What You Wish Someone Had Told You Before Visiting Paris

Every seasoned Paris traveler has that moment of “I wish someone had told me that before I left!”

These hard-won insights from real travelers will save you time, money, and a few embarrassing cultural missteps.

What You Wish You Knew Before Visiting Paris

Here are the insider tips from seasoned travelers, travel bloggers, and Reddit users who wished they’d known these from day one.

1. Getting Around

• Wear your most comfortable shoes – even white sneakers are fine, save dressy shoes for dinner out.

• Keep your Metro ticket until you exit – random inspections happen and you can be fined.

• Try the bus route 42 instead of just Metro – you’ll see sights between stops

2. Money

• Always carry coins – you might need to pay for toilets in department stores and train stations.

• Download the Wevat app – for international tourists, add your shopping with a single tap and save up to 13% from your shopping with VAT refunds.

3. Cultural Etiquette

• Master French politeness basics – always start with “Bonjour” (hello/good day) before asking for anything, use “S’il vous plaît” (please) often.

• Understand French reserve – they’re not rude or unfriendly, just more formal and less smiley than North Americans.

4. Scams & Safety

• Ignore street scammers completely – don’t acknowledge anyone approaching you with clipboards, rings, or wanting to “chat.”

• Educate yourself about pickpockets – watch YouTube videos but don’t let fear ruin your trip.

• Leave your passport in hotel safe – carry a photocopy instead of wearing a money belt everywhere.

5. Accommodation & Practical

• Request shower-only rooms when booking – otherwise you’ll be sitting in a bathtub with a handheld sprayer.

• The ground floor is called “rez de chaussée” – what we call the first floor is actually their second floor.

• Don’t expect elevators – be prepared to climb several flights of stairs with your luggage.

• Hotel rooms are notoriously tiny – consider apartments instead for more space and kitchen access.

• Hotels may ask you to leave your key at reception – it’s typically attached to a chunky metal key fob.

• Washing cycles take 3+ hours – machines are often located in bathrooms or kitchens with strict operating hours (9am-9pm, never Sundays).

• Dryers are rare – plan to air-dry your clothes throughout your accommodation.

• Avoid staying in inconvenient (to save money) or less safe neighborhoods – choose from these safe central areas instead: Central arrondissements like the 6th (Saint-Germain), 5th (Latin Quarter), 4th (Le Marais), and 7th (Eiffel Tower area)

• Choose apartments over hotels when possible – you’ll get more space, save money, and have cooking facilities.

6. Sightseeing & Planning

• Slow down and savor Paris – cut your “must see” list in half, focus on ambiance over attractions, sit in cafés and let the city pass by.

• You don’t need a Museum Pass to avoid lines – many museums have alternate entrances and online tickets.

• Get museum headsets or guides – especially for Musée d’Orsay and Versailles.

• Book day trips from Paris before or immediately upon arrival – popular tours book out in advance and some tours only operate on certain days of the week.

• Skip the Moulin Rouge – it’s overcrowded and feels like a tourist trap.

• Take a Seine boat tour at Vedettes de Pont Neuf – buy tickets online for savings and go after sunset for the best views.

• The Catacombs are closed on Mondays – tour tickets are usually sold out during summer months, so book your tickets well ahead of time here.

• The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays – book your tickets online here

7. Dining & Food

• Don’t arrive at restaurants before 8pm for dinner – you’ll find them nearly empty.

• Don’t rush through meals – French dining is meant to be leisurely, with a few hours being perfectly normal.

• Wine is cheap – juice and soda are expensive – tap water (carafe d’eau) is free.

• Ask waiter for check with “S’il vous plaît” – they won’t bring it until you indicate you’re ready.

• Hotel breakfasts are expensive – go to local cafés instead for better value.

• Learn coffee terms – Café Américain is regular black coffee, ask for milk if you want it added.

• The small tray is for your bill and payment – it’s NOT an ashtray, cigarette butts go on the ground.

• Lunch service has strict hours – don’t expect to be served after 1:30pm.

• Try stinky cheeses – they’re often the tastiest.

• Visit a local brasserie in the morning – stand at the bar (“le Zinc”), order coffee, and practice your French with locals.

8. Luxembourg Gardens

• Not all grass areas are open for sitting – look for designated picnic spots or plan to use benches instead.

Final Thoughts

Paris rewards those who embrace its rhythm rather than fight against it.

These insider tips will help you navigate the city like a seasoned traveler, avoiding common pitfalls while discovering the magic that makes Paris unforgettable.

Ready to dive deeper into your France adventure? Check out these essential guides:

• France Packing List – What You Forgot to Pack
• What Not to Do in France
• Complete 14-Day France Itinerary

Explore more France travel content on our blog for everything you need to plan the perfect French getaway.