14 Paris Etiquette “Rules” Visitors Don’t Always Know

Every city and country has its own little customs and unwritten rules, and Paris is no exception. And because so many everyday interactions seem familiar, it’s not always obvious when something works a little differently in France.

Most of these aren’t major etiquette mistakes, and they’re certainly nothing to stress about. But knowing a few of these cultural differences ahead of time can help you avoid awkward moments, understand local expectations, and feel more comfortable navigating everyday life in Paris.

Many of these tips focus on differences between France and the US, but they’re certainly relevant to visitors from other countries, too. Some might already be second nature to you, while others may be things you’ve never thought about before.

1. Always Greet People First

Saying hello is polite anywhere in the world, but in France, skipping “bonjour” is truly bad manners. Even if you know zero French, this is one word you should make an effort to learn.

You’ll use it constantly, whether you’re entering a bakery or small shop, approaching a ticket counter, or asking someone for help. In the evening, switch to bonsoir, which means good evening. It’s also customary to say au revoir (goodbye) when leaving a small shop, even if you haven’t purchased anything.

And if you need to ask someone a question, start with bonjour or excusez-moi rather than immediately launching into English. These little courtesies go a long way in France.

2. Ask for the Check at Restaurants

When dining out in France, servers will take your order, bring your food, and then largely leave you alone to enjoy your meal. And when you’re finished, they typically won’t bring the check until you ask for it.

This isn’t bad service. In France, it’s considered polite to let customers enjoy their meals without feeling rushed. If you need something, make eye contact with your server or politely say s’il vous plaît to get their attention.

You can generally stay and chat for a while after finishing your meal, and when you’re ready to leave, simply ask for l’addition, s’il vous plaît (the check, please).

3. You Don’t Need to Tip 20%

Continuing in the same vein, in French restaurants, service is already included in the prices you see on the menu, and you absolutely do not need to add an extra 15-25% on top.

You can certainly leave a little extra if you’ve received particularly good service. Rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros is fine, but it’s entirely optional.

Payment terminals that prompt you to add a tip are becoming increasingly more common, but don’t feel obligated to select one of the suggested amounts.

Tipping customs are a little different for services like guided tours and hotels, where you might choose to give a guide or helpful staff member a few euros. But again, there’s no expectation that you need to tip everyone you interact with.

4. Keep Your Volume Lower in Public Spaces

Generally speaking, people in France tend to speak fairly quietly in public. You’ll notice this in restaurants, cafés, trains, and on the Paris metro.

I’ve been on a lot of train rides that were pin-drop silent, and cafés and restaurants often have a low buzz instead of a loud rumble of voices. Talking loudly across a restaurant table or having a conversation on a crowded train sometimes really can stand out.

Of course, Paris has plenty of noisy restaurants and bustling streets, and French people certainly aren’t always quiet.

You don’t need to whisper or constantly monitor your volume, but it’s worth paying attention to how loudly the people around you are speaking and adjusting accordingly.

5. Customer Service Is a Little Different

In the US, we’re accustomed to businesses going out of their way to accommodate customers, sometimes making exceptions or adjusting things to keep everyone happy.

In France, customer service tends to work a little differently. There’s generally more emphasis on established procedures and the professional relationship between customers and employees.

For example, a restaurant might be less willing to make several substitutions to a dish, or a shop might not be able to accommodate a special request.

That doesn’t mean French businesses never make exceptions, and you can certainly ask politely. But it’s helpful to understand that the idea of the customer always being right doesn’t carry quite the same weight in France as it does in the US.

6. Use the Little Dish for Payment When It’s Offered

In many French boulangeries and smaller shops, you’ll notice a little dish or tray sitting on the counter near the register. This dish is where you can place your bills or coins, rather than handing them directly to the cashier. The cashier may also place your change there.

It’s certainly not rude to hand money directly to someone, and not every shop uses these trays. But when one is provided, it’s a nice habit to use it.

7. Step Aside Instead of Stopping on Sidewalks

Paris has some pretty narrow sidewalks, especially in its older neighborhoods, and stopping suddenly to check your map or take a photo can block people behind you.

If you need to pause, step off to the side and make sure you’re not obstructing the flow of pedestrians. The same applies on the metro. Avoid stopping immediately after passing through the ticket gates, blocking escalators, or standing in front of train doors when people are trying to get off.

It’s easy to get distracted when you’re exploring a new city, but a little awareness of the people around you is always appreciated.

8. Don’t Put Your Feet Up on Public Seats

Even if you’re exhausted from walking all day, avoid putting your feet up on café chairs, benches, or public transportation seats. Putting your shoes on seating is generally considered disrespectful, and on the Paris metro, it can actually result in a fine.

This applies even if the seats around you are empty. Keep your feet on the floor and leave the seats clean for the next person.

