Do you have to know some French to stay on a camping site in the South of France?

Question

are the site staff likely to speak English?

Answer 1

no  but have some fun and try to learn a few phrases they will appreciate it

Answer 2

They are more than likely to speak a little English, as lots of UK residents go there for hol's.

Answer 3

The straight answer to your question is "Yes, they will probably speak some English."  But, honestly, why should they. Put the question the other way round. Do we expect campsite owners in UK to speak French, or German, or Dutch, etc?  It is far more fun having a go at speaking their language even if you make mistakes. I last had a french lesson in 1954 but I always have a go and, on the whole, I don't do too badly - I like to think. Have you ever watched "'Allo! 'Allo"?  If so, I imagine my french is rather like that of the English chap pretending to be a french cop.  "I decoded to drip in as I was  pissing by."  But the french really do appreciate us Brits having a go with their language and you often get a laugh out of your mispronunciations. I once asked two teenage girls (in french)  "Do you like pop?"  They went hysterical because what I'd actually asked was, "Do you love the Pope?"  It all adds to the enjoyment of being on holday!!

Answer 4

most camp sites are most likely to speak English

they don't expect u to be bilingual for a holiday a few words would be useful for your self do ,,,

helps when u can ask for a glass of wine ,,,,

Answer 5

no. but you will enjoy yourself much more if  you try - get a phrase book from a charity shop and learn simple things, hello, goodbye, can i have a ... please and thankyou. even atrocious attempts are usually welcomed

Answer 6

It is likely that staff at the camping site will speak some English, but usually the are quite reluctant to do so. Therefore it would help if you learn some phrases and try speaking at least a bit of French. Lonely planet phrase books are quite cheap (about £4.99) and have section about tourism etc. Always found them useful.

Answer 7

They will probably know enough to get by in communicating to you about basic stuff. Lots of hand gestures and pictures helps! I wouldn't try having an in-depth conversation tho, as most french people cant speak english conversationally (there's quite a large difference between a few words and a conversation!).

Any attempt you make will be appreciated.

Answer 8

Hi !

In a tourist area and in a camping site you'll have no problem only english speaking.

But few french are able to have a conversation in english (less than 10 % !).

In other places the most of the French speak and undestand VERY VERY bad the english (but every french learn english at school).

Answer 9

Of course no, because everybody speak more or less english and on the other hand, tourists are numerous...

BUT : as a frenchman that I am, an advice;

whatever is your level of french, even if you know only 25 words, USE THEM. Endeavour to communicate a minimum with french people, even if some of them speak english correctly.

WHY? Simply because  from the fact to make this little effort will depend you to be considered by natives either as someone agreable and friendly who will be invited everywhere, or as a haumpty and contemptuous foreigner who don't make the least effort to adapt himself. Be careful about this, that's more agreable for peaceful hollidays!

Answer 10

no, there's always at least one employee who speaks English (each time I've been to a campside, at least 60% of the customers were foreign, and they don't speak French).

I would like to add that I personally don't expect people to "try" to speak French, it's useless and a waste of time and energy!

Answer 11

There´s no need to.Everybody in campsites speaks a bit of English.It is a turistic area,so English is never a problem to make yourself understood.I live in Catalonia,north east of Spain,just an hour drive from  south France,and I can asure you that people speak English in turist areas.Good luck!