📝 Simple French Phrases That Help When You Don’t Speak the Language
Simple French Phrases for Travel: Speak With Confidence Even if You’re Not Fluent
Learn essential simple French phrases for travel that are easy to remember and super useful. Great for beginners visiting France or any French-speaking country.
🇫🇷 Simple French Phrases That Help When You Don’t Speak the Language
Bonjour, bonjour!
Let’s be honest — travelling somewhere where you don’t speak the language can feel a bit intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be.
We’re not fluent in French (far from it), but over the years of wandering through France — from tiny villages to bustling cities — we’ve learned that even a few simple French phrases can make all the difference. You don’t need to be perfect. Locals just appreciate the effort, and that little bit of connection can completely change your experience.
So, if you’re heading to France or a French-speaking region and feeling a bit unsure, this one’s for you.
💬 Why Bother Learning a Few Phrases?
You could totally rely on Google Translate and wing it (we’ve done that too), but knowing just a few basics gives you confidence and often leads to more genuine moments — like a smile from the bakery lady or directions from a kind stranger in a village square.
We’ve pulled together the most useful simple French phrases we’ve actually used on the road — things that come in handy when ordering food, finding the loo, or asking for help when you’re a bit lost (again, guilty!).
🗣️ Handy French Phrases You’ll Actually Use
👋 The Polite Must-Haves
- Bonjour – Hello / Good morning
- Bonsoir – Good evening
- Merci – Thank you
- S’il vous plaît – Please
- Excusez-moi – Excuse me
- Je suis désolé(e) – I’m sorry
- Oui / Non – Yes / No
💡 Always lead with “Bonjour” when you walk into a shop or speak to someone — it’s polite and expected in France. Skip it, and you might get a cold response. Trust us.
🙋♀️ When You Need a Bit of Help
- Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?
- Je ne parle pas bien français. – I don’t speak French well.
- Pouvez-vous m’aider ? – Can you help me?
- Où sont les toilettes ? – Where are the toilets?
- Je suis perdu(e). – I’m lost.
☕ Ordering Food & Surviving Menus
- Un café, s’il vous plaît. – A coffee, please.
- Je voudrais… – I’d like…
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – The bill, please.
- C’est délicieux ! – It’s delicious!
- Je suis végétarien(ne). – I’m vegetarian.
🍽️ If in doubt, point at the menu and smile — but throwing in “s’il vous plaît” makes everything smoother.
🧭 Getting Around
- Où est la gare ? – Where is the train station?
- Je voudrais aller à… – I’d like to go to…
- Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?
- C’est loin ? – Is it far?
- À droite / à gauche – Right / Left
🎧 How We’re Learning on the Road
We’re currently using Rosetta Stone to boost our French skills while travelling — and honestly, it’s been brilliant. The bite-sized lessons are easy to fit in (even when life on the road gets hectic), and we’re already feeling more confident trying out simple French phrases in real life.
You can also check out Forvo to hear real native pronunciation, or dabble with a free app like Duolingo if you want to keep it light and fun.
📥 Grab Your Free Phrase Sheet!
Want these phrases in your pocket while you travel? We’ve put together a free printable cheat sheet with over 60 simple French travel phrases (plus how to pronounce them).
Stick it in your phone or print it out — perfect for when there’s no signal and your brain’s gone blank. Go to our France page and send your email to be sent your copy for FREE!
💭 Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it’s not about speaking perfectly. It’s about showing you’re open, curious, and willing to try. And that’s what travelling’s all about, right?
So whether you’re chatting to a campsite owner, navigating a market, or just trying to get a good baguette — these phrases are here to help you along the way.
Bon voyage, and go with your rhythm.
