Do They Speak English in Paris? Or Do I Need to Speak French?

Do they speak English in Paris? Or do you need to speak French to travel to Paris? Yes, they do speak English in Paris and it is still quite easy to travel to Paris without speaking fluent French!

However, traveling to a foreign country can be intimidating, especially if you do not speak the language. While English is spoken in Paris, there are a few things to know about the language barrier before visiting Paris.

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How many people speak English in Paris?

According to a study done in 2022 by EF English Proficiency index, around 57% of the French population can speak English at a conversational level. This level is slightly higher in the city of Paris, with about 62% of Parisians having at least a basic level of English.

However, just because half of the population understands some English does not mean that that large of a percentage are comfortable speaking English or use English regularly and therefore you will hear people speaking mostly in French, especially outside of tourist areas.

English does tend to be more commonly spoken in tourist areas, such as the Latin Quarter or at tourist attractions such as the Louvre or Eiffel Tower. Many Parisians that work in the hospitality or tourism industry also speak English as it is an international language for tourism.

In my experience, it was easy to get around Paris as a traveler when I was staying in more tourist friendly areas of Paris vs. when I stayed outside the city center and was traveling for work purposes. Therefore, I’d say visiting Paris as a tourist while only speaking English is quite possible, but if you plan to have a longer or more permanent stay, you may need to consider learning some French.

What languages are spoken in Paris?

French is the official language in France around 96% of Parisians speak at least some French. For around 80% of the population, French is their native language.

While you will commonly hear French being spoken in Paris, other languages you may hear include English, Arabic, German, and Spanish. This is because Paris is a major international city, and so it can be common to hear other languages in addition to French. However, a majority of the time, you will likely hear and see French.

Can you get around Paris only speaking English?

It is definitely possible to travel to France while only speaking English. Especially in the more tourist oriented areas, it really is not a problem to only speak English. While France has less English speakers than other European countries, it was still relatively easy to manage.

Do they speak English at hotels in Paris?

In my experience, hotel front desks is likely where you’ll find some of the best English speakers. This is because English is an international language that is commonly used for communication with tourists and so most hotels (especially in tourist areas) will have staff that speaks English.

Do they speak English at restaurants in Paris?

In tourist oriented areas, you will likely have waiters that speak English, but it is important not to assume or expect that they will speak English.

Restaurants in tourist areas may have an English menu available, but if they don’t it is no problem! You’ll want to download Google Translate on your phone. On the Google translate app you can translate written French to English, which is especially helpful for reading a menu!

Do Taxi or Uber Drivers speak English?

In my experience, most taxi or Uber drivers did not speak English. In this case, the language barriers can cause some difficulty.

Do I need to speak French to visit Paris?

You can definitely visit Paris without speaking French, however having some basic knowledge can definitely be helpful. If you plan to move to Paris or stay for an extended time, then you will likely want to learn some basic French.

Are Parisians friendly to tourists?

There is a harsh stereotype that Parisians are rude to tourists and don’t speak English because they simply don’t like tourists. This stereotype even causes some people to question is Paris is overrated? Personally, I don’t agree with this stereotype as in my experience Parisians have been quite friendly and helpful.

Another thing to keep in mind is cultural differences. The French are not as talkative to strangers as we tend to be in the United States. For example, it isn’t common to start up a conversation or smile to strangers.

Additionally, while many Parisians speak some English, many of them may not feel that confident in their level of English or they simply just prefer to speak their native language.

Tips for visiting Paris if you only speak English

Since French is more common than English, it is important to be prepared for visiting. Below are a few important tips to keep in mind if you only speak English.

Always say “Bonjour”

In French culture, it is respectful and polite to start of any interaction with a greeting. Bonjour means Hello/Good Day and should be the start to any conversation. If it is evening time, you can instead say Bonsoir (Good Evening).

Saying “Bonjour” before ordering food or drinks or simply before asking a question is an absolute must in France.

