Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but there are some mistakes that can make your trip less fun. Here’s how to spot if you’re doing Paris the wrong way — and how to fix it!
1. You’re eating only at touristy restaurants
Many restaurants near big attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, or the Champs-Élysées mainly serve tourists, not locals.
They often have overpriced menus in English and food that’s not truly Parisian.
If you sit down and see the menu with pictures of the dishes or people trying to pull you in, it’s a bad sign.
👉 What to do instead: Walk 5–10 minutes away from tourist hotspots. Look for places with a blackboard menu, locals eating inside, and staff who aren’t standing outside trying to convince you to enter.
2. You never leave the center of Paris
If you stick only to the 1st to 8th arrondissements (center areas), you miss a huge part of what Paris really feels like.
Many Parisians live, work, and hang out in neighborhoods farther out.
Some of the coolest cafés, markets, and parks are beyond the touristy parts.
👉 What to do instead: Explore neighborhoods like Belleville for street art, Canal Saint-Martin for trendy cafés, or Batignolles for a charming village atmosphere.
You’ll experience a more authentic and lively Paris where locals actually spend their time.
3. You skip bakeries because your hotel offers breakfast
Many hotels offer breakfast, but it’s often expensive and not nearly as delicious as what you’ll find in a real Parisian bakery.
Hotel breakfasts can be generic — think industrial croissants, bland coffee, and packaged jams.
Meanwhile, local bakeries serve fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, and crusty baguettes straight from the oven.
👉 What to do instead: Start your mornings at a boulangerie. You can grab a fresh pastry and a coffee for a few euros. It’s cheaper, tastier, and a much more authentic Parisian experience.
4. You dine at chain restaurants or cafés featured in popular TV shows
Tourists often head to places they’ve seen in shows like Emily in Paris or movies, but many of these spots are now overpriced, tourist-heavy, and not where Parisians actually eat.
The food quality often doesn’t match the fame.
👉 What to do instead: Follow the locals. Look for small brasseries or bistros with handwritten menus, daily specials, and busy terraces filled with French speakers.
5. You try to see everything in one trip
Paris has so much to offer that trying to see it all in a few days is impossible.
Rushing from museum to museum and monument to monument leaves you stressed, tired, and unable to enjoy the real atmosphere of the city.
👉 What to do instead: Focus on a few key experiences and savor them. Choose one or two museums, stroll different neighborhoods, and spend time sitting at cafés or parks. It’s better to truly enjoy a few places than barely remember a rushed checklist.
6. You overlook lesser-known museums
Most tourists flock to the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, but Paris is packed with smaller museums that are just as fascinating — and way less crowded.
Skipping them means missing out on hidden gems of art, history, and culture.
👉 What to do instead: Visit places like the Musée Rodin (beautiful gardens and sculptures), Musée Marmottan Monet (with the largest Monet collection), or the Musée Carnavalet. These museums offer rich experiences without overwhelming crowds.
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7. You’re using taxis or rideshares all the time
Paris has a great public transportation system that’s fast, cheap, and safe.
Traffic in the city is often very slow, especially near monuments and along the Seine.
Rideshares and taxis can cost double or triple what a metro ride would, without saving much time.
👉 What to do instead: Use the metro, trams, or buses. A single ticket costs about €2.10, and you can get a day pass if you plan to move around a lot.
Apps like Citymapper or Bonjour RATP make navigating super easy, even for first-time visitors.
8. You speak loudly in English right away
While many Parisians understand English, they appreciate it when visitors try to speak French, even just a few words.
Starting a conversation in French shows respect and makes a much better impression.
Speaking loudly in English, especially without greeting first, can come off as rude or pushy.
👉 What to do instead: Always start with “Bonjour” (hello) and “Excusez-moi” (excuse me) before asking for help. If needed, you can politely ask, “Parlez-vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?).
You’ll find that people are usually much more helpful when you make a little effort.
9. You plan every minute of your day
Packing your Paris trip with back-to-back activities sounds efficient, but it can quickly lead to exhaustion and frustration.
