Useful Phrases you Need for Shopping in France

If you’re planning to shop in France, learning a few useful French phrases can really improve your experience. From local markets to stylish boutiques, good communication can turn your shopping trip into something special. Understanding key phrases in French shops will help you ask for prices, request different sizes, and engage in conversation with locals.

When you step into shops and make your purchases, you can do so with the same confidence in French as a a native speaker. To ensure a successful shopping experience, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the key phrases and vocabulary that will help you blend in seamlessly. In this post, you’ll discover all the essential French vocabulary for shopping, covering everything from locating the right stores and items to negotiating prices and making payments. Keep reading to discover the phrases that will help you feel at home in any “magasin”.

Are you excited to shop in French ? Let’s dive in!

When you travel to or live in a French-speaking countries, you might find yourself in need of some basic supplies, a few souvenirs, or perhaps even a new outfit. What kind of shops are you hoping to discover? Whether you’re in a big city or a more regional setting, there’s a wide variety of stores available. Some places offer a little bit of everything, from food items to home goods, while others focus on specific products.

Let’s begin our guide by helping you identify the kinds of stores you need and where to locate them :

• Centre commercial (m) = shopping centre
• Epicerie (f) = grocery store
• Grand magasin (m) = department store
• Marché fermier (m) = farmer’s market
• Marché bio (m) = organic market
• Supermarché (m) = supermarket

Now let’s see some more specialized shops :

• Agence de voyages (f) = travel agency
• Bijouterie (f) = jewelry store
• Boucherie (f) = butcher’s shop
• Boulangerie (f) = bakery
• Bureau de tabac (m) = tobacco shop
• Charcuterie (f) = delicatessen store
• Fromagerie (m) = cheese shop
• Librairie (f) = bookstore
• Magasin de fleurs (m) = flower shop
• Pâtisserie (f) = pastry shop
• Pharmacie (f) = pharmacie
• Poissonnerie (f) = fishmonger
• Salon de coiffure (m) = hairdresser salon

Next, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with its different areas. Here’s a list of all the essential vocabulary to help you get around a shop in French :

• en Bas = at the bottom
• les Cabines d’essayage = fitting rooms
• l’Entrée = the entrance
• Fermé = closed
• en Haut = at the top
• les Horaires d’ouverture = business hours
• Ouvert = open
• Pousser = to push
• Premier étage = first floor
• Rayon = section
• le Rez-de-chaussée = the ground floor
• la Sortie = the exit
• Tirer = to pull

Finally, you may need to ask directions in French when going shopping. If you have a specific item in mind but aren’t sure where to locate it, reaching out for assistance is a great idea. The questions below will definitely guide you in the right direction!

If you need assistance, you can say, “Excusez-moi” (Excuse me) to get someone’s attention and “S’il vous plait” (please). If you’re looking for something, use the phrase “Je cherche…” (I am looking for…). This helps convey your intent clearly. A few more very useful sentences when shopping in France are :

• Est-ce que vous pouvez m’aider ? (Can you help me ?)
• Est-ce que vous avez des livres bilingues ? (Do you have bilingual books ?)
• Connaissez-vous une bonne pâtisserie près d’ici ? (Do you know a good pastry shop nearby?)
• Lequel / laquelle me recommandez vous? (Which one do you recommend to me ?)
• Où se trouve la boulangerie Utopie s’il vous plait ? (Where is the Utopie bakery please ?)

Once you’ve identified the store you need, you’re all set to start your shopping experience in French ! In the following sections, you will learn the vocabulary necessary to describe the item you desire, along with details about sales and promotions.

Here, I’ll outline the standard French adjectives for product descriptions, spanning from inexpensive to elegant.

“C’est bon marché” (it’s cheap) or “c’est abordable” (it’s affordable) can be used when something is not expensive. We can also say “ce n’est pas cher” (it’s not expensive). On the contrary, when you hear “c’est (trop) cher” (it’s (too) expensive), don’t buy it !

When an item is ugly, we say “c’est moche” or “c’est laid” whereas we use “c’est joli” (it’s pretty), “c’est beau” (it’s beautiful) or “c’est magnifique”  (it’s magnificent).

Finally, an elegant garment would be “élégant”, “chic” or “raffiné”. And for something fashionable and trendy, we can use the adjectives “à la mode” and “branché”.

