19 Paris Dos and Don’ts to Prepare for Your First Trip

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There are two types of YouTube videos: entertainment and search-focused. The former has a clever thumbnail or title that grabs your attention. Amusement, relaxation, FOMO, ridicule, or a healthy distraction will make you click. Entertainment videos are great, as long as they aren’t dishonest clickbait. 

YouTube videos on Paris travel mistakes fall in the entertainment category. Few people search Paris Dos and Don’ts yet the internet is full of these videos. We are guilty of making these entertaining videos because they are a great way to share tips you wouldn’t have considered. A Paris travel article achieves a similar purpose.

As you prepare for your first trip to Paris, let’s ensure you don’t end up like the Griswold Family. Here are some common Paris Dos and Don’ts we’ve made during our travels to Paris and around the world. 

Let’s face it, many of these mistakes can happen anywhere.

Mistakes make for the best travel stories! But first, you have to plan your trip to Paris. Here are the resources you’re looking for:
– Download our FREE Paris Cheat Sheet! One page, so much information!
– Follow the steps in our Paris Travel Guide to get familiar with the city and book your trip.
– We are proud of our 5-Day Paris Itinerary, so you’ll hear us mention it a lot. For efficient and fun days out, our transport, video, and audio guides help you plan your Paris trip.

Paris Dos and Don’ts: Our Paris Mistakes

Thank goodness we haven’t left a child on the train (doors shut fast!) or lost them on a crowded street. We will put those nightmares to bed and focus on more light-hearted Paris dos and don’ts. 

Here are the common Paris dos and don’ts we have experienced or seen from our frequent trips to Paris. These travel tips will set you up for success on your first trip to Paris.

Paris Travel Tips:

• Do Learn the Geography of Paris
• Do Stay in the Correct Arrondissement
• Do Anticipate Jet Lag
• Do Ask for the Check
• Do Say Bonjour
• Do Learn Paris Meal Times
• Do Get Our 5-Day Paris Itinerary
• Do Take Time to Sit and Savor
• Do Have Cash
• Do Take a Unique Paris Tour
• Do Understand Where to Stand on the Metro

What Not to Do in Paris:

• Don’t Get Tricked at Airports or Train Stations
• Don’t Only Visit Popular Attractions like the Eiffel Tower
• Don’t Get Pickpocketed on the Metro
• Don’t Overload Your Paris Itinerary
• Don’t Use Private ATMs
• Don’t Rely on Taxis and Ubers
• Don’t Forget the Bus
• Don’t Eat Near Tourist Attractions

Paris gets a bad rap for rude Parisians who react to visitors’ mistakes. We find Parisians to be kind and accepting of cultural guffaws. Their warm welcome of international visitors shone during the 2024 Olympic Games. 

As long as you don’t stop abruptly on a busy sidewalk, you won’t be heckled by a Parisian. Don’t stress about your first trip to Paris, you’re going to have a lovely time.

You won’t make these Paris travel mistakes because you’re doing your research. You’re the type of traveler every countryman adores. 

Jordan’s Take on Paris Travel Mistakes
I find that first-time Paris travelers get anxious about making mistakes. While visitors to London may feel more comfortable or knowledgeable about English culture, French culture sounds intimidating, especially with all the warnings about the Parisian travel mistakes and the stories of rude visitors. 

The etiquette that applies in your country applies in Paris too. 

I find that visitors unfamiliar with large cities make common tourist mistakes. Stopping on the sidewalk, crowding metro entrances, getting pickpocketed, playing shell games with hustlers, and eating near tourist attractions are symptoms of folks not used to being in a large metropolitan area. 

Put on your city slicker hat and mentally prepare yourself for being in one of the largest cities in Europe with the largest number of tourists. Paris welcomes over 44 million visitors annually, so the odds are in your favor that you won’t have an issue!

Paris Travel Tips

Erica and I are positive people, so I will start with the Paris dos list. These are Paris travel tips that you may not have considered before. Here are some helpful tips on how to start your trip planning to the magic word in Paris.

