I don’t understand.
• Répétez s’il vous plaît. Please repeat.
• Parlez lentement, s’il vous plaît. Speak slowly please.
• Je ne parle pas français. I don’t speak French.
• Comment dit-on _ en français? How do you say _ in French?
• Parlez-vous anglais ? Do you speak English?

Vocabulary for shopping

A wonderful way to practice speaking French is to go into stores and chat with sales people. On this page you can find a much longer list of vocabulary and phrases for shopping .

• Je cherche_. I’m looking for_.
• Combien coûte ? How much does cost?
• C’est combien ? How much is it?
• C’est trop grand. It’s too big.
• C’est pas petit. It’s too small.
• Avez-vous ma taille ? Do you have my size?
• Acceptez-vous une carte de credit? Do you accept a credit card?

Eating in restaurant

Knowing some restaurant words and phrases will come in very handy when you When you go to a restaurant in France. On this page you can find a longer list of restaurant vocabulary .

• Je voudrais . I would like?
• Je prends . I’ll take .
• Avez-vous ? Do you have?
• Je suis allergique à _. I’m allergic to _.
• L’addition s’il vous plaît. The bill, please.

Talking about family

At a certain point during your trip you’ll most likely find yourself talking about your family. This page offers a much more extensive list of family vocabulary .

• La famille family
• Je suis marié(e). I am married.
• Je suis célibataire. I am single.
• Êtes-vous marié? Are you married?
• Êtes-vous célibataire? Are you single?
• J’ai un(e) enfant/J’ai des enfants. I have a/several kids.
• Mon mari My husband
• Mon épouse My wife
• J’ai un frère. I have a brother.
• J’ai une soeur. I have a sister.

French slang

While it’s not totally necessary to know French slang for a trip to France, it’s nice to know a few works. The following is a very short list of French slang or, “argot”. You can find a must more comprehensive list on our French slang page .

• Une meuf a woman
• J’sais pas I don’t know
• Le fric money
• Kiffer to like
• Un bordel mess
• Une balle euro
• Une clope cigarette

A few useful phrases

There are some phrases you absolutely must know. I’ve listed out the bare essentials here with explanations. This page offers an extensive list of French expressions .

Merci beaucoup

It is essential that you know how to say and use merci beaucoup before your trip. Merci beaucoup translates to thank you very much.

Beaucoup is pronounced “bo-koo”. Be sure to keep your mouth loose and relaxed while pronouncing the ‘koo’ sound.

S’il vous plaît vs. s’il te plaît

It’s very important to know how to say please in French . Both s’il vous plaît and s’il te plaît both mean please but there’s a key difference to understand.

S’il vous plaît is formal and you must use it with strangers or people older than yourself. Use s’il te plaît for only with people you know or those in your peer group.

Je ne sais pas

This is a must-know phrase that means “I don’t know”. It will come in very handy when somebody asks you a question and you don’t know the answer.

Don’t confused this with “je ne connais pas”. This also means I know know but it’s used when referring to people or places that you might know.

Je vous en prie and je t’en prie

The phrase je vous en prie is also exremely useful and common in France. It’s impossible to translate directly into English.

While it literally means, I beg of thee, you can use it to mean your’re welcome. Also, if a wait person was showing you to your seat he or she might say, je vous en prie as you’re taking your seat.

On translation of je vous en prie is you’re welcome. You can also say de rien to mean you’re welcome.

J’aime, je n’aime pas

J’aime and je n’aime pas translate to both I like and I don’t like. These phrases will come in very handy when you’re trying to express your tastes to your hosts.

You can use these when talking about just about anything. For example, J’aime le steak. Je n’aime pas la salade. I like the steak. I don’t like the salad.

Become an expert in French vocabulary! Another great resource for learning French vocabulary is Chapter 7 of the book Practice Makes Perfect, Complete French All-in-One . The book provides lots of vocabulary lists with example sentences and exercises.

Discover more:

• Guide to the French alphabet
• How to say “hello” in French
• How to say “goodbye” in French
• Common French expressions
• Ways to saying “Yes” in French
• Ways of saying “No in French
• French TV shows on Netflix
• La Vie en Rose Song & Meaning
• Common French names for boys and girls

Sharing is caring!

Affiliate disclosure: Below you will find affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking the link, we will receive a small commission. To learn more please visit our full disclosure page . Merci!

Read our full review of À Moi Paris and find out why we love it so much!

Read our full review of French Verb Drills and find out why we recommend this course!

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

See all posts by David Issokson

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What is the translation of "travel" in French?

"travel" in french, travel {vb}.

• volume_up voyager
• se déplacer
• aller en véhicule

travel {noun}

• volume_up voyage
• déplacement

travelers {pl}

• volume_up voyageurs

traveller {noun}

• volume_up voyageur

travelling {adj.}

• volume_up de voyage

Translations

Travel [ traveled; travelled|traveled; travelled ] {verb}.

• open_in_new Link to source
• warning Request revision

travelers {plural}

Travelling {adjective}, context sentences, english french contextual examples of "travel" in french.

