When you think of "north" in French, the word nord is likely the first and only one that comes to mind. While it's the most direct translation, the French language offers a variety of other terms to describe this cardinal direction, each with its own specific nuance and context.

Whether you're trying to understand a weather report, describe a region's geography, or simply sound more like a native speaker, knowing these different words for "north" can be incredibly useful.

Let's head in the right direction and explore nine ways to say "north" in French!

The standard 'north' – le nord

Le nord is the direct and most common French translation for the cardinal direction 'north'. It's the standard term you'll encounter in maps, weather reports, and general conversation.

As a noun, 'north' is always masculine in French: le nord. This is important to remember for article agreement. You will never see la nord.

You use le nord to refer to the direction itself or to a northern geographical area. For example, you might talk about le nord de la France (the north of France) or say that a city se trouve dans le nord (is located in the north).

When used as an adjective to describe something, 'north' becomes nord (without the article le). This form is invariable, meaning it doesn't change for gender or number. For example: la côte nord (the north coast) or l'hémisphère nord (the northern hemisphere).

Two essential prepositions to use with le nord are:

au nord de: meaning 'to the north of'. Example: Lille est au nord de Paris. (Lille is to the north of Paris.)
dans le nord: meaning 'in the north'. Example: J'habite dans le nord du pays. (I live in the north of the country.)

Be aware that Le Nord (with a capital 'N') can also refer to a specific former administrative department in the northernmost part of France, now part of the Hauts-de-France region. Context usually clarifies whether the speaker means the general direction or this specific area.

💡 * La boussole indique le nord.

Nous passons nos vacances dans le nord de l'Italie.

Le vent vient du nord aujourd'hui.

L'entrée nord du parc est fermée.

The formal cardinal point – le point cardinal nord

The most formal and complete way to refer to the cardinal direction 'north' in French is le point cardinal nord.

Literally translating to 'the cardinal point north,' this phrase emphasizes the direction as one of the four main points of the compass. It's the full, unabbreviated term.

This phrase is primarily used in contexts where precision and formality are key, such as in navigation, cartography, scientific documents, or official geographical descriptions.

In everyday conversation, you will almost always hear the shortened version, le nord. Using le point cardinal nord in a casual setting would be like saying 'the cardinal direction of north' in English—technically correct, but unnaturally formal.

The term le nord is a masculine noun. When used as an adjective or adverb, nord is invariable, meaning it doesn't change to agree in gender or number. For example, you would say la côte nord (the north coast).

💡 * L'aiguille de la boussole indique le point cardinal nord.

Les quatre points cardinaux sont le nord, le sud, l'est et l'ouest.

J'habite dans le nord de la France.

Le vent vient du nord aujourd'hui.

Pour aller à la gare, prenez la direction nord.

The literary 'north' – le septentrion

Beyond the common word le nord, French has a more formal and poetic term for 'the north': le septentrion.

Le septentrion is a literary noun that refers to the northern regions or the direction north. It comes from the Latin septem triones (seven plough oxen), which was the name for the seven stars of the Big Dipper, a key constellation for navigating in the northern sky.

You will almost never hear le septentrion in everyday conversation. Its use is reserved for literature, poetry, historical writing, and very formal or scientific contexts. Using it casually would sound archaic or overly dramatic.

While the noun is rare, its adjective form, septentrional (masculine) or septentrionale (feminine), is more common, especially in geography and science. It means 'northern' and is used in phrases like l'hémisphère septentrional (the Northern Hemisphere).

Recognize le septentrion when you read, as it adds a touch of elegance to the text. However, for your own speaking and writing, stick to le nord for 'north' and du nord for 'northern' in most situations.

💡 * Les vents froids du septentrion balayaient la plaine. (The cold winds of the north swept across the plain.)

La côte septentrionale de la France est magnifique. (The northern coast of France is magnificent.)

L'Europe septentrionale comprend des pays comme la Suède et la Norvège. (Northern Europe includes countries like Sweden and Norway.)

