My fiance and I are getting married next October, and looking at France for our honeymoon. Will there be a HUGE language barrier if neither of us speak french? Any ideas for learning enough french for our trip?
2006-10-08 16:46:12 · 6 answers · asked by blondechickadee 2 in Travel ➔ France ➔ Paris
Congratulations on your impending marriage!
Paris is where my wife and I honeymooned and that was more than thirty years ago. We're still going strong so maybe there's a bit of good luck to be found there. I hope you find the same good luck.
You will find that English is widely spoken by people who deal with tourists. Knowing just a few simple phrases will be quite enough to get by.
I take it by "next" October you mean a year from now so I figure you have plenty of time.
The internet is a great resource. Lot's of French restaurants are online in both French and English and going over the menus will solve one of the biggest problems that Americans have...figuring out what to order and not getting served something they find weird and inedible.
Check out Le Procope, for example, at http://www.blanc.net/procope/en/index.htm.
Paris is a great city for anyone but to be there and with the one you love is, I promise, as close to heaven as you will be in this life.
2006-10-08 17:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Rillifane 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends where you are sleeping at the hilton the ritz, or some crappy hotel because then you dont have to worry about french. If ur rich ur good if your so so middle class you might need french. I recommend biarritz French its really good book. French si too hard to leanr quickly I say dont worry about French cuz you are not the only tourist from America there are others. good luck and have a good honeymoon
2006-10-09 00:13:27 · answer #2 · answered by avalentin911 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paris is absolutely wonderful. You two will have a splendid time.
There shouldn't be too much of a language barrier. Get yourself a decent phrasebook (Rick Steves or French at a Glance) and practice a few phrases before you get there. You can even practice on the plane ride en route to Paris.
A few important phrases:
Bonjour!--Hello!
Au revoir!--Goodbye!
Excusez-moi--Excuse me.
Pardon--Pardon me
S'il vous plait--Please
Parlez-vous anglais?--Do you speak English?
Ou sont les toilettes?--Where are the toilets?
Je ne sais pas.--I don't know.
Je ne sais comprends pas.--I don't understand.
Combien?--How much?
Parlez plus lentement, s'il vous plaît.--Please speak slower.
A good tip if you want to save Euros in a restaurant: If you want just tap water, order "un carafe d'eau, s'il vous plait." Otherwise, they'll bring out a bottle of expensive bottled water. Usually the carafe of water is icy cold and may have the oft-missed ice cubes in it. It can add up...the beverages are what will get you!
2006-10-09 17:36:12 · answer #3 · answered by worldglobetrottergirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I married 1 year and a half ago, and we went to france for our first vacation and we thought the same thing...but we didnt care! you'll be suprised to see how many natives and tourists speak english.....but if your stuck on learnign something, go to the library and check out a book for beginginers french, or go online and look up words like "honeymooners" thas all you really need! lol
2006-10-08 23:57:22 · answer #4 · answered by SassyGirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paris is a filthy city. Go the south of France, Niece, Cannes, Monte Carlo. Much better. I have been there.
2006-10-08 23:49:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would just learn some simple sayings like how to order dinner and stuff like where is a hotel... etc.
oh what he said... monte carlo is really nice.
2006-10-08 23:54:17 · answer #6 · answered by answer-seeker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