Paris: 50 Do’s and Don’ts guaranteed to improve your trip
Looking for advice about how to act or what to do during your upcoming trip to Paris? The amount of “advice” online can be daunting, with endless lists about how to act like a “real” Parisian (whoever they are!).
The truth is, there isn’t just one type of Parisian, nor is there one way to act when visiting the city.
But you know us — we couldn’t resist creating a jumbo list of our own. However, we’re listing only friendly do’s and don’ts that will help you make the most of your trip and your budget. Do… keep reading!
Related Paris reading:
• 10 costly mistakes that tourists make
• 10 Ways to prepare for your Paris vacation
• The best SIM Cards for a trip to France
Browse the cheese, but don’t forget to say hello, er “bonjour”, to the shopkeeper. Photo: LEAF Project
Basics
1. Do say “Bonjour” when engaging with another person. This includes all salespeople, servers, front desk, etc. Bonus points for adding a “Monsieur” or “Madame”.
2. Don’t worry about not speaking French beyond the basics. However, do learn a couple of words. Bonjour. Au revoir. Merci. Monsieur. Madame. Oui. Non. Voila — you’ve got it. (Want more? Here are 10 French phrases that can help you save money.)
3. Do seek out locals, or at least try to talk to them at a picnic or in a bar. But try to drop a couple of words in French. It’s a good conversation starter.
4. Don’t expect the French to be rude. They’re just humans. (And you’re far less likely to find yourself in a rude situation if you stick to rule #1 above.)
5. Do learn how to use an “inside voice”. Parisians, in general, are a lot quieter in public places than we’re used to being in the US. You will notice this tout de suite in the Metro, restaurants, in line at the bakery, etc.
Clothing and Packing
6. Do wear comfortable shoes (no stilettos) and clothes that can easily be layered. Pack a nice outfit for special occasions, but don’t go overboard here. You’re mostly going to be walking, and walking, and walking…
7. Don’t come unprepared for the weather. Research the weather before you go and pack accordingly, when possible. Pack an umbrella and a light rain jacket.
8. Do wear a scarf in the winter and fall. It might seem like a cliché, but it’ll keep you warm and Parisians wear them all the time. Wrap yourself up — you’ll fit right in.
Eating and drinking
9. Don’t buy bottled water in a restaurant unless you like or need bubbly water. Otherwise, stick to a “carafe d’eau”. It’s delicious — and free.
10. Do spend at least an hour at a café terrace at some point during your trip sipping something. Bring the journal, notepad, book, or postcards, and have the whole experience.
11. Do refill your water bottle at any of the city’s outdoor water fountains. It’s the same delicious water Parisians drink daily. Eco-friendly! Free! Photo-op!
Go for a “tradition”! Baguettes at La Grande Epicerie in Le Bon Marché. Photo: kanuck
12. Don’t buy a baguette “ordinaire”. Stick to the “tradition”. Trust us on this one.
13. Don’t fuss over eating like you eat back home. This is not home, so breakfast options and coffee choices are not the same. (Sorry. But not really.)
14. Do eat things that you have never tasted before. This is Paris and we like to eat. (And we like to eat things that might seem rather unusual to you at first. Go for it!)
15. Do order a carafe of wine at lunch to share… or for yourself. Wine is cheap in France! And you’re on vacation, right?
16. Do eat as much as you can. Once you’re home, you won’t get any more baguettes. Well, maybe you can buy one from Whole Foods, but it won’t taste the same. Here’s how to eat like a local for under €20 a day.
17. Don’t go to McDonald’s. I mean, it’s fine for a bathroom break (and for emergency free Wi-Fi), but the experience isn’t really that different or more exciting than you’d have at the Golden Arches back home.
18. Do throw yourself a picnic if possible. Head to an outdoor market, get some cheese from a fromagerie, some fresh baguettes and head to the wine store. We’re so there.
19. Don’t write off ethnic food in Paris. A lot of it is really good and unique. Just don’t fiddle with the American stuff. But the falafel? Winner!
20. Don’t tip needlessly in restaurants. Please don’t. We’ve talked about this already.
21. Don’t eat anywhere within a beret’s toss of a major tourist destination, especially Sacre Coeur, Eiffel Tower, or Notre Dame. Push a bit farther afield and look for something more authentic without “tourist pricing”. Here are a few choices for dinner in Paris.