C'est un auteur fasciné par les mythes du septentrion. (He is an author fascinated by the myths of the north.)

The cold 'north wind' – la bise

While famously known as the customary cheek kiss greeting in France, la bise has a completely different, weather-related meaning: a cold, dry north wind.

La bise specifically describes a sharp, cold, and often dry wind that typically blows from the north or northeast, particularly affecting regions like Switzerland, the Jura, and eastern France.

The term carries a distinctly chilly connotation. When you hear a French speaker say 'la bise souffle fort' (the bise is blowing hard), it’s a clear signal to brace for biting cold and bundle up.

Understanding the context is crucial to avoid confusion. If someone says, 'Attention à la bise,' they are warning you about the wind. This is very different from 'Faire la bise,' which means to give a cheek kiss.

💡 * La bise souffle fort aujourd'hui, n'oublie pas ton écharpe ! (The north wind is blowing hard today, don't forget your scarf!)

À Lyon, la bise peut être glaciale en hiver. (In Lyon, the north wind can be freezing in winter.)

Je sens la bise qui arrive, le temps va se refroidir. (I feel the north wind coming, the weather is going to get colder.)

The 'northbound' direction – la direction nord

To express 'the northbound direction' in French, the most common and direct phrase is la direction nord.

The phrase is a simple combination of 'la direction' (the direction) and 'nord' (north). It's a fundamental term for navigation and travel.

You will typically see or hear la direction nord on highway signs, in train stations, on public transport announcements, and in GPS instructions. For example, a sign for a highway might say 'A1 - Direction Nord'.

Another frequently used phrase is en direction du nord, which means 'in the direction of the north'. It is often used to describe active movement, like 'rouler en direction du nord' (to drive northbound).

In this context, cardinal points like nord, sud, est, and ouest are invariable. This means they do not change to agree in gender or number with the noun they modify. It's always la direction nord, never 'la direction norde'.

💡 * Le train part en direction du nord. (The train is leaving, heading north.)

Pour aller à Paris, suivez la direction nord sur l'autoroute. (To go to Paris, follow the northbound direction on the highway.)

Le panneau indique : 'A6 Direction Nord'. (The sign indicates: 'A6 Northbound.')

Ma boussole pointe toujours dans la direction nord. (My compass always points in the northerly direction.)

The adjective for 'northern' – boréal

The French adjective for 'northern' is boréal. This term is not for everyday use but is reserved for scientific, geographical, or poetic contexts, specifically referring to things related to the Northern Hemisphere or the far north.

In most situations, you'll use the phrase du nord to mean 'northern'. For example, 'Northern Ireland' is l'Irlande du Nord. Boréal is more technical and evocative. Think of it as the equivalent of 'boreal' in English, used for concepts like the boreal forest or boreal climate.

The most common place you'll encounter this word is in the term aurore boréale, which means 'aurora borealis' or 'the Northern Lights'. This is a perfect example of its specific, scientific, and slightly poetic usage.

Just as boréal means 'northern', its direct opposite is austral, which means 'southern'. You can see this in the term aurore australe (aurora australis or Southern Lights).

💡 * L'aurore boréale est un phénomène naturel spectaculaire.

La forêt boréale, ou taïga, couvre une grande partie du Canada.

Le climat boréal est caractérisé par des hivers très froids et des étés courts.

Les scientifiques étudient les espèces animales de l'hémisphère boréal.

The 'North Pole' – le pôle Nord

The French term for the 'North Pole' is le pôle Nord. This is a direct translation where pôle means 'pole' and Nord means 'north'.

The word pôle is a masculine noun in French, which is why it is preceded by the masculine definite article le. This is consistent for both poles.

Following the same structure, the 'South Pole' is referred to as le pôle Sud. The logic is identical, simply swapping the word for 'north' with Sud ('south').

💡 * Le Père Noël habiterait au pôle Nord. (Santa Claus supposedly lives at the North Pole.)

