If you’re planning a trip to Paris, first of all—lucky you. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, the City of Light never loses its charm. The cobbled streets, the buttery croissants, the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower at night—it’s pure magic.

But let’s be honest: even though Paris is a tourist-friendly city, knowing a few key French phrases can make your experience smoother, friendlier, and way more fun. Parisians do appreciate the effort, and even just trying a bit of French often opens doors (and hearts!).

So in this post, I’m going to walk you through the most useful French phrases to have in your back pocket—from ordering coffee to navigating the métro. No fluff, no textbook lingo. Just real-life French that’ll help you feel a little less lost and a lot more confident.

Let’s dive in. Or as the French say… C’est parti !

1. The Basics: Polite Essentials

Before we get into situations like restaurants or transportation, let’s start with the polite magic words. French culture places a high value on manners—more than many English-speaking countries, actually—so these go a long way.

• Bonjour ! – Hello / Good morning
  (Use this every time you enter a shop, bakery, or restaurant—seriously. It's a must.)

• Bonsoir ! – Good evening
  (After around 6pm, switch to this instead of bonjour.)

• Merci ! – Thank you

• Merci beaucoup ! – Thank you very much

• S’il vous plaît – Please
  (Literally “if it pleases you.” So French.)

• Excusez-moi – Excuse me

• Pardon – Sorry / Excuse me (if you bump into someone)

• Je suis désolé(e) – I’m sorry
  (Add the “e” at the end if you're a woman. It's silent when spoken, though.)

• Oui / Non – Yes / No

These phrases might seem simple, but use them often and sincerely. Parisians notice when tourists are respectful—and they tend to respond more warmly.

2. How to Say “I Don’t Speak French” (and Other Lifesavers)

If you’re not fluent, don’t sweat it. Just own it! But say it in French—it’ll show that you care, even if you’re still working on the language.

• Je ne parle pas français. – I don’t speak French.

• Je parle un peu français. – I speak a little French.

• Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?

• Je ne comprends pas. – I don’t understand.

• Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? – Can you repeat, please?

And if someone starts speaking too quickly, don’t panic:

• Parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît. – Speak more slowly, please.

Pro tip: Smile. A lot. It’s universal.

3. At the Hotel or Airbnb

Whether you’re checking into a hotel or just chatting with your Airbnb host, here are some helpful phrases:

• J’ai une réservation. – I have a reservation.

• C’est à quel étage ? – Which floor is it on?

• Où sont les toilettes ? – Where is the bathroom?

• Est-ce que le petit-déjeuner est inclus ? – Is breakfast included?

• À quelle heure est le check-out ? – What time is check-out?

Also good to know:

• L’ascenseur – The elevator

• La clé – The key

• La chambre – The room

4. Navigating Paris Like a Local (or Trying To)

The Paris métro is amazing—fast, cheap, and comprehensive. But figuring out which line you need or how to buy a ticket can be intimidating at first.

Here’s what you might need:

• Où est la station de métro la plus proche ? – Where is the nearest métro station?

• Je voudrais un ticket, s’il vous plaît. – I’d like a ticket, please.

• Aller simple ou aller-retour ? – One-way or round-trip?

• Quelle ligne dois-je prendre ? – Which line should I take?

• Où faut-il changer ? – Where do I need to change?

• C’est à combien d’arrêts ? – How many stops is it?

Vocabulary to know:

• Correspondance – Connection / transfer

• Sortie – Exit

• Direction – Direction (like Direction Nation or Direction La Défense)

• Plan du métro – Metro map

Tip: Download the RATP app or Citymapper for real-time navigation.

5. Eating Out (The Best Part)

Ah, the food. From corner cafés to cozy bistros, you’ll want to know how to order like a pro.

• Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît. – A table for two, please.

• La carte, s’il vous plaît. – The menu, please.

• Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? – What do you recommend?

• Je suis allergique à… – I’m allergic to…

• Sans gluten / Sans lactose – Gluten-free / Lactose-free

• Je ne mange pas de viande. – I don’t eat meat.

