Asking for directions in French

When it comes to learning a language, knowing how to ask for directions or places is a 'must' whether you are a tourist or not. This chapter contains basic phrases that you will find useful in everyday conversations in French.

Lesson outline

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1.How to ask directions in French ?
2.How to give directions in French?
3.List of places in French
3.1.Dialogue example
4.Exercises
4.1.Matching directions exercise
4.2.Talking about directions in French: "Fill in the blanks" exercise
4.3.Asking for directions: translate the words

How to ask directions in French ?

When travelling to any French speaking country, you will need to know how to ask for or receive directions to the place you are going. Learning how to navigate gives you freedom to explore. Check the vocabulary in the table below:

English	French
north	nord
south	sud
west	ouest
east	est
straight	tout droit
right	droite
left	gauche
at the corner of	au coin de
center	centre
in back of	derrière
in front of	devant
over there	là-bas
next to	à côté de
city center	le centre-ville
map	une carte
until	jusqu'à

When asking a questions, you need to know how to say Where is...? = Où est...?, Is it...? = Est-ce que..?, How can I...? = Comment est-ce que...?, In which..? = Dans quel(le)...? followed by these verbs: aller, se trouver, prendre, suivre, tourner, traverser.

Examples:

Where does the road lead? = Où mène cette rue?

What street is the movie theater on? = Dans quelle rue se trouve le cinéma?

How do I get to the museum? = Comment est-ce que je vais au musée?

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How to give directions in French?

In the case of giving an answer or telling what direction to take we use the preposition "à" followed by definite article if it's necessary. To say the place is within eyesight, you can use phrases such as; Le voici! (Here it is!) or La voilà! (There it is!). Regarding the verbs "habiter" is used for living in a space, while "vivre" refers to both time and space. In the table you will find the common verb phrases to answer a question: directions in french

English	French
follow the signs for	suivez la direction
continue straight ahead	continuez tout droit
leave the motorway	quittez l'autoroute
stay in the right-hand lane	rester sur votre droite

Examples:

Pierre is going to the museum. = Pierre va au musée. (à + le / au)

Sarah wants to go to the cathedral. = Sarah veut aller à la cathédrale.

I live in an apartement. = J'habite dans un appartement.

Attention!

Pay attention to a formal and informal speech (vous or tu = You).

List of places in French

You can combine already mentioned direction-verbs with the places listed bellow:

English	French
the train station	la gare ferroviaire
the bus stop	l'arrêt de bus
the airport	l'aéroport
the town hall	la mairie
the museum	le musée
the restaurant	le restaurant
the bar	le bar
the city center	le centre-ville
the shopping center	le centre commercial
the historic center	le centre historique
the park	le parc
the hospital	l'hôpital
the police station	le commissariat de police
the monument	le monument
the bridge	le pont

Dialogue example

French

Marc: Excusez-moi, savez-vous où se trouve Le pont Neuf?

Julien: Oui, vouz devez aller tout droit jusqu'au Pont des fleurs, ensuite tournez à gauche dans la rue Paris IV.

Marc: Comment aller au pont des Fleurs?

Julien: Il se trouve à côté de la Cathédrale Notre-Dame. La première rue à droite.

Marc: Merci beaucoup pour votre aide!

Julien: De rien, au revoir!

English

Marc: Excuse me, do you know where is the Pont Neuf?

Julien: Yes, you have to go straight up to the Bridge of flowers, then turn left in the street Paris IV.

Marc: How to get to the Pont des Fleurs?

Julien: It is next to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The first street on the right.