Basic Tourist French Phrases
From LoveToKnow French
If you're traveling to France for pleasure and you're looking for some basic tourist French phrases to memorize, then you've come to the right place. If you're traveling to see the sites of France, you might want to consider printing out or carrying with you some of these phrases to help you get around more easily.
Le Repas (The Meal)
Regardless of your business in France, you will undoubtedly need to eat while you're there. Here is some basic tourist French phrases that will help you get through the ordering process!
| French | Pronunciation | English |
| Je voudrais | zhuh voo dray | I would like |
| un croque monsieur | un croc miss yur | toasted ham and cheese sandwich |
| le plat du jour | luh plah doo zhoor | today's special |
| une bouteille d'eau minérale | oon boo tayuh doe mee nair al | mineral water |
| un coke | un coke | a coke or soda |
| l'addition | lah dee see ohn | the check |
Les Sites Touristiques à Paris (Tourist sites in Paris)
If you are traveling to Paris there are certain things you want to make sure you don't miss. Whether you take un taxi or le métro, you'll want to know where you're going. While your pronunciation might not be perfect, any attempt will be appreciated by those to whom you're speaking.
Les Champs Èlysées
(pronounced lay chohn zay lee zay) This is the main thoroughfare of Paris and will take you from the Place de la Concorde to the Place de Charles de Gualle. Here you can find movie theatres as well as a McDonald's and a few other familiar sites. However, it is distinctively French and if you will walk along the entire avenue, you will find more than a few "must sees" on your tourist checklist. To ask how to get there simply say, Où est les Champs-Èlysées?
Le Louvre
The Louvre (pronounced loov) is perhaps one of the most famous art museums in the world. It is arguable that it's outside is as impressive as its inside and so even if you don't have time to tour the Louvre, it is worth a walk to its steps. If you do have time to go inside you would be wise to learn just one phrase: photographie instantanée non permise, (pronounced: foe toe grah fee ahn stahn ton ay nohn pair meez). While you're not likely to say it, you are likely to see it as flash photography is banned in the Louvre museum.
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel tower is another 'must see' especially if you only have a few days in France. It is a symbol of France in many ways and so when you go you'll want to acheter un billet (pronounced ah cheh tay uhn bee yay) or buy a ticket to go to the top.
Resources for Learning Basic Tourist French Phrases
Having something with you such as a translator can help greatly, especially if you're going to need to get around on your own. Below are a few recommended resources:
- Useful Expressions in French for the English Speaking Tourist--The title is pretty self-explanatory and the phrases are indeed useful. If you can only purchase one thing and you want a book, this is the book to purhcase.
- Rick Steven's French Phrase Book--This book, all in all, is pretty good for basic tourist phrases and is a little less pricey than the aforementioned selection. It is easy to use as well.
- The Electronic Phrase Book--If you'd rather purchase an electronic option, this is your best bet. Very small, it will fit well in your purse, plus it will look like you're using your Blackberry instead of looking things up!
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