9. Don’t Attach Love Locks to Bridges or Railings

You might have seen photos of Parisian bridges covered in thousands of padlocks, left behind by couples as symbols of their love. For years, attaching a “love lock” to a bridge and throwing the key into the Seine was a popular tourist tradition, particularly on the Pont des Arts near the Louvre.

But all those locks caused some serious problems. Their combined weight damaged the bridge’s structure, and in 2014, part of one railing actually collapsed. The city eventually removed hundreds of thousands of locks from the Pont des Arts in 2015 and replaced the old railings with glass panels.

You’ll still spot love locks on bridges and railings around Paris, and you might even encounter vendors selling them. But please don’t add your own!

Attaching locks to public structures is a form of vandalism, even if it’s intended as a romantic gesture. The locks cause real damage, create safety concerns, and have to be regularly removed by city workers. There are plenty of other ways to commemorate a romantic trip to Paris without damaging the city’s bridges.

10. Be Mindful When Photographing People

Paris is full of beautiful streets, cafés, markets, and interesting people, and naturally, you’ll want to take plenty of pictures. But it’s worth being considerate of the people who might end up in your photos.

You don’t need to worry about every person who happens to appear in your vacation photos. But if you’re focusing on a particular person rather than capturing a general scene, it’s a good idea to ask permission first. This is especially worth keeping in mind when photographing people going about their work.

For example, when I visited 59 Rivoli, an art space in Paris where artists work alongside their displays, I came across someone painting in his studio. I wanted to photograph the room, but since he would be featured in the picture, I asked if he was comfortable with me taking a photo first.

11. Don’t Sit or Walk on Lawns Unless It’s Clearly Allowed

Paris is full of gardens and green spaces, but you can’t necessarily sit on the grass in every Paris park. Some lawns are intended to be decorative, while others are temporarily closed to allow the grass to recover. Restrictions can also change throughout the year.

Look for signs with phrases such as pelouse interdite (lawn off-limits) or pelouse autorisée (lawn accessible). Some parks have designated lawns where you’re encouraged to sit, picnic, and relax, while others have areas that need to remain untouched.

I like to check for posted signs or any small barriers to the lawn, and then follow the lead of what the locals are doing.

12. Eating While Walking Isn’t Common

In the US, it’s perfectly normal to grab breakfast, a drink, or lunch and eat it while walking to your next destination. In France, eating on the go is noticeably less common.

French people tend to treat meals as something worth taking a little time for, even when they’re eating something simple. You’ll often see people sitting on benches, park steps, or café terraces to enjoy a sandwich or pastry rather than eating as they walk.

That’s not to say nobody eats while walking in Paris, and no one is going to get after you for eating on the go. Still, if you’re able, I’d recommend finding somewhere to sit and enjoy your food. It’s a nice way to participate in local culture.

13. Don’t Expect to Use the Bathroom in Shops

Finding a public bathroom in Paris can sometimes be difficult, especially when you’re out sightseeing all day. Most shops don’t have restrooms available to customers, even larger stores, so don’t count on being able to pop into one when you need to go.

Your best bet is to use the bathroom at a museum, restaurant, or café, where restrooms are available to customers. Some train stations also have bathrooms, although you may need to pay a small fee. Public parks and gardens sometimes have free bathrooms as well, even in smaller neighborhood squares.

Paris also has hundreds of free automated public toilets called sanisettes, which are little pods right on the sidewalk throughout the city. Unfortunately, in my experience, they’re often pretty gross, and many have been out of order. Personally, I consider these an absolute last resort.

My advice is to take advantage of the bathrooms at museums and restaurants whenever you have the chance, rather than waiting until you really need one. And if you’re desperate, pop into the nearest café, order a drink, and use the bathroom there.

14. Don’t Stress About What to Wear

There’s a common misconception that everyone in Paris dresses in chic, fashionable outfits and that tourists need to dress a certain way to fit in. But the reality is much more relaxed and nuanced.

You’ll see plenty of people wearing sneakers, sweatshirts, and other casual clothing, particularly among teenagers and university students. And sneakers and jeans have been staples of everyday Parisian fashion for years, so there’s absolutely no reason to avoid them.

Of course, there are differences in everyday style. Many adult Parisians favor more polished outfits with classic pieces like well-fitting jeans, sweaters, coats, and jackets. Parisian street style is often more about putting together simple, timeless pieces than wearing elaborate, high-fashion outfits, although you’ll see plenty of very well-dressed people out and about, too.

But none of this means you need to change how you dress for your trip. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in, and above all, bring shoes that can handle plenty of walking. Nobody is going to be offended if you’re wearing leggings or sneakers while sightseeing.

Final Thoughts

Paris is a huge, international city, and there’s plenty of variation in how people dress, interact, and go about their daily lives. Some of these customs are more firmly established than others, but they’re all useful things to be aware of when visiting.

Even a few small adjustments can help everyday interactions go more smoothly, and you might find yourself noticing other interesting cultural differences along the way.