What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!

When deciding on what to do in Paris, it is also essential to know what NOT to do in Paris as well. It’s a part of travel planning that is all too often overlooked.

In fact, not a week goes by without that someone in my Facebook community (join here, it’s free!) reports of Metro fines, expensive taxi fares, or other drawbacks that they experienced during their time in Paris.

Most of these issues could have been avoided if they had read this article before traveling to Paris.

I live in Paris for more than 16 years, and there is not a single rookie Paris mistake I haven’t done. Some only cost me time, others comfort, and not a few of them quite a lot of money. 

Is it the first time in Paris? Make sure to read these articles as well:

• 21 Simple Ways to Save Money in Paris
• Scams in Paris! How to avoid the most common cons.
• 70+ Free & Fun Things to do in Paris

Read this article and know it better. Learn how to avoid the most common Paris pitfalls and which Paris mistakes you easily can prevent.

Enough of talking, here are my ultimate list with Paris Mistakes to avoid and what not to do in Paris:

 #1 Wait in long lines at the Eiffel Tower

→Book your ticket to the Eiffel Tower Summit directly here

The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most-visited landmarks and accordingly are the queues. If you did not book your ticket in advance, you either won’t get tickets at all or you will queue for hours, without guaranteed entrance.

If you want to visit the Eiffel Tower, you have to make arrangements ahead of time.

Where to book your Eiffel Tower Tickets?

Most commonly, you can buy your Eiffel Tower Tickets at the official sales point or through a 3rd party website like getyourguide.com. Both are legit.

If your trip is weeks ahead, you likely still can get your hands on cheaper tickets directly on the Eiffel Tower website.

If your travel dates are during high season and not far ahead, you can check GetYourGuide. Even though the tickets are more expensive, you have the big benefit of a 24h cancellation and refund policy. This is useful if the weather is bad and the top of the tower has its head in the clouds because it’s reducing your sight to zero.

• Eiffel Tower Summit Ticket – book here

• Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor Ticket – book here

• Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise – book bundle here

Can you book Eiffel Tower Tickets for the day?

Theoretically, yes. However, this is where the queuing starts. If you want to buy Eiffel Tower tickets on the spot, expect to queue for 2 hours or longer.

#2 Overpack 

→ Need tips on packing? Read our seasonal Paris guides with practical tips

Paris is the fashion capital, and it’s just very tempting to bring many outfits. But traveling with an oversized suitcase is a mistake – especially if you plan to use public transportation.

Most Metro and train stations are not barrier-free. This means: you have to carry your luggage up and down the stairs, and you can trust me here: there are LOTS of stairs.

Public transportation is often packed, especially around rush hour. You easily run into difficulties squeezing yourself AND your luggage into a train. Save yourself from stress and travel light.

My Tip: Book a private driver to pick you up at the airport in Paris. You can arrange your ride in advance, you don’t have to worry about transportation after a long flight because your driver will pick you up at the gate. Take a look at the quotes here.

One more Tip:  You will probably shop a bit, right?  For example, famous French pharmacy products!  Best to have some free space in your luggage! Alternatively – and that’s what I always do – you can bring an additional foldable duffle bag to be more flexible.

#3 Rent a Car or Taxi instead of taking the Metro

→ Read our complete Metro guide to know which ticket you need

I know that Public transportation can be intimidating, but I promise you, once you are in Paris it’s easy as pie. The ticket machines are multilingual; if you stay in inner Paris, the base ticket (ticket+) is enough. It is although:

• cheaper
• faster
• more environment-friendly
• stress-free
• more local

than taking a taxi or renting a car. Talking about rental cars, this is something you should absolutely NOT do in Paris. You will spend your day stuck in traffic and pay horrendous sums for parking if you find parking in the first place.

Renting a car is one of the things you should not do in Paris!

#4 Book a Hotel in the Suburbs to save Money 

→ find affordable Hotels in central Paris here

Even though there is nothing really wrong with staying outside the city limits, it’s just not as if you’d be staying in Paris. If you see yourself in a typical Parisian setting with little cafés, cute streets, and cosmopolitan flair – then you better take a hotel in Paris. You won’t regret it, especially when visiting Paris for the first time.

