Going to the doctor in France as a foreigner: what to expect and what to say

A cold that lingers, a flu that won't go away, a sick child at the worst possible time… An irritated nose, aching temples, low spirits, and no energy left. When you live in France, the doctor's appointment quickly becomes unavoidable.

If seeing a doctor can already feel like a small obstacle course for a Parisian (you still have to manage to find one!), it often turns into a real source of stress when you are a foreigner or an expatriate, even if your French is quite good.

In our French courses for expatriates, learners regularly tell us about the anxiety these appointments create, even when the doctor speaks some English or conducts part of the consultation in English. Many describe tense, sometimes frustrating exchanges, with the same questions running through their minds again and again:

“Did I use the right words?”
“Did I really explain what was wrong?”
“Did the doctor understand me, and actually listen to me?”

The good news is that this discomfort is extremely common, and that it is neither a problem with your level of French nor a medical issue.

In most cases, it comes from a combination of small linguistic blocks (what to say, how to say it simply) and cultural differences in how a medical consultation usually unfolds in France.

The goal is simple: to help you approach this appointment with greater peace of mind, and to feel like an active participant in your own health, even in French. 😊

Why going to the doctor in France can feel unsettling for foreigners

For many expatriates, going to the doctor in France can leave a strange, hard-to-pin-down impression. On the surface, nothing seems to have gone wrong, yet you sometimes leave the appointment with a lingering sense of discomfort or incompleteness.

This feeling is not due to a lack of competence on the doctor's part, nor to an insufficient command of French on yours. It is far more often the result of different cultural codes in the doctor-patient relationship.

Below are a few key cultural points that can help you better understand these differences and make sense of what may otherwise feel confusing.

The central role of the médecin traitant in the French healthcare system

The médecin traitant (your regular GP) plays a central role in the French healthcare system, and this often comes as a surprise to foreigners.

They are:

• the main point of entry into the healthcare system
• the coordinator of your medical care
• the doctor who refers you to a specialist when necessary

The idea is straightforward: having a médecin traitant allows your GP to follow you over time. They gradually build a clearer picture of your health, which helps them interpret symptoms more accurately and adjust their decisions accordingly.

In France, the doctor-patient relationship is designed to be long-term. Seeing the same GP regularly is considered important, both for medical follow-up and for continuity of care.

This is also why going directly to a specialist is generally neither encouraged nor always well reimbursed. Your médecin traitant acts as a gatekeeper and, thanks to their familiarity with the system, can sometimes help you access specialised care more efficiently.

Understanding this role often makes seeing a doctor in France feel more coherent and less arbitrary, especially when you are not familiar with the system.

Doctors are not seen as service providers in France

This is a fundamental cultural point. In France, a doctor is not viewed as a service provider from whom you “order” a treatment or a test. They occupy a position of medical authority, based on their training, experience, and professional responsibility.

In practice, this means that:

• patients are not expected to request specific treatments
• medical decisions mainly come from the doctor
• the relationship is built on trust in the doctor's expertise

Asking questions is, of course, entirely legitimate and often encouraged, as long as it remains within a logic of understanding and exchange rather than negotiation.

This conception of the doctor-patient relationship is not always obvious to foreigners living in France. It can lead to tension or misunderstanding, especially when a patient tries to steer the medical decision or insist on a particular solution.

In the French context, attempting to “force the doctor's hand” is usually counterproductive. Clearly describing your symptoms, listening carefully to the recommendations, and asking practical, clarifying questions remains by far the most effective approach.

Medical consultations are often short and structured

In France, medical consultations are generally brief and highly structured. For many foreigners, this can be surprising at first, but this format is deeply embedded in the healthcare system.

According to a study by the DREES ¹, the Ministry of Health's official statistics body, a consultation with a general practitioner lasts on average around 16 minutes.

This may sound short, but in international comparison, France falls within a perfectly reasonable average.

A consultation is designed as an efficient and focused exchange. Doctors are trained to:

• identify the problem quickly
• establish a relevant diagnosis
• propose appropriate care without multiplying unnecessary exchanges

In this context, a short consultation is generally seen as a sign of efficiency and control, not as a lack of attention or concern.

What tends to unsettle foreigners, then, is not so much the length of the appointment as the way the interaction unfolds. This is precisely what the following points help to clarify.

Few questions, but very targeted questions

During a consultation in France, doctors often ask few questions, but those questions are usually highly specific.