These sentences come from external sources and may not be accurate. bab.la is not responsible for their content.

Monolingual examples

English how to use "travel" in a sentence, english how to use "travelers" in a sentence, english how to use "traveller" in a sentence, english how to use "travelling" in a sentence, english how to use "voyage" in a sentence, english how to use "voyageurs" in a sentence, english how to use "de voyage" in a sentence, collocations, "travel gear" in french.

• volume_up équipement de voyage
• volume_up matériel de voyage

"travel great distances" in French

• volume_up voyager de grandes distances
• volume_up parcourir de grandes distances

"travel guide" in French

• volume_up guide de voyage

Synonyms (English) for "travel":

• change of location
• move around
• traumatize family
• traumatize the victim
• traumatized
• traumatized by the experience
• traumatized children
• traumatized victim
• traumatizing
• traumatology
• travel a distance
• travel a fair
• travel a path
• travel abroad
• travel agency
• travel agent
• travel agents
• travel alarm
• travel alarm clock
• travel all over

In the English-Danish dictionary you will find more translations.

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30+ France Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go

Last Updated: July 6, 2023

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

With a committed legion of croissant-loving, champagne-chugging Francophiles spread across the globe, France may well be one of the most romanticized countries in Europe.

But unfortunately for many first time visitors, with high expectations comes inevitable disappointment, especially when they realize that the streets do not , in fact, smell permanently of baguettes.

But France is an amazing country to visit… so long as you come prepared.

Packed to the brim with cultural quirks and frustrating traps, France isn’t a destination that you can just show up and blindly enjoy. But that’s exactly what makes a visit here so rewarding… and addictive.

After many, many visits over the past decade and a half, I’ve learned the hard way what not to do in France, and how to navigate the country in a way that keeps you crawling back for more.

So, read on for a list of my best France travel tips for first-timers, with all the French must-knows I wish I knew before my first visit, almost 15 years ago.

Save this list of France Travel Tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Remember: France is more than just Paris!

With its status as the EU’s largest country, France is so packed with sights, it’s a miracle that Paris has managed to hog the limelight this long.

Metropolitan France is made up of thirteen regions and is often referred to as l’Hexagone, or the Hexagon thanks to its hexagonal shape. And what a ridiculously attractive hexagon it is.

I worked for a French travel company one summer which brought me to a ton of destinations I never would’ve otherwise thought to visit. And I’m obsessed. Paris is truly just scraping the surface, so if time allows, be sure to add other French destinations to your itinerary.

Here are a few of my personal favourites:

• Alsace: Fairytale storybook villages come to life, famous for its wineries and Christmas markets.
• The French Riviera: A glitzy coastline that gets 300+ days of sunshine each year, dotted with luxurious resorts, plus easy access to Monaco .
• Lyon: An amazing city with an epic gastronomy scene, plenty of cool sights and surprises (like how it was the birthplace of cinema!)
• Normandy: Dramatic landscapes along the The Alabaster Coast, and lots of cool unique sights like Mont St Michel. Capital is Rouen, a gorgeous medieval city.

You can see my full list of places to visit in France (besides Paris) for more inspo.

NOTE: One really great way to research new French destinations is by using Google Translate and searching in French. By doing this, you’ll find a lot more content that is geared towards domestic travellers, who tend to explore more than just the most famous spots known internationally.

2. Don’t assume all French people are rude

Now, let’s address the éléphant in the room. You’ve probably heard it before – one of the most jarring culture shocks for first timers visiting France is that locals can be… a little mean.

And I get where that impression comes from. First off, it’s important to note that unhinged enthusiasm and over-friendliness is simply not baked into French culture the same way it is in many parts of North America, so they’re just generally more demure.

More importantly though, French people like things done their way… and unlike other countries in Europe that may be more willing to bend and cater to tourist crowds, French locals are more steadfast in maintaining their norms, often to the embarrassment and woe of clueless visitors.

Oftentimes, it feels to me like locals in touristy areas have pre-conceived notions about ‘ignorant tourists’ and so it’s assumed you are one of the bad eggs, unless you prove otherwise.

This is why learning basic French phrases and etiquette is SO crucial. Once you can show you’re putting in the work, you win instant respect points in the eyes of tourist-wary locals, and you’ll certainly have a much better time.

On that note…

3. Learn some basic French before your trip

Unlike in many other European tourist hubs where English is welcomed and spoken widely, France is a country where learning the local language can go a long, long way.

If there ever was a cheat code to unlocking French ‘friendliness’, it’d be speaking the language.

While many French locals (especially in big cities) speak more English than they let on, they often refrain from speaking it unless absolutely necessary, maintaining the (fair) belief that when in France, you should be speaking French.