If you are on a budget but don’t want to miss out, I recommend checking my post about the best budget hotels in Paris because you don’t need to spend much to stay in exciting locations.

If you are a bit overwhelmed by the more than 2000 hotels, not to mention countless Airbnb, I recommend checking my hotel guides. All hotels I propose are in great locations, close to sights and most important: in safe areas! No need to worry anymore about areas to avoid in Paris!

What are the Best Hotels in Paris?

For more input, maybe those posts will help you through the jungle of Parisian Hotels and offer you some guidance:

• Find the best district to stay in Paris’ neighborhood guide 
• Paris on a budget:  the 5 best Ibis Hotels in Paris
• Family Hotels in Paris: Were to stay in Paris with kids 
• Romantic budget trip to Paris: Hotels for couples
• Montmartre: Hotels for every budget!
• Eiffel Tower Hotels: 14 Hotels with stunning Eiffel Tower views- for (almost) every budget!
• Hotels with Balcony: Top 14 Hotels in Paris with a Balcony

#5 Toss your Metro Ticket

→ Read our complete Metro guide to know more

I read literally every week a post of someone who goes like this: “I bought a ticket but got fined anyway, they ripped us off knowing we’re tourists!”

A horrible feeling, undoubtedly. But what happened? 

Metro users might experience this when they either bought the wrong ticket or lost/trashed it before leaving the station. It is not a Paris scam, you just did not use the ticket correctly.

Even though buying the wrong ticket can be seen as an honest mistake, you’ll still be fined when controlled. No need to argue, explain or cry, it’s not working.

But there are some simple guidelines on how to avoid getting fined:

• purchase an adult ticket for everyone from the age of 10 (means: if your child is 10 years old, they need an adult ticket)
• purchase a child ticket for every kid from the age of 4 (means: if your child is 4 years old, you need a child ticket, you won’t get fined if you purchase an adult ticket, but starting from 4, kids don’t ride free)
• only buy tickets from official vending machines and NOT from vendors offering you a cheaper price (those tickets are often child tickets, and you guessed right: you’ll be fined). It’s a popular tourist scam by the way – read more about Paris tourist scams!
• Keep in mind that the base tickets are only valid in Paris and direct suburbs.
• If you bought a week pass with a line to write your name on, do it. Otherwise, you’ll be fined
• DO NOT TOSS YOUR TICKET before leaving the station

To Reiterate: do not throw away your Metro ticket! It’s one of the most important things when it comes to the question of what not do to in Paris!

Just do not throw it away. Not after you passed the turnstile, not when being in the Metro or RER, and not before you left the station at your destination. As a passenger, you are obliged to carry the proof of purchase a.k.a. ticket at all times with you while using the service.

Depending on the station, you might even need it for leaving the station. If you get caught without a ticket, you’ll be fined. No exceptions.

If for some reason you are not having a valid ticket, and you get fined, it is not a scam if they demand the amount in cash right away. You can see the amounts here.

For more information on how to use the Parisian public transport system, check our guide on the Parisian Metro

#6 Travel to Paris without Insurance

Before traveling to Paris, make sure that you have Travel Insurance! If you are not covered, for example by your credit card company, make sure that you take precautions.

#7 Get Scammed (too easily)

→ Read this article to know about the most common Paris Scams

You know the drill: if you arrive somewhere beautiful, you can be sure that scammers and thieves have been there before you.

Paris is, unfortunately, no exception to this vexatious matter. The basic rule is to be wary – in public transport and generally in crowds. But also if someone approaches you for whatever random reason, wants to sell tickets on the streets, or tries to knot friendship bracelets around your wrist.

But don’t get paranoid, either. I am confident that you’ll be all fine if you just take care of your belongings and know about the Paris Scams to watch out for.

I have been living in Paris for more than 16 years, and in all those years I had my wallet stolen once: When I stupidly placed it ON my bag while trying to navigate a stroller through the metro’s turnstile. Learned a life lesson there.