They are looking for factual, useful information, such as:

• how long the symptoms have been present
• their intensity
• how they have changed over time

This approach can unsettle foreigners who are used to longer, more detailed, or more explicitly guided exchanges. It may give the impression that the doctor is not probing deeply enough or is showing a lack of interest.

In reality, when a French doctor asks only a limited number of questions, it is often because they have already identified the essential elements. Based on just a few key details, they are trained to recognise common situations and to form a clear idea of the appropriate course of action very quickly.

The objective, then, is not to ask many questions, but to ask the right ones.

Getting straight to the point rather than giving a long account

In a French medical consultation, it is generally preferable to explain the problem clearly and succinctly, without unnecessary detours or secondary details.

Lengthy descriptions, highly contextual explanations, or detailed chronological narratives are often less useful than a few simple, well-structured sentences. The doctor is mainly looking for precise information that allows them to identify the situation efficiently.

This can surprise foreigners who are used to “telling the story” of their symptoms or providing extensive personal context. In France, what matters is not the length of the explanation, but its relevance.

In other words, clarity takes precedence over storytelling.

And in the end, this actually works in your favour. You don't need long or complex sentences in French… which is good news, because being ill, tired, and eloquent at the same time is rarely an option. 😉

Little small talk and normal silences

In France, a medical consultation is generally not a social moment. There is little informal conversation, few explicitly reassuring comments, and sometimes silences that can feel surprising.

These silences are not uncomfortable, however. They are part of the doctor's thinking time. The doctor may be reviewing your file, reflecting on a diagnosis, or considering the next steps. This does not signal emotional distance or awkwardness.

For many foreigners, especially those used to more verbal interaction or to empathy being expressed very explicitly, these moments can feel unsettling. You may feel the need to fill the silence, add explanations, or restart the conversation. In reality, this is neither necessary nor expected. In France, doctors often demonstrate their seriousness and concern through their decisions and the way they manage your care, rather than through reassuring words.

Now that these cultural codes are clearer, let us look more concretely at how to express yourself at the doctor's in French, using simple, natural, and effective phrases.

How to explain your symptoms to a doctor in France

What the doctor expects

In France, doctors generally expect patients to be clear and factual. What matters most is:

• the duration of the problem
• the frequency
• how the symptoms have evolved over time
• concrete, observable symptoms

What is less useful

• long descriptions
• emotional accounts
• detailed personal context

👉 For example:
❌ « Je ne me sens pas très bien depuis quelque temps. »
✅ « Depuis trois jours, j'ai de la fièvre, surtout le soir. »

Keep in mind: for a doctor, precision matters far more than grammatical perfection. Clear, simple sentences are usually more effective than long or complex ones.

Essential French phrases for a doctor's appointment

At Novexpat, we support expatriates on a daily basis in very concrete, and sometimes stressful, situations. Medical appointments are clearly one of them.

The good news is that, to be understood by a doctor in France, you do not need to speak perfect French.What matters most is being clear, factual, and getting straight to the point.

Below are carefully selected useful phrases, organised according to the key moments of a medical consultation. They are all commonly used and effective.

Saying why you are at the doctor's

Objective: to explain simply why you are there and open the consultation.

There is no need to go into detail at this stage. One or two sentences are enough to set the context. The doctor will then ask more targeted questions.

Describing your symptoms

Objective: to describe concretely what you are feeling.

The doctor is looking for clear, observable symptoms, not a long narrative. Simple statements are usually more effective than detailed explanations.
Here are a few examples of common symptoms when visiting a GP in France:

Specifying the duration and evolution of symptoms

Objective: to help the doctor understand how the situation is evolving.

This is often one of the most important pieces of information for making a diagnosis. Even a very simple indication of time or change can be extremely helpful.

Giving the doctor useful information (medical history, context)

Objective: to provide additional information when it is relevant.

There is no need to say everything. Only share what may help the doctor understand your situation better or make a decision.

What a typical doctor's appointment in France sounds like

For many foreigners, a medical consultation in France can feel as though it goes by very quickly. This short dialogue illustrates a completely typical exchange with a general practitioner in Paris.