Les températures au pôle Nord peuvent descendre très bas. (Temperatures at the North Pole can drop very low.)

L'expédition a pour but d'atteindre le pôle Nord. (The expedition's goal is to reach the North Pole.)

L'ours polaire est un animal que l'on trouve près du pôle Nord. (The polar bear is an animal found near the North Pole.)

The 'Great North' (Arctic) – le Grand Nord

The 'Great North' (Arctic) – le Grand Nord

Le Grand Nord is the French term for the 'Great North' or the Arctic regions. It refers to the vast, sparsely populated, and cold territories located in the far north, particularly in Canada.

While it can be used generally, le Grand Nord is most strongly associated with le Grand Nord canadien (the Canadian Great North), which includes territories like Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. The term evokes images of immense wilderness, tundra, ice, and the rich cultures of Indigenous peoples.

This expression is used not just in geography but also in literature, film, and general conversation to describe the unique challenges, beauty, and spirit of adventure associated with these remote northern lands.

💡 * Il a passé dix ans à travailler dans le Grand Nord. (He spent ten years working in the Great North.)

Les conditions de vie dans le Grand Nord sont extrêmes. (Living conditions in the Great North are extreme.)

Elle est fascinée par les paysages du Grand Nord canadien. (She is fascinated by the landscapes of the Canadian Great North.)

L'exploration du Grand Nord a commencé il y a plusieurs siècles. (The exploration of the Great North began several centuries ago.)

1. Understanding 'Le Ch'nord'

The term le Ch'nord is a very popular and affectionate slang term for le Nord (the North) in France. It specifically refers to the northernmost region of France, Hauts-de-France, and is inseparable from the local dialect known as Ch'ti.

The spelling comes directly from the Ch'ti pronunciation. In this dialect, the standard French s sound is often pronounced as a ch (like the English 'sh'). Thus, le Nord becomes le Ch'nord. This linguistic quirk is a key identifier of the regional accent.

This term gained international fame thanks to the 2008 blockbuster comedy film, Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis ('Welcome to the Sticks'). The film celebrated the region's culture, humor, and warmth, turning le Ch'nord from a regional term into a nationally recognized symbol of pride for its inhabitants.

You would use le Ch'nord in informal, everyday conversations. It's a friendly and familiar way to talk about the region. Using it shows you have a deeper knowledge of French culture beyond what you might learn in a textbook.

💡 * Il vient du Ch'nord, on reconnaît tout de suite son accent. (He comes from the North, you can recognize his accent right away.)

On va passer le week-end dans le Ch'nord pour visiter Lille. (We're going to spend the weekend in the North to visit Lille.)

La météo dans le Ch'nord est peut-être grise, mais les gens sont chaleureux. (The weather in the North might be grey, but the people are warm.)

J'adore la bière et les frites du Ch'nord ! (I love the beer and fries from the North!)

Are there other ways to say 'north' in French?

Our guide covers the most essential ways to say 'north' in French, from the standard nord to the more formal septentrional. But French, like any language, has nuances, including historical terms, regional variations, and specific maritime or poetic vocabulary.

To dive deeper, you can search online for phrases like 'synonymes de nord en français' or explore geographical texts from different Francophone regions.

You might uncover some fascinating synonyms for nord. Before using a new term, always check its definition and context. A word used in old sailing charts might not be appropriate for giving everyday directions in Paris.

Pay close attention when you read French literature, watch French films (especially historical or adventure ones), or look at maps. You'll start to notice the subtle differences in how 'north' is expressed.

For a comprehensive look at the word nord and its related terms, including idioms and compound nouns, consulting a reputable French dictionary like Le Robert or Larousse online can be very insightful.

I hope this guide has been a helpful compass in your language journey. Learning the different ways to express a simple direction like 'north' opens up a whole new map of the French language. As the French proverb goes, 'Tous les chemins mènent à Rome' (All roads lead to Rome), but knowing the right word for 'north' will certainly help you find your way!

'9 ways to say "north" in French'