A practical guide to French for business travel on the Riviera

English might be the dominant working language during congress season, but experienced travelers quickly realize how a few carefully chosen French words can transform interactions. In France, language is not only communication, it is also etiquette. A simple expression used at the right moment demonstrates cultural awareness, respect and professionalism.

This guide focuses on practical French expressions that help corporate travelers navigate meetings, restaurants, networking events and everyday interactions with confidence. These small linguistic gestures can create smoother conversations and stronger first impressions.

Mastering the “petit mot” – the small word – can become a powerful social and professional tool!

English	French	Pronunciation
Hello / Good morning	Bonjour	bon-zhoor
Good evening	Bonsoir	bon-swar
Nice to meet you	Enchanté(e)	on-shon-tay
How are you? (formal)	Comment allez-vous ?	ko-mon tah-lay voo
My name is…	Je m’appelle…	zhuh mah-pel
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais ?	par-lay voo on-glay
Please	S’il vous plaît	seel voo pleh
Thank you	Merci	mer-see
You’re welcome	Je vous en prie	zhuh voo zon pree
Excuse me	Excusez-moi	ex-kew-zay mwah
Goodbye	Au revoir	oh ruh-vwar
Have a good day	Bonne journée	bun zhoor-nay
Have a good evening	Bonne soirée	bun swah-ray
Meeting / Appointment	Un rendez-vous	uhn ron-day-voo
Let’s schedule a meeting	Fixons un rendez-vous	feek-son uhn ron-day-voo
Business deal	Une affaire	oon ah-fair
It’s agreed	C’est entendu	say ton-don-doo
I confirm	Je confirme	zhuh kon-feerm
I will send an email	J’enverrai un email	zhon-vray uhn ee-mel
Where is the Palais des Festivals?	Où est le Palais des Festivals ?	oo eh luh pa-lay day fes-ti-val
I have a reservation	J’ai une réservation	zhay oon ray-zer-va-syon
The bill, please	L’addition, s’il vous plaît	la-dee-syon seel voo pleh
Cheers!	Santé !	son-tay
See you soon	À bientôt	ah byen-toh
Welcome	Bienvenue	byen-vuh-new

When meeting someone for the first time, “Enchanté(e)” remains the standard professional introduction. Combined with a handshake and eye contact, it immediately establishes a respectful tone.

Some of the most useful expressions in French are:

• “Je m’appelle…” – my name is
• “Parlez-vous anglais?” – do you speak english? (formal)
• “Merci” – thank you

These expressions reduce friction during busy congress schedules, helping interactions remain efficient and pleasant with local actors.

The language of business on the Riviera inbetween networking, meetings and dining

When continuing business conversations beyond meetings, during lunches or at evening receptions along the Croisette, understanding a few key expressions helps navigate these moments naturally. 

During your stay in France for a congress or a business event, you will frequently hear or need to say:

• “Un rendez-vous” – a scheduled business meeting
• “Faire une affaire” – to close a deal
• “C’est entendu” – agreed/understood
• “Excusez-moi, ou est le Palais du Festivals?” – excuse me, where is the Palais du Festivals?

Dining & hospitality

Dining plays a central role in French and European business culture. Many negotiations progress more smoothly with a glass of wine around a table than in a formal conference setting. Knowing how to interact comfortably in restaurants will make a huge difference in your professional etiquette.

English	French	Pronunciation
Table for two	Une table pour deux	oon tabl poor duh
Menu	La carte	la kart
I would like…	Je voudrais…	zhuh voo-dray
A coffee	Un café	uhn ka-fay
Bottle of water	Une bouteille d’eau	oon boo-tay duh
The bill please	L’addition, s’il vous plaît	la-dee-syon seel voo pleh
It was excellent	C’était excellent	say-teh ex-suh-lon
Cheers!	Santé!	son-tay
I am allergic to…	Je suis allergique à…	zhuh swee ah-lair-zheek ah
Without alcohol	Sans alcool	son al-kol

A practical cultural note: service is included in French restaurants, but leaving a small tip (pourboire) as a sign of appreciation for an exceptional service signals respect and cultural familiarity.

Navigating the French Riviera with confidence

Beyond vocabulary, understanding the spirit of the French Riviera enhances every professional visit. Cannes is a mix of elegance and intensity during congress season. It is a unique environment where business and lifestyle merge. 

Understanding how to ask for directions or confirm transportation details becomes essential for moving around efficiently and can prevent unnecessary stress.

