Paris, the City of Light, draws millions of visitors each year to its iconic boulevards, world-class museums, and legendary cafes. Navigating this magnificent city becomes much easier when you know the essential French vocabulary for transportation, landmarks, and daily interactions. Whether you're ascending the Eiffel Tower or sipping an espresso in a Marais cafe, these phrases will help you experience Paris like a local.
This lesson covers everything you need to get around Paris confidently, from mastering the Metro system to ordering at a traditional cafe, visiting museums, and exploring the city's famous arrondissements.
Navigating the Paris Metro
The Paris Metro is one of the world's most efficient subway systems, with 16 lines covering nearly every corner of the city. Understanding how to buy tickets, read signs, and ask for directions will make your travels seamless. Most station names are announced clearly, making it easy to follow along even if your French is limited.
Metro Essentials
le metro
luh may-TROH
the subway / metro
la station
lah stah-SYOHN
the station
la ligne
lah LEE-nyuh
the line
le billet
luh bee-YEH
the ticket
le carnet
luh kar-NEH
book of 10 tickets
la correspondance
lah koh-reh-spohn-DAHNS
transfer / connection
la sortie
lah sohr-TEE
exit
l'entree
lahn-TRAY
entrance
direction
dee-rehk-SYOHN
direction (toward terminal station)
le quai
luh KEH
the platform
Metro Tip
Metro lines are identified by number and color, but directions are indicated by the name of the terminal station. So "Direction: La Defense" means the train is heading toward La Defense station. Look for the direction sign that matches where you want to go on the line map.
Tourist:Bonjour. Un carnet, s'il vous plait. (Hello. A book of tickets, please.)
Agent:Voila. Ca fait seize euros cinquante. (Here you go. That's sixteen euros fifty.)
Tourist:Quelle ligne pour le Louvre? (Which line for the Louvre?)
Agent:Prenez la ligne 1, direction Chateau de Vincennes. Descendez a Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre. (Take line 1, direction Chateau de Vincennes. Get off at Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre.)
Useful Metro Phrases
C'est quelle direction pour...?
seh kehl dee-rehk-SYOHN poor
Which direction is it to...?
Je dois changer ou?
zhuh dwah shahn-ZHAY oo
Where do I need to transfer?
C'est combien d'arrets?
seh kohm-BYAHN dah-REH
How many stops is it?
Paris Landmarks
Paris is home to some of the world's most recognizable monuments and attractions. Knowing the French names and related vocabulary will help you ask for directions, understand signs, and appreciate the history around you.
Famous Monuments
la Tour Eiffel
lah toor eh-FEHL
the Eiffel Tower
l'Arc de Triomphe
lark duh tree-OHMF
the Arc de Triomphe
Notre-Dame de Paris
NOH-truh dahm duh pah-REE
Notre-Dame Cathedral
le Sacre-Coeur
luh sah-kray KUHR
the Sacred Heart Basilica
les Champs-Elysees
lay shahnz-ay-lee-ZAY
the Champs-Elysees avenue
le Pantheon
luh pahn-tay-OHN
the Pantheon
les Invalides
layz an-vah-LEED
Les Invalides (Napoleon's tomb)
la Place de la Concorde
lah plahs duh lah kohn-KOHRD
Place de la Concorde
Museums and Culture
le Louvre
luh LOO-vruh
the Louvre Museum
le Musee d'Orsay
luh moo-ZAY dohr-SAY
the Orsay Museum
le Centre Pompidou
luh SAHN-truh pohm-pee-DOO
the Pompidou Center
le musee
luh moo-ZAY
the museum
l'exposition
lehk-spoh-zee-SYOHN
the exhibition
la galerie
lah gah-luh-REE
the gallery
le tableau
luh tah-BLOH
the painting
la sculpture
lah skool-TOOR
the sculpture
Tourist:Bonjour. Deux billets pour le Louvre, s'il vous plait. (Hello. Two tickets for the Louvre, please.)
Cashier:Plein tarif ou tarif reduit? (Full price or reduced rate?)
Tourist:Plein tarif. Ou est la Joconde? (Full price. Where is the Mona Lisa?)
Cashier:Aile Denon, premier etage. Suivez les panneaux. (Denon Wing, first floor. Follow the signs.)
