In France, a trip to the boulangerie is a daily ritual — and a perfect low-stakes place to practise. One rule above all: always start with Bonjour before you ask for anything. Skipping it is the fastest way to seem rude.

  • Bonjour ! — bon-ZHOOR — Hello. Say it as you walk in, every time.
  • Je voudrais une baguette, s'il vous plaît. — zhuh voo-DREH oon bah-GET, seel voo PLEH — I'd like a baguette, please.
  • Un croissant, s'il vous plaît. — uhn krwah-SAHN — A croissant, please.
  • Pas trop cuite / Bien cuite. — pah troh KWEET / byan KWEET — Not too baked / Well baked. Locals often specify how done they want the crust.
  • Ce sera tout, merci. — suh suh-RAH too, mair-SEE — That will be all, thank you.
  • C'est combien ? — say kohm-BYAN — How much is it?
  • Bonne journée ! — bun zhoor-NAY — Have a nice day! The standard goodbye.

That's a whole transaction, start to finish. The words are easy; the confidence comes from saying them to a real person. Practise with a French speaker and your next boulangerie run will feel effortless.