French Phrase
La foire ouvre à quelle heure ?
Meaning
This question asks for the specific time when the fair begins its activities. It is a polite, neutral way to request schedule information.
When to use
Use this phrase at a tourist information desk, when speaking with a local vendor, or when checking a brochure about a fair. It works in both formal and informal contexts as long as you keep a courteous tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lafoireouvreàquelleheure?
Article + Noun (La foire)
‘La’ is the definite feminine article matching the noun ‘foire’ (fair).
Verb Conjugation (ouvre)
‘Ouvre’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘ouvrir’ (to open).
Preposition ‘à’ + Time Question
‘À’ introduces the time phrase; ‘à quelle heure’ literally means ‘at what hour’.
Interrogative Adjective ‘quelle’
‘Quelle’ agrees in gender and number with the noun ‘heure’ (feminine singular).
Question Mark Placement
In French, the question mark follows the whole sentence; no extra punctuation is needed.
🗨In Conversation
La foire ouvre à quelle heure ?
What time does the fair open?
Elle ouvre à dix heures du matin, et ferme à vingt heures.
It opens at ten o’clock in the morning and closes at eight p.m.
✕Common Mistakes
La foire ouvre à quel heure ?
‘Quel’ is masculine; the noun ‘heure’ is feminine, so you must use ‘quelle’.
La foire ouvert à quelle heure ?
‘Ouvert’ is the past participle (adjective) meaning ‘open’; you need the verb ‘ouvre’ (present tense).
La foire ouvre à quelle temps ?
The correct expression for asking time is ‘à quelle heure’, not ‘à quelle temps’.
↔Alternatives
À quelle heure commence la foire ?
At what time does the fair start?
Quand la foire ouvre‑t‑elle ?
When does the fair open?
Quel est l’horaire d’ouverture de la foire ?
What is the opening schedule of the fair?
Cultural Tip
In many French‑speaking towns, fairs (foires) have a set opening hour that may differ on weekends or holidays. It’s common to ask the question with a friendly smile and, if you’re a visitor, to say ‘s’il vous plaît’ before the question for extra politeness: ‘S’il vous plaît, la foire ouvre à quelle heure ?’