French · Travel & Getting Around

"Town square" in French: place

la place

Say it: plahsfeminine · la placenoun/plas/

A town square in French is la place, feminine: la place du marché, on se retrouve sur la place. Place also means a seat or space — context tells square vs seat.

Meeting friends

On se retrouve sur la place à midi.
We'll meet on the square at noon.
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How to pronounce place

Say it

plahs

/plas/

Place: plahs. Clear a; final ce soft. With article: lah plahs.

"Town square" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
la placethe square / the seat / space

Town square in this entry.

sur la placeon the square

Meeting point.

la place du marchéthe market square

Named squares.

une place publiquea public square

Civic space.

How to use place in real life

  1. 1Meeting friends

    On se retrouve sur la place à midi.

    We'll meet on the square at noon.

    Sur la place.

  2. 2Sightseeing

    La place est pleine de terrasses.

    The square is full of café terraces.

    La place.

  3. 3Directions

    Tourne à gauche après la place principale.

    Turn left after the main square.

    La place principale.

Mistakes English speakers make with place

Incorrect: Le place est grand.

Correct: La place est grande.

Place is feminine.

Incorrect: On se voit au square.

Correct: On se voit sur la place.

Use place for town square, not English square.

Good to know

French towns center life on la place: markets, cafés, pétanque. Place can also mean a seat on a train — ask if you mean square or reservation.

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Finding each other downtown

  1. ChatPal

    Tu es déjà sur la place ?

    Are you already on the square?

  2. You

    Oui, au milieu de la place près de la fontaine.

    Yes — in the middle of the square by the fountain.

  3. ChatPal

    J'arrive sur la place dans deux minutes.

    I'll get to the square in two minutes.

  4. You

    Je te fais un signe.

    I'll wave at you.

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"Town square" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Town square" in French

How do you say town square in French?

La place (feminine).

Does place only mean square?

No — also seat/space; context decides.

How do you say on the square?

Sur la place.

How do you pronounce place?

plahs.

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  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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