In this workshop you will practice a common travel situation: asking a hotel to keep your luggage before check-in or after check-out. You will hear short French lines and use them in guided speaking tasks. Each French example has a recording you can play. Listen, repeat, and then try the exercises. You can play both roles: the guest and the staff member. Use the answer keys and self-checks to confirm your performance. The free storage and 10 p.m. closing time are details of the fictional practice scene.
Asking to leave your luggage
Start with a polite question. To ask if you can leave your luggage in a place, use the line «Est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages ici ?». This means you want to leave your bags there for a short time. If you have suitcases and want to store them before check-in, use «Pouvez-vous garder mes valises avant l'enregistrement ?». The word for check-in is 'l'enregistrement'. If you have already checked out and want to leave your things after that, use «Est-ce que je peux laisser mes affaires après le départ ?». Here 'le départ' means check-out. You can also ask about the cost with «C'est gratuit ou payant ?». This question asks whether the service is free or if there is a fee. Practice saying each line slowly, then a little faster. Pay attention to the polite phrasing; it works in many hotels.
Understanding the answer and pickup details
When you ask, the staff member may answer with a full sentence. Listen to this short exchange. The guest asks: «Bonjour, est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages ici avant l'enregistrement ?». The staff member replies: «Oui, bien sûr. C'est gratuit. Vous pouvez les laisser à la bagagerie.». This answer says yes, it is free, and tells you where to leave your bags: at the luggage storage. Then the guest asks about the pickup time: «Merci. Je peux les récupérer à quelle heure ?». The staff member gives the closing time and explains how to get the bags back: «La bagagerie ferme à 22 heures. Vous récupérez vos bagages avec ce ticket.». Notice the word 'ticket' in the answer. You need it to pick up your luggage. Also notice the time: '22 heures' means 10 p.m. in the evening. Practice understanding these details, because they are important for planning your day.
Polite phrases and useful words
The phrases in this lesson use polite forms. 'Est-ce que je peux' means 'Can I'. 'Pouvez-vous' means 'Can you'. Both are polite and common. The word 'laisser' means to leave something temporarily. 'Garder' means to keep or hold. 'Bagages' and 'valises' both refer to luggage; 'valises' are suitcases. 'Affaires' is a general word for belongings. 'Gratuit' means free, and 'payant' means there is a charge. 'La bagagerie' is the luggage storage area. 'Récupérer' means to pick up or get back. 'Un ticket' is a ticket you use to claim your bags. Use these words when you speak, and listen for them in the recordings.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages ici ?
Can I leave my luggage here?
ess-kuh zhuh puh lay-say may bah-gahzh ee-see
Pouvez-vous garder mes valises avant l'enregistrement ?
Can you keep my suitcases before check-in?
poo-vay-voo gar-day may vah-leez ah-vahn lahn-ruh-zhees-truh-mahn
Est-ce que je peux laisser mes affaires après le départ ?
Can I leave my things after check-out?
ess-kuh zhuh puh lay-say may za-fair ah-pray luh day-par
C'est gratuit ou payant ?
Is it free or paid?
say grah-twee oo pay-yahn
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages ici avant l'enregistrement ?
Hello, can I leave my luggage here before check-in?Oui, bien sûr. C'est gratuit. Vous pouvez les laisser à la bagagerie.
Yes, of course. It's free. You can leave them at the luggage storage.Merci. Je peux les récupérer à quelle heure ?
Thank you. What time can I pick them up?La bagagerie ferme à 22 heures. Vous récupérez vos bagages avec ce ticket.
The luggage storage closes at 10 p.m. You pick up your luggage with this ticket.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 respond
Imagine you are at a hotel reception. You want to leave your luggage before check-in. You will play both roles: first the guest, then the staff member.
Your task: Step 1: As the guest, say the line from «Bonjour, est-ce que je peux laisser mes bagages ici avant l'enregistrement ?» to ask if you can leave your luggage before check-in. Step 2: As the staff member, respond with the line from «Oui, bien sûr. C'est gratuit. Vous pouvez les laisser à la bagagerie.». Step 3: As the guest, ask about the pickup time using «Merci. Je peux les récupérer à quelle heure ?». Step 4: As the staff member, give the closing time and explain the ticket using «La bagagerie ferme à 22 heures. Vous récupérez vos bagages avec ce ticket.». Say each line out loud. You can pause the audio and repeat.
Reply comprehension: choose the correct detail
You will hear a staff member's answer. Read the question and choose the correct option. This checks if you understand key details like cost, location, and time.
Your task: Listen to «Oui, bien sûr. C'est gratuit. Vous pouvez les laisser à la bagagerie.» and «La bagagerie ferme à 22 heures. Vous récupérez vos bagages avec ce ticket.». Then answer these questions: 1. Is the luggage storage free or paid? 2. Where do you leave your luggage? 3. What time does the luggage storage close? 4. What do you need to pick up your luggage? Say your answers out loud in English or French.
Recall and role swap: after check-out
Now imagine you have already checked out and want to leave your things after departure. You will practice the guest and staff roles again, but this time use the after check-out phrase.
Your task: As the guest, ask «Est-ce que je peux laisser mes affaires après le départ ?». The staff member answers «Oui, bien sûr. C'est gratuit. Vous pouvez les laisser à la bagagerie.». The guest then asks «Merci. Je peux les récupérer à quelle heure ?», and the staff member replies «La bagagerie ferme à 22 heures. Vous récupérez vos bagages avec ce ticket.». Swap performers and repeat with the same order.
Common questions
What is the difference between 'laisser' and 'garder'?
'Laisser' means to leave something temporarily, like leaving your bags at a hotel. 'Garder' means to keep or hold something for someone. In this context, both can be used when asking a hotel to store your luggage, but 'laisser' is more common when you are leaving your bags and will come back for them.
How do I ask if there is a charge for luggage storage?
Use the question from «C'est gratuit ou payant ?»: 'C'est gratuit ou payant?' This means 'Is it free or paid?' The word 'gratuit' means free, and 'payant' means there is a charge. You can use this question in many situations where you want to know if a service costs money.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask to store luggageChecked September 2026
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