The actress was last seen in a cameo in Main Aurr Mrs Khanna in 2009, with Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor.
Director Prem Soni said: "From the start, we were certain that Preity would be able to get the French accent and pronunciation.
"We did not want to dub her French dialogues. By the time we start shooting, I am sure Preity will know as much French as any native and speak the language fluently enough."
Zinta plays a young half-Indian, half-French woman who falls in love with the European city on a trip abroad.
Soni added: "So many people have said that Preity looks French. I couldn't have cast anyone else in the role."
Ishq in Paris also marks Zinta's debut as a producer, which she announced on Twitter.
Zinta, 36, has starred in Telugu and Punjabi films, as well as English language movies.
She received a prestigious Filmfare award for her role in Canadian director Deepa Mehta's independent project Heaven on Earth.
It was also rumoured in June that she will take the lead from pregnant Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan in Raj Kumar Santoshi's upcoming Ladies and Gentlemen.