So, here are some key French phrases you should 100% commit to memory, along with rough pronunciation guides:

• Hello: Bonjour (bon-zhoor)
• Good evening: Bonsoir (bon-swahr) -> [ say this after 6pm-ish, people kind of get snobby if you say “bonjour” in the evening]
• Thank you: Merci (mer-see)
• Please: S’il vous plaît (see voo play)
• Can I get the bill please?: L’addition, s’il vous plaît (lah-diss-yon, see voo play)
• Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais? (par-lay voo ong-lay)
• Excuse me (like, sorry/when you’re trying to move past someone) : Pardon (pahr-dawn)
• Excuse me (like, when you’re trying to get someone’s attention): Excusez-moi (ex-kews-ay-mwah)
• Bye: Au revoir (oh rev-war)

4. Familiarize yourself with basic French etiquette

Similarly, just as locals lack patience for those who don’t speak their language, they lack even more patience for those who aren’t familiar with French “ Us et coutumes ” (AKA habits and customs).

And, fair enough, there are a lot of cultural norms in France that (when breached) can come across as incredibly rude.

So, if you’d like to avoid being “yet another rude tourist”, here are some France etiquette tips to keep in mind:

Say “bonjour” (before 6pm) or “bonsoir” (after 6pm) when entering a shop: Failure to greet people when entering a shop is considered the peak of rudeness in France, so don’t forget!

When greeting friends, go for “La Bise”: In France, the standard informal greeting among “friends” is La Bise, which is basically an air kiss on each cheek while making a slight kissing sound. Hugging is actually considered more intimate than this!

When in doubt, go with “vous” : In French, there’s a difference between a formal you (vous) and informal you (tu). The latter should only be used among friends, so when addressing strangers, always go with the “vous” form!

Avoid speaking too loudly in public: When in doubt, try to match the overall volume of your surroundings. North Americans in particular have a reputation for being loud.

Moving past people? Say “Pardon”: I know a lot of tourists default to “excusez-moi”, which would be understood but is more meant as “excuse me” in the context of getting someone’s attention, so say “par-DON” when moving past people instead.

Avoid joking about clichés and stereotypes: French humour isn’t very self-deprecating, so avoid making jokes about common clichés and stereotypes, and certainly don’t go quoting infamous lines that start with “Voulez-vous coucher avec…”

5. Prepare for plenty of jaywalking and cutting in line

Based on the cultural nuances above, it may be easy to assume that French culture is simply more formal than most.

There are two main exceptions however: jay walking, and cutting in line.

The concept of line-ups (or queuing, as the Brits like to say) is non-existent in France, so don’t be surprised if a local comes shoving past you on public transport or jumps ahead of you at the boulangerie while you wait for your 7th pastry of the day.

And as for jaywalking, while technically forbidden if you’re within 50m of a crosswalk, most people do it anyway.

Once upon a time I was travelling with a French friend who practically acted as if traffic lights were invisible. When I asked him why, he simply told me “I am French. I do not wait!”

That just about sums it up.

6. Keep in mind the depth of cultural diversity within France

While many France travel guides (this one included!) make reference to “French people” or “the French way of doing things”, it’s important to note that France itself is home to a lot of regional diversity.

Brittany for instance is very different to the Basque Country which is very different to Alsace which is very different to Paris.

There are of course broad similarities (which this article covers), but when it comes to researching more specific things like what to eat, what wine to drink, etc. it may be worthwhile to research for the specific destinations you’re visiting.

7. Prepare yourself for strikes

Another important France travel tip I have for you is to simply get used to ‘going with the flow’, because trust me: France is a country where even the best laid plans can go awry with just a single word: ‘grève’ (AKA strike).

The right to strike is considered by many to be Frencher than even the Eiffel Tower itself, and odds are, a strike may impact your trip in one way or another.

For instance, a sudden train strike on my first trip to France meant we had to take a 12-hour bus ride instead of the much quicker train from Nice to Paris. It also took me literally FOUR tries over many years to visit the Arc de Triomphe, because of random strikes and closures every time I attempted to go.

And while there are some sites like this one that announce strikes, many of them are planned with little notice, so there’s not much you can do as an international visitor besides mentally preparing yourself for the possibility.

Overall, just don’t be too upset if your plans get thrown in a raging trash fire… and try your best to make the most of the situation in any case (like this couple who chose to calmly sip wine next to said trash fire).

8. And expect random closures

Related to the point above, another important France travel tip is to prepare yourself for unexpected closures.

From personal experience, I can confirm that even if Google Maps says a shop, restaurant, or attraction is open, there’s always a chance that it might be closed when you arrive. So, it’s important to stay flexible and have a plan B ready to go.

And if you’re planning on visiting during peak vacation periods like August, be prepared for even more closures since many locals will be out of town.

8. Consider planning your trip for the shoulder or off-season 

I know a lot of people dream about visiting France in the summer, but with the higher prices and the heat, I’d actually recommend shoulder/off season instead.

Especially for big cities like Paris, winter is a much quieter (and perfectly pleasant) time to visit… plus Paris at Christmas time is every bit as magical as you’d imagine.

NOTE: If you’re looking to score some sweet deals while heading to France, you should know that sales (Les Soldes) are no joke over there. They’re heavily regulated and only happen twice a year – once in June and once in January. Learn more here.

