#147 Requesting an Exchange｜French Shopping Phrases
Izumi Curious French
#170 Requesting a Reserved Seat on a Train｜French Everyday Phrases
Izumi
In France and other parts of Europe, it is often necessary to reserve a seat when traveling on long-distance trains or high-speed rail services.
In such cases, reservations are usually made at a station counter or ticket office, where you will be asked to provide information such as your destination, departure time, and preferred type of seat.
In this section, I will explain in detail the French expressions commonly used when reserving a seat at a ticket counter, based on a typical face-to-face interaction.
Contents
Dialogue
J’aimerais réserver une place réservée pour un train à destination de Marseille.
（I would like to reserve a seat on a train bound for Marseille.）
D’accord. Pour quelle date souhaitez-vous voyager ?
（Certainly. On which date would you like to travel?）
Pour demain matin, si possible.
（Tomorrow morning, if possible.）
Il y a un train à 9h30 avec des places disponibles.
（There is a train at 9:30 a.m. with seats available.）
Ça me convient. Est-ce qu’il reste des places côté fenêtre ?
（That works for me. Are there any window seats still available?）
Oui, il en reste encore quelques-unes.
（Yes, there are still a few available.）
Je prendrai une place côté fenêtre, s’il vous plaît.
（I will take a window seat, please.）
Voici votre billet. Le départ se fait voie numéro 4.
（Here is your ticket. The train will depart from platform number 4.）
1. Requesting a Reserved Seat
At the ticket counter, I recommend using the following French expression when requesting a reserved seat.
Example
- J’aimerais réserver une place réservée pour un train à destination de Marseille.
（I would like to reserve a seat on a train bound for Marseille.）
The phrase “à destination de ～” is used to indicate the destination of the train.
In French, a “reserved seat” is expressed as “une place réservée.” The adjective “réservée,” meaning “reserved,” is commonly used at ticket counters and in official announcements.
Related Expressions
- une place assise
→ a seat (seated place) - une place debout
→ a standing place - une place non réservée / une place libre
→ an unreserved seat / a free seat
The expression “une place assise” simply means “a seat” and does not necessarily imply a reserved seat. It is often used in contrast with “une place debout” (a standing place).
Likewise, an unreserved seat is described as “une place non réservée” or “une place libre,” reflecting the French tendency to describe such seats as “not assigned” or “available.”
2. Stating Your Preferred Date and Time
When reserving a seat, you will always be asked about your travel date and time.
Example
- Pour quelle date souhaitez-vous voyager ?
（On which date would you like to travel?）
If your schedule is flexible, I recommend giving a broader answer rather than a fixed time.
Example
- Pour demain matin, si possible.
（Tomorrow morning, if possible.）
The phrase “si possible” implies flexibility and a willingness to adjust according to availability. It is particularly useful during busy travel periods.
3. Being Offered a Train with Available Seats
At the counter, the staff will typically suggest a train with available seats.
Example
- Il y a un train à 9h30 avec des places disponibles.
（There is a train at 9:30 a.m. with seats available.）
Here, “il y a” means “there is,” and “places disponibles” refers to available seats.
If the proposed option is acceptable, you can respond as follows:
Example
- Ça me convient.
（That works for me.）
4. Specifying a Seat Location
If reserved seats are available, you may be asked about your seat preference, or you may state it yourself.
Example
- Est-ce qu’il reste des places côté fenêtre ?
（Are there any window seats still available?）
The expression “côté fenêtre” means “window side.” Similarly, “côté couloir” refers to an aisle seat. I recommend learning these two expressions as a pair.
To state your preference directly, you can say:
Example
- Je prendrai une place côté fenêtre, s’il vous plaît.
（I will take a window seat, please.）
The form “je prendrai” conveys the meaning of “I’ll take it” and is commonly used at counters and in service situations.
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Réserver une place assise / un siège
→ Used to state that you would like to reserve a seat on a train. - À destination de ～
→ Used to clearly indicate the destination. - Pour demain matin / si possible
→ Used to express a preferred date or time in a flexible manner. - Place côté fenêtre / côté couloir
→ Vocabulary used to specify seat location.