22. Do consider restaurants that aren’t listed on TripAdvisor. The site isn’t the final word on dining in Paris — and, actually, it can be quite an echo chamber, sending more and more tourists to the same restaurants, while smaller establishments remain ignored. Head off on your own… follow your nose and your own instincts.
Book accommodations in a central location like Hotel Marignan in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Photo: EuroCheapo
Hotels
23. Don’t pay for breakfast in a hotel or hostel if you don’t have to. It will probably cost you about €9-14 for something that you get (fresher!) at the corner bakery for about €3-4.
24. Do book a hotel that’s as central as possible to avoid wasting time in transit. You might have to pay a few more euros per night, but you’ll save a lot of time and money. EuroCheapo has hotels whether you’re a romantic or traveling with your family. Check out our full guide to cheap Paris hotels.
25. Don’t touch those items in the minibar. Head to the nearest supermarket to pick up water, drinks, snacks, champagne, fruit, etc.
Always keep an eye on your stuff in touristy areas like cafes and popular attractions. Photo: Danile Lobo
Money and Safety
26. Don’t carry your passport and all of your credit cards with you. Leave your passport and some of your plastic in a safe back in the hotel. (Also, do make a copy of the passport and keep it with your travel documents.)
27. Don’t fall for street scams (aggressive petitioners, “charity” collectors, bracelet/ring scam artists, three-card monte dealers, shell game hucksters, etc.). But don’t be freaked out by normal people. Simply avoid anyone who approaches you in an unusual manner. If it feels odd, keep on walking.
28. Don’t let your guard down. Petty crime exists here. Just because Paris can seem like a movie set doesn’t mean pickpockets don’t lurk in the shadows. When sitting at a cafe, keep your purse safe and valuables (including that smartphone!) off the table. Things can disappear from your table between sips…
Shopping
29. Don’t take pictures of people in shops. They tend not to like it that much. It’s going to get awkward.
30. Do go to Paris’s famous flea markets to find something totally unique to bring home. We promise you’ll find something more special than an Eiffel Tower snow globe. (Well, you might find a cool vintage Eiffel Tower snow globe.) Check out a few of our favorite flea markets.
31. Don’t be entirely cheap. Sometimes a few extra euros can go a long way. And if you want to embark on a shopping spree, here’s how to do it on a budget.
Yes, a river cruise along the Seine is touristy, but it’s also a lovely way to see Paris. Photo: Jean-Pierre
Sightseeing
32. Do visit all of the touristy sights that you’ve been eager to visit, even if there’s someone in your group moaning and groaning about it. Don’t leave with regrets about not having visited (fill-in-the-blank). You can even get started on your very first day in Paris.
33. However, don’t feel you have to go to Versailles, even though it’s famous and big and glorious. It won’t change your life unless you’re completely obsessed with Louis XIV.
34. Do buy a travel guide. Much of the information listed is evergreen and will be useful. Plus, it doesn’t run out of batteries and it’s a lot less costly to lose (or spill a glass of wine onto) than an iPad. Here are a few of our favorite Paris guidebooks.
35. Do read a few websites and travel blogs before visiting. (As you’re reading this post right now, you’ve already mastered this one. Well done!) Often websites have more offbeat and more recently updated information than guidebooks and magazines.
36. Don’t bring a selfie stick. No one will like you, and many museums look down on them. Take your photo the old fashioned way — ask that guy from Minnesota walking past you to take it.
37. Do take a boat ride along the Seine. It’s breezy and romantic — well, unless you get stuck with a group of 100 teenagers who are literally going bonkers.
38. Don’t come with a padlock and leave it locked to one of our monuments. Please just don’t.
39. Do take advantage of the city’s many free museums, festivals, and concerts. Paris is full of amazing free attractions, especially during the summer.
40. Don’t just see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Try to find something else that resonates with you — and that you don’t have to fight to get close to.
41. Do keep your expectations realistic and remain flexible, with a sense of humor, if possible. Paris is not perfect and sometimes things don’t go as planned. (The Eiffel Tower workers go on strike the day you visit? Take a photo — you’ve got a story!)
