17 Mistakes Tourists Make in Paris (And How to Avoid Them Like a Pro)

Paris is an incredible city, but there are a lot of little things that can catch travelers off guard, like how long it takes to get around, which days museums are closed, or the unspoken rules of dining out.

Many of the things on this list aren’t huge mistakes, but they add up quickly and can make your trip more stressful or difficult than it needs to be.

After spending a lot of time in Paris, I’ve put together the most common mistakes I see people make (or that I’ve made myself)… and how to avoid them so you can spend more time enjoying the city and less time wondering what went wrong.

1. Underestimating the Size of the City

Paris looks compact on a map, but getting from one place to another takes longer than most people expect. The city is large, and even though it’s very walkable, attractions are more spread out than they first appear. Plus, it takes more time to visit a lot of places than you might initially assume.

It’s easy to think you can squeeze in the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre all in the same day, but you’ll likely end up rushed, stressed, and missing out on the real charm of Paris.

Try mapping out the walking, driving, or metro time between each stop on your itinerary, then pad the travel time by about 25% to account for real-world delays, bathroom breaks, photo stops, etc.

2. Avoiding the Metro

Some travelers avoid the Paris Metro, assuming it’s confusing or intimidating, but skipping it is usually a mistake. The Metro and bus system is incredibly well-connected, fast, cheap, and honestly really easy to navigate.

Apps like Google Maps or Citymapper will show you exactly which lines to take, where to transfer, and how long it’ll take to get there, and the signage in the stations is easy to follow. Plus, Ubers and taxis costs can add up fast (especially with traffic).

If you’re only in Paris for a couple of days and/or just using the metro once or twice per day, you can probably get away with buying single tickets for each ride.

However, if you’re staying for several days, look into the Weekly Navigo Découverte pass, it can be a really great value.

I actually love riding the metro, and it feels like such a “local experience” to have in Paris.

3. Not Prebooking Tickets

Not everything in Paris needs a reservation, and you can walk into plenty of museums and attractions without pre-booking. But for some of the big-ticket spots, you’ll want to reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance or risk being turned away.

This is especially true for the Louvre, where booking ahead is absolutely essential. The same goes for the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, the Galerie Dior, and the Musée de l’Orangerie. These places regularly sell out or have long entry lines that you can skip with a timed ticket.

In many cases, prebooking attractions doesn’t just save time, it guarantees you’ll actually get in.

4. Not Using the Paris Museum Pass

If you’re planning to visit several major attractions, the Paris Museum Pass can save you money and time. It includes entry to over 50 sites, including the Louvre, Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, and Versailles. Many of these offer dedicated entry lines for pass holders, so you skip the ticket queue.

The pass is valid for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, so depending on your group’s priorities and plans, it can easily pay for itself. Just make sure to still reserve timed entry at places that require it, like the Louvre and Versailles.

5. Underestimating the Louvre

The Louvre is massive. It has three full wings, each with 4 floors and dozens of galleries. You could spend days exploring it all. Don’t try to wing it. Go in with a plan.

I recommend picking up a paper map when you arrive, I think it’s easier to follow than the digital version. The museum also offers Visitor Trails that guide you through specific routes highlighting 10–15 major works, with clear directions from room to room.

You can also join a guided tour to hit the highlights and learn some context along the way.

Get all my tips and tricks for navigating the Louvre here

6. Forgetting Closure Days

Many museums and attractions in Paris are closed one day a week –usually Monday, but sometimes Tuesday. This makes Mondays a little extra tricky when planning your itinerary, because truly, a lot is closed.

Always double-check hours and don’t just assume something will be open.

7. Not Making Restaurant Reservations

You don’t need a reservation for every meal in Paris, but you’ll definitely want one for popular restaurants, anything upscale, or dinner on the weekends.

Many casual spots allow walk-ins, especially at lunch or on weekdays. But for Friday and Saturday night dinner? Most good places will be fully booked.

I like making reservations through apps like TheFork, or you can often book directly on the restaurant’s website.

8. Only Visiting the Most Popular Sites

Paris’s iconic sites are famous for a reason, and I’m not suggesting you should skip La Tour Eiffel, the Arc de Triomphe, or Notre Dame. But there is so much more to Paris, and wandering the neighborhoods and discovering all the hidden gems and lesser-visited sites is just so much fun.

