An adventure trip to France offers the ideal opportunity to put your French into practice, whether that means impressing locals or making the most out of your vacation experience. Prepare with these 108 travel-related French phrases so that they’re at hand in any situation you might come across!
Bonjour or Salut in French is an easy and polite way to start any conversation, or as a response when someone inquires as to your state of health! It also serves as an appropriate response if asked directly how are doing.
Introductions
When traveling to French-speaking countries, it can be extremely helpful to know some essential phrases for getting around and communicating with locals. This way you will not get lost and can easily engage in the language!
Being familiar with basic French phrases will aid your travels when asking for directions, searching for restaurants or hotels and asking where the metro station is. Key French travel terms to learn include Bonjour (hello), Au revoir (goodbye), Ou est la station de metro? and L’addition, s’il vous plait (please add).
Another useful phrase to know is parlerz plus lentement, s’il vous plait (English translation: Please speak more slowly), which translates as, please speak more slowly. This request can help when your speaking partner is going too fast or repeating themselves – most people will gladly comply! Especially in places where they know you are trying to learn the language!
Traveling
Travel is an exhilarating adventure that can break you out of your comfort zone and open you up to new people, places, and ideas. Travelling allows you to broaden your horizons while making unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
Learning some French phrases for traveling will allow you to make the most of your trip, whether that means exploring Paris’ art and culture or Bordeaux’s wine country. From greetings, transportation, dining and accommodations – these helpful words and phrases will have you speaking like a local in no time!
Saying, ‘Let’s speak more slowly, please’ is an effective way of alerting someone they are speaking too quickly and is also useful when asking them to repeat themselves or clarify something you didn’t fully comprehend. Being polite when doing this will likely not offend them in any way.
Accommodations
France offers an abundance of accommodation options. Hostels are particularly popular in large cities and often provide tour services; they’re affordable too and provide everything from dorm rooms to private rooms. Camping sites can also be found throughout the countryside or at the edge of many major cities.
Hotels are government rated and prices displayed at the hotel entrance must include taxes and service. Be mindful that many travelers have reported hotels in France are frequently overbooked if booking a room; be sure to pad your expected arrival time with extra time, and save a copy of your online confirmation as proof.
Bed and breakfasts are another common lodging option in France, similar to homestays but typically offering full breakfast service. There are also home exchange programs which enable visitors to stay with someone for a fee; this is an ideal way to experience French life while saving money on lodging costs.
Shopping
Every two years, France becomes an epicenter for fashionistas – especially during January and June sales events known as soldes (sales). Now is an excellent time to update your wardrobe and take home some sophisticated French style for yourself – but before heading into stores – be sure to memorize some key French shopping phrases!
As soon as you enter a store, the first thing to do is greet the clerk or salesperson by offering your name. Doing this shows courtesy and shows that you’re interested in purchasing something.
Use the Rocket Record app to practice speaking essential travel French words with native speaker audio, then record yourself to get feedback on pronunciation! Practice is key when it comes to developing your French accent – try it and you’ll soon be shopping alongside locals!