How to Ask for Directions in French: Phrases & Pronunciation
Asking for directions in French starts, like everything in France, with Bonjour. Here are the phrases to ask politely, the words you'll need to follow the answer, and the lifelines for when it comes too fast.
Bonjour first, then vous
Greet with Bonjour before you ask anything — skipping it is genuinely impolite. Use the formal vous with strangers (Vous pouvez…?, excusez-moi). The reply will be quick, so have your lifelines ready.
Asking
Bonjour, excusez-moi, je cherche la gare.
bon-ZHOOR, ek-skew-zeh MWAH, zhuh shairsh lah GAR
Hello, excuse me, I'm looking for the station.
Où se trouve le métro ?
oo suh TROOV luh meh-TROH
Where is the metro?
C'est loin d'ici ?
seh lwan dee-SEE
Is it far from here?
Comment aller au centre-ville ?
koh-mahn ah-LEH oh sahn-truh-VEEL
How do I get downtown?
Understanding the answer
Continuez tout droit.
kon-tee-NWEH too DRWAH
Go straight ahead.
Tournez à droite.
toor-NEH ah DRWAT
Turn right.
Tournez à gauche.
toor-NEH ah GOHSH
Turn left.
C'est juste à côté.
seh zhoost ah koh-TEH
It's right nearby.
Lifelines
Plus lentement, s'il vous plaît.
ploo lahnt-MAHN, seel voo PLEH
Slower, please.
Vous pouvez répéter ?
voo poo-VEH reh-peh-TEH
Can you repeat?
Vous pouvez me montrer sur le plan ?
voo poo-VEH muh mon-TREH soor luh PLAHN
Can you show me on the map?
Tips to sound natural
- Always open with Bonjour, then excusez-moi — politeness before the request, every time.
- Don't mix up tout droit (straight ahead) and à droite (to the right) — they sound similar but mean different things.
- le plan is a city/street map; la carte is a larger map (or a menu). Ask to see le plan.
- Use vous with strangers; the reply comes fast, so keep your lifelines ready.
Now practice it out loud
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