How hard will it be to visit Paris for 2 days not knowing any French?

Question

My GF and I will be in Paris for 2 days this summer and dont know any French. We will try pur bestrs with the translations but I m a bit concerned. Is it going to be impossible to do anything?

Answer 1

No, but it's not a smart idea.  Get a CD or DVD and learn the basics.  You don't need to speak fluently, but you'll want to get an idea of how the language sounds and you'll want to recognize words.  Important things to learn:

Numbers 1-10

Enter/Exit

Stop

RIght/Left

Any food dislikes/allergies

Water

Where is . . . (hospital, rue du carrousel, my hotel, etc)

Wine (red, white, rose, carafe, etc)

Airport

Credit Card

"Do you speak English?"

Please, Thank You

Yes, many places will speak English, but it's rude to expect them to. Have a great trip!

Answer 2

Don´t worry my fiance and i did the same thing, and he only speaks Spanish, I´m American so its obvious whom did all the talking he he. 99% of the tourist district areas, Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dame, etc etc etc, speak English.. so don´t worry and enjoy Paris... and i would recommend going on  the Tour buses ( Le Red Baron) offered all over the place ( they are hop off and on for two days for a price of 20 euros per person) and they even give you a headset where you´re able to pick what language you want to listen to the details of the monuments and things that you will be seeing...

Anyhow like i said don´t worry, every one speaks English....

Take care and have a great time in Paris...

Bcn_mimosa from Barcelona, Spain

Answer 3

Not at all, you can have a very good time.

All information and tourist offices speak English, plenty of French people speak it as well or at least a few words. To get them to admit it :

First thing to say is : Bonjour

French people are very keen on politeness and will help you as best they could if you show politeness towards them. No "Hi there". Then ask : do you speak English. You'll be surprised how many say yes. However in summer you won't see many Parisians, most French you'll see will be tourists too. Parisians are in hiding during the tourist high season.

As Paris is a city that sees some 40 millions tourists a year plenty of things a geared for non-French speakers. You can book tours in English, take the boat on the river, take a coach ride around Paris. If you go to the tourist information center they can tell you what and where. Here is their site, you can book in advance and enjoy your time in Paris :

http://en.parisinfo.com/

Answer 4

I only did French for a year at school MANY years ago, but it helped me with some things around the place.

Most of the museums etc know and speak English readily, I found places in the metro a bit more French speaking or spoek poor English, but I always tried to say Bonjour and merci.

Words that I found useful apart from that were

Sortie= exit (in metros etc)

prossima = next/near (like for next stop on the metro, or next street when asking for directions etc)

I would try and get a few little sayings sorted out JUST IN CASE ..or take a phrase book at least....I found most people were ok, but looking back I actually had the most trouble in any place I vistied here.......

It will definately NOT be impossible....get a good map and walk.....take the metro (get something like a day pass and once you get it, the metro will take you anywhere) and you will not have many probs....as I said the main tourist places are fine with English anyway as are hotels......have fun...its a lovely city!

Answer 5

You wont be able last 2 days without knowing French. They will eat you alive, lol.

No seriously, you’ll be fine. You could go for months and survive without knowing any French. The people are not as rude as people say, if you try to speak French they will love you. You will also be surprised what you will pick up in such a little time there. Plus all the tourist things have signs and info in English.

Enjoy your trip and don’t worry.

Answer 6

I will be travelling to Paris as well and I think you need to make the effort to speak the language. From what I have learnt, they appreciate the halting French, than you just blathering on in English without trying. Learn a few phrases - as an ice -breaker. But don't worry, Paris is a major tourist destination. They speak English and it should not be a  major worry for you at all. I would st ill  recommend walking with a phrase book for  ready-to-use phrases.

Happy trip. I am travelling alone for my 2 days, so I am worse off than you are. lol. But I know a bit of it. Bonne chance.