How Do You End a Letter in French? A Guide to Polite Closing Formulas

You have written a perfect letter, but one last sentence remains: the formule de politesse. In French, this step matters. A closing that is too familiar can seem rude, and one that is too solemn can seem strange. The good news is that the formula always follows the same structure, and a few simple rules are enough to choose well.

Why is it difficult?
Every letter ends with a formule de politesse, also called a salutation. The right choice depends on several things:

  • the position of the person you are writing to;
  • your hierarchical relationship with them;
  • the habits of the company, institution or administration;
  • the attitude you want to take, and the respect (deference) you want to show.

That is a lot of parameters, but we will simplify them.

The three-part structure

A formal closing always contains three elements:

  • A verbal part (usually one or two verbs such as prier and agréer) that marks the level of respect.
  •  A form of address: the person’s title (Monsieur, Madame la Directrice…).
  • A final formula that expresses the level of respect and closeness.

Example:
Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur le Directeur, l’assurance de ma considération distinguée.
(verbal part) – (form of address) – (final formula)

Tip: repeat in the closing the title you used at the start of your letter. If you began with «Madame la Présidente», you end with «Madame la Présidente».

First choice: the right verb
There are three main verbs. From the closest to the most respectful:

Verb Level Example
recevoir the simplest Veuillez recevoir, Monsieur, l’assurance de ma considération distinguée.
croire intermediate Je vous prie de croire, Madame, en l’assurance de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
agréer the most respectful Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur le Directeur, l’assurance de ma considération distinguée.

Second choice: the final formula
Here too there is a scale of respect. Remember three small rules:

  • l’assurance (the assurance) shows less deference than l’expression (the expression);
  • les salutations (greetings) show less deference than la considération (consideration) or les sentiments (feelings);
  • “distingué” (distinguished) shows less respect than “dévoué” (devoted).

Here is how to choose according to the person:

To an “equal” (a colleague, a correspondent of the same level):
«…mes salutations distinguées» or «…mes sincères salutations»

To a superior:
«…l’assurance de ma haute considération», «…l’assurance de ma considération distinguée», «…l’expression de mes sentiments dévoués».

To a minister or a senior official:
«…l’assurance de ma très haute considération», «…l’expression de mes sentiments les plus distingués», «…l’expression de mes sentiments très respectueux».

You can also combine: «mon profond respect», «mon respectueux dévouement», «ma respectueuse sympathie», «ma plus haute considération»…

Complete sentences to use

General formulas:

  • Veuillez recevoir, Monsieur, l’assurance de ma considération distinguée.
  • Je vous prie de croire, Madame, en l’assurance de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
  • Veuillez recevoir, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes sentiments distingués.

With a specific title:

  • Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur le Directeur, l’assurance de ma considération distinguée.
  • Veuillez agréer, Monsieur le Ministre, l’expression de mes sentiments les plus distingués.
  • Veuillez agréer, Madame la Présidente, l’expression de mes sentiments dévoués.

A little less formal, friendlier:

  • Veuillez agréer, Monsieur, l’assurance de mes sentiments respectueux.
  • Croyez, chère Madame, à mes sentiments les meilleurs.

For friendlier messages

Between friends or with close colleagues, French uses short formulas. Here is a list from the closest to the least close:
amicalement → bien amicalement → amitiés → bien à vous → sincères salutations → sincèrement → bien sincèrement → cordialement → bien cordialement

Careful: these short formulas are used only in private letters or emails. Never write «amicalement» to an administration or an institution. In an ordinary work email, to a colleague for example, «Cordialement» is very common. For an official letter or a job application, choose a complete formula.

More traditional formulas

Some expressions are more poetic or romantic:

  • «Mes hommages», «Mes sentiments respectueux» (traditionally, when a man writes to a woman),
  • «Mes sentiments amicaux», «Mon amical souvenir», «Mes meilleurs sentiments», «Toute notre amitié».

These expressions are rather old-fashioned today: you will read them in old or very traditional letters, but it is best to avoid the first one («Mes hommages») in a professional context.

Mini exercise

Which formula fits best? (Answers below.)

  1. You are writing to the director of your school.
  2. You are writing to a French friend.
  3. You are writing to the Minister of Education.

Answers:

  1. Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur le Directeur, l’assurance de ma considération distinguée.
  2. Amicalement or Bien amicalement.
  3. Veuillez agréer, Monsieur le Ministre, l’expression de mes sentiments les plus distingués.

Key points

  • A formal closing = verb + title + final formula.
  • Verbs: recevoir – croire – agréer (from the simplest to the most respectful).
  • The more important the person, the more you choose l’expression, la considération and les sentiments.
  • Short formulas (amicalement, cordialement) are for private messages or simple professional exchanges.

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