What NOT To Do In Paris: 8 First-Time Travel Mistakes To Avoid

Woman in Front of Eiffel Tower

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Are you visiting Paris, France for the primary time quickly? Be sure you keep away from these widespread first-time journey errors throughout your journey!

Paris is one among my favourite cities on the planet — I used to dwell there, and I just lately returned from a month-long journey that had me considering one other transfer sooner or later.

Woman in Front of Eiffel TowerWoman in Front of Eiffel Tower

However I usually hear from different vacationers who could not stand Paris and had a nasty time there or thought it was completely overrated.

And normally, these vacationers made one (or a number of) of the next errors!

These are the widespread errors to keep away from in your first journey to Paris:

Visiting Throughout Excessive Season

Woman walking in Paris in the winterWoman walking in Paris in the winter

If I needed to give any recommendation about your first journey to Paris, it could be to not go in the midst of summer season! June, July, and August are excessive season for vacationers in Paris, and all the things is extraordinarily crowded.

All of the Parisians go away in August (it is their principal summer season trip month) so town is simply crammed with vacationers. And it is HOT throughout this time of 12 months.

Since most buildings in Paris haven’t got air con (even fancy accommodations have weaker AC than what you are most likely used to at house) this may be an disagreeable time to go to.

With the Olympics occurring in Paris this summer season, I would recommend a visit even less as a result of not solely will the crowds be insane, however costs for all the things will even skyrocket.

As an alternative, spring and fall are one of the best occasions to go to Paris — April, Might, or October are my prime picks for one of the best time of 12 months to plan a visit.

Not Studying Any French

Paris, France - June 16, 2017: The charming Cafe Le Bon Georges. Parisians and tourists enjoy food and drinks at the street french cafe.Paris, France - June 16, 2017: The charming Cafe Le Bon Georges. Parisians and tourists enjoy food and drinks at the street french cafe.

You actually do not should grow to be fluent in French earlier than you go to Paris.

And the reality is, most Parisians converse good English already, so that you actually do not want French to get by. However studying a number of primary phrases will go a great distance.

Even simply realizing and utilizing “bonjour” (howdy), “au revoir” (goodbye), “s’il vous plaît” (please), and “merci” (thanks) is far appreciated.

For those who make an effort to talk a tiny little bit of French reasonably than simply barreling as much as somebody and talking in English instantly, one can find that they normally have a hotter perspective.

Pondering Parisians Are Impolite

The pyramid domes at the Lourve, Paris, France.The pyramid domes at the Lourve, Paris, France.

Many individuals have the impression that Parisians are impolite, however that is actually not the case.

A few of it simply comes all the way down to cultural norms. For instance, in France, it is anticipated that you’ll say “bonjour” once you enter a store or a restaurant.

Failing to greet the shopkeeper or hostess is rude.

Equally, earlier than you ask somebody a query, it is also well mannered to greet them first, reasonably than simply strolling up and asking “Which line do I must be in?” or “The place’s the lavatory?”

Falling For Widespread Scams

Sacré-Cœur in ParisSacré-Cœur in Paris

Sadly, Paris is rife with vacationer scams, and a surefire solution to wreck your first journey is to fall for one among these scams.

Listed below are some issues to be on alert for:

  • Friendship bracelets: A man will come as much as you and begin tying a friendship bracelet onto your wrist. Do not let him, he’ll attempt to cost you for it afterward!
  • Rose “present” rip-off: Equally, a person will strategy you or your journey companion providing a rose as a “present” however then demand cost after you settle for it.
  • Pretend petitions: A gaggle of ladies will come as much as you, normally pretending to be from a deaf charity or another group wanting you to signal a petition. These are pretend and they’re going to both ask you for cash or attempt to pickpocket you.
  • Metro pickpockets: For those who’re on a crowded Metro, keep extraordinarily vigilant and hold an in depth maintain in your belongings, as a result of that is when pickpockets most frequently strike.

By recognizing these widespread scams, you possibly can simply keep away from them.

Over-Planning Your Journey

A Young Couple Having A Romantic Picnic At Champs de Mars, At The Foot Of The Eiffel Tower, Paris, FranceA Young Couple Having A Romantic Picnic At Champs de Mars, At The Foot Of The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

One of many greatest errors you may make in your first journey to Paris is over-planning it and attempting to cram an excessive amount of into a brief period of time.

I get it, in the event you solely have 3 or 4 days in Paris, it is solely pure that you just need to maximize your time and see and do as a lot as doable.

However planning an excessive amount of can find yourself making your journey traumatic.

As an alternative of ready in keeping with hundreds of different vacationers to go as much as the Eiffel Tower remark deck (which is not even an awesome view because you’re in probably the most iconic constructing within the Paris skyline), why not have a soothing picnic on the Champ de Mars and revel in views of the Eiffel Tower from there as an alternative?

Or as an alternative of battling the crowds on a day journey to Versailles in the event you solely have a number of days in Paris, why not keep within the metropolis and stroll alongside the Seine or discover a cool neighborhood just like the Latin Quarter as an alternative?

These are the varieties of experiences you will bear in mind and revel in greater than feeling like it’s important to examine off each single touristy exercise in Paris.

Dressing Inappropriately

traditional french cafe and woman walking during the morning in Paristraditional french cafe and woman walking during the morning in Paris

I usually see vacationers in Paris fall into one among two extremes with regards to clothes.

They’re both utterly underdressed, carrying flip-flops, a t-shirt, and a fanny pack, and so they would possibly as properly have a neon signal studying “vacationer” over their head. You do not need to be this individual as a result of it makes you stand out and grow to be extra of a goal for pickpockets and scammers.

I additionally see vacationers in Paris dressed up like they’re an additional in Emily in Paris. No Parisian really wears a beret, a elaborate gown or skirt, and excessive heels whereas strolling across the metropolis.

For those who go too dressy, you will find yourself being fairly uncomfortable. As an alternative, I like to recommend carrying snug footwear and sticking to traditional darks and neutrals on your clothes.

Throwing Away Your Metro Ticket

Paris MetroParis Metro

Though Paris is regularly phasing out paper metro tickets in favor of the digital Navigo go, you would possibly nonetheless find yourself shopping for paper tickets in your journey.

Ensure to not throw your ticket away, although! When you find yourself exiting the Metro, there are typically transit police checking tickets, and in the event you’re caught with out one, you could be fined.

Ready For The Restaurant Invoice

Charming restaurant Le Consulat on the Montmartre hill. Paris, FranceCharming restaurant Le Consulat on the Montmartre hill. Paris, France

At house, you could be used to going out to eat and the waiter coming to examine on you a number of occasions all through your meal.

This isn’t the way it works in Paris.

You may have to flag down the waiter and ask if there’s one thing you want throughout your meal, and this contains asking for the examine on the finish too.

In French, you possibly can say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” once you’re able to pay.

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Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the submit.


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