donner la route

To bid someone farewell as they set off

A warm send-off said when someone takes their leave, answering the polite request 'demander la route' (to ask for the road).

Merci pour cette belle soirée, je vous donne la route.

Thanks for a lovely evening, safe travels.

In parts of Francophone Africa, it's considered polite to 'ask for the road' rather than simply announcing you're leaving. The host then grants it with this phrase, a small courtesy ritual recorded in both Ivorian and Malian French.

Côte d’IvoireMali