We also include tips for designing a Paris itinerary for beginners. To finish your planning, jump to our 5-Day Paris Itinerary.

Do Understand Paris Geography: Arrondissements, Banks, and the Seine

As you loved reading our How We Book Our Travel to Europe, you’ll know our first step is to study a map. Open up Google Maps or find your World Almanac. If AAA still provides free maps, go to your local office.

Learn how the Seine flows through Paris, find the Eiffel Tower, understand where Notre Dame is located, and get your bearings on the Left and Right Banks.

When you jump off the Eurostar in Paris, you will know your general position on the Right Bank, and your hotel is across the river in the 7th Arr. Confidence will waft from your smiling face as you march your minions (husband and suitcases) onto the Metro.

One of us always makes this mistake. I’ll put the trip planning burden onto Erica. It works great for me until we arrive in a new city. As she leads me around, I will feel lost, dependent, and insecure for the whole trip.

Paris travel tips for navigating Paris:

• Download Citymapper and Google Maps before you arrive.
• Preload walking directions to your hotel.
• Know the metro stations closest to your hotel.
• If you have bucket list activities on your itinerary, understand how far they are from your hotel.

Do Stay in the Correct Arrondissement

I’m not talking about finding the perfect hotel for you. I’m talking about your modus operandi.

A typical comment (complaint?) we received in Our 6 Favorite London Neighborhoods | Where to Stay in London was that we were sharing expensive, touristy neighborhoods in London. Thanks for the feedback! 

When we travel to a major city, we like to stay in or near the city center. Yes, that can mean more expensive hotel rates. But, it can also have the following advantages:

• Large selection of hotels (quality and price point) and vacation rentals
• Close to popular attractions (less travel time during the day)
• Great restaurants and shops within walking distance
• Pop back at your hotel during the day to refresh

It doesn’t mean you have to be in a touristy part of the city. You can find centrally located neighborhoods with a local vibe. Le Marais, Ile-Saint Louis, and the 7th arrondissement all have a local feeling, while the heart of the Latin Quarter can feel a bit touristy.

Commenters were passionate about staying out of Paris for the following advantages:

• Lower nightly rates
• A more local experience
• Trains will take you into the city

Those are all perfectly great reasons to stay out of the city. We have done those vacations before. 

Erica once stayed outside of Paris to save money. She wouldn’t do it again, as she spent two hours on the RER with Paris commuters as she went into and out of the city.

Pro Tip: Figure out what type of vacation you want before you figure out where to stay. Booking your place to stay first helps you design an itinerary with efficient days out, that don’t require trips back and forth to the hotel. 

Here are two articles to help you find your place to stay in Paris.

• Where to Stay in Paris for Your First Time
• Best Paris Hotels for Families

Do Anticipate Jet Lag

Erica is diligent about preventing this mistake. Our family will never have kids bouncing off the hotel walls at 4:00 AM again. Here is how she does it.

1. Upon arriving in Paris, we stay up as late as possible. Get on the new schedule ASAP. Sleep on the plane if possible. On arrival, there is no napping. You’re staying up until the sun is down, at minimum. 
2. Have a rock-solid itinerary for the day of arrival and the next day. Leave the airport with a fun-filled day out, so you can’t justify a big meal and bedtime. Keep the group enthralled.
3. That goes for your first full day in the country, too. You will still wake up early, even after a late bedtime. When you’re up at 4 AM, leave the room for a great early morning walk to a famous breakfast spot. Find a tour that starts early, like a Paris bakery tour.
4. The second night is the worst because of sleep deprivation on the first day, especially for the kids. Have a plan for the second full day in the country, too. 

The rule of thumb for jet lag is that it takes one day for every hour of time difference. I am not aware of any research paper on this, but if you have grant money, I will research it.

Planning two perfect days to start your trip can be intimidating. Thank goodness you’re on our website, so you know about our Paris Itinerary. Our Paris Wayfinder Itinerary is a five-day itinerary that does the planning for you. Pick two days, and boom, the jet lag mistake disappears.

Do Ask for the Check: Bistros, Brasseries, Restaurants

This Paris Dos and Don’ts list applies to all of Europe. Remember to ask for the check when you’re ready to leave. 

A Paris waiter, a true professional, will let you sit at the table as long as you like. It is a lovely experience. When you’re ready to go, kindly ask the waiter for the bill., 

At larger and busier restaurants, you may be given the bill or asked if you need it. But at a bistro or brasserie, you will need to ask for the check 90 percent of the time.

Do Say Bonjour

As many Paris travel guides tell you, the magic word is bonjour (good day). 

The first word out of a Parisian’s mouth will be a friendly greeting. I recommend you do the same thing. Whether you’re in a rush, an emergency, or distracted, please remember to say bonjour in a friendly manner. This goes anywhere in the world, right? 

Pro Tip: Say bonjour to acknowledge their presence and be ready to make a new acquaintance.

I learned this the hard way when I backpacked through France on my first trip. My friend and I were lost trying to find our hostel in Paris. I walked into a store and politely asked if they spoke English – “parles-tu anglais?” 

In perfect English, they said they did not speak English and couldn’t help me. Rude, but years later, I realized I did not say bonjour and was in a rush. They probably didn’t like my attitude. I haven’t had that situation happen again on my many trips to Paris since then.

Do Learn Paris Meal Times

This is a big one! You may be off-schedule due to jet lag, or you eat at different times back home. You don’t want to be hangry and find all the restaurants around your hotel are closed. Bistros, brasseries, and restaurants may close between meals. Hence, here are the Paris meal times.

Paris Meal Times:

• Lunch is from 12:00 to 2:00 PM
• Dinner is from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
• Service Continu signs will be posted outside if they serve food all day. 

Service Continu is my kind of place, especially with kids!

Like most of Europe, Parisians don’t usually have a large breakfast. The cafes open early for those who want a light breakfast of coffee, croissants, and orange juice. 

Watch our video below for more tips on eating in Paris and Paris food experiences.

Do Get Our Paris 5-Day Itinerary

This is a selfish pitch for our fantastic Paris 5-Day Itinerary. I can’t help myself. As an amazing trip planner, you will find joy in our perfectly planned days around Paris. All the best stops, delicious places to eat, and trivia and history to keep you entertained. 

Our Paris itinerary also includes a video, transport, and audio guide to make your Paris experience one for the memories. Learn more below, you won’t regret it!

Do Take Time to Sit and Savor

During a trip to Hawaii, we recommend carving out a beach day from exploring the island. In Europe, to sit and savor means stopping your day to relax. Take in Paris’s sights, sounds, fashion, and architecture.

Our favorite sit and savor activities are the following:

• Finding a park bench in a local park
• Picnicking in a park
• Enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine on a cafe terrace
• Climbing a hill for a city view
• A quiet walk along the river
• Sitting on the steps to people-watch 

Pro Tip: Parisians have a term for a stroll around the city. They call it a flâneur, to take a stroll. Be a flâner when you’re in Paris.

Do Research on a Few Restaurants

I’m not one to get hangry. That was a lie. Being spontaneous when finding a place to eat is not in my cards. 

I’m happy to eat from a street vendor, but I regret that decision in Marrakech. I will spare you the details.

You can’t expect to find a quick place to eat when hungry. My advice is to know where to find the local restaurants and cafes.

Step two is reserving a table at some gems. 

We are all about making every meal count. Do some research from our itineraries, favorite Latin Quarter restaurants, or TripAdvisor to find some good restaurants before you land. Make reservations when required, and you’ll know that some quality meals are booked.

Do Have Cash in Paris

Europe is going cashless. That generality is a mistake. Stockholm, Oslo, and London are cashless, but many cities are not. 

In Rome, Paris, and Lisbon, to name a few, we find it helpful to have cash and coins in our pockets.

Carry small amounts of cash in Paris for:

• Public restrooms (coins often required)
• Quick café stops
• Small souvenir shops

You don’t need 50 euros a day like in the 90s, but having 20 to 30 euros in your pocket is convenient.

Do Take a Unique Paris Tour

We were hardcore DIY travelers. In our twenties and thirties, we would never consider travel agents, tours, or guidebooks. We would figure it out, hell or high water. 

In hindsight, we missed out. The biggest miss was guided tours. 

A local, guided tour adds so much to a trip. From skipping the lines to a behind-the-scenes experience, a local tour is a memorable experience. 

A Paris tour answers your neighbor’s question, “What was your favorite thing about Paris?”

These days, we go on many tours—not just for research but because they truly enhance the trip.

Pro Tip: Book at least one local, guided tour in Paris. They are affordable, usually less than 30 euros, and are an excellent way to learn about a neighborhood, food scene, or find hidden gems in Paris.

Last year, Erica and Henry took a croissant-making class while Edith and I explored the world of Parisian baking on a guided tour. It was unforgettable!

Find the unique tour for your trip in our Tours and Activities directory.

Do Know Where to Stand on the Metro

Like in London, there is social etiquette when riding public transportation and walking on the street. 

On the Paris metro, stand on the left on the escalators. The right side of escalators is reserved for those walking or running up them. 

Paris is a living city with many commuters. While Parisians are famous for not being in a hurry, they can be in a rush to work. Don’t stop abruptly on the sidewalk at the metro station entrance or stand in the middle of the sidewalk to have a conversation. Move to the side so folks can get around you.

Paris Don’ts

These Paris travel mistakes aren’t negative or critical to you, but they highlight mistakes first-time Paris travelers may make. 

Pickpockets are the frequent complaint, worry, or comment we receive from folks, so we cover that below with our experience.

If this is your first trip to Paris, consider this your what not to do in Paris list.

For more practical Paris travel tips, look no further than our video below. It is a fan favorite for Paris travelers.

Don’t Get Tricked at Airports and Train Stations

Paris made a real effort to improve honesty at taxi ranks ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Signage at airports, installing taxi ranks at train stations, and fixed prices were designed to prevent visitors from getting ripped off. 

But you may find these common Paris scams upon arrival.

We are familiar with two cons. The common con is people standing at the train station or airport exits asking if you need a taxi. They are friendly and convenient, but they are not official taxis.

Con #2 is when you walk past those “Taxi?!” men and get in a taxi at the official taxi rank. The driver may hand you an official-looking card showing you fixed rates. 

The €100 rate is twice the official rate, and they only accept cash. Of course, they will stop at an ATM for you! 

We get out of the taxi with all of our bags when we smell something fishy about the price. 

Pro Tip: Understand the taxi rates from your arrival airport or train station before you land. 

This crookedness doesn’t always happen, but knowing rates is half the battle.

Watch Out for These Common Paris Scams:

• Fake petition signers
• “Friendship bracelet” sellers
• Unofficial taxis at airports

Don’t Only Visit Popular Landmarks Like the Eiffel Tower

The next Paris travel mistake is one of our travel mottos:

• Good travel is local experiences with bucket list delights (touristy stuff)

We have a bucket list of landmarks for every city we visit. It could include taking a photo in front of the 25th of April Bridge in Lisbon or riding the London Eye. 

Travel is about forcing your kids to get in front of the Eiffel Tower for a photo. 

We prioritize the bucket list experiences and sprinkle in local experiences. Finding off-the-beaten-path museums, local coffee shops, new London pubs, unique tours, and getting lost in the old town helps us escape touristy areas and explore local neighborhoods. 

Don’t Get Pickpocketed on the Metro

Ahh! This is the clickbait thumbnail on most YouTube travel mistake videos. 

Pickpockets are prevalent in Europe, but we don’t think they’re as prevalent as fear-mongering may suggest. 

We have taken a lot of public transport. We both commuted daily on the London Underground and train system for six years. We haven’t had any issues or seen any problems. 

We have been to Paris a dozen times and counting, and we’ve never been hustled or robbed.  We haven’t seen others get hustled or robbed. That is our experience. 

That doesn’t mean it can’t happen. We’ve heard the Paris and Rome metros are known for their pickpockets. I have no data to support those claims. 

