Travel Mistakes to Avoid in Paris

Traveling to Paris is an absolute dream. There is romance in the air, the smell of fresh bread flowing through your nostrils, and authentic French cuisine filling your stomach. There are so many ways for a trip to Paris to go right. In fact, I thought it was hard, and even impossible, for a trip to Paris to go wrong. During my travels, I learned that there are quite a few things that can go wrong. If you want to avoid a handful of travel disasters and blunders, here are travel mistakes to avoid in Paris. 

Waiting in lines

The first of the travel mistakes you want to avoid in Paris is waiting in lines. No one likes to wait in lines. As we age we no longer find comfort or satisfaction in waiting in long lines for entertainment, food, or products. We definitely would not enjoy spending the majority of our vacation waiting in a line. If you think you are fine with it because you are in Paris and grateful, think again. It is never worth it. As with black Friday sales, ticket premieres, and many theme parks, waiting in line has turned digital. There is no longer a reason to ever wait in a long line, we as humans have evolved past it

Many of the Paris attractions have extremely long wait times. When I visited in the off-season, in March, the wait time for the Eiffel Tower was 2 hours. A two-hour-long line just to climb some stairs to view the city. Of course, we did not wait in line. I don’t know why anyone would wait in line when you can bypass it entirely by reserving your time online. That’s right, you can reserve and book your time to visit the Eiffel Tower. Once you arrive, just have them scan your ticket and you will be able to walk right in. This is the same for the Louvre, Versailles, and most of Paris’ main attractions. The biggest mistake you can make in Paris is waiting in line when you don’t have to. Reserve in advance to save yourself time and enjoy your vacation. 

Here are a few of the most popular skip-the-line experiences on Viator. Book now to avoid the lines and secure your spot.

Letting yourself get scammed 

The next travel mistake to avoid in Paris is letting yourself get scammed. Yes, I say “letting yourself,” because getting scammed in Paris is entirely avoidable.  By now, whether you have traveled for a while or are doing your initial research, you should know that high-crowd locations have a high possibility for scams. This is in every travel destination, not just Paris. Specifically in Paris though, you can easily find a list of the most common scams, where they take place, and how to avoid them. 

The most common Paris scams you will find are pickpocketing, the ring scam, the petition scam, and the friendship bracelet scam. These local Paris scammers only get to you when you let them. It is incredibly easy to avoid them and not give in. Giving in is the biggest mistake and can cause a major upset that might ruin your trip.

Be aware of these scams and be on your best behavior. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times. If you find yourself in the position to get scammed simply say “no” loudly, walk away, or ignore them. If something looks shady, don’t stop and talk because you feel rude to reject them. When it comes to pickpocketing, store your important cards or documents in your inside jacket pocket. If you are wearing a purse or bag, use a crossbody one that is theft-proof, has a hidden zipper, or sits in the front of you.

Look out for an article soon where I detail the most common scams and how to avoid all of them coming soon. Sign up for the email list to your left to be notified!

Wearing uncomfortable shoes

This is another big travel mistake you want to avoid in Paris. That is wearing uncomfortable shoes. Often when we travel, we prioritize pictures over the present moment. That is fine and all, but not when it comes to physical pain. Though it would be nice to have Facebook posts of you in shiny European heels or classy loafers, it might not be the best idea. That is because one of the best parts of Paris is the proximity of its attractions. So many museums and locations are a street away and easy to get to. That means a lot of walking. Then once you get there, most attractions are huge, and you will have to do even more walking. Don’t underestimate the size of Paris attractions. The Louvre museum is one of the biggest I have ever seen and you could walk for hours. 

When traveling to Paris it is best to wear your most comfortable, presentable-looking shoes. You don’t have to wear high heels, sandals, and formal shoes to look nice. Plan an outfit that looks just as good with some white or black sneakers. Look for something with memory foam or with a sole you know is most comfortable. Be aware that you will be walking or climbing steps throughout the whole day and plan accordingly. 

Visiting attractions without a guide

Another of the biggest travel mistakes to avoid in Paris is visiting attractions without a guide or audio guide. In our local countries, it is easy to visit a museum or attraction and waltz around not needing anything else. This is because we already know what we need to know. However, when in Paris, it is important not to think you can do the same thing here. To get the full experience of the attraction, you want to know the history and what is going on. Otherwise, you’ll just be wandering through, staring at pictures and confused as to what it is there for. Without a guide, you are getting less than 50% of the experience. You are missing out on so much. 

For example, for the Palace of Versailles, we added the audio guide. With that guide, we learned so much history about the entire country of France and its history. We learned about the purpose of each room, bed, table, each painting. There was so much information we would have missed out on if we didn’t have the audio guide. Then for the Louvre, our tour guide explained so many art pieces and the history of it. One it makes your travel fun, two you get to learn something to take home with you, and three it helps you understand what you are seeing.

When visiting attractions in Paris, you want to add on that audio guide or book a tour guide to show you around, it is a must. My example is specifically for the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum, however, I’m sure many other attractions are the same, such as the Opera Garnier. All in all, if an audio guide is an option when paying for your tickets, get the audio guide. 

You can book the most popular guided tours here! Quickly before they sell out.

Dining near tourist Attractions

Last on travel mistakes you want to avoid in Paris is dining near tourist attractions. This mistake is one that you can take anywhere during any travel. You do not want to eat directly near the tourist attractions. Though it may be cute and pretty for Instagram pictures to eat croissants in front of the Eiffel Tower, you won’t find yourself having an authentic Parisian experience. If you are near the tourist attractions, you are only going to find touristy food. This food is going to be rushed, and wrongly seasoned, and you’ll likely get upcharged for it. It is best to avoid places like these. If it looks like a tourist trap restaurant, the chances are it is one. 

Instead, go off the beaten path and eat elsewhere in the city. See a nice restaurant while on a walk or drive around? Check good restaurant reviews and step right in. You’ll find the food authentic to Parisian and local flavors and at a more reasonable cost. Or the day before your trip, find a list of the best restaurants around Paris, read their menu, and find yourself there. All of which are better than walking into the first restaurant you see directly next to a big-name attraction. In a city like Paris which is known for its delicious food, don’t waste your money and taste buds eating at a restaurant designed to feed bulks of tourists. Instead, eat where the Parisians eat. 

Need more information before your big Paris trip? Here are 6 things you need to know before visiting Paris for the first time!