Most common scams in Paris

• pickpockets – the only thing you can do is to take care and to keep your things hidden. Don’t get distracted even if you’re in a busy or stressful situation. You also can travel with an anti-theft backpack
• Friendship bracelet scams – someone approaches you and ties a bracelet around your wrists to then ask you for money- that’s a common scam around the Sacre Coeur.. just keep walking, ignore them
• signature scam – it’s often a group of girls that ask you to sign a petition and while you listen and signs someone else might rob you – I’ve seen this often around Notre Dame. Ignore them, keep on walking. Don’t engage in a conversation.
• to be on the safe side, I strongly advise you not to use your phone on the Metro, even though it might be tempting and you’re bored. It happens regularly that someone grabs a phone and runs off with it just when the Metro doors are closing
• A new thing are TukTuks – they are waiting in front of popular sights for clients, with a price tag in their window. When you arrive at your destination, they claim the price is per person, not per party. It’s best to avoid them altogether. 

#8 Visit only the Highlights (Paris Mistake classic)

→ check our list of hidden gems and secret Paris attractions

Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre, the Champs Élysées… those are the sights you absolutely MUST see when visiting Paris –  But don’t make the mistake to stop there. Plan for some extra time to discover Paris off the beaten paths.

You don’t need to find Paris’ most hidden street or Paris’ smallest Café to discover the unusual. It is already enough to sit down in a café that is a bit off the tourist area and enjoy some people-watching. Soak up the atmosphere. I’ll promise you to see more of the real Paris in this short time than a walk up the tower could ever grant you.

Are you seeking some ideas of non-touristy things to do in Paris? Get inspired by these articles:

• Belleville – discover Paris quirky village
• Secret bars in Paris – discover Paris’ speakeasies !
• The Human Zoo of Paris – a dark secret uncovered!

You find even more ideas in our dedicated Paris insider tip section!

#9 Visit the Louvre without Audio Guide

→ buy tickets for the Louvre here and book the Audio Guide when visiting

Really. Unless you are an art and Louvre expert or a tourist guide, don’t miss out on this wonderful tool. I know the reflex to immediately back off and say “thanks, I am good” if someone tries to sell me a little extra.

Usually, it’s indeed just the extra that pulls the bucks off your pocket. But this does NOT apply to the official (!) Audioguide of the Louvre.

Editors Tip: Some tour operators offer to skip the line tickets bundled with an audio guide. Those are in most cases not the official guides from the Louvre and many visitors are not exactly satisfied as the content isn’t great.

I strongly advise you to take the official Audio Guide from the Louvre and purchase the ticket in advance online to skip at least the ticket queue.

Admission is free for all visitors under 18 and everyone under 26 living in the European Economic Area (eligibility proof required) – click here to know which museums are free to visit for everyone! 

Up for a sneak preview of the most beautiful paintings in the Louvre?

 #10 Wear uncomfortable shoes (Paris Mistake #1)

→Click here to see our guide on the best walking shoes for Paris!

Paris is THE fashion metropolis and if you’re following just a wee bit what’s going on catwalks and fashion week, you know there are heels all around. However, what’s happening during fashion week, stays in fashion week. As soon as it’s over, Parisians slip back into their comfy shoes: sneakers and flats.

Check our post about the best walking shoes for Paris with a selection of shoes that I see frequently in Paris. Trust me, you can’t do anything wrong by going comfy.

(Tip: Stan Smith sneakers are the classics and will probably remain all-time favorites of the Parisians – Click here to see all models)

#11 Eat close to the St. Michel Fountain

→Read our food guide to know what to eat in Paris

There are a trillion restaurants in Paris, choose one that is not close to St.Michel or any other tourist hotspot. You can simply walk 5 minutes in any direction and the quality will improve.

When mentioning St.Michel, I am talking especially about Rue de la Harpe. It looks cozy and Parisian, the food is cheap (a 3-course dinner for 12€!!) and the menu is written in English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Hindi. It might sound like a pretty good deal. But just do not go there.

It is the most touristic place in Paris and one where you can be sure to get the worst food for the price. Tourist restaurants are among the things to avoid in Paris.

If you want to eat out on a budget, have lunch in a traditional Brasserie. Lunch menus are usually cheaper than dinners if this matters. For 12€ – 16€, you get at least a Starter/Main or Main/Dessert.

