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How to write a formal email in French (with templates)

By Published Updated 3 min read

Correo electrónico formal en francés en la pantalla de un portátil
Contents
  1. The structure of a formal email
  2. How do you open the email?
  3. Useful phrases for the body of the email
  4. How do you sign off?
  5. Template: asking for information
  6. Template: thanking someone after an interview
  7. Typical mistakes made by English speakers
  8. Frequently asked questions

Writing a formal email in French worries many professionals: the French are particular about polite formulas, and a poorly chosen greeting makes a bad impression. Fortunately, the structure is highly codified: with a few templates, you'll write correct emails in any situation.

The structure of a formal email

  1. The subject line (l'objet): short and clear. Objet : Demande de rendez-vous.
  2. The greeting: depending on the level of formality (see the table).
  3. The purpose, from the first sentence: Je me permets de vous écrire au sujet de…
  4. The body, in short paragraphs.
  5. The request or next step: Je reste à votre disposition pour…
  6. The closing formula and your signature.

How do you open the email?

Greetings in a formal email in French
SituationGreeting
You don't know the recipient's nameMadame, Monsieur,
You know the name (very formal)Madame, / Monsieur,
You know the name (standard formal)Bonjour Madame Dupont,
Regular professional relationshipBonjour Marc,

Note: Cher Monsieur exists, but it is warmer and reserved for people you already know. Translating "Dear…" as Cher… in a first contact sounds too familiar.

Useful phrases for the body of the email

How do you sign off?

Closing formulas in French
Level of formalityFormula
Standard professionalCordialement, / Bien cordialement,
Cordial, established relationshipBien à vous,
Very formal (letter, administration)Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.
Before the sign-offDans l'attente de votre réponse, / Je reste à votre disposition pour tout renseignement complémentaire.

In an email, Cordialement is the safest choice. The long formula (Je vous prie d'agréer…) is kept for formal letters and the administration, and it is what examiners expect in a DELF B2 letter.

Template: asking for information

Template: thanking someone after an interview

If you are in the middle of a recruitment process, prepare for the conversation too with my guide to the job interview in French.

Typical mistakes made by English speakers

  1. Copying "Dear Sir or Madam" or "Dear Mr…": in French, Madame, Monsieur is the neutral formula; Cher is only for people you know.
  2. Translating "Best regards": ✗ Meilleurs regards does not exist; use Cordialement.
  3. Mixing tu and vous: in a formal email, always vous.
  4. Writing long paragraphs: French emails are short and get straight to the point.
  5. Forgetting the space before two-part punctuation marks (: ; ? !), a French typographic rule that English doesn't have and that stands out in a formal text. The Académie française answers questions like this in its language questions section.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "Kind regards" in French?

Cordialement in a standard professional email, or Bien cordialement if you want to be a little warmer.

How do you start a formal email in French without knowing the name?

With Madame, Monsieur, followed by a comma. It is the neutral formula par excellence.

What does "ci-joint" mean?

"Attached": Vous trouverez ci-joint mon CV. (Please find attached my CV.)

Can you use "Bonjour" in a formal email?

Yes, Bonjour Madame Dupont is common in professional email today. For a very formal first contact or the administration, prefer Madame, Monsieur.

Do you write emails in French every day? In my business French lessons we work on your real emails so you gain speed and confidence.