The city isn’t meant to be “checked off” like a list — the magic often happens in the slow moments.
Overplanning also means you’ll miss spontaneous things, like a street musician, a pop-up market, or a cozy café.
👉 What to do instead: Plan 2–3 key things per day and leave free time to explore, relax in parks, or discover a hidden spot by accident.
Paris rewards slow travelers.
10. You only take photos of famous landmarks
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Of course, you’ll want a photo of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but Paris’s real beauty is often in small details — a hidden courtyard, an old bookstore, or a colorful market stand.
Focusing only on major landmarks makes your photo album look just like everyone else’s.
👉 What to do instead: Pay attention to everyday life: a Parisian walking their dog, a beautiful old door, a flower shop.
Try exploring neighborhoods like Le Marais or the Latin Quarter for unexpected, authentic scenes.
11. You buy souvenirs only from tourist shops
Gift shops around tourist spots often sell mass-produced souvenirs (keychains, Eiffel Tower statues, “I Love Paris” t-shirts) made outside of France.
They’re expensive and not special.
Locals rarely shop there.
👉 What to do instead: Visit small boutiques, bookshops, and artisan markets. Look for items like French soaps, handmade notebooks, vintage posters, or even food items like jam and tea.
They’re more meaningful souvenirs and usually cost the same or even less than touristy trinkets.
12. You order a cappuccino after lunch or dinner
In Paris, cappuccinos (or café crème) are usually for breakfast.
After meals, locals drink a small, strong espresso (“un café”).
Ordering a milky coffee after a meal can make you stand out as a tourist.
It’s not wrong, but it’s just not the local custom.
👉 What to do instead: After lunch or dinner, order a simple espresso. It’s quick, cheap (around €1–€2 at the counter), and part of the real Parisian way of life.
Save cappuccinos or lattes for breakfast or morning coffee breaks.
13. You think Parisians are rude
Paris has a reputation for unfriendly locals, but that’s often because visitors skip basic politeness.
In France, greetings are very important. If you walk into a shop without saying “Bonjour,” you might get cold service — not because they’re rude, but because it’s seen as impolite.
👉 What to do instead: Always greet people properly: “Bonjour” during the day and “Bonsoir” in the evening. Add “s’il vous plaît” (please) and “merci” (thank you) when asking for anything. You’ll notice how much warmer and friendlier interactions become.
14. You visit big attractions during busy hours
Popular places like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Musée d’Orsay get absolutely packed during mid-morning and afternoon hours.
Long lines, crowded halls, and rushed experiences can really take the magic away.
Plus, some places (like the Louvre) are so big that it’s overwhelming when it’s packed.
👉 What to do instead: Go early, right at opening time, or visit in the late afternoon or evening when crowds thin out. Some museums offer evening hours (“nocturnes”) on certain days — a much calmer and more atmospheric experience.
15. You skip parks and gardens
Many visitors focus only on monuments and museums, but parks are a huge part of Parisian life.
Parks like Parc Monceau or the Jardin du Luxembourg are where locals relax, read, picnic, and enjoy life. They are also often beautifully designed, with statues, fountains, and flowerbeds.
👉 What to do instead: Make time to sit on a bench or stroll through a park. Bring a picnic lunch or just people-watch. It’s a real way to experience the city like a Parisian and take a much-needed break from sightseeing.
16. You dress only for comfort and stand out
Parisians are known for dressing stylishly but simply.
Visitors wearing brightly colored gym clothes, big sneakers, or backpacks immediately look like tourists.
While there’s nothing wrong with dressing comfortably, blending in helps you experience the city more naturally and respectfully.
👉 What to do instead: Choose simple, neutral-colored outfits like jeans, comfortable (but stylish) shoes, and a nice jacket. A scarf is also a typical Parisian accessory. You’ll feel more confident — and maybe even be mistaken for a local!
With a passion for travel and having visited over 50 countries, Dorian is eager to share his favorite spots and expert tips to help you explore Paris and France like a local.