Doctor : Bonjour, installez-vous. Qu'est-ce qui vous amène ?
Patient : Bonjour. Je ne me sens pas très bien depuis quelques jours.
Doctor : D'accord. Qu'est-ce qui vous arrive ?
Patient : Eh bien, j'ai de la fièvre, surtout le soir, et je me sens très fatigué(e).
Doctor : Depuis quand exactement ?
Patient : Depuis trois jours.
Doctor : Vous toussez ? Mal à la gorge ?
Patient : Oui, je tousse un peu et j'ai mal à la gorge.
Doctor : Très bien. Vous avez pris quelque chose pour vous soulager ?
Patient : Oui, j'ai pris du paracétamol.
Doctor : Et ça va mieux avec le paracétamol ?
Patient : Un peu, mais la fièvre revient.
Doctor : Très bien. Vous pouvez vous asseoir ici et déboutonner votre chemise, s'il-vous-plaît.

(The doctor examines the patient and listens to their lungs.)

Doctor : Bon. Ça ressemble à une infection virale. Je vous recommande de vous reposer au maximum. Continuez à prendre du paracétamol si besoin et surveillez la fièvre.
Patient : D'accord.
Doctor : Si dans trois ou quatre jours ça ne va pas mieux, ou si la fièvre augmente, vous revenez me voir.
Patient : Très bien.
Doctor : Je vous fais aussi un arrêt de travail pour deux jours. Vous avez besoin d'une ordonnance pour le paracétamol ?
Patient : Oui, merci.
Doctor : Et Voilà. Bonne journée et prenez soin de vous.

Did you notice?

• the doctor asks few questions, but very targeted ones
• the sentences are short and direct
• there is little unnecessary commentary or extended discussion
• the diagnosis and next steps come quite quickly

And that is entirely normal. This type of exchange is very representative of a medical consultation in France.

You may also notice one important thing: the sentences are short and functional, and focus on what really matters during a consultation. Even with an intermediate level of French, it is entirely possible to make yourself understood, grasp the essentials, and leave with clear instructions.

Bonus: practising for your next medical appointment in Paris with an AI

Reading a dialogue is already helpful. But practising speaking, even briefly, can make a real difference on the day of a medical appointment.

If you wish, it is possible to practise beforehand by simulating a consultation in French using AI, and by answering out loud, without pressure and at your own pace. Tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini can be used for this purpose using their voice mode.

The goal is not to speak perfectly or to use sophisticated language. It is simply to get used to responding spontaneously, using the kind of simple, functional sentences that are expected during a real consultation.

The principle is straightforward:

• the AI plays the role of the doctor
• you respond out loud, in your own words
• you practise forming short, natural sentences

Below is a ready-to-use prompt that you can copy and paste into the tool of your choice if you would like to try.

AI prompt: Oral practice at the doctor's (voice mode)

You are a French general practitioner during a typical consultation in Paris.

Before starting the consultation, remind me to activate voice mode so that the exchange happens orally.

Then simulate a short, realistic consultation, as in France.

Rules to follow:
- Ask a maximum of 5 to 7 questions in total.
- Ask short, targeted questions.
- Do not explore every possible line of investigation.
- After the questions, naturally move on to a conclusion (likely diagnosis, advice, light treatment, follow-up).
- The consultation should last 3 to 5 minutes maximum.

Use simple, natural French, adapted to a non-native patient.
- Start the consultation with a simple question asking why I am here.
- Always wait for my answer before continuing.
- Do not correct my mistakes, unless they prevent understanding.
- Do not give long medical explanations.

We are doing this exchange orally. Speak slowly and naturally.

Treatment and follow-up: what often surprises foreigners in France

After the examination, many expatriates are surprised by the way doctors talk about treatment and follow-up.

Prescriptions can sometimes seem minimal, and explanations may feel brief.

Here again, this is neither a lack of attention nor a tendency to downplay the problem. In France, doctors often favour a gradual approach: observing how the situation evolves, treating symptoms first, and adjusting the care plan if necessary.

Taking a child to the doctor in France: common culture shocks

How paediatricians in France handle parents' anxiety

When it comes to your child, concern is naturally heightened. For many expatriate parents, medical appointments in France, especially with a paediatrician, can therefore feel disorienting, or even frustrating.

With young children, paediatricians are often responsible for long-term follow-up. Their attitude, however, can come as a surprise: they frequently remain very calm, measured, and sometimes almost impassive, even when parents are visibly worried.

This contrast can be difficult to navigate. Where some parents expect their concern to be immediately acknowledged or explicitly verbalised, French doctors, and paediatricians in particular, often adopt a notably restrained posture.

In French medical culture, this attitude is not a sign of indifference or lack of empathy. On the contrary, it reflects a deliberate choice to:

• avoid unnecessary alarm
• observe the child as a whole
• rely on precise clinical criteria rather than on emotion

In France, many symptoms in children, such as fever, cough, fatigue, or loss of appetite, are considered common and often benign, particularly in younger children. As a result, the doctor may offer reassurance in few words and mainly recommend monitoring how the situation evolves.

