Bonjour!
Writing a formal letter in French can seem intimidating at first — especially when preparing for the DELF B1 exam, where precision, structure, and tone all matter. But with a few clear guidelines, the right expressions, and solid grammar, you’ll be able to communicate effectively and confidently in any formal situation.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How to structure a formal letter in French
- Which DELF B1 grammar points are essential for this task
- The key phrases and connectors to master
- What examiners expect at the DELF B1 level
- A concrete example of DELF B1 formal email to help you practise
DELF B1 – What Is the Purpose of a Formal Letter?
In the DELF B1 writing exam, you may be asked to write a formal letter or email to:
- Request information from an organisation or company
- Make a complaint or express dissatisfaction
- Apply for a job, course, or internship
- Respond to an official notice or advertisement
In short, use a formal register anytime you write to someone you don’t know personally or to an institution.
DELF B1 Formal Letter - Structure
A strong formal letter is clear, polite, and well organised.
Follow this structure:
1. Your Information + Date
For a letter, write your name and address at the top left.
On the right, add the place and date:
À Paris, le 10 mai 2025
For an email, start directly with the subject line:
Objet : Demande d’information sur les cours de français
2. Salutation (Greeting)
If you know the name:
Madame Dupont,
Monsieur Martin,
If you don’t know the name:
Madame, Monsieur,
Avoid greetings like Salut or Bonjour, which are informal.
3. Introduction – State Why You’re Writing
Start politely and clearly:
Je me permets de vous contacter afin de…
Suite à votre annonce parue sur votre site, je vous écris pour…
Je souhaiterais obtenir des renseignements concernant…
Be concise — your introduction should set the context immediately.
4. Body – Give Details and Explanations
In one or two paragraphs:
- Explain your situation or request clearly.
- Justify your needs or your choices.
- Use connectors to structure your ideas:
d’abord, ensuite, de plus, en effet, toutefois, en revanche…
Je suis actuellement étudiante en français et je souhaiterais participer à votre stage d’été afin d’améliorer mes compétences orales et écrites.
5. Conclusion – Close Politely
End with gratitude or a polite request for a response:
Dans l’attente de votre réponse, je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.
En vous remerciant par avance de votre aide, je vous prie de recevoir mes salutations respectueuses.
DELF B1 Formal Letter - Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
Asking for information
Je souhaiterais obtenir des renseignements sur…
Making a request
Je vous serais reconnaissant(e) de bien vouloir…
Applying for something
Je me permets de poser ma candidature pour…
Making a complaint
Je tiens à vous signaler que… / Je me permets de vous écrire au sujet d’un problème concernant…
Ending politely
Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.
DELF B1 Formal Letter - Grammar Required
Grammar accuracy is essential for a good score in production écrite. Examiners look for clear and controlled use of key structures, such as:
1. Verb Tenses
- Présent de l’indicatif for general facts or habits
Je souhaite, je vous contacte, j’étudie… - Futur simple for intentions or expectations
Je vous enverrai les documents dès que possible. - Conditionnel présent for politeness
Je vous serais reconnaissant(e) de bien vouloir… - Subjonctif présent after expressions like il faut que, pour que, avant que
Il faut que je puisse participer au programme.
2. Sentence Structure
- Use relative clauses with qui, que, dont to make your writing more fluent.
Les informations que vous m’avez envoyées sont très utiles. - Include linking words (tout d’abord, de plus, enfin) to structure ideas logically.
3. Adjective and Noun Agreement
- Check gender and number: votre annonce intéressante, des horaires flexibles.
4. Formal Register
- Always use vous (never tu).
- Avoid contractions like j’suis, c’est pas.
- Replace informal verbs (vouloir, demander) with more formal alternatives (souhaiter, solliciter).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an informal tone (Salut, merci beaucoup, tu).
- Forgetting accents (é, è, ç, etc.).
- Repeating basic verbs instead of using richer vocabulary.
- Writing too long or too short (aim for 160–180 words).