Stay at a hotel in a tourist area

If you are nervous about a language barrier, staying at a hotel can be helpful as most hotels in tourist areas will have English speaking staff on site. This can be helpful if you have questions during your stay or want to ask about local recommendations.

Additionally, staying in the tourist districts, such as the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements will put you in areas that you will more likely find restaurants, shops, and attractions where English is more commonly spoken.

Where to Stay in Paris

Many hotels will have English speaking staff, as English is widely regarded as a “tourism language.” However, central Paris where most of the attractions are is where you’ll find the most English being spoken.

The following hotels have excellent ratings, English speaking staff, and are located in central Paris.

📍 Budget Friendly: Hotel Korner Eiffel

📍 Mid-Range: Hotel de Seine

📍 Luxury: Hotel d’Aubusson

Schedule airport transportation in advance

Paris is a very walkable city, and it is easy to get around once you are in the city center. However, the CDG airport is quite far and takes around an hour drive. Scheduling an airport transfer in advance is a stress free way of getting from the airport to your hotel.

I highly recommend Welcome Pickups for transportation from the airport. Welcome Pickups is safe, reliable, and will have an English speaking driver meet you inside the airport. I used Welcome Pickups personally because it takes the stress out of getting to my hotel, especially after a long overnight flight from the US.

👉Click Here to Book an Airport Transfer with Welcome Pickups

Download the Google Translate app

Google Translate is a great app to have on your phone when you don’t speak the language in a foreign country. You can use the Google Translate app in a variety of ways. One of the ways I use it the most is to read menus, as you can hover your phone over the menu and it will translate the words to English.

You can also use Google translate in conversation by speaking in English and having it translate out loud to French, or vice versa. Additionally, you can have the app listen to something being said in French, and the app will write out the English translation. I’ve used this when on a train in France in order to understand an announcement being made in French.

Is it easy to learn French?

For native English speakers looking to learn a second or third language, French might be a great option! Learning another language takes time and can be quite difficult depending on the person.

The FSI scale indicates that for native English speakers, French is a category I language. This means learning French will be easier than compared to other world languages which are ranked at category II, III, and IV. One reason French is easier for native English speakers is that it uses a similar alphabet.

While it may not be “easy” to learn French, it can be easier to learn than other world languages.

Easy French words to know for your trip

Bonjour – Hello/Good Day

Pronounced by saying “bon-jor,” Bonjour is a must-know word when visiting France, as it is polite to start any conversation with a “Bonjour” even if you need to switch to English after the initial greeting.

Bonsoir – Hello/Good Evening

Pronounced “bon-sor,” this greeting is used instead of bonjour in the evening time.

Merci – Thank You

Pronounced “Mer-cee,” this means thank you and is a good phrase to know when visiting Paris! You may also hear the phrase Merci Beaucoup which means Thank you very much.

Parles-tu Anglais – Do you speak English?

Pronounced “Par-lee tu anglei” this phrase can be useful if you need to switch to English. It is always polite to start in French and ask if a person can speak English.

S’il vous plaît – Please

Pronounced “Seel voo play” this is the word for please, which is a great word to add when ordering or asking for something. For example to order an American coffee you might say “Bonjour, un café americano s’il vous plaît”

In conclusion: Do they speak English in Paris?

Yes, they do speak English in Paris and you can still easily get around Paris without speaking French. However, English isn’t as commonly spoken in Paris as it is in other large European cities, such as Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen or Vienna.

While English is spoken in Paris, it is important not to expect Parisians to speak English, as not all do, and some just prefer to speak their native language.

In more tourist oriented areas, especially at hotels and attractions, you should have no problems communicating in English. If needed, you can always utilize the Google Translate app.

It is still a great idea to learn some basic French, as it shows an interest and respect for French culture. Making small gestures, such as starting conversations with a “Bonjour” can go a long way in showing respect to the locals and thus helping you to have a more enjoyable trip.

Looking for more information for an upcoming trip to Paris? Check out this guide on Hidden Gems to Visit in Paris!