10 Things First-Time Visitors Get Wrong in Paris
… AND HOW TO GET THEM RIGHT!
We all want to experience Paris as we imagine it, the cafés, the croissants, the Eiffel Tower (confession time: I cried the first time I saw her), but the truth is that Paris can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know how to navigate it, and first-time visitors tend to make a few classic mistakes that I see time and time again. Plus, trust me, I’ve been there, I’ve done that!.
If you want to enjoy the city like a pro without wasting time or money, here’s what to watch out for, coming from someone who has lived the past 3 years in France, has been in Paris multiple times in the last few months, and does travel for a living (blog + travel advising business, like seriouly, professional traveler here!)
LET’S DIVE IN 🤿
1. THINKING YOU’LL SEE EVERYTHING IN ONE TRIP
Spoiler alert: You won’t. Paris has so much to offer, even locals haven’t seen it all. Instead of trying to cram every monument and museum into one visit, pick a few highlights, and leave time for wandering, people-watching (my favorite sport), and living the Parisian way.
2. STAYING FAR FROM THE CENTER
Saving a few euros by booking way out in the suburbs? Hard pass. You’ll waste so much time (and money) commuting in. Aim to stay within Arrondissements 1-8 for a first trip, it’s worth it, I promise.
3. ONLY VISITING THE BIG MUSEUMS
Yes, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou are iconic, but Paris is packed with smaller gems like Musée de l'Orangerie (hello, Monet’s Water Lilies! This one is my ultimate favorite) and Musée Rodin. They’re less crowded and just as magical.
4. NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO PICKPOCKETS AND SCAMS
Paris is generally safe, but petty theft is very real, especially in touristy areas. Keep your bags zipped, stay alert in crowds (especially in the Métro and around landmarks), and watch out for “friendly” strangers offering petitions, bracelets, or asking for help, and for God’s sake, don’t let ANYONE buy métro tickets for you, you can change the machine’s language! If it feels weird, it probably is.
5. EATING NEAR THE BIG ATTRACTIONS
The cafés right next to the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame? Tourist traps, 99% of the time. Venture a few streets away, that's where the real magic (and better food) happens.
6. NOT BOOKING IN ADVANCE
From museum tickets to Eiffel Tower ascents, to dinner reservations, planning ahead saves so much stress. Paris is busy year-round, if you know where you want to go, book it. Trust me, standing in a 2-hour line for the Louvre is not part of the dream and sometimes you won’t even get in after the queue!
7. EXPCETING SMILES EVERYWHERE
Parisians (and French people for that matter) aren’t rude, they're just a little more reserved. A warm “Bonjour!” and polite manners go a long way, you don’t have to (or try to) speak French, just be mindful of respectful of their culture.
8. THINKING YOU WILL ONLY USE CARDS (And that you can pay everything with AMEX)
While cards are accepted almost everywhere now, it’s still smart to carry a bit of cash for small bakeries, markets, tipping, or getting just a small coffee. It’s not a secret that CC processing comes with a fee, and sometimes very small purchases with a card end up damaging the merchants. Also, make sure to bring a Visa or MasterCard because, other than big stores and hotels, AMEX cards are not widely accepted (and no, Discover is not accepted at all).
9. OVERLOOKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Paris Métro is clean, safe, and super efficient. Skip the taxi, take the métro!, It’ll make you feel like a local, and getting to your destination faster than anything else. Yes, Uber and Bolt are a thing, but traffic is as well.
10. SKIPPING THE TAX REFUND
If you're shopping in Paris and spending over €100 in one store, you’re eligible for a VAT refund, that's up to 12% back! Don’t leave that money on the table. Ask for a tax refund form at checkout, and save time by doing part of the paperwork before you head to the airport.
If you want more tips on where to stay, how to move around, and even more insights, go get my Paris 101 Guide — Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of Googling! ✨
And while we are on theme…
Here are a few of my favorite experiences in Paris!
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