DELF B1 Formal letter– What Examiners Expect
At B1 level, the writing task usually involves informal or formal letters/emails, or short essays on familiar topics. Examiners assess:
1. Task Fulfilment
- Address all points in the prompt clearly.
- Respond appropriately to the situation (e.g., request information, make a complaint, apply for something).
- Include all required elements: greetings, introduction, body, closing, and signature.
2. Coherence and Structure
- Organize ideas logically into paragraphs.
- Use linking words (mais, donc, cependant, par ailleurs) to connect sentences.
- Ensure clarity: each paragraph should express a single idea or purpose.
3. Grammar and Accuracy
- Use correct tense forms: present, past (passé composé/imparfait), future, and conditional as needed.
- Employ subjunctive where appropriate (il faut que, pour que).
- Maintain agreement in gender and number, especially for adjectives and past participles.
4. Vocabulary and Register
- Use a varied vocabulary suitable to the task.
- Apply formal or informal register correctly depending on the situation.
- Include phrases to express opinions, requests, or complaints politely.
5. Overall Presentation
- Write clearly and legibly (if handwritten).
- Respect word limits (usually 160–180 words).
- Avoid long, unconnected sentences; focus on readability and flow.
DELF B1 Formal letter– Sample
Situation:
You recently registered for a French B1 course starting next month. After checking your account online, you noticed that your payment has been processed twice.
Task:
Write a formal email to the school administration to:
- Explain the problem clearly.
- Request information on how to correct the error and get a refund.
- Confirm that your registration is still valid.
- Ask about any additional resources or orientation sessions for new students.
Requirements:
- Write 160–180 words.
- Use a formal register.
- Include appropriate greetings and closing formulas.
- Use present, future, and conditional tenses as needed.
- Pay attention to grammar (subjunctive if required), agreement, connectors, and sentence structure.
" Date: 30 octobre 2025
Sujet: Problème concernant mon inscription au cours de français B1
Madame, Monsieur,
Je me permets de vous écrire concernant mon inscription au cours de français B1 prévue pour le mois prochain. En consultant mon compte sur votre site, j’ai constaté que le paiement avait été enregistré deux fois, ce qui a entraîné une double facturation. Cette situation m’inquiète, car je souhaiterais éviter tout désagrément administratif et m’assurer que mon inscription est bien prise en compte.
Je vous serais reconnaissant(e) de bien vouloir m’indiquer la procédure à suivre pour corriger cette erreur et obtenir le remboursement du montant supplémentaire. Par ailleurs, pourriez-vous me confirmer que mon inscription reste valide et que je pourrai participer au cours à la date prévue ?
Enfin, je souhaiterais savoir si tous les supports pédagogiques seront disponibles dès le premier jour du cours et si vous proposez des séances d’accueil pour les nouveaux étudiants afin de faciliter l’intégration dans la classe.
Dans l’attente de votre réponse, je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.
Cordialement,
Sophie Lambert”
Why this works for DELF B1:
- Clear introduction: explains reason for writing.
- Problem is presented politely and logically.
- Questions are clear and formal.
- Connectors used: ce qui a entraîné, par ailleurs, je vous serais reconnaissant(e) de….
- Uses conditional for politeness: je vous serais reconnaissant(e)…
- Uses present tense to describe current situation.
DELF B1 Formal Letter - How to Practise Effectively
To prepare efficiently for your DELF B1 formal writing task:
- Practise with real past papers to understand exam expectations.
- Write under timed conditions (around 45 minutes).
- Work with a qualified tutor to receive corrections and feedback on tone, grammar, and structure.
Our experienced tutor provides personalised DELF & DALF preparation and detailed corrections to help you master formal writing — from grammar and vocabulary to tone and clarity.
Prepare for the DELF B1 Exam with an Expert French Tutor
Our DELF tutor is a native French speaker with over 20 years of international teaching experience across Europe. Having guided numerous students — both adults and children — our DELF tutor knows how to support learners at every stage of their French journey.
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Our online DELF B1 courses are ideal for practicing standard exam formats and receiving personalized feedback, helping you approach the DELF B1 exam with confidence and achieve success.
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