Paris Cafe Culture
The Parisian cafe is an institution, a place to people-watch, read, write, or simply enjoy the art of doing nothing. Understanding cafe vocabulary and customs will help you feel at home in these quintessentially French establishments. Remember that sitting at a table costs more than standing at the bar, and no one will rush you to leave.
Cafe Vocabulary
le cafe
luh kah-FAY
espresso (default coffee)
le cafe creme
luh kah-fay KREHM
espresso with steamed milk
le cafe allonge
luh kah-fay ah-lohn-ZHAY
long coffee (like Americano)
un the
uhn TAY
a tea
un chocolat chaud
uhn shoh-koh-LAH SHOH
a hot chocolate
un verre de vin
uhn vehr duh VAHN
a glass of wine
une biere
oon BYEHR
a beer
un demi
uhn duh-MEE
a half-pint of beer
une carafe d'eau
oon kah-RAHF DOH
a carafe of tap water
un croissant
uhn kwah-SAHN
a croissant
Cafe Etiquette
In Paris, asking for "un cafe" will get you an espresso, the default coffee. Prices are usually displayed showing different rates for "au comptoir" (at the bar) and "en salle" or "en terrasse" (at a table or on the terrace). The terrace is often the most expensive but offers the best people-watching.
Un cafe et un croissant, s'il vous plait.
uhn kah-FAY ay uhn kwah-SAHN seel voo PLEH
A coffee and a croissant, please.
L'addition, s'il vous plait.
lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo PLEH
The check, please.
Paris Neighborhoods (Arrondissements)
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, numbered in a spiral pattern from the center outward. Each has its own character, from the historic Marais to the artistic Montmartre. Understanding this system helps you navigate and choose where to explore.
Notable Arrondissements
le premier (1er)
luh pruh-MYAY
1st arr. - Louvre, Tuileries
le quatrieme (4e)
luh kah-tree-EHM
4th arr. - Le Marais, Notre-Dame
le cinquieme (5e)
luh san-KYEHM
5th arr. - Latin Quarter
le sixieme (6e)
luh see-ZYEHM
6th arr. - Saint-Germain-des-Pres
le septieme (7e)
luh seh-TYEHM
7th arr. - Eiffel Tower, Invalides
le huitieme (8e)
luh wee-TYEHM
8th arr. - Champs-Elysees
le dix-huitieme (18e)
luh deez-wee-TYEHM
18th arr. - Montmartre
la rive gauche
lah reev GOHSH
the Left Bank
Getting Around
la rue
lah ROO
the street
le boulevard
luh bool-VAHR
the boulevard
l'avenue
lah-vuh-NOO
the avenue
la place
lah PLAHS
the square / plaza
le pont
luh POHN
the bridge
le jardin
luh zhar-DAN
the garden
tout droit
too DRWAH
straight ahead
a gauche / a droite
ah GOHSH / ah DRWAHT
to the left / to the right
Shopping in Paris
From grand department stores to charming neighborhood boutiques, Paris offers endless shopping opportunities. Whether you're browsing the food halls of Le Bon Marche or hunting for vintage finds in the Marais, these phrases will help you navigate retail encounters.
Je regarde seulement
zhuh ruh-GAHRD suhl-MAHN
I'm just looking
C'est combien?
seh kohm-BYAHN
How much is it?
Vous avez ca en...?
vooz ah-VAY sah ahn
Do you have this in...?
la taille
lah TAH-yuh
the size
la couleur
lah koo-LUHR
the color
la cabine d'essayage
lah kah-BEEN deh-say-YAHZH
the fitting room
Je le prends
zhuh luh PRAHN
I'll take it
la caisse
lah KEHS
the cash register
Quick Reference: Essential Paris Phrases
Ou est la station de metro la plus proche?
oo eh lah stah-SYOHN duh may-TROH lah ploo PROHSH
Where is the nearest metro station?
C'est loin d'ici?
seh LWAHN dee-SEE
Is it far from here?
A quelle heure ouvre/ferme...?
ah kehl UHR oo-vruh/fehrm
What time does... open/close?
Est-ce qu'il y a une reduction pour etudiants?
ehs keel ee ah oon ray-dook-SYOHN poor ay-too-DYAHN
With this vocabulary, you're well-equipped to explore Paris with confidence. Remember that Parisians appreciate effort, so don't be shy about using your French, even imperfectly. The city rewards those who wander its streets with an open mind and a willingness to engage. In the next lesson, we'll dive into the delicious world of French cuisine, from bistro classics to boulangerie treasures.