Shopping in France often means navigating various sales and promotions. Knowing how these work can help you save money and make informed choices during your shopping adventures. Sales in France are structured around specific seasons, typically in January and July. The soldes (sales) occur strictly during set periods mandated by the government. However, you can now find different types of discounts you will encounter all year round while shopping. These can include:

• Promotions: Stores may have specific promotional campaigns, like “achetez un, obtenez un gratuit” (buy one, get one free). Keep an eye out for signs indicating these deals.
• Ventes Privées: Private sales usually take place a few days before the winter and summer sales. Unlike sales that aim to clear out previous collection stock, private sales are designed to promote new collections. They are typically showcased without discounts during regular sales. You may need to register through the store to benefit from the ventes privées.
• Destockage: The term “clearance” for a product usually refers to items like end-of-line stock, customer returns, display products, outdated items, catalog returns, and damaged packaging.

Any retailer can hold private sales, promotions, or clearance events outside of the official sale periods. But they need to avoid using the term “soldes” and comply with the regulations regarding the prohibition of selling at a loss.

Many of the terms we’ve covered can be used for various items, but we need some extra vocabulary for clothing. Let’s begin with a French sizing chart, and then I’ll share some questions you can ask when you try on a piece of clothing.

Firstly, to ask your size, the salesperson will ask you “Quelle est votre taille ?”. And to reply, you say “je fais du ..”. You can either give your size with the letter S (Small), M (Medium),.. or with a number 36, 38,.. “Une taille unique” means a one size fits all.

For shoes, we talk about “une pointure” for a size. And you could either say “je fais du 37” or “je chausse du 37”. Kindly note that unfortunately the European shoe sizing system does not feature “demi-pointures” (half sizes) like the UK and the US. But you can be lucky and find some in more upscale shoe stores or for some sport shoes.

Sizing can sometimes be a challenge when you’re testing out new brands, so be sure to collect your items and try them on in the fitting rooms. I’ve gathered a selection of useful phrases to help you engage with the salespeople and find just the right clothes :

• Bienvenue chez .. Est-ce que je peux vous aider / renseigner ? (Welcome to .. Can I help you / provide information?)
• Est-ce que vous cherchez quelque chose en particulier ? (Are you looking for something in particular?)
• Est-ce que je peux essayer ? (Can I try it on?)
• Est-ce que vous avez ce modèle en taille M ? (Do you have this model in size medium?)
• Dans une autre couleur (In another color)
• Ça me va bien (It fits me well)
• C’est trop grand ou trop petit (It’s too big, too small)
• Je vais réfléchir (I’m going to think about it)
• Je vais le/la prendre (I’m going to take it)

When shopping in France, knowing how to handle payments is essential. Whether you prefer cash or card, being familiar with the local phrases and practices can make your experience smoother.

In France, most shops accept both cash and credit cards. To ask how much something costs, you will say “Combien ça coûte?” or “Combien ça vaut?” (how much is it worth?).

If you prefer to pay with cash, it’s helpful to know common phrases. You can ask, “Est-ce que je peux payer en espèces ?” (Can I pay cash?) or “Désolé, je n’ai pas de monnaie” if you only have a big note. Be careful as “la monnaie” means the currency but also the change in French. Other basic words you need when going on a shopping spree are :

• des billets = notes
• des pièces = coins
• un distributeur = an ATM
• le taux de change = the exchange rate
• retirer de l’argent = to withdraw money

If you wish to pay with a card, simply say, “Je voudrais payer par carte.” (I would like to pay with a card). Keep in mind that some smaller boutiques may have a minimum amount for card payments, or they might not accept cards at all. Don’t hesitate to check if your card is accepted. Ask, “Est-ce que je peux payer par carte ?” (Can I pay with a credit card?).

After your purchase, you may receive “un ticket de caisse” (a receipt). Make sure to check it carefully. It should list all items bought, prices, and any applicable taxes. Knowing how to read it helps if you need to return anything later. Know that since August 1, 2023, customers will now have to request their receipt at the supermarket to get it printed. Businesses will also have the option to send receipts electronically.

If you ask for an invoice, say, “Est-ce que je pourrais avoir une facture, s’il vous plaît?” (Could I have an invoice, please?). This is particularly useful for larger purchases or business expenses. Keeping your receipts organized can help when tracking your spending or if there are discrepancies with your purchases.

Typically, you get a 15 to 30-day grace period to return to the store for “un échange” (an exchange), “un remboursement” (a refund), or “un avoir” (a store credit). This is referred to as the store’s return policy. Each shop has its own refund guidelines, which are usually printed on your receipt. But it’s wise to ask about these before finalizing your purchase. Knowing these details will make transactions easier and avoid confusion.

Today’s post walked you through all the key steps for a successful shopping spree in a French-speaking country. We discussed how to find stores, choose the right items, try them on, and complete your purchase. If you would like some more guidance about French shopping, feel free to get in touch with me today !