I’m American and I’d like to visit French Canada. How big a deal is it that I don’t speak any French at all?
Hey, while we’re at it, why don’t you tell me the best things to see in that area?
Depends where you’re going. Quebec City or are you planning on going to the country?
Will you be driving? You probably need to understand French to get around (the signs are all in French).
Probably Quebec City and Montreal, though I’m happy to take suggestions for other locations.
I was in Quebec City and many other smaller towns in Quebec and all the people I met were bilingual. I was only there for a week though, so YMMV. Signs were in both English & French.
We found French speaking Canadians were more than happy to speak to us in English if they found out we were American. Apparently they don’t like it much that other Canadians don’t speak French, but they didn’t expect Americans to.
In Montreal, I found that people switched to English easily and didn’t seem to be bothered by it.
The language question is being adequately dealt with, so let’s talk about the second part of your question for a minute.
French Canadian people live throughout Canada. I assume you mean Quebec, but there’s also northern Saskatchewan, Saint-Boniface and parts of rural Manitoba, northern Ontario and the Ottawa River valley, and the Acadian regions of the Maritime provinces (the area around Bathurst, NB, for example, is about 90% French-speaking).
Also, it would help to know what you like to see when you go on vacation. Do you like cultural activities such as visiting historic areas and museums? Do you prefer natural beauty? Or is it to enjoy nightlife and dining? Also, when are you planning to visit?
Neither Montreal or Quebec presented much problem from the language issue, although I know enough French to know generally what someone’s saying to me, if not necessarily reply. Montreal has a lot more English speakers than QC though.
Yes, I meant Quebec. Even though there are other French-speaking parts of Canada, it’s not practical for us to travel across the entire country. I may even end up just going to one city in Quebec, depending on time constraints, etc.
Since I’m grown up and out in the real world, I don’t get to spend much time with my family these days. The idea is a family vacation, with my parents and brother, so definitely daytime activities as my parents are quite low-key, simple people (My father has never used a computer in his entire life, and I’ve never seen them drink more than a glass of wine). I suspect they’ll like historic areas and museums and stuff. My Mom especially seems to really like visual beauty, both natural and man-made. I suspect my Dad would prefer more rural things. I think they will both just enjoy seeing a new place and interacting with a new culture.
Fun! What most North American people say about visiting Montreal and Quebec City is that it’s very different from their impressions of other North American cities, almost like going to Europe except closer and with the day-to-day aspects of life a little more familiar.
Quebec City works the historical angle more than Montreal does. As you may know it is the first city founded as a permanent colony and only remaining fortified city north of Mexico. The old city, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is very atmospheric and charming, although it’s not what you would call cultural immersion, since the tourist aspect is more assiduously cultivated. Besides the fortifications (you can walk along several sections of the walls), there’s also the cathedral; the Petit-Champlain area at the foot of the cliff; the Terrasse Dufferin promenade in front of the Château Frontenac; the Musée de la civilisation du Québec; the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec; the National Assembly of Quebec (the provincial legislature); and the Citadelle du Québec, the main fort. I strongly recommend taking the ferry to Lévis for the view of the old city above the St. Lawrence River (there’s a special fare for round-trippers who don’t get off in Lévis); and the next time I’m there I want to take the bus to the Montmorency Falls in the suburbs, which are higher than Niagara Falls, and visit the Wendake Huron community, which is also in the Quebec City suburbs.
Montreal tends to be more popular with people who enjoy the nightlife, dining, and more modern culture; it’s probably better for the ‘soaking up a new culture’ thing though, since it’s less dependent on tourism than Quebec City is. The most popular part of Montreal for tourists is the old city, and a wander through that part of town is usually enjoyable for most people. (The oldest building dates to the 1600s.) The most popular building is Notre-Dame Basilica, which is truly wonderful on the inside, though you can skip the multimedia presentation. There’s also Jacques-Cartier Square and rue Saint-Paul, which are touristy but attractive (get a city guide and have dinner elsewhere, though). Besides the old town, her charms are many and various, much of which is the atmosphere rather than any specific sight – pick up a travel guide and read up on the different neighbourhoods you might like to experience, they’re all different and all lively and engaging.
What was said above about the Quebecois expectations of Americans vs. other Canadians is spot on. I’m an American married to a Quebecoise and have found nothing but great accommodation on my trips there.
There are very few Quebecois who aren’t bilingual, and most of the ones that I’ve encountered are either quite old or very rural.
The phrase: “Daysolay. Je swaeez American. Parlay vou anglai?” said without any flourish will win you lots of help.
Chiming in to agree with others…
When I went to Montreal without knowing a lick of French, I’d walk in to a place and someone would say “bonjour!” and I’d say “Hello!” and the rest of the time they’d speak in English. No hard feelings.
Do make sure you remember the words for North, South, East and West, though. Their highway signs are in French 
As others have said, everyone will be happy to speak English with you. But I consider it rude to visit a place and not speak one word of their language. Just words like: “hello,” “good-bye,” “please,” “thank you,” “where is . . .” and “how much . . . .” will go a long way.
For my reference, could you please spell that phrase using standard French writing?
Also, I’m relieved that the French Canadians don’t hate Americans. I’ve heard that many foreign countries hate Americans and will give you a hard time if they find out you’re American. Hopefully, the election of Obama has since eased this tension.
Désolé, je suis Américain. Parlez-vous anglais ?
(If you’re a woman, it’s Américaine, pronounced amehreeKENN instead of amehreeKEH.)
That’s been my experience too. I adore Quebec, both the province and the city. It’s by far my favorite area to visit in eastern Canada.
FWIW, I spent a few weeks just bumping around the province, often camping and enjoying the rural areas. I was prepared to be have some difficulty because my French is very rusty–and even that flatters my ability. But without exception I found people to be completely charming, and very friendly. I’d start out any contact trying to speak French. Either they detected my distinctly 'Murkin drawl or just couldn’t stand listening to me butcher their beautiful language any more. At any rate, they readily switched to English, and most were wonderfully fluent. (I was quite shamed.)
The sole somewhat iffy encounter was a waiter-with-attitude in a nice restaurant in Quebec city. (Le Chateau Frontenac is a wonderful place to stay, btw.) He got a trifle snotty but a lifted eyebrow backed him down. I think it was more a waiter thing than anything else.
Wonderful experiences in Montreal as well. Fabulous city, and way too much to see and do for the time I had. By all means, go!
Maybe good advice in general. But I’ve found the unofficial rule in Quebec is that you say hello or bonjour to indicate to the other person whether you want to converse in English or French.
Absolutely. I know virtually no French and it causes more confusion for me to walk into a place, say bonjour and then force them to ask me a question in French and English because my bonjour made them think I knew French. I could see using a merci though.
Everyone in Montreal was very accommodating to someone who knew no French and some seemed to actually enjoy getting to use their English. You can get around pretty good with no French, but you really should learn some words for driving (north, south, bridge, left, right, etc.)
Quebec City is a marvellous place: very European in architecture and overall ambiance.
No. French Canadians do not hate Americans. There are definite political differences, but I do not believe they’ve ever reached a personal level. Whatever you do though, be unassuming and act like a guest.
True, but they are also pretty easy to figure out even if you did’nt look them up ahead of time.
Nord
Sud
Est
Oest.
Hmm…I should really get my butt up to Montreal more. It’s only about two hours from me.