A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Are you open on sunday" in French
Ask if a shop or business is open on Sundays in France with this polite and standard French phrase.
Êtes-vous ouvert le dimanche ?
ET-voo oo-VEHR luh dee-MAHNSHneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're planning to visit a shop, restaurant, or museum and want to confirm their Sunday opening hours. It's perfect for asking a shopkeeper directly or calling ahead.
Alternatives
- Est-ce que vous êtes ouvert le dimanche ?Slightly more conversational than the 'Êtes-vous' inversion.
- Vous ouvrez le dimanche ?More direct and common in spoken, neutral French.
Ways to get it wrong
Silent 's' in 'vous'
Remember to pronounce the 's' in 'vous' when it's followed by a vowel like in 'êtes'.
The French 'r'
The French 'r' sound is made in the back of the throat, not by rolling your tongue.
Nasal vowels
The 'an' in 'dimanche' is a nasal vowel, meaning air passes through both your nose and mouth.
A small cultural note
Many shops, especially smaller ones, close on Sundays, though larger stores and those in tourist areas may be open. It's always best to check.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to ask if a shop is open on Sunday in French?
You can ask 'Êtes-vous ouvert le dimanche ?' to politely inquire about Sunday opening hours. This is suitable for most situations when addressing staff.
Is it common for shops to be open on Sundays in France?
It varies by region and type of shop; many smaller businesses close, while larger retailers and those in tourist zones might be open. It's wise to confirm.
What's the difference between 'vous ouvrez' and 'êtes-vous ouvert'?
'Vous ouvrez le dimanche ?' is a more direct, spoken question, while 'Êtes-vous ouvert le dimanche ?' is slightly more formal and uses the passive voice.
