Download Google Translate with offline French — Camera feature works on bistro menus without wifi.

These phrases get you surprisingly far with Parisians:

• "Excusez-moi, parlez-vous anglais?" (Do you speak English?)

• "Je ne parle pas français" (I don't speak French)

• "Pouvez-vous m'aider?" (Can you help me?)

• "L'addition, s'il vous plaît" (The check, please)

Restaurant staff in 1st-6th arrondissements speak English but trying French first gets much better service. Even butchering "Bonjour" shows effort to waiters at traditional bistros.

Point at menu items when pronunciation fails. Carry notebook for Métro station names — Easier than explaining "the stop near Sacré-Cœur."