Depends really how long you'll be staying in France on how much 'French' to learn before going:
English is the world language, and most Europeans speak English. Being polite will get you very far should you need help. The 'ugly American' WILL get kicked to the curb in a heartbeat. The French were much more polite than NYC
Food...it's what you DON'T taste(like preservatives to keep food 'fresh' until the next Ice Age) is what I remember most.
Was surprised that overall in Paris, the French woman were not very attractive(at least to me), and the fries off the street vendors are to die for!
The ride by train from Paris to Le Mans thru the French countryside is fantastic, and the campsites are 1 huge party(and they party big AFTER the race too).
I was there in 88' when Porsche got bamboozled out of the win by Jaguar by taking on an extra tank of fuel at night(issue exacerbated by Klaus Ludwig missing the pits, running out of fuel, and limping home on the starter), but it still was the adventure of a lifetime, like some surreal dream.
You won't regret it. The wine is pretty good too!
If you have time to go to Nice(which I did not), it's quite spectacular from what I hear.