The U.S. is largely an informal country. If you’re like us, you start a lot of emails to colleagues with “Hey (colleague name).” In France, though, that would be a major faux pas. As we’ve helped countless English-speaking clients learn French (and French speakers learn English), we’ve noticed that emails are one of the most common cross-cultural stumbling blocks.

Even if you get all of the French vocabulary and syntax correct, there are also some unfamiliar etiquette rules to learn. Respecting those rules helps you communicate clearly and collaborate smoothly. But ignoring them can lead to possibly costly miscommunications and some very vexé French colleagues.

So today we want to give you a little taste of how we help our English-speaking clients prepare for emailing in French. We’ll cover some key French words and phrases for business communication. (Don’t worry: This will be a lot more relevant to your work than the French vocabulary lists you memorized in high school.) But we’ll also talk about the messages you’re sending between the lines.

And you’ll gain the cultural savvy you need to connect with French colleagues. We hope this article can be a resource for anyone who needs to write in French for work, for HR professionals who are supporting expats in French-speaking countries, and for international teams with French and English speakers.

The Key to Emails in French? Formality

To visualize the difference between emails in American English and those in French, let’s imagine two colleagues, separated by an ocean—and work cultures. Ashley lives in Atlanta. When she works from home or her favorite coffee shop, she wears her comfiest athleisure pieces. And even when she goes to the office, it’s not that much dressier.

Camille lives in Paris. She’s in the office every day, typically wearing a tailored blazer, slim trousers and leather flats. Even for a trip to the coffee shop on the weekend, she wears dark jeans, a fitted sweater and a classic trench coat.

Just as French fashion is more polished, French business communication runs on formality and politeness. Ashley opens her emails to American colleagues with a friendly “Hey!” On the other hand, Camille, like most other French professionals, expects polished greetings, elaborate closings and a consistent formal tone.

Here’s how that approach takes shape throughout an email.

Email Subject Lines in French

French subject lines should be brief and direct. We’re talking six to eight words maximum. Common formats include:

• Demande de rendez-vous — “Meeting request”
• Suite à notre conversation — “Following our conversation”
• Question concernant [topic] — “Question regarding [topic]”
• Candidature pour le poste de… — “Application for the position of…”

How to Start an Email in French

Madame, Monsieur,

This is the safest bet when you don’t know who will read your email. It’s the French equivalent of “To Whom It May Concern,” but it doesn’t carry the cold and bureaucratic tone of the English phrase. It’s also far more commonly used: “Madame, Monsieur” is standard practice for making an initial contact. Use either Monsieur, or Madame, when you know the recipient’s gender but not their name.

What not to do

Never use Mademoiselle. It references marital status, and it’s outdated and inappropriate in professional settings.

Other salutation phrases to know

• Monsieur le Directeur, / Madame la Présidente, — “Mr. Director,” / “Madam President.” Use when you’re addressing someone by their professional title.
• Bonjour Madame/Monsieur [Name], — “Hello Ms./Mr. [Name],.” For everyday emails with people you know, this greeting balances warmth and professionalism.
• Cher Monsieur Dupont, / Chère Madame Martin, — “Dear Mr. Dupont, / Dear Ms. Martin,” — These greetings are warmer, but still formal. Use them when you have an established relationship with the recipient.
• Bonjour à tous, — “Hello everyone.” Use this French salutation for group emails.

Stating the Purpose of Your Email in French

Je me permets de vous contacter pour…

(I am taking the liberty of contacting you to…)

This phrase is so French—it’s almost apologizing for the intrusion of your email. Use it when you’re reaching out to someone for the first time or making an unsolicited request. The formality shows respect for the recipient’s time.

Cultural note

Wait for the other person to suggest using first names or the informal tu (vs. vous) before making that shift yourself—even if you’ve exchanged several emails.

Other opening phrases to know

• Je vous écris pour… — “I am writing to…” This is slightly more direct than Je me permets de vous contacter pour …
• Je vous contacte au sujet de… — “I am contacting you regarding…”
• Je souhaite vous informer que… — “I wish to inform you that…”

French Phrases for Follow-Up Emails

Suite à notre conversation…

Following our conversation…

This is the perfect French phrase for follow-up emails. The French value continuity, and this phrase creates a clear connection between your email and previous interactions.

