This Is the Most Outdated Piece of France Travel Advice, According to a Local

When I was living in Nice, in the French Riviera, it took my parents four years before they came to visit me. This is a place that was so popular with English aristocrats in the early 19th century, they named the seaside Promenade des Anglais after them. My parents’ excuse? They don’t speak French. After I booked their plane tickets and gave them a full city tour as they arrived, they quickly realized they wouldn’t be lost in translation in the South of France—in fact, translation wasn’t necessary at all.

As a travel writer who has lived in France for more than a decade and spent an extra semester in college working to master the language and graduate with a double degree, speaking French is part of my daily life. As a French resident, I’ve spent countless hours dealing with French bureaucracy—not to mention contractors, plumbers, and electricians while my building has been undergoing renovation. But if you’re a traveler just passing through, a simple “bonjour” and “merci” will more than suffice (and are much appreciated).

The moment someone notices a foreign accent, they’ll immediately switch to English—and be polite about it. Especially in large cities like Nice, Paris, and Marseille, those working in hospitality are conversational in English and happy to practice. If you do speak some French, they’ll find your accent américain charming. But don’t be offended if they continue the conversation en anglais.

This is a lesson I had to learn myself when I first moved here, as I continued to switch back into French as if to prove through my expertly executed “r’s” that I’m not a tourist. I live here! Now I see it differently, especially after the 2024 Paris Olympics. France has long held a reputation for being rude—but the reality is that the country (and culture) takes formalities seriously. It’s less about being rude and more about respect. That’s why greeting someone, whether you’re passing them on the street or stepping into a shop, is a gesture that’s much appreciated.

The French will be more than impressed if you can speak the language sans faute (without fault), but these days they’re more forgiving—and welcoming. You’ll find they’d rather share French culture with you, whether it be a sample of fromage at the market or a bottle of lesser-known vin at a restaurant, than correct your French. My No. 1 piece of travel advice for visitors heading to France? Learn the basics—bonjour, bonsoir, merci, s’il vous plaît—but don’t fret if that’s as far as your French takes you. You’ll still see a local side of the country, and, who knows, maybe make a friend or two along the way.