Here are some of the most useful sentences asking for transportation or directions in French:

Transportation

English	French	Pronunciation
Taxi	Un taxi	uhn tak-see
Train station	La gare	la gahr
Airport	L’aéroport	la-ay-ro-por
Ticket	Un billet	uhn bee-yay
One-way ticket	Aller simple	ah-lay sampl
Round trip	Aller-retour	ah-lay ruh-toor
Bus	Le bus	luh boos
Train	Le train	luh tran
Where is the station?	Où est la station ?	oo eh la sta-syon
How long does it take?	Combien de temps ?	kom-byen duh ton

Directions

English	French	Pronunciation
Right	À droite	ah drwat
Left	À gauche	ah gosh
Straight ahead	Tout droit	too drwah
Near here	Près d’ici	pray dee-see
Far	Loin	lwahn
Where is the Palais des Festivals?	Où est le Palais des Festivals ?	oo eh luh pa-lay day fes-ti-val
Excuse me	Excusez-moi	ex-kew-zay mwah
I am lost	Je suis perdu(e)	zhuh swee pair-doo
Is it far?	C’est loin ?	say lwahn
Can you help me?	Pouvez-vous m’aider ?	poo-vay voo may-day

Seamless mobility is not only about transportation availability, but also about planning routes strategically, something that EAS integrates in every executive itinerary by coordinating transfers with English and French speaking chauffeurs.

Shops and services

Whether you need access to essential services like pharmacies, boutiques or concierge assistance or you plan to treat yourself with some shopping, knowing a few key expressions allow to move efficiently and (maybe) to get better deals.

English	French	Pronunciation
Shop / Boutique	Une boutique	oon boo-teek
Store	Un magasin	uhn ma-ga-zan
Pharmacy	Une pharmacie	oon far-ma-see
Bakery	Une boulangerie	oon boo-lon-zhree
Pastry shop	Une pâtisserie	oon pa-tee-se-ree
Supermarket	Un supermarché	uhn soo-per-mar-shay
Is it open?	C’est ouvert ?	say too-ver
What time does it close?	À quelle heure ça ferme ?	ah kel eur sa ferm
I’m just looking	Je regarde seulement	zhuh ruh-gard seul-mon
Can I pay by card?	Je peux payer par carte ?	zhuh puh pay-yay par kart

Numbers, time and safety in France

Sometimes familiarity with basic numerical and time-related vocabulary can come in handy for confirming meeting times, understanding opening hours or ordering food. Imagine how misunderstanding a meeting time or a date could create huge frictions in business interactions during formal congresses such as MIPIM or Cannes Lions.

Equally important is knowing how to react in case of health or safety needs. France offers excellent health services, but being able to communicate clearly accelerates assistance and reduces stress.

Numbers

English	French	Pronunciation
Zero	Zéro	zay-ro
One	Un	uhn
Two	Deux	duh
Three	Trois	trwah
Four	Quatre	katr
Five	Cinq	sank
Six	Six	sees
Seven	Sept	set
Eight	Huit	weet
Nine	Neuf	nuhf
Ten	Dix	dees
Twenty	Vingt	van
Thirty	Trente	tront
Hundred	Cent	son

Times, dates & days

English	French	Pronunciation
Today	Aujourd’hui	oh-zhoor-dwee
Tomorrow	Demain	duh-man
Yesterday	Hier	ee-air
Monday	Lundi	lun-dee
Tuesday	Mardi	mar-dee
Wednesday	Mercredi	mehr-kruh-dee
Thursday	Jeudi	zhuh-dee
Friday	Vendredi	von-druh-dee
Saturday	Samedi	sam-dee
Sunday	Dimanche	dee-monsh
What time is it?	Quelle heure est-il ?	kel eur eh-teel
At noon	À midi	ah mee-dee
Tonight	Ce soir	suh swar

Health, Emergency & Safety

English	French	Pronunciation
Help!	À l’aide !	ah led
Call the police	Appelez la police	ap-lay la po-lees
I need a doctor	J’ai besoin d’un médecin	zhay buh-zwan dun med-san
Hospital	L’hôpital	lo-pee-tal
Pharmacy	La pharmacie	la far-ma-see
I don’t feel well	Je ne me sens pas bien	zhuh nuh muh son pah byen
Emergency	Urgence	oor-zhons
I lost my passport	J’ai perdu mon passeport	zhay pair-doo mon pas-por
Can you help me?	Pouvez-vous m’aider ?	poo-vay voo may-day
Call an ambulance	Appelez une ambulance	ap-lay oon om-boo-lons

EAS is your local strategic partner

Cannes is one of the world’s most recognizable destinations for global business events. From real estate leaders attending MIPIM to creative executives gathering during Cannes Lions and luxury travel professionals meeting at ILTM, the city becomes an international hub where deals, partnerships, and long-term relationships are built in just a few days.

EAS supports international teams not only through accommodation, transportation and venue coordination, but also by helping clients navigate the unwritten rules of doing business in France. From organizing seamless transfers between meetings to securing environments suited for executive needs, EAS acts as a discreet strategic partner behind every successful congress experience.

Understanding a few words of French is often the first step toward feeling at ease, but true confidence comes from knowing that logistics, timing, and local complexities are taken care of professionally in the background.

Connect with the EAS team to secure your executive stay and navigate Cannes with ease, reliability, and discretion.

EAS is a Barcelona-based DMC offering premium MICE services with over 35 years of combined industry experience, consistently delivering unparalleled event experiences. EAS delivers custom solutions for corporate accommodation and events in Barcelona, Cannes and other select European locations.