Learn Hardcore French: Les toilettes sont en bas, près de l'entrée. - The restroom is downstairs, near the entrance.

In French, the room where you go to the bathroom is almost always referred to in the plural: les toilettes. The singular la toilette usually means “washing/grooming” (as in morning ablutions) or, in older/literary use, an outfit. For the restroom, use:

les toilettes
fixed phrases like aller aux toilettes (“to go to the bathroom”)

Why is it sont and not est?

Because the subject les toilettes is plural. Être agrees with the subject:

singular: La porte est…
plural: Les toilettes sont…

How do you pronounce the sentence naturally?

Approximate guide: “lay twah-LET sohn-tahn bah, preh duh lah(n)-TRAY.”

les = “lay”
toilettes = “twah-LET” (final -s silent)
sont = “sohn” with a nasal vowel
Optional liaison: sont en often links with a “t” sound: “sohn-tahn”
en bas = “ahn bah” (final -s silent)
près = “preh”
de l’entrée = “duh lah(n)-TRAY” (smooth link between “de” and “l’”)

What exactly does en bas mean? Is it the basement?

En bas means “downstairs/on a lower floor” relative to where you are. It doesn’t necessarily mean the basement.

basement: au sous-sol
ground floor: au rez-de-chaussée
general lower level (without specifying which): en bas

Why do we need de after près?

Près must be followed by de before a noun: près de l’entrée, près du parc, près des ascenseurs. Alternatives:

proche de (adjectival use: “La gare est proche de l’hôtel.”)
à côté de = “next to,” closer than just “near”

Why is it de l’entrée and not du entrée?

Because entrée is feminine and starts with a vowel. With feminine nouns, de la becomes de l’ before a vowel sound:

de + la entrée → de l’entrée
de + le → du (masculine): e.g., du magasin
de + les → des (plural): e.g., des toilettes Examples: près de l’hôtel, près du cinéma, près des toilettes

What’s the difference between près de l’entrée and à l’entrée?

près de l’entrée = near the entrance (close by, but not necessarily at it)
à l’entrée = at the entrance (right there, by/within the entrance area) Both are common; choose based on exact location.

Are the accents important in près and entrée?

Yes.

près (with è) means “near.” Without the accent, it’s incorrect spelling.
Don’t confuse près with prêt (“ready”).
entrée must keep the é to get the “ay” sound; writing “entree” is English borrowing, not correct French.

Is the comma after en bas required?

No. It’s optional and marks a natural pause. Both are fine:

Les toilettes sont en bas près de l’entrée.
Les toilettes sont en bas, près de l’entrée.

Can I say en bas de l’entrée?

No—that sounds like “at the bottom of the entrance,” which is odd. Use:

près de l’entrée (near the entrance)
à l’entrée (at the entrance) Use en bas de for things that have a literal “top/bottom,” e.g., en bas de la page, en bas de la rue.

How do I politely ask where the bathroom is?

Common, polite options:

Où sont les toilettes, s’il vous plaît ?
Pourriez-vous me dire où sont les toilettes ?
Est-ce qu’il y a des toilettes ici ?

What’s the opposite of en bas?

En haut = upstairs/on an upper floor.

Les toilettes sont en haut. (They’re upstairs.)

Are there other common words for “toilets” in French?

Yes:

les WC / W.-C. (pronounced “vay-say” in France)
les sanitaires (facilities; more formal)
Colloquial/vulgar: les chiottes (avoid in polite contexts) Note: salle de bains is a bathroom with a bath/shower (more for homes), not public restrooms.

Do I have to use the article les? Can I drop it?

You need the article. French doesn’t drop articles like English sometimes does. Say:

✅ Les toilettes sont…
❌ “Toilettes sont…”

Should bas agree with toilettes (e.g., become plural or feminine)?

No. In en bas, bas is part of an adverbial phrase and does not agree. It stays invariable:

Les toilettes sont en bas. (never “en basses”)