#31 Checking Out of a Hotel ｜ French Travel Conversations
Izumi French Garden
#102 Renting an Audio Guide at Tourist Sites｜French Travel Phrases
Izumi
When visiting museums, castles, ruins, and other cultural sites, an audio guide is extremely useful for gaining a deeper understanding of the exhibits.
In French, you will need expressions for asking whether audio guides are available, confirming the rental fee or deposit, and requesting instructions on how to use the device.
This lesson provides clear explanations of essential French phrases for renting an audio guide, based on a realistic sample dialogue.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, est-ce que vous proposez un audio-guide pour la visite ?
（Hello. Do you offer an audio guide for the tour?）
Oui, nous avons des audio-guides en plusieurs langues.
（Yes, we have audio guides available in several languages.）
Pourrais-je en louer un en anglais, s’il vous plaît ?
（Could I rent one in English, please?）
Bien sûr. Il y a un dépôt de 20 euros, que nous vous rendrons à la fin de la visite.
（Of course. There is a deposit of 20 euros, which we will return to you at the end of the tour.）
D’accord. Comment fonctionne l’appareil ?
（Understood. Could you explain how the device works?）
C’est très simple. Vous appuyez sur le numéro correspondant et l’audio se lance automatiquement.
（It’s very simple. Press the corresponding number and the audio will start automatically.）
Parfait, merci beaucoup. Je suis prêt(e) pour la visite.
（Perfect, thank you very much. I’m ready for the tour.）
1. Asking Whether an Audio Guide Is Available
Begin by checking whether the facility offers audio guides.
- Est-ce que vous proposez un audio-guide pour la visite ?
(Do you offer an audio guide for the tour?)
The verb proposer means “to offer / to provide,” and is commonly used at reception desks in tourist facilities.
Alternative expressions:
- Avez-vous un audio-guide ?
(Do you have an audio guide?) - Est-ce qu’il est possible d’en louer un ?
(Is it possible to rent one?)
2. Requesting an Audio Guide in a Specific Language
Many tourist sites provide audio guides in multiple languages, so you may need to specify the one you want.
- Pourrais-je en louer un en anglais, s’il vous plaît ?
(Could I rent one in English, please?)
Useful language options:
- en français
(in French) - en anglais
(in English) - en japonais
(in Japanese)
Additional examples:
- En avez-vous un en japonais ?
(Do you have one in Japanese?) - Est-ce que le guide est disponible en espagnol ?
(Is the guide available in Spanish?)
Learning the French names of languages will help you communicate easily at various tourist sites.
3. Confirming Fees or Deposit Requirements
Some audio guides are free, while others require a rental fee or deposit.
- Il y a un dépôt de 20 euros, que nous vous rendrons à la fin de la visite.
(There is a deposit of 20 euros, which we will return at the end of the tour.)
The word dépôt (deposit) is very common at tourist sites abroad.
Additional questions you may need:
- Combien coûte la location ?
(How much is the rental fee?) - Le dépôt est obligatoire ?
(Is the deposit required?) - Est-ce que je peux payer en carte ?
(Can I pay by card?)
Since fee systems vary by facility, be sure to check any details that concern you.
4. Asking How to Use the Device
If you are unsure how to operate the device, use the following expression:
- Comment fonctionne l’appareil ?
(How does the device work?)
This is a polite and appropriate way to ask for instructions.
Useful vocabulary often heard in staff explanations:
- appuyer sur ～
(to press ～) - numéro correspondant
(the corresponding number) - se lancer automatiquement
(to start automatically)
Because the basic mechanics of audio guides are similar across many facilities, learning these terms will make your travels much easier.
Summary
- Est-ce que vous proposez un audio-guide ?
→ Asking whether an audio guide is available. - Pourrais-je en louer un en français ?
→ Requesting the guide in a specific language. - Combien coûte la location ? / Il y a un dépôt de ～
→ Practical questions about fees and deposit requirements. - Comment fonctionne l’appareil ?
→ Asking how to operate the device.