Budget Traveler? Browse through these articles:

• 70+ Free & Fun Things to do in Paris
• 21 Simple Ways to Save Money in Paris

If you are unsure which place is good to have lunch, seek people who seem like being on lunch break. If the food was bad, people would have their breaks elsewhere 🙂

If you’re not up only for lunch but a whole range of different foods from Paris and culinary highlights, a food tour will be fun (and yummy!). Click here to treat yourself  ♥

#12 Forget a Travel Adapter

→ I am using this travel adapter for years already, and it survived many trips

Depending on where you are coming from, you might find a surprise when trying to plug your devices into the power socket. They don’t fit!

Europe runs on Type C sockets and has furthermore different voltage than the US, for example. Depending on what devices you are using, you might want to get rather a Voltage Converter.
Smartphones, Tablets, and Laptops have usually an integrated voltage converter, however, hairdryers and such often don’t. Read more about this in our article on Paris Packing Tips.

#13 Skip the Seine River Cruise

→Click here for Seine cruise schedules and bookings!

This stands probably in big contrast to the trend to discover Paris off the beaten path and not fall for too many touristic activities. Every so often, it’s worth throwing those principles overboard and just doing what’s good.

Taking a Cruise on the Seine is one of those things that’s so worth it. It is, of course, touristic and maybe even cheesy. But you almost can’t have a nicer view of Paris than from a boat.

It thoroughly changes the perspective on everything you explored already in Paris by feet and shows you many things you have not discovered yet.

Plus: it’s even a quite inexpensive activity to do! Read our full review here!

#14 Tip your Travel Budget Away

💡 Tip: bookmark my Paris Tipping Calculator to have it handy in Paris

No matter how rude it might feel to you, how good the service was, or how friendly the waiter. You don’t need to tip in Paris. Not even if a waiter tells you that you are expected to tip.

Waiters are earning a living wage in France, just like everyone else. However, it is polite to tip and in many cases even appropriate. Especially when the waiter is getting out of their way for you.

Read my complete tipping guide here, for more detailed information on tipping in Paris.

You can tip, though. It is always appreciated and certainly nice. Everything over 10% is absolutely over the top and very unusual. As a rule of thumb, and only if you WANT to tip:

• up to 5€ for a bill less than 50€
• up to 10€ for a bill up to 100€
• 5-10% from 100€ up

My Parisian take on it: I leave a few coins on the table if I happen to have some. If I just had a beer somewhere, it could be as little as 50 cents or nothing at all. I easily leave 1 or 2 Euros when having an easy lunch, but I don’t feel bad if I leave nothing. Many Parisians don’t tip at all.

#15 Visit Popular Sights in the Afternoon

One Paris mistake that is easily made is to schedule the popular sights for the afternoon. As a rule of thumb: The later the busier. If you are traveling during the high season, it will be busy all day round, but there is still a significant difference regarding crowds when visiting the Louvre or the Château first thing in the morning.

You should schedule especially the following sights for an early morning visit:

• The Louvre – buy tickets
• Eiffel Tower – buy tickets
• Château de Versailles – buy tickets
• Catacombs – buy tickets
• Sainte Chapelle – buy tickets
• Arc de Triomphe – buy tickets

#16 Drape your Bag over a Chair 

You should NEVER leave your bag unattended, and draping it over the back of your chair qualifies as such. Don’t put it on the ground, either, or on the chair next to you, especially if you are sitting outside. If you want to keep your valuables, that’s one of the most important things not to do in Paris.

If you do have to place it there, make sure the handle goes around the leg of your chair, so nobody can snatch it.

 #17 Paris Mistake: Pay for Water

“Can you drink tap water in Paris?” It is one of the most frequently asked questions from people from all over the world that are coming to Paris.

In short: Yes, you can drink tap water in Paris and most Parisians (if not say all) are doing it every day.

Free Water in Restaurants

If you go out for dinner, do it like the locals and ask for a “carafe d’eau” (pronounced: “karaff doh”)  instead of buying expensive bottled water. The waiter will bring you a pitcher of tap water that is free of charge, and absolutely safe to drink.

Maybe you’ll notice a faint chloral smell or taste, but don’t worry about it, it is spotless and safe! To get additional information on drinking water in Paris, take a look at the paper given out by the town hall.

