French Travel Language Basics: Your 8-Week Plan
- Camille Alayrangues
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Basic French Phrases for TravelāIn 8 Weeks!
Are you travelling to France soon? Would you like to refresh or learn some French travel language basicsĀ before you go?
Well, here's an 8-week planĀ you can follow to get ready before landing in Paris! I promise that by the end of it, you'll be able to order a baguetteāand much more, too.Ā š
Before you start learning French for travelā¦
First of all, let's take the pressure off: by the end of these 8 weeks, the goal isn't to be bilingual. You just need to be able to navigate everyday situations during your trip to FranceĀ with confidence!
To make the most of this 8-week plan, here's the strategy I recommend following each week:
Take lessons with a French tutorĀ once a week. š£ļø
Review for 15 to 20 minutes every dayārepetition is key. š
Listen to a Francophone podcast or watch French videos once a week. š
Practise speakingĀ with your tutor or language partner, and don't be afraid to make mistakes!
Each week, you'll focus on a different travel-related topic and learn phrases and vocabulary that might come in handy during your trip. I highly recommend working with a tutor to guide you. Theyāll help you practise speaking and, little by little, build your confidence and fluency! šļøāāļø
But if you're learning on your own, don't worry, you can still get started with these basic French phrases for tourists!
ā”ļø Of course, depending on your level, you can adapt these topics, go into more detail, or take things at a slower pace.
Week 1: Survival French Basics
The first week is all about buildingāor reviewingāstrong foundations. Learn how to introduce yourself and practise a few essential survival French phrases:
Je māappelle Camille. | My name is Camille. |
Jāai trente deux ans. | I am 32 years old. |
Je viens dāAustralie. | I come from Australia. |
Jāhabite Ć Melbourne.Ā | I live in Melbourne. |
Je suis en vacances.Ā | Iām on holiday. |
Je voyage avec mon ami(e) / ma famille / mon partenaire / ma partenaire. | I travel with my friend / family / partner. |
You should also learn a few useful phrases to help you navigate everyday situations:
Je ne comprends pas. | I don't understand. |
Pouvez-vous rƩpƩter ? | Could you repeat that? |
Comment dit-on "..." en franƧais ?Ā | How do you say "..." in French? |
Que signifie "..." ? | What does "..." mean? |
Parlez-vous anglais ?Ā | Do you speak English?āfor emergencies only! š |
Itās also a great time to review basic greetings (bonjour, au revoir, merci, de rien, pardonĀ etc.) and some essential present-tense verbs such as ĆŖtre, avoir, aller, pouvoir, devoir, faire, manger, and other -er verbs.
ā”ļøDon't hesitate to book a lesson with one of our French tutorsĀ to help you make the most of your 8-week plan!
Week 2: French for Restaurants and Cafes
Let's be honest: this is the most important part of your trip! Being able to order food in FrenchĀ is a must for every traveller. Here are two sentences you should learn by heart š:
Je vais prendreā¦Ā = I'll haveā¦
Je voudraisā¦Ā = I would likeā¦
You'll also need some useful restaurant vocabulary. Here are a few questions a waiter might ask you:
Vous ĆŖtes combien? | How many are you? |
Vous prĆ©fĆ©rez en terrasse ou Ć lāintĆ©rieur ? | Would you prefer outside on the terrace or inside? |
Vous avez choisi ? | Have you chosen? |
Vous voulez une boisson ? | Would you like a drink? |
Vous payez par carte ou en espĆØces ? | You pay by card or in cash? |
And here is some useful vocabulary for you, the customer:
Une table pour deux,Ā sāil vous plaĆ®t. | A table for two, please. |
En terrasse / Ć lāintĆ©rieur, sāil vous plaĆ®tĀ | Outside on the terrace / inside, please |
Quāest-ce que cāest ? | What is it? |
LāentrĆ©e | Starter |
Le plat principal | Main course |
Le dessert | Dessert |
La carafe dāeau | A jug of tap water |
Je peux avoir lāaddition, sāil vous plaĆ®t ? | Can I have the bill, please? |
Exemple : Au restaurant | |
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ā”ļøGood to know: A carafe d'eauĀ is free in French restaurants and bars. Just ask for one when ordering your meal.
Week 3: French for getting around
Once you arrive in Paris, the first thing you'll need to do is... get to your hotel! Being able to navigate French public transportĀ is an essential travel skill. Here are a few useful phrases to have up your sleeve:
Je voudrais acheterā¦Ā = I would like to buyā¦ | |
Un billet de train | A train ticket |
Un ticket de mƩtro | A metro ticket |
Un ticket de bus | A bus ticket |
You'll also need to know how to ask for directions:
OĆ¹ estā¦ ?Ā = Where isā¦? | |
La gare | The train station |
LāaĆ©roportĀ | The airport |
La boulangerie | the bakery |
LāarrĆŖt de busĀ | The bus stop |
La station de mĆ©troĀ | The metro station |
La station de taxiĀ | The taxi rank |
La rueĀ | The street |
OĆ¹ sont les toilettes ? | Where are the restrooms? |
Je suis perdu. | I am lost. |
Cāest tout droit. | Itās straight ahead. |
Cāest Ć gauche. | Itās on the left. |
Cāest Ć droite. | Itās on the right. |
Cāest Ć cĆ“tĆ© de...Ā | Itās next toā¦ |
Cāest loin. | Itās far. |
Cāest proche | Itās close. |
Cāest Ć 5 minutes Ć pied | Itās 5 minutes by foot. |
ā”ļø Hereās a short cartoon showing someone asking for directions to the train station. See how many phrases you can recognise! š
Week 4: French for Shopping
What would a trip to Paris be without a little shopping on the Champs-ĆlysĆ©es? Week 4 is time to learn how to handle a conversation while shoppingĀ š!
