With locations, you will use the preposition à = to/in + [a place] and de = from + [a place].
See also Using 'à' (to/in) and 'de' (from/of) with cities (prepositions)
However, when followed by the definite articles le or les, these prepositions "contract" with them to form one word.
Look at this summary of the rules:
Preposition + article | Contraction | Example |
à + le | au |
Je vais au cinéma. (le cinéma) |
à + les | aux |
Je vais aux États-Unis. (Les États-Unis / USA) |
de + le | du |
Je viens du marché. (le marché /market) |
de + les | des |
Je viens des Pays-Bas. (Les Pays-Bas / The Netherlands) |
These don't contract |
||
à + la | (no contraction) | Je vais à la poste (the post office) |
à + l' | (no contraction) | Je vais à l'hôtel. |
de + la | (no contraction) | Je viens de la piscine. (the swimming pool) |
de + l' | (no contraction) | Je viens de l'auberge de jeunesse. (the youth hostel) |
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Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources

Joyeux, joyeux Noël,
Aux mille bougies,
Qu'enchantent vers le ciel,
Les cloches de la nuit.Happy, happy Christmas!
To the thousand candles,
That enchant to the heavens,
The night bells.
Aux mille bougies,
Qu'enchantent vers le ciel,
Les cloches de la nuit.Happy, happy Christmas!
To the thousand candles,
That enchant to the heavens,
The night bells.

Noël au balcon, Pâques au tisonA warm Christmas means a cold Easter
(lit. Christmas on the balcony, Easter by the firebrand)
(lit. Christmas on the balcony, Easter by the firebrand)