In this workshop you practise a short, realistic exchange in French. You will ask a stranger where the nearest metro station is, listen to a simple answer with a direction, and check whether the place is far. The recordings give you the exact lines to say and to understand. You can play both roles: first as the person asking, then as the person answering. Speak the lines out loud, copy the rhythm, and pause the audio when you need more time. The goal is not to memorise a long script, but to feel comfortable with a few useful phrases you can reuse in many French-speaking cities.
Starting the conversation politely
A polite opening makes a big difference when you speak to a stranger. In French, the safest way to begin is with an apology phrase that means 'excuse me'. The recording «Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche ?» gives you a complete, polite question you can use in the street, at a station, or near a hotel. Say it slowly at first, then a little faster. The phrase includes the words for 'the nearest metro station', so you do not need to build the question yourself. After you ask, the other person may answer with a short direction. Listen for the first sound of the answer: it often tells you whether the place is close or not. If you want to know whether you should walk or take a bus, you can add a short follow-up question. The recording «C'est loin d'ici ?» is exactly that follow-up. It means 'Is it far from here?' and it is useful right after your first question. Together, «Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche ?» and «C'est loin d'ici ?» form a natural two-part request: first ask where the station is, then ask about the distance.
Understanding simple directions
When someone answers your question, you will often hear one or two short direction words. The recording «Tout droit» means 'straight ahead'. This is probably the most common direction you will hear. If you hear it, keep walking forward. The recording «à gauche / à droite» gives you two directions together: 'to the left' and 'to the right'. These are used for turning. Listen carefully to the difference between the two sounds. In a longer answer, you may hear a direction plus a landmark, such as a shop or a building. The recording «C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.» shows a full answer: it tells you to go straight, then turn left after a bakery. You do not need to know every word in the sentence. Focus on the direction words and the landmark. If you are not sure, you can repeat the direction back to the person and ask 'Is that right?' with a rising voice. That simple check helps you avoid walking the wrong way.
Checking distance and confirming
After you hear a direction, it is natural to ask how far it is. The recording «D'accord. C'est loin d'ici ?» shows the same distance question inside a short dialogue, after the person says 'OK'. The recording «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.» gives a simple answer: it is not far, and it takes a short walk. Notice that the answer starts with 'No', which here means 'No, it is not far'. When you hear a time and 'on foot', you know you can walk. If the answer is longer, listen for the number and the word for minutes. You can also repeat the key information back: say the direction and the time, and watch the person's face. A small nod or a 'yes' confirms that you understood. This three-step pattern — ask, listen, check — works in many everyday situations, not only for the metro.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche ?
Excuse me, where is the nearest metro station?
ehk-skew-zay mwah, oo eh lah stah-syon duh may-troh lah ploo prosh
C'est loin d'ici ?
Is it far from here?
say lwan dee-see
Tout droit
Straight ahead
too drwah
à gauche / à droite
to the left / to the right
ah gohsh / ah drwaht
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche ?
Excuse me, where is the nearest metro station?C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.
It's straight ahead, then left after the bakery.D'accord. C'est loin d'ici ?
OK. Is it far from here?Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.
No, it's a five-minute walk.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and answer
You are standing near a hotel in a French city. You need the metro. Play the role of the person asking. Use the recording «Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche ?» as your first line. Then imagine a short answer and use the recording «C'est loin d'ici ?» as your follow-up question. After that, switch roles: play the person answering and use the recording «C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.» as your reply.
Your task: Say «Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche ?» out loud. Pause. Then say «C'est loin d'ici ?» out loud. Pause again. Now change roles and say «C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.» as if someone has just asked you for directions. Repeat the whole exchange twice, once slowly and once at a natural speed.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct direction
A person answers your question with a short direction. You will hear one of the direction recordings. Your job is to decide whether the person means 'straight ahead', 'to the left', or 'to the right'. This is a listening and speaking check, not a written test.
Your task: Play «Tout droit» and say 'straight ahead' in English. Then play «à gauche / à droite» and say 'left' or 'right' in English, depending on which part you hear. Finally, play «C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.» and say the two directions in English in the correct order. If you are not sure, replay the recording before you answer.
Recall with correct roles
In this task you rebuild the short dialogue from memory. One person asks for the metro station and then asks about the distance. The other person gives a direction and a short answer about the distance. Use only the lines you have practised.
Your task: Without looking at the text, say the question from «Excusez-moi, où est la station de métro la plus proche ?». Then say the follow-up from «C'est loin d'ici ?». Now play the other role: answer with «C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.», then answer the distance question with the recorded dialogue line «Non, c'est à cinq minutes à pied.». Do the whole dialogue once as the asking person and once as the answering person.
Common questions
Do I need to understand every word in the answer?
No. In a short direction, the most important words are the direction itself and any landmark. The recording «C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.» includes a direction and a landmark, but you can still follow it if you catch the main direction words. Focus on «Tout droit» and «à gauche / à droite» first, then add the longer sentence when you feel ready.
What should I say if I did not understand the answer?
You can repeat the direction back with a rising voice to check. For example, after hearing «C'est tout droit, puis à gauche après la boulangerie.», say the direction words again as a question. A simple check is polite and useful. The recordings give you the key words; you do not need a new phrase to check.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask for the nearest metro stationChecked September 2026
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