Here are a few useful phrases to remember:
Combien coĆ»teā¦ ?Ā | How much costsā¦ ? |
Je chercheā¦Ā | Iām looking forā¦ |
Vous avez la taille 36 / 38 / 40 / 42ā¦? | Do you have size 36 / 38 / 40 / 42ā¦? |
OĆ¹ sont les cabines dāessayage ? | Where are the fitting rooms? |
Je paie par carte / en espĆØces. | I pay by card / in cash. |
Cāest cher !Ā | Thatās expensive! |
And here is some more useful vocabulary for shopping in Paris:
Un magasin | A shop |
Un souvenir | A souvenir |
Un cadeau | A gift |
Une carte postaleĀ | A postcard |
Un T-shirt | A T-shirt |
Une robe | A dress |
Une jupe | A skirt |
Un pull | A sweater |
Des chaussuresĀ | Ā Shoes |
Un parfum | A perfume |
Des bijouxĀ | Jewels |
Finally, it's time to review numbers up to 100!
Exemple : Au magasin de souvenirs |
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Week 5: French for Hotels
After a long day of travelling and sightseeing, you'll be happy to know how to communicate at your hotel. Whether you're checking in, asking a question, or reporting a problem, these phrases will come in hand:
Jāai une rĆ©servation au nom deā¦Ā | I have a reservation under the nameā¦ |
Ć quelle heure est le petit-dĆ©jeuner ? | What time is breakfast? š |
OĆ¹ se trouve ma chambre ?Ā | Where is my room? |
Il y a un problĆØme avec ma chambre. | There is a problem with my room. |
Quel est le mot de passe du Wifi ? | What is the Wifi password? |
More useful hotel vocabulary:
La rĆ©servationĀ | Reservation |
La chambre | Room |
La chambre double | The double room |
La clƩ | Key |
Le petit-dƩjeuner | Breakfast |
Lāascenseur | Lāascenseur |
Les escaliers | Stairs |
La rƩception | Reception |
La salle de bain | Bathroom |
Les toilettes | W.C |
ā”ļøHereās a short videoĀ you can watch to practise!
Week 6: Sharing your opinion with Francophones
While travelling, it can be nice to connect with locals by talking about your likes, dislikes, and experiences.
Here are a few simple phrases that will help you share your opinion in FrenchĀ š£ļø:
Je pense queā¦Ā | I think thatā¦ |
Jāadoreā¦Ā | I loveā¦ |
Jāaimeā¦Ā | I likeā¦ |
Je prĆ©fĆØreā¦ | I prefer |
Je nāaime pasā¦ | I donāt likeā¦ |
Moi aussi ! | Me too! |
Je dĆ©testeā¦Ā = I hateā¦ | |
Le musƩe | Museum |
Le restaurant | Restaurant |
Ce plat | This dish |
Le fromage | Cheese |
Les escargots | Snails |
Le cafĆ©Ā | Coffee |
Les macarons | Macaroons |
La culture franƧaise | French culture |
And don't forget one of the most useful questions when having a conversation š:
Et toi ?Ā = And you?
ā”ļøHave a look at this cute little film!
Week 7: Emergency situations in France
Emergencies can happen, and they can be even more stressful when you're abroad. That's why Week 7 is all about preparing for unexpected situations, whether you get sick, lose your passport, or have something stolen:
J'ai malā¦Ā = I have pain... | |
Ć la tĆŖte | in my head |
au ventre | in my stomach |
aux dents | in my teeth |
Je suis malade. | I am sick. |
Jāai la nausĆ©e.Ā | I feel nauseous. |
Jāai envie de vomir. | I feel like vomiting. |
Jāai besoin dāun mĆ©decin. | I need a doctor. |
Pouvez-vous appeler une ambulance ?Ā | Can you call an ambulance? |
Jāai perdu mon passeport | I have lost my passport. |
On māa volĆ© mon portefeuille. | My wallet has been stolen. |
OĆ¹ est lāhĆ“pital le plus proche ? | Where is the nearest hospital? |
OĆ¹ est le commissariat de police ? | Where is the police station? |
Le mĆ©decinĀ | Doctor |
LāhĆ“pitalĀ | Hospital |
La pharmacie | Pharmacy |
Lāambulance | Ambulance |
Les mƩdicaments | Medication |
Le passeport | Passport |
Le portefeuille | Wallet |
La police | Police |
Les pompiers | Firefighters |
Les urgencesĀ / le SAMU | Emergencies |
Lāassurance voyage | Travel insurance |
Exemple : A la pharmacie | |
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ā”ļøĀ In France, you can call 18Ā for the fire brigade, 17Ā for the police, and 15Ā for medical emergencies. š
Week 8: French travel language basicsāFinal review
And there you go! If you've learned these French phrases for travel, you're ready to navigate your way through the country of RatatouilleĀ with much more confidence!
Week 8 is all about reviewing everything you've learned so far. Go back over the vocabulary, phrases, and situations covered in the previous weeks and put them into practise with your tutor or language partner.
Remember: you don't need perfect French to enjoy your trip. A few useful phrases and a willingness to communicate can go a long way. Have an amazing trip, et bon voyage! š
ā”ļø Where are you planning to travel next? Let us know in the comments!Ā āļø
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