9. Go to Alsace for Christmas markets!

While Christmas in Paris is undoubtedly magical, the Alsace region of France has some of the most absurdly amazing Christmas markets in Europe.

Go to them.

I’ve already written out a full list of the best Christmas markets in Alsace, but here are some of my guides to specific markets so you can read more:

• Strasbourg Christmas Market Guide
• Colmar Christmas Market Guide
• Obernai Christmas Market Guide

This is one of the most magical times to visit France, and if you plan your visit for earlier in the season (late November, rather than close to Christmas), you’ll usually be able to avoid the bulk of the crowds.

Here are my top must-knows for visiting Christmas markets in Europe if you want to learn more.

10. Expect at least some scaffolding/restoration work

The lengthy history of France is one of its most enticing selling points.

But, it has to be said, for every drool-worthy building that boasts centuries of tales, there’s a scaffolding company ready to make a fortune.

So, just to get your expectations in check, expect scaffolding. And lots of it. Old, beautiful buildings require maintenance, and you’ll probably encounter the byproduct of said maintenance during your trip.

11. Be wary of petty theft and scams when you visit France

For first-time visitors, another important France must-know is that there are many professional pickpocketers and scammers frequenting tourist hubs.

Your best defence against them? Learning all their tricks beforehand.

You can learn the most common pickpocket techniques and how to avoid them in my post about how to avoid pickpockets in Europe , but overall, the key is to always be vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings.

Pickpockets thrive on distraction, and tend to operate in high-traffic areas that have a lot of people/tourists (e.g. train stations), so be especially careful to not let anyone get too close.

Here are some other ground rules to keep in mind for avoiding scams in France:

• Do not take free stuff: Often scammers will offer you a rose or a friendship bracelet for “free” then demand money. In more extreme cases, they may even forcibly tie a friendship bracelet on you then demand payment, so be cautious in busy touristy areas.
• Don’t sign any petitions: In touristy areas, there is often a scam (usually run by groups of young women) where they ask you to sign a petition and then either demand a donation from you, or distract you as someone else picks your pockets. Be sure to ignore and avoid!
• Do not blindly accept help from strangers: Generally, French locals will not approach & help you unless you ask for it. In cases of overly helpful strangers that come to YOU, often this is a scam, i.e. offering to help you buy a Metro ticket, then buying you the wrong one (e.g. a child’s ticket) while pocketing the profit.

12. Prioritize public transport for city to city travel

Now, onto France transport tips!

First off, if you are mainly visiting French cities during your trip, renting a car will likely not be necessary.

The French train system is robust and covers over 3000 stations across the country. For those on a budget, there are also bus companies like Flixbus, Eurolines and BlaBlaBus that offer affordable connections, and for quicker commutes, there are also 30+ airports in France, many of which are well served by budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet.

So, I’d recommend hopping on Omio to compare all the different options at a glance.

That said, if you want to frolic in nature nature, explore remote villages or roll around in glamorous chateaux, you will probably need to rent a car, in which case here is a post to help you figure out how much renting a car in Europe really costs .

13. Book train tickets in advance for the best deal

For train travel, the national rail company in France is known as the SNCF (Société nationale des chemins de fer français).

The crown jewel of their offerings is the TGV (Train à grande vitesse, or “high speed train”), which are fast trains that can get across the country at truly alarming speeds, like this world record-setting ride which hit 574.8 km/h (or 357.2 mph).

There are also Intercity trains and TER trains that are less quick but serve regional and local routes.

In any case, booking in advance is the best way to ensure good deals, particularly on TGV trains, where reserved seats are mandatory and can sell out.

14. Consider Ouigo trains if on a budget

If you’re on a budget, another option to look into is Ouigo trains, which are like a budget version of the TGV.

They’re a bit less fancy and you need to pay extra for additional perks like extra bags but it can be really cheap if you book in advance.

15. Use the SNCF Connect website to your advantage

French train stations can be stressful, so whenever possible, I’d recommend booking your tickets beforehand… unless you particularly enjoy panicking in crowded spaces.

Luckily, the SNCF Connect website makes it easy.

You can easily see their best offers here , or search up your departure point/destination to see a price calendar that helps you identify the cheapest dates and times.

16. Know the ground rules for public transport

When it comes to using public transport in France, there are a few important must-knows that I think will make your experience smoother and more affordable.

So, here are some tips for using public transportation in France:

• Look for deals: Depending on the city, you’ll often special discounted tickets which can save you a lot of money compared to paying full price (e.g. youth tickets, special weekend tickets), so be sure to look into discounts and see if any apply to you.
• Always validate and hold onto your ticket: In France, there are ticket checkers who make sure you’ve paid for and validated your fare correctly. Sometimes they will even check you after you’ve gotten off the train (e.g. at the top of escalators at Metro stations), so do not throw your tickets away until you’ve left the station.
• Avoid public transport during rush hour and during big events like sports games: Trying to hop on Metros or buses when thousands of locals are trying to get to/from work (or to a big event) is truly one of the biggest travel mistakes you can make in France, so plan around it!
• Lastly, let people exit trains/buses first before storming in: This is common sense, but unfortunately not so common, so remember this little France etiquette tip!

