Typing French Accents on a Mac with the Option key To type accents on a Mac with the option key, hold down the option key while pressing the key(s) in bold in this list. For example, to type é, hold down the option key while typing e, then release both and type e. To type ô, hold down option, type i, release and type o. Note: In these instructions, "and" means to keep holding the option key and the first key listed while typing the second. "Then" means to release the option key and the first key before typing the second. acute accent é               Hold option key and e then e grave accent à, è, ù         Hold option key and ` then a, e, or u cedilla ç               Hold option key and c circumflex â, ê, î, ô, û   Hold option key and i then a, e, i, o, or u tréma ë, ï, ü         Hold option key and u then e, i, or u oe ligature œ       Hold option key and q French quotation marks «       Hold option key and \    (on right side of keyboard, above "Return" key) »       Hold option key and shift key and \    (on right side of keyboard, above "Return" key) Euro symbol €       Hold option key and shift key and 2