French Phrases for Asking Directions
Getting around a French city on foot is one of the best parts of travel — but it helps to know how to ask for directions, and just as importantly, understand the answer. These phrases let you ask where things are and follow the response. Even if someone launches into a longer explanation than you can follow, knowing gauche (left), droite (right), and tout droit (straight ahead) means you can pick out what matters.
Asking where things are
A versatile opener — fill in the blank with wherever you're trying to get to
Where is…?
Où est… ?
oo eh
One of the most useful questions you'll ask — worth knowing by heart
Where are the toilets?
Où sont les toilettes ?
oo sohn lay twah-let
Ask any local or look for signs — 'la gare' is the main train station
Where is the station?
Où est la gare ?
oo eh lah gahr
Find the nearest metro entrance — the green 'M' sign is easy to spot in Paris once you know where to look
Where is the metro?
Où est le métro ?
oo eh luh may-troh
For getting around by bus — 'l'arrêt de bus' is the bus stop
Where is the bus stop?
Où est l’arrêt de bus ?
oo eh lah-reh duh bus
A quick way to work out whether it's walkable or if you need transport
Is it far?
C’est loin ?
say lwahn
The opposite — confirm something is close before you start walking
Is it near?
C’est près ?
say preh
Understanding directions
Left
Gauche
gosh
Right
Droite
dwat
Straight ahead
Tout droit
too dwah
Here
Ici
ee-see
There
Là
lah
One of the most important reference points in France.. :-)
Is it near the bakery?
Est-ce près de la boulangerie ?
ess preh du lah boo-lahn-zhree
Next to the bank
à côté de la banque
ah koh-tay duh la bahnk
Opposite the supermarket
En face du supermarché
on fahs duh soo-per-mar-shay
Turn left
Tournez à gauche
toor-nay ah gosh
Turn right
Tournez à droite
toor-nay ah dwat
Go straight
Allez tout droit
ah-lay too dwah
Follow me
Suivez-moi
swee-vay mwah
It’s over there
C’est là-bas
say lah-bah