Calling a French notaire’s office for the first time can feel daunting, especially if you don’t speak French.

The good news is that many notaires involved in international succession matters have at least some understanding of English. Even so, reception staff may answer the telephone in French, and being able to recognise or use a few simple phrases can make the conversation much easier.

This guide contains some of the most common phrases you are likely to hear or need during a telephone call, together with an easy-to-read pronunciation guide designed for English speakers.

Note: The pronunciation column is an English approximation intended to help you be understood. It won’t be perfect French pronunciation, but it should be close enough for a French receptionist or notaire to understand what you mean.

Starting the Call

English	French	Pronunciation	Notes
Hello.	Bonjour.	Bon-zhoor	Standard greeting at any time of day.
Good morning.	Bonjour.	Bon-zhoor	Used throughout the morning.
Good afternoon.	Bonjour.	Bon-zhoor	Also used during the afternoon.
May I speak to [Name], please?	Puis-je parler à [Nom], s’il vous plaît ?	Pwee zhuh par-lay ah [Nom], seel voo play	The most common way to ask for someone.
I’m calling about an inheritance.	J’appelle au sujet d’une succession.	Zha-pell oh soo-zhay doon suk-sess-ee-on	Useful opening sentence.
I’m calling regarding my father’s estate.	J’appelle au sujet de la succession de mon père.	Zha-pell oh soo-zhay duh la suk-sess-ee-on duh mon pair	Adapt as required.
My file reference is [Reference].	Mon numéro de dossier est [Référence].	Mon noo-may-ro duh doss-ee-ay eh [Reference]	Have this ready before calling.
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais ?	Par-lay voo on-glay?	Often all you need to begin.

If You’re Having Difficulty

English	French	Pronunciation	Notes
Could you speak more slowly, please?	Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement, s’il vous plaît ?	Poor-ree-ay voo par-lay ploo lont-mon, seel voo play	Very useful.
Could you repeat that, please?	Pourriez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?	Poor-ree-ay voo ray-pay-tay, seel voo play	One you’ll probably use often.
I don’t understand.	Je ne comprends pas.	Zhuh nuh kom-pron pah	Don’t be afraid to say this.
Could you spell that, please?	Pourriez-vous épeler cela, s’il vous plaît ?	Poor-ree-ay voo ay-play suh-lah, seel voo play	Helpful for names and places.

Common Responses You May Hear

English	French	Pronunciation	Notes
One moment, please.	Un instant, s’il vous plaît.	Un an-ston, seel voo play	Very common.
Please hold.	Ne quittez pas.	Nuh kee-tay pah	Means “don’t hang up”.
They are unavailable at the moment.	Il/Elle n’est pas disponible pour le moment.	Eel/El nay pah dis-po-nee-bl poor luh moh-mon	Common receptionist response.
They are in a meeting.	Il/Elle est en réunion.	Eel/El eh ton ray-oo-nee-on	One you’ll hear frequently.
They are with a client.	Il/Elle est avec un client.	Eel/El eh ah-vek un klee-on
They are away today.	Il/Elle est absent(e) aujourd’hui.	Eel/El eh ab-son oh-zhoor-dwee
They are on holiday.	Il/Elle est en congé.	Eel/El eh ton kon-zhay
They will be back this afternoon.	Il/Elle sera de retour cet après-midi.	Eel/El suh-rah duh ruh-toor set ah-pray mee-dee
They will be back tomorrow.	Il/Elle sera de retour demain.	Eel/El suh-rah duh ruh-toor duh-man
They will be back on [Day].	Il/Elle sera de retour [Jour].	Eel/El suh-rah duh ruh-toor [Jour]	Listen for the day of the week.

Leaving a Message

English	French	Pronunciation	Notes
Could you ask them to call me back?	Pourriez-vous lui demander de me rappeler ?	Poor-ree-ay voo loo-ee duh-mon-day duh muh rap-pell-ay
Could you ask them to email me?	Pourriez-vous lui demander de m’envoyer un e-mail ?	Poor-ree-ay voo loo-ee duh-mon-day duh mon-voy-ay un ee-mail
I will send an email instead.	Je vais envoyer un e-mail à la place.	Zhuh vay on-voy-ay un ee-mail ah la plass
I will follow up by email.	Je ferai un suivi par e-mail.	Zhuh fuh-ray un swee-vee par ee-mail
My telephone number is [Number].	Mon numéro de téléphone est le [Number].	Mon noo-may-ro duh tay-lay-fon eh luh…
My email address is [Email].	Mon adresse e-mail est [Email].	Mon ah-dress ee-mail eh…

Ending the Conversation

English	French	Pronunciation	Notes
Thank you very much.	Merci beaucoup.	Mair-see boh-coo
Thank you for your help.	Merci pour votre aide.	Mair-see poor vot aid
Have a nice day.	Bonne journée.	Bon zhoor-nay
Goodbye.	Au revoir.	Oh ruh-vwar

Days of the Week

English	French	Pronunciation
Monday	Lundi	Lun-dee
Tuesday	Mardi	Mar-dee
Wednesday	Mercredi	Mair-cruh-dee
Thursday	Jeudi	Zhuh-dee
Friday	Vendredi	Von-druh-dee
Saturday	Samedi	Sam-dee
Sunday	Dimanche	Dee-monsh

Helpful Tip

Don’t worry if your French isn’t perfect.

A polite “Bonjour”, followed by “Parlez-vous anglais ?”, is often enough to begin the conversation. Many French notaires handling international succession cases regularly work with British families and will either continue in English or find someone in the office who can assist you.

If you struggle during the call, don’t panic. Simply explain that you’ll send an email instead—most notaires are happy to continue correspondence by email, where translation tools can also help if needed.

You may want to bookmark or even print this page for your phone calls.