Back from Paris!

[LukenDC]

DH and I are talking about a possible trip to Paris in a few years. I had 3 years of French in high school(20+ years ago). So, did you have any problems with the language barrier? Should I bone up on some French phrases?

The French are very accommodating to English speakers. France is the most visited country in the world and the vast majority of those travelers visit Paris. Most restaurants in Paris will have menus in English and the Metro has English language information materials. As for major tourist sites such as the Louvre and churches, it might be best to bring along a guidebook if you seek in-depth information on what you are seeing.

Many French people speak English and are happy to assist English speaking travelers. However, the French do get offended if people simply assume that they speak English and start speaking to them in a foreign tongue.

 

[nbodyhome]

You posted this while I was typing, I guess that seals the deal! I am also going to Ireland so according to what you wrote, it is better to fly into France and do that part of the trip first? and save taxes?

I'd look at the whole cost for your flight - like flying into London would have been another $75 or something like that...and it's gone up since then.

I'm also staying at a Bed and Breakfast we really liked in London. It is a little outside the city - about 20 minutes into downtown. We paid about $104 USD for the room per night in September, with fully cooked breakfasts each morning for the two of us, and they offered us tea and biscuits and such too. When I went out to do laundry, Janice (one of the owners) handed me a little baggie of laundry detergent, saying it was too expensive to buy!

I love Europe!

 

[nbodyhome]

DH and I are talking about a possible trip to Paris in a few years. I had 3 years of French in high school(20+ years ago). So, did you have any problems with the language barrier? Should I bone up on some French phrases?

I've learned some French - but if you know "excuse me", "I would like", "please", "thank you", etc., that goes a long way. Most Parisians I've met - even in the non-touristy neighborhood we stayed at, know some English. It surprised me on the last trip as I'd heard this particular neighborhood was very French, so don't expect to find so many people speaking English. Nearly everyone was wonderful - the Italian restaurant brought us an English menu and even ice for my husbands soda. We didn't ask for either (it is very rare to get ice in a soda at a restaurant!)

 

[momrek06]

DH and I are talking about a possible trip to Paris in a few years. I had 3 years of French in high school(20+ years ago). So, did you have any problems with the language barrier? Should I bone up on some French phrases?

My family was there over the holidays for a week....and let me just tell you thank the dear Lord, my 21yo DS has had 4 years of h.s. French and 2 years of college French. Every single person we spoke too from cabbies to waiters and waitresses did not speak any English. I felt so "lost" and dependent on my son to help DH & I order food to purchasing gifts and tour tickets. And the Euros...omg...I was awful trying to figure out the money. We had spent a week in London and the Pounds was confusing as well. We took the fabulous Eurostar to Paris from Waterloo and it BROKE DOWN. YUP, and they kept making announcements over the Speaker FIRST in French and then secondly in English. I would definitely brush up a tad bit, it wouldn't hurt.

I will say, despite the language I am SOOOO GOING BACK!! I loved PARIS!!!

 

[LakeAriel]

I'd look at the whole cost for your flight - like flying into London would have been another $75 or something like that...and it's gone up since then.

I'm also staying at a Bed and Breakfast we really liked in London. It is a little outside the city - about 20 minutes into downtown. We paid about $104 USD for the room per night in September, with fully cooked breakfasts each morning for the two of us, and they offered us tea and biscuits and such too. When I went out to do laundry, Janice (one of the owners) handed me a little baggie of laundry detergent, saying it was too expensive to buy!

I love Europe!

Thanks..I have never been out of the country (just started flying a year ago) Considering how much planning I put into a Disney trip this will be a daunting task!

 

[CarolA]

DH and I are talking about a possible trip to Paris in a few years. I had 3 years of French in high school(20+ years ago). So, did you have any problems with the language barrier? Should I bone up on some French phrases?

Sadly I don't speak any French so you will be well ahead of me.

I find that trying and learning basic phrases goes a long way. So I generally know how to say Hello, Goodbye, Thank you and excuse me whereever I go.

Remember that the French Language is VERY exact. As a result, lots of native French speakers do not want to speak English becuase since they aren't perfect, they don't think they should. Often after I try to butcher their language they will help me out. My first trip was with my best friend who speaks very good French. I really thought no one spoke English. They won't if you have someone who speaks French to "interpret" (Same thing happened in Spain. I spoke enough Spanish to get by and no one spoke to me in English, but if my mother was alone the same folks spoke to her in English LOL!)


And then there is the time honored method, pointing LOL! Just point at the menu, etc. Have them write down numbers etc....

 

[momrek06]

Sadly I don't speak any French so you will be well ahead of me.

I find that trying and learning basic phrases goes a long way. So I generally know how to say Hello, Goodbye, Thank you and excuse me whereever I go.

Remember that the French Language is VERY exact. As a result, lots of native French speakers do not want to speak English becuase since they aren't perfect, they don't think they should. Often after I try to butcher their language they will help me out. My first trip was with my best friend who speaks very good French. I really thought no one spoke English. They won't if you have someone who speaks French to "interpret" (Same thing happened in Spain. I spoke enough Spanish to get by and no one spoke to me in English, but if my mother was alone the same folks spoke to her in English LOL!)


And then there is the time honored method, pointing LOL! Just point at the menu, etc. Have them write down numbers etc....

OMG..it is so funny you said that as I believe that is EXACTLY what happened with us...DS spoke French and very well, he conversed with them and we talked through him to them whether it was in a restaurant, gift shop, cab, the hotel. The French perferred talking to someone that knows their language.

I was finally so thrilled at all the money I spent on DS' private h.s. education and now college...learning that French certainly came in handy.

 

[nbodyhome]

Thanks..I have never been out of the country (just started flying a year ago) Considering how much planning I put into a Disney trip this will be a daunting task!

Flying isn't my favorite thing (but Paris is! )

I put a ton of time into planning our first lengthy European trip - in 2005 for 2 1/2 weeks. The fewer countries you plan for, the less work you have to do. But I planned for 3 countries, 4 cities plus day tours. We also did a trip last year - London/Paris/Mont St. Michel both years, and a few different other places that did change from year to year.

Now I know London and Paris well enough, I don't have to plan much! And the one thing that I found - if I started speaking in what French I do know, then often someone who is French will start talking to me in English. The funniest - there is a WONDERFUL pastry shop across from the hotel we stayed at. I was asking, in French, for juice. The girl then asked "would you like anything else with that"? She said it in perfect English. Turns out, her mom was French and her dad American.

Oh - and Tripadvisor is my friend! That is where I found our hotels. And they do have a lot of people on the message boards who know a lot too.

 

[momrek06]

Oh - and Tripadvisor is my friend! That is where I found our hotels. And they do have a lot of people on the message boards who know a lot too.

While planning our trip to London and Paris I used TRIPADVISOR for everything. I even registered for their FORUMS. I got some awesome info.

Well when I returned I did a review on our B&B in London and I received an awesome TRIPADVISOR backpack!!!!!!!!!