#129 Requesting Redelivery at the Post Office｜French Everyday Phrases
Izumi Curious French
#173 Requesting Temporary Luggage Storage at Tourist Sites｜French Travel Phrases
Izumi
While sightseeing, moving around with a suitcase or a large backpack can be inconvenient. At places such as museums, tourist information centers, or reception desks at major attractions, it is sometimes possible to leave your luggage temporarily.
When requesting temporary luggage storage, it is important to explain calmly in French what kind of luggage you have and how long you would like to leave it.
In this section, I will explain useful French expressions for requesting temporary luggage storage, following the natural flow of an actual interaction.
Contents
Dialogue
Est-ce qu’il serait possible de laisser un bagage ici pendant un moment ?
（Would it be possible to leave a piece of luggage here for a while?）
Cela dépend, de quel type de bagage s’agit-il ?
（That depends. What kind of luggage is it?）
C’est une valise de taille moyenne. Je voudrais la récupérer en fin d’après-midi.
（It is a medium-sized suitcase. I would like to pick it up in the late afternoon.）
D’accord. Nous pouvons la garder jusqu’à 18 heures.
（All right. We can keep it until 6:00 p.m.）
Très bien. Y a-t-il des frais pour ce service ?
（Very well. Is there a fee for this service?）
Oui, c’est cinq euros par bagage.
（Yes, it is five euros per item.）
Cela me convient. Merci beaucoup pour votre aide.
（That works for me. Thank you very much for your assistance.）
1. Confirming Whether Temporary Storage Is Available
If you would like to leave your luggage, I recommend first confirming whether temporary storage is available, as some tourist facilities may not offer this service.
Example
- Est-ce qu’il serait possible de laisser un bagage ici pendant un moment ?
（Would it be possible to leave a piece of luggage here for a while?）
The expression “il serait possible de …” is a very polite way to make a request and means “Would it be possible to …?”. It is well suited for formal situations and interactions in public facilities.
Related Expression
- Pourrais-je laisser mes affaires ici temporairement ?
（May I leave my belongings here temporarily?）
2. Explaining the Type and Size of the Luggage
Whether luggage can be accepted often depends on its type or size. If you are asked about your luggage, you can explain it as follows.
Example
- C’est une valise de taille moyenne.
（It is a medium-sized suitcase.）
Here, the noun “valise” (suitcase) is further described using “de taille moyenne” (medium-sized).
Related Expressions
- un petit sac
(a small bag) - un grand bagage
(a large piece of luggage)
3. Stating the Expected Pick-up Time
When leaving luggage, it is helpful to inform the staff roughly when you plan to return, as this makes it easier for them to manage storage.
Example
- Je voudrais la récupérer en fin d’après-midi.
（I would like to pick it up in the late afternoon.）
The phrase “en fin de …” means “toward the end of …”.
For example, “en fin d’après-midi” refers to late afternoon and is useful when the exact time has not yet been decided.
Related Expressions
- dans deux heures
(in two hours) - avant la fermeture
(before closing time)
4. Confirming the Storage Time and Conditions
The facility staff may explain how long they are able to keep the luggage.
Example
- Nous pouvons la garder jusqu’à 18 heures.
（We can keep it until 6:00 p.m.）
The preposition “jusqu’à” means “until” and is frequently used when confirming time limits or deadlines.
If you want to double-check the conditions, the following expression is useful.
Related Expression
- Donc, je dois revenir avant 18 heures, c’est bien ça ?
（So, I need to come back before 6:00 p.m., is that correct?）
The phrase “c’est bien ça ?” means “Is that correct?” and is commonly used to confirm your understanding of what has been explained.
5. Confirming the Fee
Temporary luggage storage may be free or paid. At tourist sites and public facilities, it is often a paid service with time restrictions, so I recommend checking the fee and conditions in advance.
Example
- Y a-t-il des frais pour ce service ?
（Is there a fee for this service?）
A shorter alternative is “C’est payant ?” (Is it paid?), but this sounds more direct. In public settings, “Y a-t-il des frais …” is generally more appropriate.
Example
- Oui, c’est cinq euros par bagage.
（Yes, it is five euros per item.）
The phrase “par bagage” means “per item of luggage.” The structure “par + noun” is commonly used when explaining prices.
Related Expressions
- par heure
(per hour) - par jour
(per day) - par personne
(per person)
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Est-ce qu’il serait possible de laisser un bagage ici … ?
→ Used to confirm whether temporary luggage storage is available. - C’est une valise de taille moyenne.
→ Used to describe the type and size of the luggage. - Je voudrais la récupérer en fin d’après-midi.
→ Used to state the expected pick-up time. - Nous pouvons la garder jusqu’à ～.
→ Indicates the time limit for storage. - Y a-t-il des frais pour ce service ? / Cela me convient.
→ Used to confirm the fee and agree to the conditions.