17. Learn the tricks to saving money on French attractions

There are a few things that are inevitable when you visit France for the first time. For instance, you will probably eat enough pastries to fed a small village. You will probably also drop a lot of dough (heh) on pricey attractions.

They have to pay for all that scaffolding somehow, after all.

Don’t worry though, there are a lot of secret (and not so secret) ways to save money on attractions when visiting France. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Book in advance: This will save both time and (sometimes) money.
• Age-based discounts: Usually there are discounts for children, youth (under the age of 26) and seniors (usually 60+)
• Residency-based discounts: Many major museums offer free or discounted admission for EU residents under the age of 26.
• Student discounts: Be sure to get an  ISIC Card  as this is an internationally recognized student ID that costs about twenty bucks, but will save you at least that much in discounts. Some attractions won’t accept your local student ID, so having this is important.
• Attraction passes: Many cities will offer passes that bundle multiple attractions into one price. If you plan to see a lot of stuff, this can save you a LOT of money.

18. On a budget? Prioritize free museums and sights

Of course, the ultimate way to save money sightseeing in France is to simply prioritize all the amazing free things there are to see and do. This is one of my top Europe backpacking tips .

All over the country, there are free things to ogle and experience, from grandiose museums and architecture to street art and fun festivals, all of which are stunningly gratuit. .. like these amazing free things to do in Paris .

So, from one cheapskate to another, please milk them for all they’re worth.

PS:  Many of museums across France offer free admission on particular days of the month, so be sure to give those dates a Google prior to your visit.

19. Learn how to avoid mediocre, tourist trap restaurants

French cuisine is world-renowned, but it can be a bit of a struggle to find the right places to eat when visiting France for the first time.

The reason is simple: good, authentic restaurants are unlikely to make themselves easily accessible to tourists. In contrast, the restaurants with English menus, free WiFi and big photos to explain their specialties are (as you might assume) not the best in quality or price.

SO, what are some ways to avoid getting tourist trapped when dining out in France? Here are some ground rules.

• Dine far away from tourist attractions: Generally, these will have a poor price to quality ratio. Instead, walk a few blocks over before starting your food hunt, or do some prior research to find well-rated restaurants near you.
• Be sure to check reviews: Reviews aren’t always 100% accurate, but they can be helpful in showing you immediate red flags like scammy prices.
• Avoid places with big photos and menus in a bajillion languages: This is usually a sign that the restaurant caters to tourists, so will likely be (at best) overpriced or (at worst) lacking in quality food.
• Steer clear of places with an over-eager host: If there’s a pushy server outside asking you to sit down, odds are this won’t be the best place to eat.

20. Know the tricks to saving money on dining out in France

So once you’ve found your (non tourist trappy) restaurant of choice, what are some ways you can enjoy while saving money?

As someone who loves food and saving money in equal measure, here are a few tricks to take advantage of:

• Splurge at lunch: Many places will offer special deals for lunch, so keep an eye out for those!
• Learn how to correctly ask for tap water: If you’re looking for free hydration, be sure to ask for “une carafe d’eau” or they will assume you want bottled water, which can be as much as 7 euros per bottle! Although take note that it’s common/expected to have a paid drink with your meal as well, like wine or beer.
• Try the plat du jour (dish of the day): Many restaurants in France will offer this as a special in addition to the regular menu offerings – it’s usually cheaper or unique in some way, so nice to try if it sounds good!

21. Familiarize yourself with the structure of a French menu/meal

Dining out in France can be intimidating for first-timers, and also confusing due to words that are different in English vs. French.

For instance, a menu in France can refer to a paper list of dishes, but it more often refers to a combo that includes multiple things for one set price.

So in a restaurant for instance, this may be a meal that comes with an appetizer, main course, dessert and wine for one price, or in fast food restaurants for instance, often a “menu” will mean a combo that comes with fries and a drink.

The more common word for the menu in France is “ la carte”. This is why there’s sometimes the distinction between ordering the “menu” (e.g. the set meal that comes with multiple courses for one price) or ordering “à la carte” (e.g. ordering individual things off the list of dishes they offer).

Another confusing thing is the word entrées. Whereas in North America, entrée refers to the main course, in France it refers to the starter or appetizer and the main course is the plat principal (often shortened to just “plats” on menus).

So, to be clear, the structure of a French meal usually goes like this:

• L’Entrée: An appetizer
• Le Plat Principal: A main course
• Le Fromage: Cheese (Self explanatory), sometimes served with a light salad before
• Le Dessert: Sweets that finish the meal

There’s a misconception out there that French people eat cheese for dessert, which isn’t entirely true – it’s just that they believe cheese should come after the main course, and many choose not to (or have no room for) a sweet dessert after.

For particularly indulgent evenings, many will also enjoy an Apéritif before eating the meal, which is a pre-dinner drink that whets the appetite, as well as a Digestif after the meal, which is a post-dinner drink that aids digestion.

