The 12 Biggest Mistakes First-Time Visitors to Paris Make

Planning your first trip to Paris is exciting, right?

But before you get too carried away with dreams of croissants and Eiffel Tower selfies, let’s talk about some common mistakes first-time visitors often make.

Ignoring these can turn your dream trip into a bit of a mess. No one wants to waste precious vacation time waiting in long lines or getting caught in tourist traps.

Let’s make sure your trip is as magical as you’ve imagined, minus the rookie errors.

Table of Contents

1. Relying Solely on English

This one probably doesn’t come as a shocker, but it needs to be said.

Many Parisians do speak some English (or at least enough to get by), but using a few French phrases will make a huge difference in how you’re treated and the level of service you get here.

Parisians will treat you 100x better if you at least attempt to speak some French with them.

It may not be right, but it’s true.

Start with “Bonjour” (Hello). It’s a simple greeting that sets a positive tone. Next, use “Merci” (Thank you) to show appreciation. Finally, “Excusez-moi” (Excuse me) or “Pardon” is helpful in crowded spaces or when you need to get someone’s attention.

Parisians appreciate the effort, and it will lead to friendlier interactions.

⚡ Related read: 10 Ridiculous Reasons Why French Is So Hard to Learn

2. Ignoring Local Etiquette

Despite the stereotype of Parisians being unfriendly, they actually value good manners highly—who knew?

Knowing a bit about French etiquette is important when planning a first-time visit to Paris.

For example, always greet shopkeepers with a “Bonjour” when you enter a store, restaurant, or even an elevator with other people inside. Not only is it expected, but it’s one of the basic etiquette rules followed here.

This is especially true if you’re asking someone a question – never, ever, start a question with someone without first saying hello.

It’s considered extremely rude, and most people will either reply to your question with a passive-aggressive “bonjour” (and wait for you to say it back to them before continuing to speak), or they will just straight up ignore you.

It may seem petty, but it’s a small gesture that can make a big difference. Think of it as a secret code to unlock friendlier interactions!

3. Not Validating Metro Tickets

Always validate your metro ticket before boarding! RATP controllers are paid a commission from each fine they issue, so they’re eager to catch you without a valid ticket.

They typically aren’t open to excuses and may try to scare you with threats of calling the police or fines up to 300 euros.

In reality, the maximum fine is 50 euros, and they can’t legally detain you. But don’t let it get to that point. Avoid the drama and validate your ticket.

Keep your ticket in a safe place throughout your metro journey and be prepared to potentially have to pull it out again in case of controllers waiting around in the station.

Tip: The paper metro tickets used here are extreeeeemly sensitive, and easily become demagnetized and will become “illisible” (unreadable) when placed next to metal objects (keys, credit cards, phones, etc).

Try to keep your tickets in a separate pocket away from these things to avoid any issues. Unfortunately, even if you have a valid metro ticket, the RATP controllers could still potentially try to fine you if your ticket is illegible.

Vive la France.

⚡ Related Read: How to Use the RER in Paris (Step-by-Step Guide)

4. Not Understanding Dining Hours

Parisian restaurants have specific dining hours. Lunch is typically from 12 PM to 2 PM, and dinner starts around 7:30 PM or later. Plan accordingly to avoid finding closed kitchens.

Hungry at 3 PM? You might be out of luck!

Most restaurants here close between 2pm and 7pm, in order to start preparing for the dinner service. This is not a fun feeling on days when you’ve been exploring and suddenly realize you’re starving.

Plan ahead and snack smart! Or look for places that say “service continu” – these places serve food all day.

There are plenty in Paris, so you definitely won’t have trouble finding somewhere to eat. It just might not be that cool restaurant you wanted to try out.

5. Tipping Incorrectly

Leave the 20% tips in America!

In Paris, 1-2 euros is standard, and that’s only if the service was exceptional.

Tipping in France is not as obligatory as in some other countries. And any other service charges are usually included in the bill.

Not tipping in Paris is not seen as rude like it is in the States.

And don’t let servers trick you into thinking an American 15-20% tip is standard. I once had a waiter try this on my friends and me. He heard us speaking English and thought he could take advantage by reminding us that “the tip isn’t included in the total” when bringing us the bill.

Little did he know that we live here and know how tipping in France works. But, I am sure that he has tried this same trick on other tourists and he has probably made lots of extra money from it.

By all means, tip well if you receive great service. But don’t feel obligated and certainly don’t feel pressured to do so.

Servers in France are paid well, and don’t rely on tips to survive.

7. Overpacking Your Itinerary

Paris has a lot to offer, but don’t try to see everything in one trip.

The city isn’t that huge, but most of the attractions are spread out. Plan your must-see places beforehand and locate them on the map. Calculate the distances and group nearby sights for the same day.

For example, visit the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro Gardens, and Musée du Quai Branly in one day since they are close to each other.