Here are 30 of my favorite off-the-beaten-path places to visit in Paris.

9. Not Saying “Bonjour”

Politeness is a big deal in France, and it all starts with bonjour. Whether you’re walking into a shop, asking a question, or ordering something, always start with a simple bonjour – skipping it can come across as rude.

No need to speak fluent French or have great pronunciation, even just saying bonjour shows basic courtesy and will be well-received.

10. Only Eating Hotel Breakfasts

Hotel breakfasts are generally overpriced, but even if you’re not on a tight budget, only eating le petit déjeuner at the hotel means you’ll miss out on the simple pleasure of grabbing a pastry from a local boulangerie or lingering over coffee at a sidewalk café.

11. Not Understanding Restaurant Culture

As a first-time visitor to France, it’s helpful to know that restaurant culture works a bit differently than what you might be used to. If you don’t understand these unspoken rules, you might end up frustrated.

For example, meals in France are slower-paced, service is more hands-off, and there are some menu differences. Tipping isn’t required or expected, and many restaurants close between lunch and dinner.

Get all the tips for dining out in France like a local here.

12. Being Lax With Belongings

While the concern about pickpockets in Paris can sometimes feel overblown, they do exist, especially in touristy areas and on public transit. Some tips:

• Stay alert around Metro doors (thieves will sometimes grab a phone and slip out just as the doors close)
• Get away from anyone trying to distract or jostle you
• Keep an eye on your belongings at busy sites
• Don’t set your purse or phone off to the side at cafés

Paris is a safe city, and what occurs is typically petty theft, not violent crime, but a bit of awareness can save you a major headache.

13. Assuming There Will Be AC in Summer

Air conditioning in France isn’t as common or powerful as it is in the US. Not every hotel has it (especially budget ones), and even when it’s listed, la climatisation can sometimes be mild at best. Museums, restaurants, and shops are similar.

Paris summers are warm but usually aren’t scorching, although heat waves do happen. If AC matters to you, double-check your hotel amenities, and be prepared for warmer, muggier days just in case.

14. Wearing Impractical Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes are a must for daytime sightseeing. Between the long distances, the occasional cobblestoned streets, and the frequent staircases, your feet are going to be working hard every day in Paris.

If you’re worried about looking out of place in sneakers, don’t be. While that used to be a fashion faux pas in Paris, stylish sneakers are now totally on trend.

Plus, keeping your feet comfortable and blister-free is more important than anything else, anyway.

15. Running to the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe sits at the heart of one of the busiest intersections in Paris: a massive traffic circle where twelve streets converge without a single stoplight. It looks absolutely chaotic, but somehow it just works.

To keep everyone safe, there’s a dedicated underground pedestrian tunnel that takes you from the Champs-Élysées sidewalk directly to the base of the monument (approximate location here).

And yet… every time I’m in Paris, I see tourists sprinting across the roundabout to reach the Arc. Don’t be that person! It’s incredibly dangerous, both for you and for the drivers who might have to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting you.

16. Putting Your Feet Up on Public Transit

Look, I totally understand the feeling of wanting to rest your feet after a long day of sightseeing. But if an inspector sees you putting your feet up on a seat, or even on some side paneling on the metro, bus, or RER, you will receive an immediate fine. And yes, even if it’s a child.

If there’s room, you can stretch your legs out on the ground, but save yourself a potentially big headache and don’t put your feet up.

17. Checking France Off Your List

After you visit Paris, you might be tempted to “check off” France from your travel bucket list. As in, cool, France is done, now what?

But there is sooooooooooo much more to see in France.

• There’s Provence, with its sunny towns, Roman ruins, and lavender fields
• The Loire Valley and its plentiful châteaux
• Alsace, full of fairytale, half-timbered towns
• The Riviera, with its colorful seaside cities and idyllic beaches
• The Alps, and the ubiquitous mountain towns, ski resorts, hiking trails, and alpine lakes
• Normandy and its rugged cliffs, D-Day beaches, and historic towns
• Occitanie, with charming villages, fortified cities, and laidback charm
• Hauts-de-France, brimming with Flemish influence and hidden gem cities
• And so, so, so much more

I’ve been visiting France for 20 years, and I’ve visited well over 100 cities and towns all around France, and I’m not even close to being done exploring.

Seriously, do yourself a favor, and once you’ve visited Paris, book yourself another trip back to explore more of the rest of France.