22. Learn French restaurant etiquette

Alright, now that you know how the menu works, here are some additional French travel tips related to the science/art of dining out in France:

Make reservations: If you’ve got your heart set on a particular restaurant during your trip in France, it’s best to reserve a table in advance, especially for peak periods like weekends.

Wait to be seated: Seating yourself is not common France, so don’t do it unless there’s a sign saying so (or face the wrath of your server).

Get your server’s attention if you need something: Generally speaking, the ultra-friendly and proactive customer service you get in North America doesn’t really exist in France, so if you need anything after your order has been taken/after your food has arrived, you must take the initiative to flag down your server.

Avoid customizing your order with substitutions: This is not very common in France, as it’s usually assumed the chef knows best.

Ask for the bill when you want it: It will not come automatically, as they consider it rude to interrupt you during your meal.

23. Learn how to tip in France

In France, a 15% service charge is included in your bill, so the tipping culture here is definitely less prominent than in North America.

Opinion is divided on whether or not you should still tip on top of this service charge – younger locals often won’t bother with a tip at all. For me personally, it comes down to what “feels right” (so Canadian, I know!)

If you feel your server deserves a bit extra, then 5-10% would be acceptable… but you don’t need to feel obligated like you might in North America.

24. Have a quick search of regional specialties before you go

A lot of first time visitors to France will be familiar with some classic dishes – from the infamous escargot and frog legs to beloved classics like French onion soup and pastries.

Of course, it goes without saying that there is much more to French food than that.

French cuisine (much like its culture) has a lot of regional differences, so wherever you travel, be sure to sample the local specialty wherever you are instead of simply picking what you consider to be “typical French dishes”.

… and for the best results, pair them with local wine too.

25. Revamp your concept of “casual”

In terms of what to wear in France, contrary to popular belief, or what you see from fashion bloggers and Emily in Paris, not everyone in France is a fashion model dressed to the nines everyday.

That said, the default casual look in France is definitely elevated when compared to the standard ‘sweatpants, flip flops, and athleisure’ casual commonly seen in North America.

So if you want to blend in a bit more while in France, focus on clean neutral basics, and things that emulate a sort of effortless chic.

Although of course, at the end of the day, just wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Trust me, they’ll be able to tell you’re a tourist no matter what you wear.

26. Don’t bring any suitcases you can’t carry

But speaking of France packing tips, another important must-know is that any bag you bring should be one you’re comfortable carrying yourself.

Sure, you might think that there’s no need for lifting your bag if you’re checking it, but there are a million and one scenarios where you might have to end up carrying your suitcase in France, like…

• Your hotel or accommodation unexpectedly has no elevator
• The elevator you were counting on at the train station is out of order
• You need to carry your bag up some ancient staircase to get to your accommodation
• You need to lift your suitcase on/off the train you’re taking

So yes, get that strength training in now, and pack as light as possible.

27. Carry (at least a bit) of cash

While cards are accepted in many places around France, it’s still important to carry around cash, whether for small purchases or for essentials like using the washroom. Keeping coins is also a good idea!

28. Claim VAT refunds at the airport

France is a popular destination for shopping, especially if you’re into French brands and luxury goods.

SO, if you’re from outside the EU and plan to do a lot of shopping, you may qualify for a VAT tax refund when you leave France. This can amount to huge amounts depending on what you buy!

To qualify, you have to be a non-EU resident older than 15 years of age, and you need to spend more than 175 euros in one store in one day.

Here’s more info on how to claim your VAT refund before you leave France.

29. Floors start at zero so don’t get confused 

Another random France tip (which will be no news to you if you’ve seen Emily in Paris) is that the floor system in French buildings is different to what we see in North America.

Whereas in North America, the ground floor is often considered the 1st floor, the ground floor is considered its own separate entity in France (i.e. Floor 0) and then the next one above that would be the 1st floor.

… So, if your hotel key isn’t working, this might be why!

30. Try to buy your alcohol (from shops) before 10pm

This is a rather niche France travel tip, but one that has gotten me one too many times, so I’m sharing it anyway.

While there are no official alcohol sale restrictions in France, some supermarket chains and gas stations won’t let you purchase booze after a certain time (usually around 9 or 10pm).

So, if you’re hoping to get a bottle of wine to finish the evening, make sure you do so early. Although if you’re desperate, Uber Eats can deliver alcohol, as well as some “convenience stores”, although you can expect inflated prices from both these options.

31. Know that Disneyland Paris is not in Paris

Lastly, if you’re planning on adding Disneyland Paris to your itinerary, I would definitely recommend doing some additional research because despite the name, the park is actually about an hour away from Paris proper.

And while I personally think Disneyland Paris is a great time, a lot of visitors from abroad who have been to other Disney parks often find it disappointing.

So, when choosing day trips or planning your itinerary, definitely consider if there are other places that might be a better use of your time… because as you should know by now, there’s a lot to discover in this country!

Keen on seeing Disneyland Paris? Here are some of my best guides to help you out:

• 20+ tips for visiting Disneyland Paris
• An insider guide to Disneyland Paris’ best secrets and hidden gems
• How to plan a day trip from Paris to Disneyland Paris
• A guide to the Disneyland Paris Castle

I hope this list of France Travel Tips was helpful!