Other follow-up phrases to know

• Suite à notre entretien du [date]… — “Following our meeting on [date]…”
• Comme convenu… — “As agreed…”
• Pour faire suite à votre demande… — “In response to your request…”

Making Requests in French Emails

Je souhaiterais…

(I would like…)

The conditional tense softens requests in French business emails. Je souhaiterais is more polite than Je veux (I want). It’s appropriate for everything from requesting information to proposing meetings.

Pourriez-vous…

(Could you…)

When you need someone to take action, this conditional form keeps the request polite and undemanding. It helps you ask for something without appearing presumptuous.

Other request phrases to know

• Auriez-vous l’amabilité de… — “Would you be so kind as to…” Very formal.
• Je vous serais reconnaissant(e) de… — “I would be grateful if you could…”
• Serait-il possible de… — “Would it be possible to…”
• Je voudrais… — “I would like…” Slightly less formal.
• J’aimerais… — “I would like…” Can also express wishes.
• Nous souhaiterions organiser une réunion… — “We would like to arrange a meeting…”

French Phrases About Email Attachments

Veuillez trouver ci-joint…

(Please find attached…)

Attachments require their own announcement in French business emails. This phrase is the standard way to direct attention to documents you’ve included.

Other attachment phrases to know

• Vous trouverez en pièce jointe… — “You will find attached…”
• Je vous transmets ci-joint… — “I am sending you attached…”
• Ci-joint le document demandé — “Attached is the requested document”

How to Close an Email in French

Dans l’attente de votre réponse…

(Awaiting your response…)

This phrase signals that you expect a reply, which is particularly useful when you’ve made a request or asked a question. It also sets up a professional transition to your sign-off.

Other closing phrases to know

• Dans l’attente de votre confirmation… — “Awaiting your confirmation…”
• Dans l’attente de vos commentaires… — “Awaiting your feedback… “
• Je vous remercie par avance de votre réponse — “Thank you in advance for your response. “

Je reste à votre disposition

(I remain at your disposal)

This phrase lets the recipient know that you’re happy to answer questions or continue the conversation. It can stand alone or combine with your sign-off.

Other availability phrases to know

• N’hésitez pas à me contacter — “Don’t hesitate to contact me.”
• Je reste à votre entière disposition pour tout renseignement complémentaire — “I remain entirely at your disposal for any additional information.”

Cordialement

(Kind regards)

This is the safest bet among French email sign-offs—professional, warm enough and appropriate for nearly any business situation.

What not to do

• Never abbreviate Cordialement to Cdt. Spell it out.
• Avoid overly casual sign-offs like Bisous (Kisses) or Amicalement (Friendly Regards).

Other sign-off phrases to know

• Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame/Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées — “Please accept, Madam/Sir, the expression of my distinguished regards.” The most formal closing, used in official correspondence and cover letters.
• Sincères salutations — “Sincere regards” (formal)
• Bien cordialement — “Best regards” (slightly warmer)

Putting It All Together

Of course, this article doesn’t cover all the French vocabulary you’ll need for sending emails in that language. But you might be surprised at how helpful it is to memorize the list of phrases here.

To test yourself, see how much of the below email you understand after reading this article:

Objet: Demande de rendez-vous

Madame, Monsieur,

Je me permets de vous contacter pour discuter d’une opportunité de collaboration entre nos entreprises.

Suite à notre conversation téléphonique de la semaine dernière, je souhaiterais organiser une réunion pour présenter notre proposition. Pourriez-vous m’indiquer vos disponibilités pour la semaine du 15 janvier?

Veuillez trouver ci-joint notre brochure et une présentation de nos services.

Dans l’attente de votre réponse, je reste à votre disposition pour tout renseignement complémentaire.

Cordialement,

Marie Laurent

Directrice des Partenariats

Fluency Corp

Now you know how to give emails the polish French colleagues expect. (Even if you’re wearing yoga pants when you send them. We won’t tell.) Let us know if you put this list to use yourself or share it with international colleagues.

For more support in mastering French business communication, get in touch with us at Fluency Corp. True confidence in using French at work comes from practice with a real person who can show you how French is really spoken and used in everyday life.

At Fluency Corp, our instructors are native French speakers who build lessons around your actual work: the emails you need to send, the meetings you’re preparing for, the colleagues you’re trying to connect with. We don’t do cookie-cutter curricula. Your instructor continuously adapts to your needs, and we track your progress with quarterly goals and reports. Contact us now for a free consultation.