The present - use
1 Action being accomplished
When describing something that is in the process of being accomplished:
Où est Pierre? Il joue au tennis avec Paul
Where's Pierre? He's playing tennis with Paul
2 Habitual action
When describing something that happens regularly:
Le samedi matin nous allons toujours au supermarché
On Saturday mornings we always go to the supermarket
3 General observation
When making a general observation about the world:
L'eau bout à 100°C
Water boils at 100°C
Rien n'est laid pour celui qui aime
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
4 Continuing action
When describing something that began in the past and that is still continuing:
Je travaille à Manchester depuis quatre ans
I have been working in Manchester for four years
Ça fait combien de temps que tu habites ici?
How long have you been living here?
5 Timetabled action
When describing something that has been timetabled or pre-arranged:
Le train part dans 5 minutes
The train leaves in 5 minutes
L'été prochain nous faisons un voyage en France
Next summer we're going on a trip to France
6 Narrating actions in the past
When narrating actions in the past to make them seem more vivid:
Nous nous promenions en ville. Tout à coup un jeune homme nous aborde. Il a l'air fatigué et malade. Il nous demande de l'argent.
We were walking in town. Suddenly a young man comes up to us. He looks tired and ill. He asks us for money.