The fact that you’re still reading this is both an honour and a miracle. This was a VERY long list of travel tips for France, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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Learn French With Chanty

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Means of transportation in French : Vocabulary list and prepositions

Looking for how to say a car in the French language? Wondering if it's a masculine or feminine word? What are the means of transport in French? With which preposition to use with them? Shoud it be à or en ?

Whichever is your preoccupation, you will find an answer to your question here.

In this lesson, you are going to learn the different types of transports in French, the means of transportation and also the prepositions to use with them. By the end, you will be very familiar with the vocabulary of transports and will be able to use words like car, airplane, or train in French. 

Keep on reading till the end to take the test at the end of the lesson.

What are the different types of transportation in French?

Transportation is an important subject in the French language. It is useful for you when talking about ways of traveling, asking a friend how he goes to work or even shipment details for goods.

Before speaking about the types of transportation, it is important to define the words transport and transports.

The word transport which is masculine refers to the fact of moving something or people from a place to another.

The word transports refers to all the means of transport.

In general, there are 4 modes of transport depending on the route taken. Here are the names of the transportation with their English translation.

le transport routier : by road/land

le transport maritime:  by sea

le transport ferroviaire : by train

le transport aérien : by air.

There is also a difference between les transports privés (private transports)   for personal use, and les transports publics / les transports en commun for groups.

2. What are common names of means of transport in French?

Here is the list of common means of transport in French that you certainly use everyday. Words starting with  "la" like la voiture are feminine and those with  le are maxculine. For those with l' the indication (m) stands for masculine.

la voiture : car

le train : train

le métro : subway

le tram: tramway

l'autobus (m)/le bus : bus

le car:  bus

le taxi : taxi

l'avion : airplane

l'hélicoptère (m) : helicopter

le bateau: boat

le vélo/la bicyclette : bicycle

la moto: motorcycle

le tracteur : tractor

le camion : truck

la caravane : camping car

Be aware that the English word  car is translated as voiture in French while the French word "car" refers to a bus used for traveling between cities.

3. French verbs related to transportation

In general, transportation vocabulary can be used with verbs like prendre (to take), voyager (to travel), conduire (to drive) and verbs of  movement like those listed  below :

aller : to go

venir: to come

entrer  to enter,

sortir: to go out

monter: to get in, 

descendre: to go down, to alight, to get off

arriver: to arrive

partir: to leave

Here are examples of sentences using some of the verbs with their English translation. 

Je monte dans le bus => I get on the bus

Je descends du train => I get off the train

Je vais au travail en bus. => I go to work by train

Je conduis pour aller au travail. => I drive to work.

Je sors en voiture. => I go out by car

J'arrive en train. => I arrive by train.

Je prends le bus. => I take the bus.

With the verb descendre, remember to use the preposition DE+ a definite article. + a noun. Depending on the gender of that noun, you should use du, de la, de l' or Des. If you are not sure how to use them, then check out the lesson on how to use French articles .

Descendre de la voiture

Descendre de l' avion.

Descendre du train

With the verb monter, in general, the prepositions used are  dans or sur.

For example : 

Je monte sur ma moto. => I get on my motorcycle.

Je monte dans ma voiture. => I get in my car.

With the verb prendre, use an article or a determiner .

Example : Je prends le bus pour aller en ville. => Iam taking the bus to go in the city.

Means of transport and the prepositions en and à

When talking about the way you are traveling somewhere you use in French the prepositions en or à.   For instance,  If you want to say

I go to work by bus, you should say Je vais au travail e n bus.

I go to work by subway, You should say je vais au travail en métro.

I go to work on foot => Je vais au travail à pied.

Now how do you know when to use en or à?

In general, the preposition en is used for means of transport we can enter in, like le bus, la voiture, le taxi, le camion, le bateau,...

The preposition à is used for those transports we cannot enter in like le vélo, la moto, le cheval. In general, we get on them.

For example

Je vais au défilé à cheval . => I am going to the parade on a horse.

Je vais au théâtre à pied. => I go to the theater on foot.

Je vais à l école en bus. => I go to school by bus.

However, the rule relative to the use of à is not always strictly applied as you can see some people using en instead.

For instance, "  Je me déplace à vélo versus Je me déplace en vélo.  Both would be accepted but the preference would be to the first one.

Another remark! Some means of transportation in which we can't enter in are only used with the preposition en . For example se déplacer en luge , en traineau ...

Practice your knowledge about French means of transports

Practice makes perfect. To help you check your knowledge of the French means of transports as well as the appropriate preposition, we have designed the Quiz below. Take it to see how well you know much you understood this lesson, and make sure you have at least 6/8.

If you want to develop your French vocabulary and listening skills in a fun way,  Lingopie might work well for you. I love the way, you can be learning by simply watching your favorite movies and TV shows. What I like the most is the possibility to read the script in my target language and click on the words I don't know and learn them. I use it for English and this helps me improve my vocabulary and listening skills, especially with the flashcards features that I can use to review the new words. If you're interested, you can take the 7-day free trial. I am sure you would like it too. And if you are lucky that their  promo is still on, you might get  up to 70% off.

