How to Book Appointments in French: Haircuts, Doctors, and More

Written By Olga Sylvia

Introduction: Why Booking an Appointment Is the Ultimate Confidence Test

You’ve finally arrived in France. You’ve ordered your first café crème, picked up a fresh baguette from the corner boulangerie, and are feeling increasingly comfortable navigating the rhythm of everyday life. But then something unexpected pops up: you need to book an appointment. Maybe it’s for a haircut. Maybe your throat is sore and you need to see a doctor. Or maybe you’ve found a dreamy massage studio or want to finally get that dental cleaning.

Suddenly, your carefully rehearsed travel phrases feel flimsy. There’s no “repeat-after-me” phrasebook entry for this real-life situation. What if you don’t understand the available times? What if you’re asked a question you didn’t anticipate? What if you freeze?

For many French learners, booking appointments in French is the true test of practical fluency. It’s not just about vocabulary—it’s about navigating politeness, clarity, and speed in real-time conversation, often over the phone or at a reception desk where visual cues are limited. It's one of those skills that can either leave you flustered—or feeling triumphantly competent.

And the good news? Booking appointments in French doesn’t require perfection—it requires preparation.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to confidently schedule appointments in French, whether it’s a haircut, a medical visit, a dinner reservation, or a repair service. You’ll learn what to say, what to expect, and how to respond in real-world contexts. We’ll also cover essential vocabulary, common misunderstandings, polite expressions, and tips for handling conversations over the phone.

By the end, you’ll be able to walk into (or call) any business in France and schedule with ease—and without that all-too-common fear of embarrassment.

Part I: The Basics of Scheduling in French

Let’s begin with key phrases and building blocks you'll use in nearly every scenario:

🗣 Essential Phrases:

  • Je voudrais prendre un rendez-vous. – I’d like to make an appointment.

  • Est-ce que je peux avoir un rendez-vous pour… ? – Can I get an appointment for…?

  • C’est possible de fixer un rendez-vous ? – Is it possible to set up an appointment?

  • Quel jour vous conviendrait ? – What day works for you?

  • À quelle heure êtes-vous disponible ? – What time are you available?

📅 Talking About Dates and Times:

  • Aujourd’hui / demain / après-demain – Today / tomorrow / the day after tomorrow

  • Ce matin / cet après-midi / ce soir – This morning / afternoon / evening

  • La semaine prochaine – Next week

  • À 10h / à 14h30 – At 10:00 / at 2:30 PM

  • Plutôt en matinée / en fin de journée ? – Preferably in the morning / end of day?

Part II: Booking a Haircut – Chez le coiffeur

A trip to the hair salon is a great place to practice your French. Here’s how to handle it confidently.

🏠 Walk-In or Phone Call:

“Bonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous pour une coupe, s’il vous plaît.”
(Hello, I’d like to make an appointment for a haircut, please.)

If calling, introduce yourself first:
“Bonjour, je m’appelle [Your Name], je souhaite prendre rendez-vous.”

✂️ Common Vocabulary:

  • Une coupe – A haircut

  • Une couleur – Hair dye

  • Un brushing – Blow-dry

  • Les pointes – The ends

  • Une frange – A fringe/bangs

  • Éclaircir – To lighten

  • Couper court / laisser long – Cut short / leave it long

🗣 Helpful Phrases:

  • Je voudrais seulement les pointes. – I just want the ends trimmed.

  • Pas trop court, s’il vous plaît. – Not too short, please.

  • Je veux garder la longueur. – I want to keep the length.

  • Je ne veux pas de frange. – I don’t want bangs.

Tip: Take a photo of your desired style—une photo vaut mille mots!

Part III: Booking a Medical Appointment – Chez le médecin

When health issues arise, clear communication becomes critical. Booking a doctor’s appointment in France is relatively straightforward if you know the right phrases.

📞 By Phone or Online:

  • Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous avec le docteur [Name], s’il vous plaît.

  • C’est urgent / ce n’est pas urgent. – It’s urgent / it’s not urgent.

  • Je suis un nouveau patient / une nouvelle patiente. – I’m a new patient.

