Making Reservations in French: Hotels, Restaurants, and Faux Pas to Avoid

Written By Olga Sylvia

Introduction: Why Booking in French Is More Than Just a Phrasebook Skill

You’ve been dreaming of that charming café in Paris with bistro chairs and vin rouge on the terrace. Or maybe it's a boutique hotel tucked into a cobblestone street in Lyon. You've planned your itinerary, mapped out the landmarks, and maybe even memorized a few polite phrases. But then comes the real test—making a reservation. In French.

Your heart pounds as you reach for the phone or walk into the lobby. Do you say je veux réserver or je voudrais? Are you supposed to introduce yourself first? Should you just speak English and hope for the best?

This moment is a classic anxiety trigger for travelers and French learners alike. Making a reservation seems simple, but it’s one of those real-world language tasks that reveals how prepared (or not) you really are. You’re dealing with real people, real consequences (like losing your table or room), and real-time communication that rarely follows textbook dialogue.

But here's the good news: you can absolutely learn how to do this confidently, naturally, and even impressively.Whether you’re booking over the phone, through email, or in person, knowing a handful of key phrases, social cues, and cultural expectations will help you make seamless reservations—and avoid the common faux pas that trip up many visitors.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make hotel and restaurant reservations in French, step by step. You’ll learn:

  • The essential vocabulary and sentence structures to use

  • What to expect from the interaction (yes, even the fast-talking parts!)

  • French cultural norms around booking and cancellations

  • Faux pas to avoid (like showing up without confirming or skipping the bonjour)

  • Sample dialogues and cheat sheets for every situation

Whether you're preparing for your first trip to France or just want to sound more native when making calls or reservations, this article will give you everything you need to book in French like a pro.

Part I: Essential Vocabulary for Making Reservations

Before diving into specific contexts, let’s cover the foundational vocabulary that appears across most reservation scenarios.

🔑 General Terms:

  • Une réservation / réserver – a reservation / to book

  • Un hôtel / une chambre – a hotel / a room

  • Une table – a table (in a restaurant)

  • Disponible / complet – available / fully booked

  • Pour combien de personnes ? – For how many people?

  • À quelle heure ? – At what time?

  • Pour quelle date ? – For which date?

🎯 Useful Verbs:

  • Je voudrais réserver… – I would like to book…

  • Est-ce qu’il reste de la place ? – Is there still space?

  • J’aimerais annuler / confirmer / modifier… – I’d like to cancel / confirm / modify…

These words and phrases are the bricks of any reservation exchange. Now let’s build the structure.

Part II: How to Make a Hotel Reservation in French

Whether you’re calling ahead or booking at the front desk, hotel reservations in French follow a predictable pattern—but etiquette and tone still matter.

Step-by-Step Phrases:

1. Start With a Polite Greeting

  • Bonjour, je voudrais réserver une chambre pour deux personnes, s’il vous plaît.

2. Specify the Date and Number of Nights

  • Pour la nuit du 12 au 13 septembre.

  • Pour trois nuits, du 5 au 8 juin.

3. Type of Room

  • Avec un lit double – with a double bed

  • Avec deux lits simples – with two single beds

  • Avec vue sur la mer – with a sea view

4. Ask About Availability

  • Est-ce que vous avez une chambre disponible pour cette date ?

5. Provide Your Name and Contact Info

  • C’est au nom de [Votre nom]. Mon numéro de téléphone est…

6. Confirm and Thank Them

  • Très bien, merci beaucoup. À bientôt !

Sample Dialogue:

You: Bonjour, je voudrais réserver une chambre pour deux personnes, pour trois nuits, du 5 au 8 juin.

Receptionist: Très bien. Avec un lit double ou deux lits simples ?

You: Un lit double, s’il vous plaît.

Receptionist: Parfait. Puis-je avoir votre nom ?

You: Oui, c’est au nom de Julie Martin.

Receptionist: Très bien, c’est noté. Merci, et à bientôt !

Part III: How to Book a Restaurant in French

Step-by-Step Phrases:

1. Greet and Request

  • Bonjour, je voudrais réserver une table pour deux, ce soir à 20h, s’il vous plaît.

2. Confirm Details

  • Pour deux personnes, à 20h, au nom de…

3. Ask for Preferences

  • En terrasse ou à l’intérieur ?

  • Avec une chaise haute ? (with a high chair)

4. Thank and Close

  • Merci beaucoup. À ce soir !

Sample Dialogue (Phone):

You: Bonjour, je voudrais réserver une table pour quatre personnes ce samedi à 19h30.

Restaurant: Très bien. À quel nom ?

You: À mon nom, Roberto Sanchez.

Restaurant: Parfait, c’est noté. À samedi !

Part IV: Faux Pas to Avoid

Avoid these classic mistakes if you want to be taken seriously and treated well in France:

❌ Skipping the Greeting

Always begin with bonjour or bonsoir—it’s cultural gold.

❌ Using “je veux” instead of “je voudrais”

Je veux une chambre = too demanding.
Je voudrais une chambre = polite, preferred.

❌ Not Confirming Your Reservation

In France, confirming the day before is expected, especially for restaurants.

❌ No-showing

Not canceling a reservation if you're not coming is considered extremely rude.

❌ Assuming You Can Just Walk In

In Paris, even casual restaurants may require advance booking. Don’t assume there will be space.

Part V: Modifying or Canceling a Reservation

Phrases for Changes:

  • Je voudrais modifier ma réservation. – I’d like to change my reservation.

  • Je dois annuler. – I need to cancel.

  • Est-ce possible de changer l’heure ? – Is it possible to change the time?

  • Excusez-moi, j’ai eu un empêchement. – I had a conflict come up.

Always thank them after: Merci pour votre compréhension.

Part VI: When Things Go Wrong (and What to Say)

You arrive and your room isn’t ready. The table you reserved is missing. What now?

Stay calm and say:

  • Je crois qu’il y a eu une erreur. – I think there’s been a mistake.

  • J’avais réservé pour ce soir à 20h. – I had a reservation for tonight at 8.

  • Est-ce qu’il y a une solution ? – Is there a solution?

The French appreciate diplomacy. You’ll usually get better treatment by staying calm and polite.

FAQs About Making Reservations in French

Q: Is it better to call or book online?
A: Online booking is increasingly common and often easier for beginners. But smaller hotels and restaurants may prefer phone calls—especially in rural areas.

Q: Will they speak English if I mess up?
A: Maybe—but trying in French earns you major points. Even if you switch later, your effort will be appreciated.

Q: Should I leave a tip when dining in France?
A: Tips are not obligatory, but rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated for good service.

Q: Do I need to reconfirm my hotel reservation?
A: For large hotels, not usually. But for small guesthouses or family-run B&Bs, yes—email or call a day or two before.

Q: Can I show up without a reservation?
A: Possible in smaller towns, but not recommended in cities—especially for dinner between 7:30 and 9 PM.

Ready to Speak French With Confidence?

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Whether you're learning for your next trip to France or just want to speak naturally and confidently, we're here to help.

👉 Explore our French courses and sign up today.

You Might Also Like…

For more tips on sounding natural in French and avoiding common pitfalls, check out these articles:

🎯 With the right words and a little cultural know-how, booking in French becomes second nature.
Be polite, be clear, and—n’oubliez pas de dire bonjour !

À bientôt chez Polyglottist ! 🇫🇷

Olga Sylvia
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