Another way to develop your language skills is  Lingoda,  if you are looking for online group classes or pri vate classes. Their classes are affordable (10 to 12 euros per one hour group class), well structured according to CEFR guidelines, with a communicative approach that gets you quickly comfortable speaking. You can join their next challenge, the Lingoda Sprint. If you commit to taking 15 or 30 classes per month for 2 months, without missing any class, you get 50% cashback or more. 

This is a great way to accelerate your learning with intensive classes. However, this is not for everyone. If you can't commit daily, it might be better to join their regular classes that you can try 7 days for free here .

Related lessons

French verb prendre

French verb aller

French Vocabulary: Driving and Cars

Learn How to Talk About Driving in French

Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

• Pronunciation & Conversation
• Resources For Teachers

Travelers to France and other French-speaking areas of the world may like to get behind the wheel of a car and drive. If you are in that group, you will need to know a few French words related to driving.

By the end of this French vocabulary lesson, you will be able to identify various parts of a car, be familiar with navigation, and know how to speak about people and roads in French. It is an easy lesson and one that you will find useful while you travel.

Should you decide to drive and need to rent a car, you will find more useful words in phrases in the French travel lesson.

Note: Many of the words below are linked to .wav files. Simply click on the link to listen to the pronunciation.

Vehicles on the Road ( Véhicules sur la route)

First of all, you need to learn the French words for the basic types of vehicles (v éhicules ) that you will encounter on the road. These are all part of transportation ( le  transport ) .

• Car -  une  auto  ( apocope* of  automobile)  or  une  voiture
• Bicycle -  une  bicyclette   or un  vélo  ( apocope of  vélocipède -  archaic)
• Motorbike -  une  moto  (apocope of  motocyclette)
• Bus -  l' autobus
• Truck -  un camion
• Taxi - un taxi

* What is an apocope? It is a word that is a shortened version of the original word. In French, the word  automobile  is often shortened to  auto , just like it is in English.

People on the Road ( Les gens sur la route )

While you are driving, there are a few people that you will meet. Of course, other drivers ( conducteurs ) are among them.

Driver -  un  conducteur  ( false cognate  of conductor)

• Driver's license -  un permis de conduire

Police Officer -  un policier

Hitchhiking  - l' auto-stop  (m)

• To hitchhike -  faire de l'auto-stop  
• Hitchhiker -  un auto stoppeur

Types of Roads ( Types de routes )

Even if you are not in a car, you will find it useful to know the French words for various types of roads. ​ Street ( la rue ) is the one that you will encounter most often as it is used in the names of many streets. For example, famous streets in Paris include Rue de Barres, Rue de l'Abreuvoir, and Rue Montorgueil.

• Street -  la  rue
• Highway -  une  autoroute
• Traffic circle -  rond-point  (it can vary from country to country)
• Court - cour

Toll -  un  péage

• Toll road -  une autoroute à péage  
• To pay a toll -  de payer un péage

Driving the Car

Now that you know what, whom, and where you will be driving, it is time to learn the words for how to drive in French.

To drive -  conduire   or   rouler

On the way -  en route

Trip -  une  excursion

• To go on walks / trips -  excursionner  

To go / move (in reference to cars and traffic) -  circuler

If your navigator is speaking in French while you are driving, then these words are absolutely essential. Without them, you might take a wrong turn ( mauvais tournant ) .

Straight ahead -  tout droit

To cross -  traverser

To turn - tourner

• To the right -  à droite
• To the left -  à gauche
• Turn signal - l e  clignotant

To park -  stationner

To pass -  doubler

Stop lights are inevitable and, with luck, you will not be stuck in a traffic jam. Yet, it is best to be prepared and you can always practice your French if you do get stuck in traffic ( circulation ) .

• Stop light -  le  feu   rouge
• Traffic jam -  un  embouteillage

And, hopefully, your car does not break down in traffic. If it does, you can be prepared to explain it to someone.

• Broken-down -  en panne  
• To break down -  être/tomber en panne

At the Gas Station

If you choose to drive, a stop at the gas station ( une  station-service ) is inevitable. It is important to know which type of gas your car needs.

• Gas / petrol -  de l' essence  (f)
• Regular gas -  essence ordinaire
• Premium gas - essence du  super
• Diesel -  le gasoil, gazole

To fill it up -  faire le plein

Parts of a Car

Finally, we will wrap up our French driving lesson with a quick look at a few parts of the car.

• Gas pedal -  un  accélérateur
• Accelerator -  un  champignon   (informal)
• Steering wheel - le  volant
• Stick shift -  la boîte manuelle
• Windshield -  un  pare-brise
• Windshield wipers -  les  essuie-glaces
• Headlights - les  phares
• High beams -  les  feux  de  route
• Brakes - les  freins
• Brake lights -  le  feux  de  stop
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