I want to visit Paris but my French is very basic at best. How much English do they speak there, can I get by

Question

I want to visit Paris but my French is very basic at best. How much English do they speak there, can I get by

Answer 1

In Paris you will be fine, as you'll be sticking to the tourist sights and their staffers speak at least some English. Outside Paris you may have problems, but using the French you have will warm people up to you. Yes, French is the second language taught in schools, just as Spanish is here, and like Americans who took Spanish in high school your average French person won't remember too much of what they learned years ago!

Answer 2

John you sound like you have been traveling to foreign lands.   Your experienced in the art of French--get a book and learn all you can.   They speak English very good--2nd language taught in school.   But whether they will talk to an American is another story.  You can take your chances but I would read a book--freshen up.

Answer 3

The whole world speaks English!

Answer 4

Absolutely you should visit Paris.  Many people there, espcially at tourist sites speak English and other languages.  

Just remember you are in their country, and make an attempt to use their language as introduction and they will make an attempt to meet you halfway in English

People who tell you that the French are rude, are usually ones who try communicating in English first, and when that fails SPEAK ENGLISH EVEN LOUDER!!!  

Get a phrasebook, and remind yourself of the common greetings and politenesses.  It sounds like you have some basics, and while you might be embarassed at first because it feels funny coming off your tongue, make yourself use them.  

When entering a shop, even to browse, always greet the owner or staff with a cheerful "bonjour madame / monsieur"

and when you depart, a pleasant, "merci" or "au revoir"

remember things like :

How much does it cost- Combien coûte

Where is - Où est le... bistro ....metro.....tour eiffel?

What Time - A qu’elle heure....

I would like - Je voudrais... un verre de vin (glass of wine!)

Do You Have - Avez-vous...map/carte.... pen/stylo

Please - S'il vous plaît

Thank You - Merci

Also arm yourself with words that explain your limited French - (they will know of course - but nice to try)

Do you speak English - Parlez-vous anglais?

Excuse me -- Excusez-moi

Speak slower please - Parlez lentement

I don't understand  - Je ne comprends pas

I do quite well with my French learned 30 years ago - I understand more basic nouns and some verbs, but not always with grammatical correctness.  Often times they are the same, and I will have conversations where they speak French and I answer in English, and we both part pleasantly!

Go and immerse yourself, and have a wonderful trip

Bonne Journee

Answer 5

John

  You won't have any trouble. Just try to say hi and Thanks you in french at least. If you attempt people like that. I found the French to be the most helpful. Have fun! Where are you staying while there?

I'm going back in Oct for the Rugby World Cupe..Yay!

Answer 6

I think ur basic french will just be fine,atleast know how to ask for directions,count numbers, say please,thank you and a good smile, you will just be fine. always make an effort to communicate what you know wit the language and they will happily want to assist you.

Answer 7

Most people in Paris speak at least some English. If your French is basic, take your dictionary, try practicing a few words and most people will appreciate the effort (more than if you didn't try) and they will likely reply to you in English (or slowly in French, if you want to continue trying). A very few people might be a little bit snotty, but those are the kind of people who would be snotty whether your French was perfect or not.

Don't let language stop you from enjoying la ville d'amour. Bonne chance!

Answer 8

People who work at the major tourist monuments (Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, etc) will generally speak at least a bit of English. Having said that, and this is valid not just for France but for any other place you go to: making an effort to speak the local language, no matter how little of it you know, goes a long way.

Answer 9

My French too is VERY basic....I took along a phrase book to help as well ( especially in resteraunts where the menus are almost always in French....I was worried about ordering things I didn't like so tended to be unadventerous there umless I could see it all in English..but I did have rabbit and escargot!)

I found apart from the main words which I knew, things like "sortie" = exit...I had no idea about and people used "prossima" or something similar in several countries which means "next" or "near"

Apart from that I blundered thru it and enjoyed actually being able to  try ( ok butchered) the French Language.....tv was only in  French in my hotel ( I had it on to watch mostly and have company at night as I was travelling alone) and saw Friends in French...rather amusing!!

I practiced a few words while I was there and felt very proud when I went up and spoke "bonjour" so well the woman at the recpetion thought I was French!!!

Anyway I would get some tapes/cds before hand to "get your ear in" ......I thought it was polite to try and speak in French ( despite how little and badly I spoke it) and many people did reply in english...which was helpful

looking back it was one of the more difficult cities to get around on English alone, but please DON"T let it stop you from seeing it...it has to be one of the best cities around!