42. Don’t plan too many day trips from Paris. I’ve lived here for years and have yet to discover all of Paris. If you have a week, you might not want to spend five days day tripping…
43. Don’t walk around with your headphones on while visiting. Why should your ears miss out while your other senses get to enjoy Paris?
44. Do know the hours and opening times of major sights in advance. Go early or late to avoid the big crowds. And know if you can book major tickets in advance (you can at the Musée d’Orsay and Eiffel Tower, among others).
45. Don’t scorn other tourists – we’re all in this together.
Don’t be afraid to take the Metro and be assertive when boarding if needed. Photo: Chris Yunker
Transportation
46. Do use the Metro to get around town when you have more than 4-5 stations between you and a destination. Is it closer? You can easily walk that. Of course, you can also take a taxi, bus or Uber, too.
47. Don’t be shy in the Metro. Say “pardon” and shove gently when needed.
48. Don’t ride a Vélib public bike if you do not feel safe cycling in a city. It seems fun (and it is!), but it can also be dangerous, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Paris’s streets and traffic patterns.
49. Do some pre-trip research on how Paris works, even if it’s very basic. Know how to get to and from the airport, for example. And be prepared for your first day in Paris.
Wi-Fi
50. Don’t try to connect to free Wi-Fi every chance you get. Yes, it’s tempting, especially if you’re used to being constantly connected back home. But you’re on vacation — Instagram and Facebook when you get back to the hotel at night. You have the power to put away your phone! (Your traveling companions will thank you for this one.)
One last thought
Do resign yourself to the fact that you can’t see it all during your visit. You’ll just have to come back. Paris is a life-long love affair, and it only gets better with each visit.
Your tips
What do you do to make your Paris adventure even better? Tell us in the comments below.
About the author
I’ve always loved all your articles, Bryan. I felt very prepared when I went to Paris the first time.
One other thought to follow your suggestion of an hour on a cafe terrace: Spend some time in the city’s many parks, especially if you’re traveling with children. The Parc de Buttes Chaumont in the 19th gets few overseas visitors, but it’s a wonderful place for an afternoon with locals.
Thirty-some years ago, I was hustling my wife and myself across the Tuilieries Gardens, hell-bent to get somewhere and not waste time, when she said we should stop and sit a while in the available chairs. When I objected, she told me that since I always claimed that one of the goals of travel was to experience local life, I should look around and see that sitting in the park was exactly what quite a few ‘locals’ were doing. Travel has never been the same since!
You don’t mention dress. There are advantages to not looking like an American at a college game or a German from Bavarian.
And my favorite – use your thumb to signal “one” – using the “v” fingers will get you three of everything.
Great, fun info! I’m going to print it and keep with my Paris map. Have been to Paris many times, never tire of it. I agree with comments about staying a couple of Metro stops from “center.” Enjoy going to Clingincourt (sp?) ) flea mkt north of city; go to the bistro with with French Piaf-like chanteuse. Went to Mona because a girlfriend wanted to see it…what a waste! Rather go find some soothing Monet’s!
#33 how about: Do not visit the grand canyon unless you’re completely obsessed with rocks ….. ??????
Some great tips – similar to ones I’ve been giving people for years for Paris, Madrid, New York…
I will also disagree with #24. Staying in what is perceived as centrally located can be a pitfall. I am rarely exposed to the typical touristy crowds and scams in the 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th or 11th. The Marais can be crowded with French tourists (I get asked “ou est Place des Vosges?” at least twice a day by French tourists) but it’s nothing like the Latin Quarter, Champs Elysee, are by the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. Because so many German, Dutch and Belgian visitors arrive via Gare du Nord, there are a lot of value hotels near Republic.
Another tip is to look for the smaller museums. Everyone knows the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay, but the Marmottan, Cognac Jay, Nissim Camondo, Jacquemart-Andre and more are filled with treasures and get very few visitors.
I didnt make it to Versailles until my 10th trip, but it is worth it for lovers of this sort of thing. They also have performances at night with access to the gardens when the fountains are on (check FNAC)
As usual on EuroCheapo, an outstanding list…and one or two quibbles/suggestions from me (also a guy in a lifelong affair with Paris).
#24 advises a central hotel to avoid time wasted in transit. I disagree. Transit is generally pretty fast (buses let you see much more than the Metro) but walking through Paris is no waste of time (although now, at 71, I take the bus more often than I used to). BUT the big reason for a non-central hotel or apartment is not the cost—it’s being able to “live” in a neighborhood where Parisians live, and eat where they eat, in all those little places that are not near “central” hotels.
