French titles and abbreviations: M., Mme, Dr and forms of address

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 24 September 2026 · About the library

How to write and say French titles: M. (Monsieur), Mme (Madame), Mlle, Dr, Me (Maître), Pr. Plus how to address people in emails, letters and speech.

In short

M. = Monsieur (not Mr.), Mme = Madame, Dr = Docteur, Me = Maître (for lawyers and notaries), Pr = Professeur. Mlle (Mademoiselle) is no longer used on official forms. In speech, say Monsieur or Madame without the name.

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A visitor greets the receptionist at a medical practice. — The exchange begins with bonjour Madame. Illustration: Atelier

Titres et formules · fiche

1 · Everyday titles

No full stop after Mme and Mlle; full stop after M.

M.	Monsieur
Mme	Madame
MM.	Messieurs

M. DupontMr Dupont

Mme MartinMrs / Ms Martin

2 · Professional titles

Used in writing and often in speech.

Dr	Docteur
Me	Maître
Pr	Professeur

le Dr LeroyDr Leroy

Me Girard, avocateMs Girard, lawyer

3 · Mademoiselle

Dropped from official forms in 2012; Madame is used for all women.

Madame Dubois (married or not)Ms Dubois

4 · Speaking to someone

Use the title alone; adding the surname sounds stiff.

Bonjour, Madame.Good morning (to a woman).

Merci, Monsieur.Thank you, sir.

5 · Letter openings

Formal letters and emails.

Madame, Monsieur,Dear Sir or Madam,

Madame la Directrice,Dear Director,

6 · Email openings

Semi-formal.

Bonjour Madame Martin,Hello Ms Martin,

Cher Monsieur,Dear Sir,

Closing formulas

Situation	French
formal letter	Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.
professional email	Cordialement, / Bien cordialement,
warmer email	Bien à vous, / Belle journée,
friends	Bises, / À bientôt !

Plural titles exist too: Mesdames, Messieurs (Ladies and Gentlemen) opens a speech or a letter to a group, written MM. for Messieurs. In emails to a company you don't know, Bonjour, alone is now very common and perfectly polite.

In French shops, it's polite to greet with Bonjour Madame or Bonjour Monsieur, without a name. Saying just Bonjour is fine too, but leaving out the greeting altogether is considered rude. Abbreviations are for writing only: never say "M." or "Mme" aloud.

À l'accueil

Réceptionniste
Bonjour Madame, vous avez rendez-vous ?
Good morning, madam, do you have an appointment?
Vous
Oui, avec le docteur Leroy, à dix heures.
Yes, with Dr Leroy, at ten.
Réceptionniste
Très bien. Votre nom, s'il vous plaît ?
Very good. Your name, please?
Vous
Madame Wilson. W, I, L, S, O, N.
Mrs Wilson. W, I, L, S, O, N.