15 French Travel Phrases For Your Holiday in France [with Videos]

By Frederic Bibard Published: August 8, 2018

6 min read

Looking for French travel phrases to learn before heading off to France? Check out this list with written examples and links to the original lessons.

On this page

“What’s your name?” in French “I have a question” in French “Where is___?” in French “How long does it take to go to…” in French “Where can I buy ____?” in French “Which exit should I take?” in French “How much is this?” in French “I’d like ____ please” in French “I need _____” in French “Could you help me?” in French “Thank you very much for your help” in French “Repeat it, please” in French “I’m sorry, I don’t understand” in French “Do you speak….?” in French “I don’t speak French” in French Conclusion

Planning to travel to France soon? These French travel phrases will surely come in handy! With just a few phrases, you can turn your holiday in France from good to terrific. A simple “bonjour” or “merci” will make a lot of difference, but with this list of phrases, you can turn it up a notch and travel even more confidently in France.

The list below contains written French phrases and links to the original Instagram lessons. Instagram may ask you to sign in, and older posts may be unavailable. If a linked lesson opens, use it to practice the pronunciation; the written phrases and translations remain available here.

If you’re on Instagram, you can also follow Talk in French there for lots of videos on French words, phrases, expressions, and so much more.

“What’s your name?” in French

Met someone interesting and wondering what the person’s name is? Ask away! But remember to use tu and vous appropriately in the right situation!

Comment t’appelles-tu? – What’s your name?

“I have a question” in French

Got a question? Before you fire away, here’s how to begin.

J’ai une question. – I have a question.

“Where is___?” in French

You’re looking for a place but you just can’t seem to find it. No worries. Ask the nearest person this phrase and you’ll have better chances of getting some help! Remember to say “bonjour” first before diving into your question, and then ending it with “merci !”

Où se trouve ? – Where is ?

For a plural place name, use Où se trouvent les toilettes ? — “Where are the toilets?”

“How long does it take to go to…” in French

Time is of the essence when you’re traveling. If you want to know how much time you’ll be spending on your way to a certain place, this is what you need to ask.

Combien de temps faut-il pour aller à …? – How long does it take to go to …?

“Where can I buy ____?” in French

Looking for something specific like uncommon French pastries or perhaps the best chocolate shops in Paris? Say no more, we got you covered.

Où puis-je acheter un/une/des…? – Where can I buy …?

“Which exit should I take?” in French

Don’t get lost when driving in France! You can easily pull over and ask someone which exit you need to take. Go on, don’t be shy.

Quelle sortie dois-je prendre? – Which exit should I take?

“How much is this?” in French

Shopping! Aaahh, how glorious it is to shop while on holiday. To ask about the price of an item, here’s what to say.

Combien cela coûte-t-il ? – How much is this?

“I’d like ____ please” in French

Whether you’re at a shop or at a restaurant or cafe, this phrase would come in super handy!

Je voudrais s’il vous plaît. – I’d like please.

“I need _____” in French

Same as the previous phrase, but this one is for a more pressing need. Regardless of what you need to get, this is what to say.

J’ai besoin de . – I need .

“Could you help me?” in French

If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask! And oh, a little trivia: did you know that the distress call “Mayday” comes from the French “m’aider” (as in “venez m’aider”, “come help me”)? Now you know!

Pourriez-vous m’aider? – Could you help me?

“Thank you very much for your help” in French

After someone helped you, it’s only proper to thank them correctly. This is what you’ll say.

Merci beaucoup pour votre aide. – Thank you very much for your help.

“Repeat it, please” in French

There goes that French person, talking too fast for you to keep up. Easy, just ask them to repeat what they said and they won’t mind.

Répétez, s’il vous plaît. – Repeat it, please.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand” in French

A French person just talked to you in straight French and you’re at a loss as to what he’s saying. It’s okay to say you don’t understand a word he said. Here’s how to do it.

Désolé, je ne comprends pas. – I’m sorry, I don’t understand.

“Do you speak….?” in French

Finally giving up and wishing to just speak in a different language instead? Maybe that French person you’re talking to knows a bit of English! Ask away!

Parlez-vous ? – Do you speak ?

“I don’t speak French” in French

You’re just tired of following along to French people talking and you just want to stop trying already. There, there. Take it easy. Simply say you don’t speak French and they’ll understand. They probably know already anyway.

Je ne parle pas français. – I don’t speak French.

Conclusion

So there you go. 15 French travel phrases to help you navigate your way around France. Want to try your hand at a short quiz on French travel phrases? Check out the quiz here.

Want to use this in real conversations?In the French Accelerator, a coach corrects you live, every week, until speaking feels natural.

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