🩺 Medical Vocabulary:

  • Un rendez-vous médical – A medical appointment

  • Un généraliste / un médecin traitant – General practitioner / family doctor

  • Un spécialiste – A specialist

  • Une ordonnance – A prescription

  • Une consultation – A consultation

  • Avoir mal à… – To have pain in…

🗣 Describe Symptoms:

  • J’ai mal à la gorge. – I have a sore throat.

  • J’ai de la fièvre. – I have a fever.

  • Je suis enrhumé(e). – I have a cold.

  • Je me sens fatigué(e). – I feel tired.

🗓 Cancellation and Rescheduling:

  • Je dois annuler mon rendez-vous. – I need to cancel my appointment.

  • Est-ce possible de reporter à demain ? – Can we reschedule for tomorrow?

Part IV: Other Appointments – From Beauty to Bureaucracy

🧖‍♀️ Beauty Services (Spa, Nails, Massage)

  • Un soin du visage / du corps – Facial / body treatment

  • Une manucure / pédicure – Manicure / pedicure

  • Un massage relaxant – Relaxing massage

Example:
“Bonjour, je voudrais réserver un massage pour samedi matin.”

🧑‍🍳 Restaurant Reservations

  • Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux à 20h.
    (I’d like to reserve a table for two at 8:00 PM.)

  • En terrasse ou à l’intérieur ? – On the terrace or inside?

🛠 Appointments for Repairs or Services

  • Une réparation de voiture / machine à laver – Car / washing machine repair

  • Un rendez-vous avec un plombier / électricien – An appointment with a plumber / electrician

Example:
“Est-ce que vous avez une disponibilité cette semaine pour une réparation ?”

Part V: By Phone or In Person – How to Handle Either

📞 By Phone:

  • Speak slowly and clearly.

  • Confirm the day and time.

  • Repeat your name and spelling if needed.

Example:
“C’est bien jeudi à 15h ? Merci beaucoup, à jeudi !”

🧍 In Person:

  • Smile, greet, and use “Bonjour” before anything else.

  • Be polite and brief.

  • Ask if it’s possible to make an appointment rather than demanding one.

Part VI: Handling Confusion or Misunderstandings

It’s okay to ask someone to repeat themselves or speak more slowly.

  • Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? – Can you repeat that, please?

  • Je ne parle pas très bien français. – I don’t speak French very well.

  • Est-ce que vous pouvez parler plus lentement ? – Can you speak more slowly?

Don’t pretend to understand—clarify instead!

FAQs About Booking Appointments in French

Q: What if I don’t understand the available times?
A: Ask: “Pouvez-vous me redire l’heure, s’il vous plaît ?” or repeat it back to confirm.

Q: Is it rude to show up late in France?
A: Yes. Punctuality matters for most appointments—especially medical or administrative ones. Always call if you're running late.

Q: Can I cancel an appointment via text or email?
A: Often, yes—especially with online platforms. But for haircuts or medical visits, calling is usually more polite and effective.

Q: Are walk-ins acceptable?
A: Sometimes, but not guaranteed. For most personal services or medical visits, il vaut mieux prendre rendez-vous (it’s better to book ahead).

Q: What do I say when I arrive for my appointment?
A: “Bonjour, j’ai rendez-vous avec [Name] à [time].”
(Hello, I have an appointment with [Name] at [time].)

Ready to Book Appointments Like a Local?

At Polyglottist Language Academy, we teach you more than just French grammar—we prepare you for real-world situations. Whether you're booking a haircut in Marseille, a doctor’s visit in Lyon, or a table in Paris, our classes help you speak confidently, clearly, and with cultural awareness.

We offer online and in-person classes in Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, taught by expert instructors who know how to bring French to life.

👉 Explore our French courses and sign up today.

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🎯 Booking an appointment in French isn’t just about planning your day—it’s about claiming your space in a new culture.
Now, you’re ready to pick up the phone, walk through the door, and say confidently:
“Bonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous.”

À bientôt chez Polyglottist ! 🇫🇷

Olga Sylvia
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