Use of Il y a in a question

Question

Could I technically ask Qu'est-ce qu'il y a la distance entre Paris et Lyon? Would that make sense considering "il y a" can be used in questions.

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi Tayla, 
What you suggest doesn't make any sense in French if you want to say -
What is the distance between Paris and Lyon? = Quelle est la distance entre Paris et Lyon ?

What is there between Paris and Lyon? = Qu'est-ce qu'il y a entre Paris et Lyon ?

May I suggest you take a look at the following lesson -
Quel/quels/quelle/quelles ? = Which/what? (French Question Words)
Hope this helps!

Jim Jones · Answer

Salut Tayla,Your query reads "Is there a distance between Paris and Lyon?" this would need to be expressed as "Quelle est la distance entre Paris et Lyon?"An example, using il y a "Est-ce qu'il y a un restaurant près d'ici?"   --> "Is there a restaurant near here?"Further information on usage in the following link:-https://www.lawlessfrench.com/expressions/il-y-a/Hope this helps.Bonne continuation.Jim