From baguettes to Bordeaux, the French influence is prevalent. Since 1842, the French have had varying degrees of control of Polynesia, which is now an overseas territory with its own elected government.

About 15% of its total population is European, and most of those are French. French and Tahitian are the two official languages.

Virtually everyone speaks some English particularly in the tourist areas, but knowing a few words of Tahitian is always appreciated by the locals. Keep in mind that staff management speak several languages.

Useful Tahitian words include: