18 Things Not To Do In Paris

Make your Paris trip hassle-free by avoiding common mistakes that tourists often make in the city. If you’re a first-time visitor, then you must learn about the things not to do in Paris. It’s a tourist-friendly city and welcomes millions of tourists every year. The majority of them enjoy their vacations and go back with positive reviews and unforgettable memories. However, some tourists face hurdles, and no doubt, it’s due to their own mistakes.

We always try to make a perfect plan before leaving home to visit a city. We researched the things to do and the things not to do in Paris, and it really helped us in exploring the city in its true meaning. We knew how to live and explore Paris before arriving in the city. To explore the city of fashion, love, and iconic monuments, follow the guide below on the things not to do in Paris that we prepared for our visit.

Paris is a lovely city where you’ll see tourists from around the world. It’s necessary to respect everyone wherever you are, and Paris is strict about personal freedom. You can’t talk freely to strangers, especially locals, as they tend to keep to themselves. To make your Paris trip memorable, remember not only what to do in Paris but also the following things not to do in Paris:

1- Stay Within Your Visa Limit

You may get yourself into a serious problem if you overstay in Paris. Normally, tourists do not stay beyond their visa limit, but sometimes, they unintentionally exceed their allowed stay in France and get into trouble. Keep an eye on your visa expiry, as you may be charged a huge fine, entry ban, and deportation if caught overstaying. The best solution is to get a return ticket instead of one-side ticket.

2- Don’t Speak Loudly

Speaking loudly in Paris is considered unethical. You’ll ruin your image badly by speaking loudly in public places. You’ll see local Parisians speaking politely wherever they are. So, make sure not to forget manners and speak less and politely. Don’t shout at waiters in restaurants, even if you have a complaint about anything.

3- Don’t Rely on Taxis

One of the things not to do in Paris is totally rely on taxis. Taxis are more expensive than all other modes of transportation in the city. They may charge you more than expected during the peak hours. Only go for a taxi when you’re in a hurry or getting from the Paris Airport to the city center. Otherwise, the metro and train are much more convenient options than taxis.

4- Don’t Limit Yourself to Central Paris

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and always remains full of tourists. It’s a big city, administratively divided into 20 arrondissements. Most of the tourist attractions are located in Central Paris from the 1st to the 8th arrondissement. But it doesn’t mean that the other areas aren’t worth visiting. You should explore every corner of the city whenever you get a chance.

5- Visiting International Food Chains

A common mistake made by tourists in Paris is that they don’t go to local bars, cafes, and restaurants. You should eat like a Parisian and try local food instead of visiting KFC, McDonald’s, and other international food chains. You can enjoy those meals in your hometown, but don’t waste your Paris trip by not exploring local flavors.

6- Learn a Few Basic French Words

Learning a few French words is very important because most of the locals don’t know English. You may face difficulties in communication with locals due to a language barrier, especially when booking a taxi or ordering meals at restaurants. Taxi drivers can spam you by taking advantage of the language barrier. Below are some commonly used French words with their English meanings that a tourist should learn before visiting Paris:

Bonjour: Hello
Merci: Thank you
Je ne comprends pas: I don’t understand
Pouvez-vous m’aider? Can you help me?
Où est la gare? Where is the train station?
Où est le métro? Where is Metro?
Combien ça coûte? How much does it cost?

7- Don’t Block Escalators

Escalators are installed in almost all shopping malls and public places such as train and metro stations. You’ll see people walking on escalators and struggling to get past someone standing in the middle. Blocking the way on escalators by standing in the middle is considered unethical in Paris. Don’t create hurdles for others, and always stand on the right or left corner when using an escalator.

8- Don’t Walk in the Middle of Sidewalks

There are separate walkways along the busy roads where locals and tourists enjoy walking, just like we found in Copenhagen. You should also enjoy a walk in Paris, especially in the evening. Make sure to walk on one side of the walkway so that others can pass you easily. Walking in the middle of walkways isn’t appreciated by locals. So, include this in the list of things not to do in Paris for a good impression.

9- Skipping the Smaller Museums

Paris is a historical city in Europe and offers many historical monuments and places to visit. The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are major museums in the city visited by millions of tourists around the year. Aside from them, any other small museums are also located in the city, which offer many historical paintings and antiques to explore. Don’t miss them and try to explore every museum in the city.

