What NOT To Do In Paris: 8 First-Time Travel Mistakes To Avoid
Final Up to date
Are you visiting Paris, France for the primary time quickly? Be sure to keep away from these frequent first-time journey errors throughout your journey!
Paris is one among my favourite cities on this planet — I used to dwell there, and I just lately returned from a month-long journey that had me considering one other transfer sooner or later.
However I usually hear from different vacationers who could not stand Paris and had a foul time there or thought it was completely overrated.
And often, these vacationers made one (or a number of) of the next errors!
These are the frequent errors to keep away from in your first journey to Paris:
Visiting Throughout Excessive Season
If I needed to give any recommendation about your first journey to Paris, it could be to not go in the midst of summer season! June, July, and August are excessive season for vacationers in Paris, and every little thing is extraordinarily crowded.
All of the Parisians go away in August (it is their important summer season trip month) so the town is simply stuffed with vacationers. And it is HOT throughout this time of yr.
Since most buildings in Paris haven’t got air con (even fancy resorts have weaker AC than what you are in all probability used to at residence) this may be an disagreeable time to go to.
With the Olympics taking place in Paris this summer season, I would recommend a visit even less as a result of not solely will the crowds be insane, however costs for every little thing may even skyrocket.
As a substitute, spring and fall are the most effective occasions to go to Paris — April, Might, or October are my high picks for the most effective time of yr to plan a visit.
Not Studying Any French
You definitely do not need to grow to be fluent in French earlier than you go to Paris.
And the reality is, most Parisians converse good English already, so that you definitely do not want French to get by. However studying a number of fundamental phrases will go a great distance.
Even simply understanding and utilizing “bonjour” (hi there), “au revoir” (goodbye), “s’il vous plaît” (please), and “merci” (thanks) is way appreciated.
For those who make an effort to talk a tiny little bit of French fairly than simply barreling as much as somebody and talking in English instantly, you can see that they often have a hotter perspective.
Pondering Parisians Are Impolite
Many individuals have the impression that Parisians are impolite, however that is really not the case.
A few of it simply comes all the way down to cultural norms. For instance, in France, it is anticipated that you’ll say “bonjour” if you enter a store or a restaurant.
Failing to greet the shopkeeper or hostess is rude.
Equally, earlier than you ask somebody a query, it is also well mannered to greet them first, fairly than simply strolling up and asking “Which line do I must be in?” or “The place’s the toilet?”
Falling For Widespread Scams
Sadly, Paris is rife with vacationer scams, and a surefire solution to spoil your first journey is to fall for one among these scams.
Listed below are some issues to be on alert for:
- Friendship bracelets: A man will come as much as you and begin tying a friendship bracelet onto your wrist. Do not let him, he’ll attempt to cost you for it afterward!
- Rose “reward” rip-off: Equally, a person will method you or your journey companion providing a rose as a “reward” however then demand fee after you settle for it.
- Faux petitions: A gaggle of ladies will come as much as you, often pretending to be from a deaf charity or another group wanting you to signal a petition. These are faux and they’re going to both ask you for cash or attempt to pickpocket you.
- Metro pickpockets: For those who’re on a crowded Metro, keep extraordinarily vigilant and hold a detailed maintain in your belongings, as a result of that is when pickpockets most frequently strike.
By recognizing these frequent scams, you’ll be able to simply keep away from them.
Over-Planning Your Journey
One of many largest errors you may make in your first journey to Paris is over-planning it and attempting to cram an excessive amount of into a brief period of time.
I get it, for those who solely have 3 or 4 days in Paris, it is solely pure that you simply wish to maximize your time and see and do as a lot as attainable.
However planning an excessive amount of can find yourself making your journey aggravating.
As a substitute of ready consistent with 1000’s of different vacationers to go as much as the Eiffel Tower statement deck (which is not even an ideal view because you’re in essentially the most iconic constructing within the Paris skyline), why not have a soothing picnic on the Champ de Mars and revel in views of the Eiffel Tower from there as an alternative?
Or as an alternative of battling the crowds on a day journey to Versailles for those who solely have a number of days in Paris, why not keep within the metropolis and stroll alongside the Seine or discover a cool neighborhood just like the Latin Quarter as an alternative?
These are the kinds of experiences you will bear in mind and revel in greater than feeling like you need to test off each single touristy exercise in Paris.
Dressing Inappropriately
I usually see vacationers in Paris fall into one among two extremes in terms of clothes.
They’re both utterly underdressed, carrying flip-flops, a t-shirt, and a fanny pack, they usually may as nicely have a neon signal studying “vacationer” over their head. You do not wish to be this particular person as a result of it makes you stand out and grow to be extra of a goal for pickpockets and scammers.
I additionally see vacationers in Paris dressed up like they’re an additional in Emily in Paris. No Parisian truly wears a beret, a flowery costume or skirt, and excessive heels whereas strolling across the metropolis.
For those who go too dressy, you will find yourself being fairly uncomfortable. As a substitute, I like to recommend carrying comfy footwear and sticking to traditional darks and neutrals in your clothes.
Throwing Away Your Metro Ticket
Though Paris is steadily phasing out paper metro tickets in favor of the digital Navigo move, you may nonetheless find yourself shopping for paper tickets in your journey.
Ensure to not throw your ticket away, although! If you end up exiting the Metro, there are typically transit police checking tickets, and for those who’re caught with out one, you may be fined.
Ready For The Restaurant Invoice
At residence, you may be used to going out to eat and the waiter coming to test on you a number of occasions all through your meal.
This isn’t the way it works in Paris.
You will must flag down the waiter and ask if there’s one thing you want throughout your meal, and this consists of asking for the test on the finish too.
In French, you’ll be able to say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” if you’re able to pay.
↓ Be a part of Our Neighborhood ↓
The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the most recent journey information, conversations, and Q&A’s taking place day by day!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e-mail tackle to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This text initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.