Traveling through airports in France is usually smooth, but knowing a few key signs and phrases can make things much easier. This guide helps you quickly understand airport signs, communicate basic needs, and navigate arrivals, departures, and connections with confidence.
Quick Navigation:
Common Airport Signs
Say What You Need
Cultural Tips
Final Tips
Common Airport Signs in France
Airport signs in France are often shown in ALL CAPS and may include both French and English, but not always. Here are the most common ones to know:
- ARRIVÉES — Arrivals
- DÉPARTS — Departures
- PORTE — Gate
- SORTIE — Exit
- ENTRÉE — Entrance
- CONTRÔLE DE SÉCURITÉ — Security
- CONTRÔLE PASSEPORT — Passport control
- RÉCUPÉRATION DES BAGAGES — Baggage claim
- EMBARQUEMENT — Boarding
- RETARDÉ — Delayed
- ANNULÉ — Cancelled
- ENREGISTREMENT — Check-in
- CORRESPONDANCES — Connections
- ZONE D’EMBARQUEMENT — Boarding area
- TOILETTES — Restrooms
- INFORMATIONS — Information desk
- LOCATION DE VOITURES — Car rental
- TAXI — Taxi
- BUS — Bus
- TRAIN — Train
- NAVETTE — Shuttle
Say What You Need (English → French)
a) Basic Words
- Yes — Oui (pronounced: wee)
- No — Non (pronounced: nohn)
- Please — S’il vous plaît (pronounced: seel voo pleh)
- Thank you — Merci (pronounced: mehr-see)
- Excuse me — Excusez-moi (pronounced: ex-kew-zay mwah)
- Here — Ici (pronounced: ee-see)
- There — Là-bas (pronounced: lah-bah)
- Now — Maintenant (pronounced: meh-tnuh-nahn)
- Later — Plus tard (pronounced: ploo tahr)
- Help — Aide (pronounced: ed)
- Good morning — Bonjour (pronounced: bohn-zhoor)
- Good evening — Bonsoir (pronounced: bohn-swahr)
b) Getting Directions
- Where is the exit? — Où est la sortie ? (pronounced: oo eh lah sor-tee)
- Where is my gate? — Où est ma porte ? (pronounced: oo eh mah port)
- How do I get to baggage claim? — Comment aller à la récupération des bagages ? (pronounced: koh-mahn ah-lay ah lah ray-koo-pay-rah-syon day bah-gahzh)
- Is this the right way? — Est-ce le bon chemin ? (pronounced: ess luh bon shuh-man)
- Is it far? — Est-ce que c’est loin ? (pronounced: ess kuh say lwahn)
- Can you show me? — Pouvez-vous me montrer ? (pronounced: poo-vay voo muh mon-tray)
c) Asking for Help
- Can you help me? — Pouvez-vous m’aider ? (pronounced: poo-vay voo meh-day)
- I am lost — Je suis perdu(e) (pronounced: zhuh swee per-doo)
- Do you speak English? — Parlez-vous anglais ? (pronounced: par-lay voo ahn-glay)
- I don’t understand — Je ne comprends pas (pronounced: zhuh nuh kom-prahn pah)
- Can you repeat that? — Pouvez-vous répéter ? (pronounced: poo-vay voo ray-pay-tay)
- Where can I get help? — Où puis-je obtenir de l’aide ? (pronounced: oo pwee zhuh ob-tuh-neer duh led)
d) Flight & Travel Questions
- What time is boarding? — À quelle heure est l’embarquement ? (pronounced: ah kel uhr eh lahm-bar-kuh-mahn)
- Is the flight delayed? — Le vol est-il retardé ? (pronounced: luh vol eh-teel ruh-tar-day)
- Where do I check in? — Où faire l’enregistrement ? (pronounced: oo fair lahn-ruh-zhist-ruh-mahn)
- Which gate is it? — Quelle est la porte ? (pronounced: kel eh lah port)
- Is this my flight? — Est-ce mon vol ? (pronounced: ess mon vol)
- Where is passport control? — Où est le contrôle passeport ? (pronounced: oo eh luh kon-trohl pass-por)
e) Ground Transportation
- Where is the taxi stand? — Où sont les taxis ? (pronounced: oo sohn lay tak-see)
- Where can I catch a bus? — Où prendre le bus ? (pronounced: oo prahndr luh bus)
- Is there a train to the city? — Y a-t-il un train pour la ville ? (pronounced: ee ah-teel uhn trahn poor lah veel)
- Where is car rental? — Où est la location de voitures ? (pronounced: oo eh lah loh-kah-syon duh vwah-tyoor)
- How much is the fare? — Combien coûte le trajet ? (pronounced: kom-byen koot luh trah-zhay)
- Does this go downtown? — Est-ce que ça va au centre-ville ? (pronounced: ess kuh sah vah oh sahn-truh veel)
f) Basic Essentials
- Where is the restroom? — Où sont les toilettes ? (pronounced: oo sohn lay twah-let)
- Where can I buy food? — Où acheter à manger ? (pronounced: oo ash-tay ah mahn-zhay)
- Do you accept cards? — Acceptez-vous les cartes ? (pronounced: ak-sep-tay voo lay kart)
- Where is the ATM? — Où est le distributeur ? (pronounced: oo eh luh dis-tree-byoo-tuhr)
- Can I get Wi-Fi? — Y a-t-il du Wi-Fi ? (pronounced: ee ah-teel dew wee-fee)
- Where is the information desk? — Où est le bureau d’information ? (pronounced: oo eh luh byoo-roh dan-for-mah-syon)
Cultural Tips for Travelers
- Start interactions with “Bonjour” before asking for help—it’s expected and polite
- Keep your tone calm and respectful when speaking with staff
- Personal space is generally respected; avoid standing too close
- Tipping is not expected in airports, but rounding up small amounts is appreciated
- Many airport workers speak some English, especially in major cities
- Card payments are widely accepted; contactless is common
- Be patient—service may feel slower but is usually efficient
- Follow queue lines carefully; cutting is frowned upon
- Keep your ticket and ID ready at checkpoints to avoid delays
Final Tips for Navigating France Airports
Airports in France are modern, well-organized, and generally easy to navigate. English is commonly spoken in major international airports, though knowing a few basic French words can go a long way in making your experience smoother.
Major airports include Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris) and Orly Airport (Paris), along with regional hubs like Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Nice), Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (Lyon), and Marseille Provence Airport (Marseille). Clear signage, strong transportation links, and helpful staff make traveling through France straightforward and stress-free.