We do not speak French

We do not speak French so I would like some recommendations on where to stay in Paris. Helpful staff is top and central location is top on our list. We are also Americans, though nice ones!

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My advice would be to learn a few words of French. The French people are much more receptive to those who take a little time and effort to learn a few basic words and phrases.

Bonjour

Bonsoir

Merci

S%26#39;il vous plait

Monsieur

Madame

Madamoiselle

Au revoir

Un deux trois....

For example

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Most hotel staff in Paris speak English, you shouldn%26#39;t have a problem. Although as previously stated it is good to come w/ a small amount of useful vocabulary. But what is your price range and what kind of hotel are you looking for? That will make a rec easier.

Les

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Knowing a few basic words in French is

very important; a previous poster mentioned

them.

A good, small english-french dictionary

would be a good thing to carry with you.

You also might glance through Paris Guide

Books. A number of them will have a Survival

Guide Section with pictures of food, money,

stamps, airport diagrams, trasnsportation

information and signs in english and French.

I%26#39;m certain you will do well.

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Three star hotels will have at least one person on staff who speaks another language. I%26#39;ll second everyone else by saying that it won%26#39;t hurt to have a few phrases in your back pocket. My experience is that if you attempt to speak French, even poorly, that most people will respond to you in English. Don%26#39;t believe anyone who tells you the French are rude. My experience in three trips to Paris and two to Normandy is that the French are friendly and helpful to stangers.

Be sure to get a phrase book with a menu decoder. Some of my most enjoyable meals were in small local bistros and brasseries where a menu %26quot;en Anglais%26quot; was not available.

Another restaurant hint is that I have yet to find bad wine in France. Unless you want to spend the money, order the %26quot;vin du table%26quot; and you probably won%26#39;t be disappointed. And the price will be right.

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The BBC has a very easy and helpful audiovisual lesson for the beginner with a chapter dedicated for the traveler. Check it out.

But anyway, communication was the least of my worries in all my trips and my French is very basic

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I meant to say the BBC website.

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I can recommend two small, affordable hotels in a very central location. These are not large 4 star hotels mind you, but a smaller place with English speaking staff will probably make you feel more comfortable. They both have very high ratings on TA also!

1. Hotel St. Jacques

2. Hotel College de France

#1 is rated about #33 out of over 1500 hotels and #2 is about #56. Both range from 90E-130E a night.

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We will definately learn some French phrases and carry a French/English dictionary - Thank you! I guess we are just a bit worried about not knowing the language as we have had some recent sad experiences being identified as Americans even though we are very conscious not to be %26quot;ugly Americans%26quot;.

In terms of cost, in looking at TripAdvisor hotels it seems that $300 and under is moderate for Paris. I would prefer less than that so we can stay longer, but want to feel safe and welcome.

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The Hotel Lindbergh has the friendliest staff of any hotel I know and should come in well under your $300 budget. The location is excellent for visiting the city, too.

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Oh, just in case you don%26#39;t want to stay in the Latin Quarter, I have one more for you to check out. The Hotel Britannique is in the 1st Arr. close to the Seine and I did not actually stay here, but almost did and walked in it. It rates #16 on TA, so take a look!