In this workshop you practise a short, realistic station exchange in French. You will learn two ways to ask which platform a train departs from, how to understand a spoken platform number, and how to check that you heard correctly. The recordings give you the exact phrases to use, so you can repeat them aloud and then play both roles yourself. Listen first, then speak. Keep your voice calm and clear, and do not worry about speed at the beginning.
Asking the question
There are two useful ways to ask about a platform. The first is short and direct: «Quel quai pour le train pour Lyon ?». Here quel quai means 'which platform', pour means 'for', and le train pour Lyon means 'the train to Lyon'. The second is a little more formal and is useful with station staff: «Le train pour Bordeaux part de quel quai ?». In this sentence, part de means 'leaves from', so the whole question asks which platform the train to Bordeaux leaves from. Both questions are polite and clear. Choose one, say it slowly, and repeat it until the rhythm feels natural. When you speak, keep the question word quel at the start of the platform phrase and put the city after pour.
Understanding the answer
A typical answer tells you the platform and its number: «Il part du quai numéro cinq.». Here il part du quai means 'it leaves from the platform', numéro means 'number', and cinq is 'five'. Listen for the word quai and then for the number that follows numéro. Numbers can be hard to catch in a busy station, so focus on the final sound of the number. If you are not sure, do not guess silently. Ask a short checking question instead. This keeps the conversation moving and shows that you are listening carefully.
Checking that you heard correctly
To confirm the platform, use a short question: «C'est bien le quai huit ?». C'est bien... ? means 'Is it...?' and is used to check that information is correct. In this line, the speaker repeats the number huit, which is 'eight'. When you check, repeat the number you think you heard. If the answer is yes, the other person may add a short confirmation. In the recorded exchange, the traveller asks the question, hears the answer, and then checks the number. You can copy this pattern exactly: ask, listen, repeat the number as a question, and wait for confirmation.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Quel quai pour le train pour Lyon ?
Which platform for the train to Lyon?
kel kay poor luh tran poor lee-ON
Le train pour Bordeaux part de quel quai ?
Which platform does the train to Bordeaux leave from?
luh tran poor bor-DOH par duh kel kay
Il part du quai numéro cinq.
It leaves from platform number five.
eel par doo kay noo-may-ro sank
C'est bien le quai huit ?
Is it platform eight, then?
say byan luh kay weet
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Excusez-moi, quel quai pour le train pour Lyon ?
Excuse me, which platform for the train to Lyon?Le train pour Lyon part du quai numéro sept.
The train to Lyon leaves from platform number seven.C'est bien le quai sept ?
Is it platform seven, then?Oui, c'est ça. Le quai sept, voie A.
Yes, that's right. Platform seven, track A.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 for the platform
Imagine you are at a station and you need the platform for a train to Lyon. You will play the traveller. The recording gives you the exact question to ask.
Your task: Listen to «Excusez-moi, quel quai pour le train pour Lyon ?» and repeat the traveller's question aloud. Then play the staff recording «Le train pour Lyon part du quai numéro sept.» and repeat the answer. Say both parts slowly. After that, check your answer: the traveller asks which platform the train to Lyon leaves from, and the staff member says it leaves from platform number seven.
Reply comprehension: choose the right platform
You hear a staff member give a platform number. You must decide whether the number you heard matches the number you expected. Use only the recorded lines.
Your task: Listen to «Le train pour Lyon part du quai numéro sept.» and write down the platform number you hear. Then listen to «C'est bien le quai sept ?» and decide whether the traveller is checking the same number. Finally, listen to «Oui, c'est ça. Le quai sept, voie A.» and confirm whether the staff member agrees. Your answer should state the number and whether the traveller's check was correct.
Recall and role swap: be the staff member
Now you will play the staff member. A traveller asks you a question, and you give the platform information. Use the recorded lines to guide you.
Your task: Listen to «Excusez-moi, quel quai pour le train pour Lyon ?» again. This time, answer as the staff member with the line from «Le train pour Lyon part du quai numéro sept.». Then listen to «C'est bien le quai sept ?» and respond with the confirmation from «Oui, c'est ça. Le quai sept, voie A.». Say your lines clearly, and keep the platform number and the city the same as in the recordings.
Common questions
What is the difference between quel quai and part de quel quai?
Both ask about a platform. Quel quai is a short, direct question: «Quel quai pour le train pour Lyon ?». Part de quel quai is a little more formal and includes the verb part, meaning 'leaves from': «Le train pour Bordeaux part de quel quai ?». You can use either one. The second may feel more complete when you speak to station staff.
How do I check a platform number without sounding rude?
Use a short checking question with c'est bien, as in «C'est bien le quai huit ?». This means 'Is it...?' and is a polite way to repeat the number you think you heard. In the recorded exchange, the traveller checks with «C'est bien le quai sept ?», and the staff member confirms with «Oui, c'est ça. Le quai sept, voie A.», repeating the platform number.
Sources and further reading
- french: find the platformChecked September 2026
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