Need help setting a story in Paris but avoiding the french language?

Question

i don't speak french but would like to set a fictional piece of writing in paris and the underground catacombs. The story would involve an inspector and his wife, and their daughter and her friends; with the main character being her ex boyfriend.

would it be a terrible idiea if i wrote most of the story in english. including dialogue? if so, would there be a way to work around it.

Thank you.

i appreciate your answers/ especially from people who also enjoy writing or reading.

Answer 1

It's fine in English! This is what any writer would do; there's no point putting anything in that your readers won't understand, is there?

If you're going to use any French at all stick to things everyone knows (merci, bonjour) and the names of things which are specifically French (for example foods and local places - street names and such).  Just single words here and there that remind us the characters are French. But even this isn't necessary.  

Look for a book called 'Extra Virgin' - it's abut a girl that moves to Italy and the language is used really effectively.

See the excerpt here (look out for the words in italics!):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/00609581...

Answer 2

Why don't  u set it in France but with English speaking characters ie British American Australian

Answer 3

A terrible idea?  Absolutely not.  

Fitzgerald and Hemingway wrote monumental works set in Paris.  Not only did they completely avoid writing in French, but they also revolutionized the English language!