• L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – The check, please.

How to order:

• Je voudrais… – I would like…
  (e.g. Je voudrais un café et un croissant, s’il vous plaît.)

• Je prends… – I’ll have…
  (e.g. Je prends le plat du jour.)

Some food terms to know:

• Entrée – Starter (not the main dish!)

• Plat principal – Main dish

• Dessert – Dessert

• Boisson – Drink

• Vin rouge / blanc – Red / white wine

• Eau plate / gazeuse – Still / sparkling water

Oh—and tipping? It’s included in the bill, but leaving a euro or two for great service is appreciated.

6. Shopping in Paris

Whether you’re at a chic boutique or a Sunday market, shopping in Paris is an experience. Here’s how to navigate it in French:

• Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?

• C’est trop cher. – It’s too expensive.

• Je le prends. – I’ll take it.

• Je regarde, merci. – I’m just looking, thank you.

• Est-ce que je peux essayer ? – Can I try it on?

• Avez-vous une autre taille ? – Do you have another size?

• Avez-vous ceci en bleu ? – Do you have this in blue?

Key vocabulary:

• Taille – Size

• Chaussures – Shoes

• Vêtements – Clothes

• Bijoux – Jewelry

• Soldes – Sales

• C’est en solde ? – Is it on sale?

If you're at an open-air market:

• Un kilo de pommes, s’il vous plaît. – A kilo of apples, please.

• Est-ce que je peux goûter ? – Can I taste?

7. Asking for Directions

Yes, Google Maps exists—but sometimes you just need to ask someone. Here’s how:

• Où est… ? – Where is…?
  (e.g. Où est la Tour Eiffel ?)

• C’est loin ? – Is it far?

• C’est à droite / à gauche. – It’s to the right / left.

• Tout droit. – Straight ahead.

• Prenez la première rue à droite. – Take the first street on the right.

• Continuez jusqu’au feu. – Keep going until the traffic light.

Useful landmarks to ask about:

• Le musée – The museum

• La gare – The train station

• Le pont – The bridge

• Le parc – The park

• La place – The square

• L’église – The church

8. Emergencies (Hopefully Not Needed)

Just in case something goes wrong (lost phone, illness, etc.), these phrases could come in handy:

• Appelez une ambulance ! – Call an ambulance!

• J’ai besoin d’un médecin. – I need a doctor.

• J’ai perdu mon passeport. – I lost my passport.

• On m’a volé mon sac. – My bag was stolen.

• Où est la pharmacie la plus proche ? – Where’s the nearest pharmacy?

• C’est une urgence. – It’s an emergency.

Emergency numbers:

• 112 – General emergency number (works across Europe)

• 15 – Medical emergency

• 17 – Police

• 18 – Fire department

9. Bonus: A Few Fun Phrases to Impress

Want to make a Parisian smile? Throw in a few charming extras.

• C’est magnifique ! – It’s wonderful!

• C’est délicieux ! – It’s delicious!

• Je suis ravi(e) d’être ici. – I’m thrilled to be here.

• Quel temps magnifique ! – What beautiful weather!

• J’adore Paris. – I love Paris.

• À bientôt ! – See you soon!

• Bonne journée ! – Have a good day!

• Bonne soirée ! – Have a good evening!

And of course…

• Vive la France !

Final Tips Before You Go

• Don’t stress about perfect grammar or pronunciation. Just try. Most Parisians won’t mock you—they’ll usually help or switch to English if they see you’re struggling.

• When in doubt, start every interaction with Bonjour ! It’s the most important French word you’ll use.

• Have Google Translate handy (download the offline version).

• And remember: you don’t need to speak fluently to connect. A smile, a “merci,” and a few of these phrases can take you far.

Bon voyage !

Paris is waiting for you—and now, you’ve got the words to make the most of it.

If you found this list helpful, feel free to save it, print it, or share it with a fellow traveler. And if you’re looking to go beyond just phrases and actually learn French, well… you know where to find me. 😉