#12 is certainly right in recommending the “tradition” over the “ordinaire,” but it misses the point that “French bread” and “baguette” are not synonyms! Don’t pass up trying pain levain, pain aux cereales (including baguettes by the way), pain complet (whole wheat) and many more. My favorites are at Landemaine, at the Jules Joffrin Metro, opposite the Mairie of the 18e.
#40 Yes, it breaks my heart to see people standing in long lines for a (not very close-up) view of Mona Lisa, a painting more important for its technique than its beauty, when there is so much more all over the Louvre. Since the museum is far too big to see in one gulp, my usual suggestion is to use the museum’s website maps and descriptions to plan a right-sized visit to the art you’re most interested in, and then add one or two exhibits outside your comfort zone. Enjoy and extend, don’t exhaust!
Great tips, Bryan ! A superb article, as always.
Another suggestion for a “do” 🙂 “Do be inventive -and bold- and celebrate something important in your life … with the locals”.
On the occasion of my nth birthday I went to the quaintest and friendliest wine bar, the Chez George at rue des Cannettes, where I revelled with a miscellaneous, free-spirited and fun-loving crowd of locals. Even some lasting friendships were created that evening.
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Use the buses! Get a Paris Visite, available on the RATP.fr website (it’s got some English pages), which will allow you to get on and off any bus you wish. Ride one way, get off, see some sights, ride back the way you came, or not.
Better than the Metro, which is good and worth seeing, because you’re not underground.
And don’t forget the Tramway.
I wish I had seen a couple of these tips before I went in May – especially the Versailles tip (huge disappointment for the effort) and the one about seeing all the touristy sights, I missed a couple I wish I made it to. But, I do agree that it won’t be my only trip!
Great article! Very useful even for someone coming back to Paris for second or third visit. Should be called: what your book guide won’t tell you 😉
And Parisians are really nice, it was the only city where a teenage boy carried my suitcase up and down the stairs in the underground to impress his girlfriend 🙂
We went to Versailles on a rainy, cold, foggy day during our month long stay in a Paris apartment last winter. Found the market, found a local church sharing cake on the street out the front, went home with some locals so our daughter could use the toilet (and still have sporadic contact with them), picnicked in the town square and walked through the grounds and garden of the palace. It was actually one of the most memorable days, and now Versailles means more to me than a Golden Hall.
I stayed at the Hotel Marignon, on the 6th floor, the only room with a private toilet. It was great until I had to carry my first time traveler oversized luggage up the winding staircase. If I recall, there were 106 steps. The hotel was inexpensive, quaint, clean, staff was friendly, laundry facilities on site, nice breakfast, shared shower very clean, and very close to Notre Dame. I very much enjoyed my stay there.
Great tips! Short and to the point.
Thank you!
Great tips. I lived in France and visit Paris once a year.
I do take exception to the comment re Whole Foods. They sell an authentic baguette, European style butter and a very good, yet expensive, Jambon de Parm. Eating a sandwich brings back memories of the local butcher I made friends with.
I was surprised my local farm stand had authentic baguettes until I met the baker. A very nice man from Lyon who spoke English with a heavy French accent. 🙂 They also sell European style butter. No Jambon de Parm.
I was able to find nice Jambon Blanc at on the chain grocery stores, but only that one store. Not the other big chains nor Whole Foods.
One tip I would add is to consider renting an apartment through AirBnB. I’ve rented a couple for just a week. Feels more like a local to be in my own apartment. I enjoyed shopping in the neighborhood farmers market and butcher for more than just picnic food, and then cooking at home. Hint: you can find Knorr ready to serve sauces that work great on pork, veal or chicken cutlets.
I’d also recommend prixe fixed meals at lunch. You often get a much better deal at lunchtime.
Don’t leave Paris without trying an omlette, savory crepe and Salade Nicoise. Not all for the same meal. Savory creeps are popular after a late night out, much the same way a New Yorker might grab a slice of pizza.
Having just returned from Paris last week, I am quite amused with your list. All great travel tips that people don’t really think about when they are in Paris. I especially like the one about Versailles. Thanks for sharing.