Paris! The far-off destination with its tall tourist attractions, extravagant glamour and soul-satisfying cuisine is a top-favourite tourist destination around the world. It is also known as the ‘City of Love and Lights’. There are a dozen Paris Travel Guides that will inform you about all the things to do in Paris, places to visit in Paris, all the things to do in Paris for free, where to stay and where to eat in Paris. The capital city is a gracious host to millions of tourists every year. However, there are some unsaid rules you would like to follow to make your trip to Paris more memorable.
Before knowing things not to do in Paris, here are some important things to keep in mind before your Paris holiday: getting a France Visa online and booking cheap flights to Paris.
Not a list of official rules and regulations, just some friendly advice on some first-time travel mistakes to avoid in Paris and things you should never do in Paris what not to do when you are on a trip to Paris.
Here are 10 things not to do in Paris as Tourists:
1. Rely only on English
Image Credit: EleniVasiliou
One of the mistakes to avoid in France and not just Paris, is assuming that you can use English with everyone and everywhere. In reality, Parisians are fed up with tourists not bothering to learn any French. It’s best to grab up a few French words before your Paris holiday.
- Bonjour – Hello/Good morning
- Merci – Thank you
- S’il Vous plaît – Please
- Bienvenue – Welcome
- Au revoir – Goodbye
- Sortie – Exit
2. Miss the Clichés!
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Many may suggest you skip the popular Paris attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre or pass on baguettes and croissants. However, these things are what make Paris- PARIS! It is one of the things not to do in Paris, especially for first-time visitors. Check out all famous attractions with affordable Paris Tour Packages, like queuing to see the iconic Mona Lisa, buying an Eiffel Tower fridge magnet or grabbing local cheese and wine for dinner.
3. Board Transport Without a Valid Ticket
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Paris is very strict with its train tickets and not carrying a valid one can attract a hefty fine. However, one of the tourist mistakes to avoid in Paris is not having a valid ticket or throwing away your ticket. You will need it to exit the subway. Keep your ticket safe until you exit your final station or you will need to buy a new ticket or pay a fine.
4. Dress Down
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Paris is known to be the fashion capital of the world. Well, no one expects you to look like a runway model at all times, you cannot be roaming around in loungewear. Many high-end restaurants or tourist attractions allow entry to only those adhering to a proper dress code. You can always head to Le Marais district for some chic shopping.
5. Expect the Metro to be on time
Image Credit: Milan Sommer
When in Paris, it’s preferred to avoid private taxis or car rentals and rather opt for public transport. The Paris Metro is your best bet, but one of the things not to do in Paris is rely on the metro to get to your destination on time. This also depends on the Metro Line you pick, so always allow yourself some extra time in hand if you have a reservation or scheduled entry. Apart from the metro, you can always walk the distance between closer attractions. It is also smart to choose your hotels in Paris within walking distance from the metro station.
6. Eat or Shop near Popular Attractions
When on a Paris holiday, getting souvenirs from popular tourist areas or having a meal overlooking the glamorous Eiffel Tower would be tempting. However, one of the mistakes to avoid in Paris is buying from gift shops around popular tourist attractions at exorbitant prices. Rather get it from a smaller shopping area or flea markets. Even restaurants overlooking the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe. However, many times they are just known for their views and not for their food and serve bland food for 3x prices. It is advisable to check their reviews beforehand or rather try out a local Parisian restaurant.
7. Just stick to popular tourist attractions
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One of the things not to do in Paris as tourists is to just stick to popular tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Palais Garner, Jardin du Luxembourg, etc. Tread off the beaten path and discover the lesser-known neighbourhoods, quaint alleys, local stalls or unpopular tourist attractions in Paris. There is too much in store for fashion and art lovers to explore.
8. Make last-minute bookings
Image Credit: Tiwaporn Khemwatcharalerd
Since Paris is a world-famous tourist destination, one of the things not to do in Paris is try to ‘just wing it’. There are too many tourists all around, especially during the summer season. It is highly advisable to book attractions or special events like sporting events. It is advised to plan your entire Paris itinerary at least one month in advance.
9. Opt for Bottled Water
Make your Paris holiday sustainable by saving money as well as the environment by simply avoiding buying bottled water and instead carrying reusable bottles to refill at the many Paris Wallace Fountains around the city. The water here is free and completely safe to drink. To find one, simply type drinking water fountains on Google Maps search and find it.
10. Fall for Scams
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One of the tourist mistakes to avoid in Paris is to let your safety guard down. Paris attractions are always swarming with tourists and also potential scammers. Someone might approach you to sign a petition and then start demanding money. Many times, they will hand you a bracelet or offer to take your photo in front of iconic landmarks and then insist you pay for them.
These were some of the Paris do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to make your trip a memorable one.
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