Highways, street names and shops all have signage in French in Quebec Province, but you might be wondering what that means for your next trip. What can you expect if you don’t speak French in Montreal, Quebec City or the rest of the province? Here’s the scoop from a local’s perspective, but also from someone who was born a foot in both the Anglo and the Franco Quebec worlds!
The Big Question: Can You Visit Quebec Without Speaking French?
The simple answer is YESSSSS!
We are a French-speaking province inside a big English-speaking Canada, but tourists don’t need to worry too much about that. People you’ll meet are all mostly fluently bilingual, but understanding our cultural context goes a long way.
My main tip is to ask rather than assume before you speak to someone in English. Unfortunately, a lot of English speakers assume everyone speaks English and this is something that we Francophones experience a little too often. By asking first, you’ll see the dynamic change.
A simple Bonjour (hi!), Merci (thanks) or S’il-vous-plaît (please) goes a long way and will change every interaction you have.
If you do happen to speak a bit of French, rest assured that nobody cares about your mistakes, but every single person will appreciate you trying!
Read also: What People Get Wrong About Quebec Travel
Tourist Reality vs. Online Discourse
If you’ve been researching Quebec online, you’ve probably seen heated debates about language laws, politics, and “language tensions”. This creates a much scarier picture than what most travellers actually experience on the ground.
Online conversations tend to focus on policy, identity, and worst-case anecdotes. Travel reality is quieter and far more practical: people doing their jobs, helping visitors, and navigating everyday life.
Where Language Matters and Where It Doesn’t
In the big cities, you really don’t have to worry about not knowing any French. In Montreal, you might even have a hard time practising your French, because a lot of people downtown and in Old Montreal speak English, so they’ll automatically switch to English if they hear your accent.
We’re not trying to be rude, just make your life easier, so don’t hesitate to tell us if you want to keep practising when we code-switch.
In Quebec City and other places dedicated to the tourism sector, most employees speak decent English and will serve you with a smile if you’re not too picky about the accent. Every city has its English-speaking tours and 97% of museums have bilingual signage.
Outside of big cities and tourist attractions, I’m sure you’ll notice the drop in English proficiency, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have any problems even if you might not have some long, philosophical conversations. What we call Franglais (contraction of Français and Anglais which translate to French and English) will be sufficient to get everyone by and communicate!
I’ve sometimes heard that Quebecers will rough you up if you don’t speak French, but it’s not true. It’s a rumour perpetuated by people who are rude in general and therefore get a rude response, which they blame on language instead of attitude.
So Why Do We Speak French in Quebec?
Back in the age of New France, when the Europeans came to colonize the Indigenous populations and settle in what is now Quebec City, Trois-Rivières and Montreal, the French and the English fought for dominance.
French was around and well established, but then the English won on the Plains of Abraham, and we suddenly became English, under the Queen’s rule, but we didn’t really want that, as you can imagine.
Out of pride and resistance, French culture became very important to protect, and our ancestors fought for their religious and linguistics rights. The rest of Canada, except for parts of New Brunswick and Manitoba, mainly, kept on being settled in English, while Quebec province remained the French language stronghold in the country until today.
So, you’re ready to travel to Quebec Province? Download Duolingo if you want to learn a few sentences, but don’t panic if you don’t have time for that. Locals will welcome you with open arms if you smile and simply respect our culture!
Safe travels!
Here are some additional articles to get you ready:
- What People Get Wrong About Quebec Travel
- Why Quebec Is the Best Food Destination in Canada
- How to Get From Montreal to Quebec City
- 20 Must-See Quebec Attractions to Add to Your Province Bucket List
- 46 Ultimate Best Quebec Guided Tours You Should Book Now in the Province
What to Do in Quebec City region and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Quebec City region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Admire Quebec City’s largest waterfall and take a cable car to the top of the Montmorency Falls.
- Experience a unique walking adventure in the heart of Old Quebec and learn about its history.
- Discover the food, beverages, and vineyards of Île d’Orléans.
- Explore the wilderness near Quebec City with a hike in the Jacques-Cartier National Park.
- Introduce yourself to speed skating in Quebec City with top athletes on an inside ice ring.
- Ziplining above the Sainte-Anne canyon near Quebec City.
- Sleep comfortably at the Fairmont Château Frontenac and enjoy an incredible view of the St. Lawrence River.
- Enjoy a peaceful room at the Hilton Quebec and take a dip in the only year-round heated outdoor pool in Quebec City.
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Outaouais through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
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