10- Don’t limit yourself to the Champs Élysées for Shopping

Champ Élysées is a famous area for shopping in Paris, but you shouldn’t overrate it. Many local and international brands are located here, but prices are higher due to the touristy environment. You can buy the same thing at a lower price from the other market. Must explore the Champs Élysées, but don’t shop here. The following are the best areas for shopping in Paris:

Le Marais (Boutiques, Fashion, and Jewelry)
Les Halles (Modern Shopping Mall)
Mont Martre (Gifts and Local Crafts)
Saint Germain des Prés (Best to enjoy classic shopping)

11- Buy Advance Tickets Online

One of the most important things not to do in Paris is skip buying advance tickets and end up standing in the long queues at major tourist attractions. You can buy online tickets to go on top of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and other major tourist places. So, don’t waste your time by not buying tickets in advance and standing in the long queues.

12- Don’t Leave Your Kids Alone

If you are exploring Paris with kids, don’t leave them alone anywhere in the city. It’s a crowded city, and your kids may get lost if you leave them alone at a tourist place. Some couples leave their kids in their hotel room and go out to spend their time. It’s also not a good idea to leave them alone in the hotel room. Local police also discourage tourists from leaving their kids alone.

13- Tip isn’t Necessary at Restaurants

Unlike the United States and other countries, giving tips to waiters in restaurants isn’t necessary. Parisian restaurants include service charges in bills, which are considered a tip for waiters. However, you can still give 5% to 10% tip to waiters, but it’s totally up to you. Waiters won’t ask you for a tip at any restaurant, and you can include tipping in restaurants in the list of things not to do in Paris.

14- Don’t Touch Anything without Permission

Personal property and space are taken seriously in Paris. No one touches anything that belongs to others. Many tourists are unaware of this local tradition and make this mistake, especially when they are on a shopping mission. If you want to check something at a shop or restaurant, just ask before touching it. To make a good impression, touching things without permission should be included in the things not to do in Paris.

15- Avoid Wearing the Heels

Wearing heels while exploring Paris on foot isn’t a good idea. Many streets in the city, especially in the Montmartre area, are paved with uneven stones, which can create hurdles in walking with heels. To avoid such hurdles and enjoy a stress-free Paris trip, make sure to prefer comfort over style.

16- Don’t Rush to Explore Everything in a Day

Some crazy tourists try to explore everything in a day, which is wrong. Show patience in exploring cities like Paris to enjoy your trip in its true meaning. It will be more beneficial to explore one or two tourist places in a day and spend the remaining time walking, sightseeing, and trying local food. If you’re staying in Paris long enough, avoid the hustle and bustle and include rushing in the things not to do in Paris. Try to book a hotel that is located near the major tourist attractions. You can have a look at our guide on where to stay in Paris.

17- Don’t Miss Strolling Along the Seine

Strolling along the Seine River is one of the most authentic experiences in Paris, and skipping it would be a big mistake. You should take a walk along the Seine to experience the scenic beauty of Paris and sightsee some of the major tourist attractions, including the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, and many more. Skipping this simple but valuable walk is one of the common things not to do in Paris.

18- Don’t Skip the Top of the Eiffel Tower

Skipping the top of the Eiffel Tower is another one of the important things not to do in Paris. You never know when you’ll get the chance to visit Paris again, and even if you do. So, if you miss the chance to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll regret it for your whole life. Make sure to buy an online ticket to skip the line, save time, and enjoy the scenic views from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You should be careful of snatchers and pickpockets in Paris, especially in the touristy areas and public places. Be aware of the happenings in your surroundings and ensure the safety of your luggage.

Parisians love wearing nice dresses, and they take special care of their appearance. You can wear any color in Paris, including red. However, avoid wearing black in Paris on a regular basis.

French law sets the legal age for smoking at 18. Youngsters under the age of 18 years are considered minors and cannot smoke legally in France.

Keeping in mind what not to do in Paris can save you from many hurdles. Don’t rely on a single mode of transportation, don’t skip small museums, and don’t hesitate to go outside of Paris.

French laws for bringing illegal things into Paris are very strict. Don’t pack drugs, meat, milk, wild plants, or endangered animals. You would face legal consequences if caught bringing such products.

Conclusion

Keeping in mind what not to do in Paris is as important as knowing the things to do. It’s part of making your trip planning perfect and free of hurdles. Make sure to follow local laws and traditions and don’t do anything that can ruin your trip. We made this guide for ourselves and are pleased to share it with you. We hope this guide on the things not to do in Paris will help you in making your Paris trip joyful and stress-free.

Things not to do in Paris