Friends and viewers have told us many stories of getting robbed. We have a lot of anecdotal evidence!

As you would on public transport in America, take precautions to avoid being a victim.

• Keep valuables out of sight.
• Keep your phone and wallet in your front pocket.
• A common trick is for someone to ask you for directions or another form of distraction as a partner picks your pockets. 
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Walk confidently, keep moving on the metro, and understand the ticket you must ride. 
• Beware of pickpockets or hustlers around major tourist attractions and at the entrance to the metro.

A commenter on our Paris Travel Guide video shared that they got pickpocketed in the Louvre. Keep your items close and be aware of your surroundings.

Don’t Overload Your Paris Itinerary

We love planners! We are trip planners, our friends are trip planners, and we talk to trip planners daily. We all fall into this pit of doom. Itineraries with ambitious daily targets. Like yard work on Sunday, you can’t get it all done. 

Once you’ve made your itinerary, review it quickly to see if it’s feasible—more than four things to do in one day is an overload. Eliminate non-priority stops before your trip, have alternatives, and be flexible during the day. 

Pro Tip: Enjoy staying longer in that cool museum instead of saying you can return later. There is no later, embrace the moment. 

Don’t Use Private ATMs

Let’s get some cash in your pocket. ATMs are everywhere in European cities. We recommend finding bank ATMs when you can. Bank ATMs have lower fees and are generally more secure.

Euronet, Travelex, Cardpoint, and Your Cash are widely used private ATMs. They are also found at kiosks, newspaper stands, metro stations, and tourist attractions. They are so ubiquitous that you may think they’re your only option.

Pro Tip: Avoid Euronet and other private ATMs—look for official bank ATMs instead

The second mistake in using ATMs is not paying in the local currency. The ATM or card machine at a restaurant will ask you if you want to pay in your currency (USD) or the local currency (euros or pounds). Always select the local currency. 

I know, it isn’t what you expect to do! Let your bank provide the currency conversion, which will give a better rate. Select the local currency.

Don’t Rely on Taxis and Ubers

The Paris metro may be the fastest way to get around Paris. In our experience, the metro is affordable, fast, and has gotten cleaner over the years. 

The streets of Paris are clogged with bikers, taxis, Ubers, cars, and trucks. It makes for slow going, especially in central Paris. 

We use Citymapper App to navigate around Paris. Citymapper is ideal for Paris’s public transport. Punch in your destination and the app will give you all the modes of transportation. 

We like Google Maps for walking directions around Paris. 

Don’t Forget the Paris Bus System

Everyone loves to recommend the metro, and we agree. But don’t be shy to hop on the bus in Paris.

While I just mentioned the streets are clogged, you’d be surprised how fast the bus can get you around Paris. In the early morning, it may be your fastest route to the start of your Paris Secret Food Tour.

Don’t Eat Near Tourist Attractions like the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre

We recommend avoiding restaurants close to popular landmarks or hotel areas. You may need to walk around the corner or down an alley to find a local restaurant.

This tip is standard on Paris Dos and Don’ts lists, and we fully support its redundancy. While you can have a good meal, you usually pay less and have a better meal by walking around the corner or a few blocks up the street.

Restaurants with signs out front showcasing pictures of the food, accompanied by a Vanna White spokesperson, will not be memorable meals. When hungry and in a local restaurant desert, those oversized menus will suck you inside.

Final Thoughts on Paris Travel Mistakes

Bad things may happen to you in Paris. I wish it upon no one to be robbed or hustled, as it feels awful. But you may miss your train, show up very late to a tour, or have to wait in a long line for the Louvre. 

Let a bad experience roll off your shoulders. 

Travel is about going outside your comfort zone, learning new cultures, and having new experiences. Those three cliches happen when you make travel mistakes.

This Paris Dos and Don’ts list will help you; I have confidence in that. Be ready to experience more don’ts and come away with some dos of your own.

You can email us what you learn, and we will add it to this article.

We have taken our best learnings from Paris and put them into our Paris 5-Day Itinerary. The Paris Wayfinder Itinerary will finish planning your Paris trip for you. Click below to learn more.