In French, the relative pronoun où can have two different meanings.
Learn about the relative pronoun où in French
Look at these straightforward examples of où as a relative pronoun:
Here où simply means where and introduces an action taking place in a previously mentioned location.
See also Dans lequel/laquelle : alternative to où with places (French Relative Pronouns)
Now look at these sentences using où in a different context:
In sentences where the relative pronoun introduces actions taking place during a previously mentioned time frame, you will also use où to express when or that/in which.
This can lead to completely different ways to express things than in English:
Note that you cannot omit the où the way you can the when/that/which in English.
You can never use quand or que in this context!
ATTENTION:
When used in a question, où always means where? and quand always means when?
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Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
La semaine où ils sont restés à l’hôtel s’est vite terminée.The week (in which) they stayed at the hotel went quickly.
L’époque où il vivait était dangereuse.The era (in which) he lived was dangerous.
The era he lived in was dangerous.
The era he lived in was dangerous.
