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Read a French building notice: coupure d'eau and travaux

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

The notice in your building's hall announces a water cut and works. Read the dates, times and instructions, then know what to do and who to call.

In short

Notices in French buildings (l'immeuble) are written by le syndic (building management). Typical ones: coupure d'eau (water cut), travaux (works), ravalement de façade (façade renovation), dératisation (pest control). Look for dates, times and merci de… instructions.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Jugs and a bottle of stored water stand beside a kitchen tap.
Prepare water in advance of une coupure d’eau. Illustration: Atelier

Syndic Durand & Fils

Avis aux résidents

Madame, Monsieur,

Nous vous informons que des travaux de remplacement des colonnes d'eau auront lieu dans l'immeuble.

Coupure d'eau

Datejeudi 12 octobre

Horairesde 8 h 30 à 17 h 00

Concernebâtiments A et B

Merci de

prévoir des réserves d'eau pour la journée,

fermer vos robinets avant la coupure,

laisser l'accès aux caves libre.

Pour toute question : 01 45 00 00 00 · Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension.

Question 1No account needed
When is the water cut?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Thursday 12 October, 8.30–17.00. Jeudi 12 octobre, de 8 h 30 à 17 h.

Question 2No account needed
Which buildings are affected?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A and B. Concerne: bâtiments A et B.

Question 3No account needed
What should you do before the cut?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

turn off your taps. Fermer vos robinets. Check it in the text above.

Question 4No account needed
Why must the cellars be accessible?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Workers need to reach the pipes.. Water pipes usually run through the cellars.

Question 5No account needed
Who wrote the notice?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

the building manager (syndic). Le syndic manages the building.

Words from the document

Vocabulary
FrenchEnglish
l'immeubleapartment building
le syndicbuilding management company
une coupure d'eauwater cut
les travauxworks
la cavecellar, storage room
prévoirto plan for

Notices often use Nous vous informons que… (We inform you that…) and Merci de + infinitive for instructions. The gardien or la gardienne (caretaker), if your building has one, is the person to ask on site; le syndic handles bigger issues.

  • Merci de fermer les robinets ouverts.Merci de fermer vos robinets.

    Short and direct, like the notice.

  • La coupure de l'eau.La coupure d'eau.

    No article inside the compound.

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