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Getting On with Your Neighbours in France

Introduce yourself in your building, ask small favours, deal with noise and leaks, and join the neighbours' party.

In French apartment buildings neighbours use vous and Bonjour madame / monsieur until someone suggests tu. Many buildings have a gardien or gardienne who takes in parcels, and a syndic that manages repairs in shared areas. Noise late at night can count as tapage nocturne, and every year around late May or early June many buildings hold la fête des voisins, where everyone brings food to share.

Capture of a classic stairwell in Paris with elegant details and warm lighting. Ideal for interior design themes.
Photo: mdworks on Pexels
  1. 1

    Bonjour, je viens d'emménager au troisième.

    Hello, I've just moved in on the third floor.

  2. 2

    Vous habitez à quel étage ?

    Which floor do you live on?

  3. 3

    Bienvenue dans l'immeuble !

    Welcome to the building!

  4. 4

    Je fais une petite fête samedi, pardon d'avance pour le bruit.

    I'm having a little party on Saturday, sorry in advance for the noise.

  5. 5

    Est-ce que vous pourriez baisser la musique ?

    Could you turn the music down?

  6. 6

    Il est plus de 22 h.

    It's after 10pm.

  7. 7

    Vous pourriez garder un colis pour moi ?

    Could you keep a parcel for me?

  8. 8

    Le colis est chez la gardienne.

    The parcel is with the caretaker.

  9. 9

    Vous pourriez arroser mes plantes pendant mon absence ?

    Could you water my plants while I'm away?

  10. 10

    Voici un double de mes clés, au cas où.

    Here's a spare set of my keys, just in case.

  11. 11

    Vous avez besoin de quelque chose ?

    Do you need anything?

  12. 12

    Il y a une fuite, l'eau coule de mon plafond.

    There's a leak, water is coming through my ceiling.

  13. 13

    Je vais prévenir le syndic.

    I'll let the building manager know.

  14. 14

    On sort les poubelles le mardi.

    We put the bins out on Tuesday.

  15. 15

    La poubelle jaune, c'est pour le tri.

    The yellow bin is for recycling.

  16. 16

    Vous venez à la fête des voisins ?

    Are you coming to the neighbours' party?

  17. 17

    Chacun apporte quelque chose à manger.

    Everyone brings something to eat.

  18. 18

    On peut se tutoyer ?

    Shall we call each other tu?

  19. 19

    Merci, c'est vraiment gentil.

    Thanks, that's really kind.

  20. 20

    N'hésitez pas à sonner si besoin.

    Don't hesitate to ring if you need anything.