<P> Usage of "Mademoiselle" varies based on regions and ideology . In Quebec and Switzerland, public administrations have been banned from using this title for a long time . France has taken this step in 2012 . In Belgium, its use is not recommended, but not forbidden either . </P> <P> In France, calling a young woman "Mademoiselle" is usually considered more polite, and calling a middle - aged woman "Mademoiselle" can be a way to tell her that she looks like she is in her twenties and may therefore be considered flattering . In Quebec, on the other hand, this usage may be considered offensive . </P> <P> "Professeur" (normally feminized as "professeure" outside France) and "Docteur" (normally feminized as "docteure") are used for medical practitioners, the former for those in teaching positions . The holders of a doctorate other than medical are generally not referred to as Docteurs, though they have the legal right to use the title; Professors in academia used the style Monsieur le Professeur rather than the honorific plain Professeur . </P> <P> "Maître" (literally, "Master"; written Me for short) is used for law professions (solicitors, notaries, auctioneers, bailiffs), whereas judges are not called "Your Honour" but simply "Monsieur le Président" or "Madame la Présidente" ("Madame le Président" is sometimes preferred in France) if they preside a court of justice, or "Monsieur le Juge" and "Madame la Juge" otherwise . </P>

How to address a female professor in french