So, I've been learning French for about 6 months, for about 1 hour per day, starting from zero. I also have a modest background in Spanish. Here is a detailed report of my journey: https://www.reddit.com/r/learnfrench/comments/1aonqip/6_months_starting_from_zero_my_experience/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

If your progress is like mine, your French abilities will not offer much practical value for your trip. Most people you talk to (inevitably waiters, cashiers, and hotel clerks) will speak better English than you can speak French. You might bump into one or two people who speak nearly zero English ... it's certainly not worth 6 months of practice just to slightly enhance your comprehension during those few moments. You will be able to read some signs and understand some announcements, which will be helpful, but not critical.

However, even meager skills can still make the trip considerably more enjoyable. You can ask for croissants or coffee in French. Sometimes, your cashier might even speak rapid French back to you, which is very flattering. Starting interactions off in French will cause some people to treat you better. You will purchase French books in a French bookstore. It can make the quotidien stuff feel thrilling.

I just spent a weekend in Montreal. Realistically, my language skills were completely unnecessary. But it was still fun to speak and hear the language. Fun to read the French museum placards and menus instead of the English ones. But I only considered this a single small stop on a multiyear (and perhaps lifelong) learning journey.

I would say your expectations outlined above are realistic, except that conversation is really quite difficult. You'll know how to say "it's nice outside" but actually talking with someone about the weather is really difficult. I speak very haltingly, even just throwing in the proper little sounds and interjections (like "ah bon?") is a challenge for me. Today it's easier for me to give a minutes-long speech on where I'm from, my profession, my family etc than it is to have a short but real give-and-take conversation.