Is this seat free? French phrases for taking a seat

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 13 October 2026 · About the library

Ask if a seat is free on a train, in a café or at a concert, ask to sit down, and understand a polite no. Real French phrases with a practice filter.

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13 phrases
4 situations
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In short

Ask Excusez-moi, la place est libre ? or Cette place est prise ? (Is this seat taken?). If it's free you'll hear Oui, allez-y; if not, Non, désolé, elle est prise or J'attends quelqu'un.

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A train passenger moves a bag from the neighbouring seat for another traveller. — Ask la place est libre ? before sitting down. Illustration: Atelier

On the train

YouExcusez-moi, la place est libre ?Excuse me, is this seat free?

Other personOui, allez-y.Yes, go ahead.

YouMerci. Je peux mettre mon sac en haut ?Thanks. Can I put my bag up there?

Other personBien sûr.Of course.

In a café

Sharing a table is less common than in some countries; ask first.

YouPardon, je peux m'asseoir ici ?Sorry, can I sit here?

Other personDésolée, j'attends quelqu'un.Sorry, I'm waiting for someone.

YouPas de problème.No problem.

At a concert

YouExcusez-moi, je crois que c'est ma place : rangée K, place 8.Excuse me, I think that's my seat: row K, seat 8.

Other personOh pardon, je suis à la 9.Oh sorry, I'm in 9.

YouMerci !Thank you!

Offering your seat

YouVous voulez vous asseoir ?Would you like to sit down?

Other personC'est gentil, mais je descends au prochain arrêt.That's kind, but I'm getting off at the next stop.

YouD'accord.OK.

Key words

Free, taken, reserved

French	English
libre	free
prise / occupée	taken
réservée	reserved
la place côté fenêtre / couloir	window / aisle seat

On a crowded train, people often leave a bag on the seat next to them. Asking Je peux m'asseoir ? or Vous pouvez enlever votre sac, s'il vous plaît ? is completely normal, and the bag is usually moved straight away with a pardon. In theatres and concert halls, the staff who show you to your seat are les ouvreurs (ushers).

Excusez-moi, ce sac est à vous ? Je peux m'asseoir ?

Excuse me, is this your bag? Can I sit down?

Polite and direct, the usual way to free a seat.

Place is feminine, so its adjectives are too: la place est prise, elle est réservée. On trains, seats with a number are reserved; in a voiture without reservation (placement libre), sit anywhere.