How to Ask for Directions in French
Vocalyra teaching team · Last updated:
Asking a stranger the way is one of the first real conversations you have in a French city. This guide uses the exact lines from Vocalyra Français episode #017, Demander son chemin, where someone asks how to find the library.
Starting the Question Politely
Begin with Excusez-moi, then ask Où est followed by the place. Use vous with a stranger.
- Excusez-moi. (Excuse me.)
- Où est la bibliothèque ? (Where is the library?)
- C'est loin ? (Is it far?)
Understanding the Instructions
Directions are given with the vous imperative: the verb without a subject. Listen for these three patterns.
- Allez tout droit. (Go straight.)
- pendant deux rues (for two blocks)
- Tournez à gauche à la banque. (Turn left at the bank.)
- à droite (to the right)
Describing Where Something Is
À côté de means next to. Before la it stays à côté de la; before le it becomes à côté du.
- C'est à côté de la poste. (It's next to the post office.)
- la banque (the bank), la poste (the post office)
- Merci beaucoup. / Je vous en prie. (Thank you very much. / You're welcome.)
Et ensuite ? (Then what?) is a short way to ask for the next step without repeating the whole question.
The Full Dialogue
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Excusez-moi. Où est la bibliothèque ? | Excuse me. Where is the library? |
| Allez tout droit pendant deux rues. | Go straight for two blocks. |
| Et ensuite ? | Then what? |
| Tournez à gauche à la banque. | Turn left at the bank. |
| C’est loin ? | Is it far? |
| Non. C’est à côté de la poste. | No. It's next to the post office. |
| Merci beaucoup. | Thank you very much. |
| Je vous en prie. | You're welcome. |
Listen to episode #017 on the Vocalyra podcast page and answer the three questions under the player. Then give directions from your home to a nearby shop in two French sentences.
Quick self-check
How many blocks do you go straight?
Show answer
Deux rues.
Where do you turn left?
Show answer
À la banque.
What is next to the library?
Show answer
La poste.
Source: Vocalyra Français podcast episode #017, the beginner asking-for-directions conversation this guide is based on. Listen to episode #017
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