Avoid cramming in day trips or long excursions if you’re short on time. Instead, focus on different neighborhoods. Spend one day exploring Le Marais, with its charming streets, boutiques, and the Picasso Museum.

Spend another day wandering through Montmartre, visiting the Sacré-Cœur and enjoying the artistic vibe.

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Give yourself time to rest and soak in the atmosphere. Take breaks at cafés, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and people-watch. Don’t plan every second of your trip! Leave some gaps for spontaneous discoveries.

8. Not Booking Museum Tickets in Advance

Major attractions like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower can have long lines. Booking tickets in advance can save you hours of waiting, or the potential disappointment of not being let in at all.

If you want to visit the most popular Paris attractions, you’ll want to book your time slot online ahead of time. This way, you avoid the long entry lines and walk straight in.

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The same goes for the Eiffel Tower – reserve your spot early to ensure you get to the top. Tickets for the top of the Eiffel Tower often sell out months in advance, as do spots for popular museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay.

I highly recommend grabbing tickets as soon as you know the dates you’ll be visiting Paris.

🎟️ My advice? Consider purchasing a Paris Museum Pass. It not only saves money on multiple museum entries but also often includes skip-the-line access to 60+ museums around the city. With this pass, you can breeze into places like the Musée Rodin, Centre Pompidou, and more.
Get your Paris Museum Pass here >>

Planning ahead ensures you spend more time admiring art and less time standing in lines. Don’t miss out on the highlights by procrastinating!

9. Expecting Everyone to be Friendly

Parisians are often reserved, especially with strangers.

Don’t take it personally if people don’t smile or engage in small talk. They aren’t really rude and won’t go out of their way to be mean (most of the time), but they also won’t go out of their way to be super friendly.

For example, if you ask for directions, expect a straightforward answer, not a cheerful chat.

Don’t take it personally – it’s not you, it’s Paris. It’s just the Parisian way.

Focus on enjoying the city, and you’ll find that a little politeness and a few French phrases that I explained earlier can go a long way.

10. Taking Taxis Instead of Public Transport

Picture this: you’re stuck in a taxi, watching scooters zoom past while you’re barely moving. Frustrating, right?

Paris has an extensive and efficient public transportation system, so use it!

Taxis and Ubers can be super expensive (and often slower) due to traffic. The metro and buses are usually the best options for getting around in Paris.

The metro is super easy to use once you get the hang of it, even though it can look overwhelming at first. It really is the fastest and most efficient way to get around the city, besides walking. Plus, it’s way cheaper!

💡 A one-way ticket on the Paris metro is € 2.10 (or € 4.10 if you’re visiting during the 2024 Summer Olympics) – compared to a € 15- € 20+ Uber/taxi ride to wherever you’re going.

This adds up extremely quickly if you’re planning to visit a lot of places around the city, and you’ll waste a ton of time just sitting in traffic in the backseat of an Uber.

So save some money and time—embrace the metro. It’s the Parisian way, after all.

11. Not Watching for Pickpockets

Paris, like any major city, has its share of pickpockets.

Be cautious, especially in crowded areas like the metro, tourist sites, and busy streets. Pickpockets often grab phones just as the metro doors close or bump into you on a crowded train while reaching into your pocket or purse.

Never leave your phone in your back pocket or in a coat pocket!

Always always keep your phone and wallets in a zipped compartment in a purse or front pocket that you have easy access to.

I have seen many tourists lose their phones to a quick-handed thief on the metro. Keep your belongings secure—use a money belt or a crossbody bag, and stay aware of your surroundings.

A little vigilance goes a long way.

12. Rushing Through Meals

Imagine spending two hours on a Sunday morning sitting at a charming café, enjoying a croissant and coffee, watching the world go by. That’s how meals should be here.

Meals in Paris are meant to be enjoyed leisurely. Don’t expect quick service, and don’t rush through your meal. Meals here can easily take 2-3 hours or more!

When I first moved here, I thought the waiter not coming over to check on my table every 5 minutes as just “poor service”. But now, I prefer the chill Parisian method over the “churn and burn” style often seen in US restaurants, where the goal is to turn tables quickly.

Last week, I spent a blissful two hours at a bistro near Notre-Dame, slowly enjoying a coq au vin paired with a delightful glass of Bordeaux. The waiter didn’t hover or rush me. Instead, he encouraged lingering.

I had time to appreciate each bite, sip my wine, and even strike up a conversation with the solo traveler next to me who was visiting Paris for the first time.

Take your time during meals. Enjoy each bite, sip some wine, and soak in the atmosphere. Savor the experience and the cuisine.

Thanks for Reading!

Thanks for reading my guide to the 12 mistakes you should try to avoid making while visiting Paris.

Take this advice with a grain of salt – not following these tips doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a bad time here, but following them will definitely help you have a smoother experience.

If this guide was helpful, leave a comment below and share 🙂

15 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Paris for the First Time