Free Water from the Wallace Fountains

Bring your own bottle and use the publicly accessible water resources: Paris has a huge number of fountains that provide free potable water and is a paradise in this regard for everyone who tries to avoid plastic waste – and who is traveling on a budget!

#18 Enter the Metro before people exit

Just don’t do it. It’s annoying. Honestly, there are many Parisians that do not follow this rule. like everywhere else. But just don’t be one of those people. (Oh, and if there happen to be musicians on your train, don’t clap at their performance unless you want everyone to roll their eyes at you 😉 )

#19 Paris Mistake: Don’t say “Bonjour”

The French own the reputation of not speaking any other language than French and if they do, they refuse to use it. For no apparent reason. They are also supposedly rude and unfriendly. 

While I honestly have to admit that some Frenchies might be a little special in this regard, there are tons of people who are happy to speak English with you and won’t even make a fuss about it. Most people are also very nice.

The “Bonjour” misunderstanding 

In French culture, it is customary to start EVERY conversation with a greeting. Be it in restaurants and shops, the bakery, or when approaching a clear to ask a question or for directions.

You need to start your encounter by saying “Bonjour”. If you don’t do so, you come along as an a** and rude, and the French will be offended and be as rude back to you as you have been to him in the first place.

And surely will not speak a word of English with you or do any effort whatsoever.

However, if you respect this basic rule of the French way of communicating, you will meet plenty of people that are eager to talk to you in English. If they hear as little as a “Bonjour”, it can be a real magical door opener.

#20 Don’t make dinner reservations

If you are interested in food or looking to celebrate a special occasion in Paris, you surely checked already which restaurant would suit the occasion and your taste.

If I can give you one piece of advice: Reserve a table, grab it while it’s available. Even if it’s just a normal restaurant and not a Michelin Star place – chances are they are booked out either way, and they’ll turn you down. A lesson Emily from Emily in Paris learned quickly.

If you know your place, book! You can book a lot of restaurants at La Fourchette – the french version of The Fork – ONLINE – WITHOUT SPEAKING FRENCH and if you’re lucky, you get a nice reduction as the cherry on the cake.

Do you want to know what to eat in Paris? Click here to check our Paris Food Guide! 

#21 Take a ride in a TukTuk

For a few years, TukTuk drivers are waiting outside popular sights and offering their services to tourists.  I am NOT saying that they are all scammers, and you should not take a ride with them (maybe I do mean that, though). But you have to be cautious and make sure you and the driver agree on the conditions before you take a seat in their vehicle.

The returns I got so far about these drivers were 100% negative. Typically, they claim AFTER the ride, that the indicated price is per person, not per group.

If you REALLY love the idea of a TukTuk ride, enjoy. Otherwise, it is certainly one of the things not to do in Paris, and I would even say it’s one of the bad things about Paris.

#22 carry your wallet in your back pocket

You might say you always wear it there and nothing ever happened, but you are challenging your luck big time. Especially when using public transportation. If you are not having an inside pocket to store your valuables safely, I recommend getting a small sling back that you can carry over or under your jacket.

#23 Don’t plan your Paris Trip

I fully understand that you want to stay flexible and not stress out about schedules while being on vacation. But when it comes to admission tickets for sights and activities in Paris, you simply have to reserve your spots in advance because they sell out quickly.

The Eiffel Tower, but also the Catacombs, and the Louvre are usually sold-out weeks ahead of time.

I had to learn this the hard way as well – I wanted to organize a spontaneous mom-and-son day to the Eiffel Tower and there were absolutely no tickets available for the 10 days to come! (you can purchase them online here)

Book your Attraction Tickets in Time!

You can buy your tickets in advance here or click directly on the landmarks below. I added direct links to the most popular sights for your convenience:

 

Good to know: most activities booked with Get your Guide (click here to know more) can be canceled free of charge (!) up to 24h before!

You also need to plan ahead and pre-purchase your tickets if you plan to get “skip the line” or “fast pass” tickets – most sights are not selling them on-site, and you have to book them in advance with a tour operator. But there is still room for flexibility if your plans change, many tickets can be canceled up to 24h before, free of charge! Check here for tickets for the most popular sights

That’s it, you know all my pro tips now. Browse a bit around my page to get insider information on where to eat, where to stay, and what to see.

Pin it now – find it back later!