This can give parents the impression that the doctor is unmoved, when in fact they are paying close attention to the specific signs that would, conversely, justify concern or further investigation.

What may be perceived as distance or coldness is often, in the French context, a way of avoiding dramatization and staying focused on the medical indicators that truly matter.

Naturally, this also depends greatly on the individual doctor, their personality, their experience, and their communication style. Some are more expressive, others more reserved. That said, this measured approach remains very common in France.

Understanding this cultural difference often makes the consultation easier to experience and helps parents feel more comfortable asking clear, concrete questions, without worrying that they might come across as overly anxious.

Key French phrases for a paediatric appointment

Below are a few essential phrases that can be helpful during a medical appointment for your child, even if your French is limited.

Describing your child's condition

Objective: to describe what you observe in everyday life, simply and clearly.

What you see and notice in everyday life already constitutes valuable information for the doctor.

Talking about how your child's condition is evolving and their habits

Objective: to help the doctor assess the situation as a whole, over time.

General information, even when it may seem trivial, is extremely helpful for the doctor when deciding on the next steps. These phrases are very commonly used by French parents.

Expressing your concern as a parent

Objective: to express your legitimate concern without overdramatizing the situation.

And yes, it matters to feel understood. These formulations are generally well received by doctors and paediatricians in France.

What to do if you don't speak French well yet

If you do not yet feel comfortable enough in French to see a doctor in France, rest assured: you are not expected to manage everything in French from day one. Many foreigners go through this stage, especially during their first months in the country.

In France, many doctors speak English (and sometimes other languages), particularly in Paris and the surrounding suburbs. It is therefore entirely possible to see a doctor in France without speaking French, and to consult an English-speaking doctor in France without necessarily going to an international clinic or the American Hospital of Paris.

Finding an English-speaking doctor in France with Doctolib

The Doctolib platform is now the most widely used tool in France for booking medical appointments.

It allows you to:

• search for a doctor by specialty (general practitioner, paediatrician, etc.)
• filter by spoken language (English, Spanish, German, etc.)
• see real-time availability
• book an appointment in just a few clicks, without having to call

For many foreigners, this is an extremely practical option when first navigating the healthcare system, especially when the language barrier adds stress to an already sensitive situation.

Speaking English without giving up on progressing in French

Seeing an English-speaking doctor in France is neither a failure nor a step backwards in your integration. It is often a reasonable temporary solution, particularly in situations involving urgency, fatigue, or a child.

Over time, however, learning and practising French makes it possible to see a doctor in France more independently, and to access a much wider range of doctors and specialists, without being limited by the language spoken by the practitioner.

This also means:

• more flexibility when booking appointments
• shorter waiting times to see a specialist
• greater autonomy in medical follow-up
• a clearer understanding of discussions, instructions, and medical decisions

Even without speaking perfect French, being able to understand the doctor's questions, explain your symptoms, and ask a few key questions can significantly change how seeing a doctor in France as a foreigner feels.

French then becomes a tool for independence. It expands your options, simplifies everyday life, and helps you feel actively involved in managing your health, for yourself and for your family.

Without aiming for perfection, a solid foundation is often enough to reach an important milestone. In our experience, around 30 hours of French lessons can already make a real difference in very concrete situations such as a medical appointment.

Feeling legitimate at the doctor's, even in French

Going to the doctor in France as an expatriate is not always easy. It is not only a question of language, but also of cultural codes, pace, and communication styles. The good news is that seeing a doctor in France does not require speaking perfect French.

In most cases, a handful of simple, well-chosen phrases is enough to make yourself understood, grasp the essentials, and feel more confident in what can otherwise be a stressful moment.

At Novexpat, this is the approach we focus on: useful, living French, grounded in everyday reality, far from artificial dialogues or situations disconnected from real life.

We support expatriates and their families in Paris and the surrounding area, notably in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Neuilly-sur-Seine, with French courses designed to help learners feel more at ease in the situations they actually encounter, such as booking appointments, seeing a doctor in France, interacting at school, at work, or with the administration.

For those who wish to go further, a short online quiz is available to help identify the type of programme that best fits individual needs, pace, and everyday constraints.

Learning French is not only about learning a language. It is about regaining autonomy, finding your place, and feeling fully at ease in your life in France, including at the doctor's office.