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

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

Paris is one among my favourite cities on the earth — I used to stay 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 typically hear from different vacationers who could not stand Paris and had a foul 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 frequent 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 might be to not go in the midst of summer time! June, July, and August are excessive season for vacationers in Paris, and every part is extraordinarily crowded.

All of the Parisians depart in August (it is their important summer time trip month) so the town is simply stuffed with vacationers. And it is HOT throughout this time of yr.

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

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

As a substitute, spring and fall are the very best instances to go to Paris — April, Could, or October are my high picks for the very best time of yr 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 definitely do not should develop into fluent in French earlier than you go to Paris.

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

Even simply figuring out 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 relatively than simply barreling as much as somebody and talking in English instantly, you can find that they normally have a hotter angle.

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” whenever 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, relatively than simply strolling up and asking “Which line do I have to be in?” or “The place’s the toilet?”

Falling For Frequent Scams

Sacré-Cœur in ParisSacré-Cœur in Paris

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

Listed here 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.
  • Faux petitions: A gaggle of girls 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 faux 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 preserve an in depth maintain in your belongings, as a result of that is when pickpockets most frequently strike.

By recognizing these frequent scams, you’ll be able to 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 simply wish to maximize your time and see and do as a lot as potential.

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

As a substitute of ready according to 1000’s of different vacationers to go as much as the Eiffel Tower remark deck (which is not even an excellent view because you’re in probably the most iconic constructing within the Paris skyline), why not have a calming picnic on the Champ de Mars and luxuriate 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 forms of experiences you may keep in mind and luxuriate in greater than feeling like it’s a must to test 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 typically see vacationers in Paris fall into one among two extremes in the case of clothes.

They’re both utterly underdressed, carrying flip-flops, a t-shirt, and a fanny pack, they usually may as properly have a neon signal studying “vacationer” over their head. You do not wish to be this particular person as a result of it makes you stand out and develop into 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 truly wears a beret, a flowery costume or skirt, and excessive heels whereas strolling across the metropolis.

For those who go too dressy, you may find yourself being fairly uncomfortable. As a substitute, I like to recommend carrying comfy footwear and sticking to basic darks and neutrals to 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 move, you may nonetheless find yourself shopping for paper tickets in your journey.

Make sure to not throw your ticket away, although! When you find yourself exiting the Metro, there are generally transit police checking tickets, and in the event you’re caught with out one, you will 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 is perhaps used to going out to eat and the waiter coming to test on you a number of instances 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 test on the finish too.

In French, you’ll be able to say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” whenever you’re able to pay.

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


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