30 Things Locals Know About Paris That Tourists Find Out Too Late

In this video we share the tips our community of almost 300,000 members sends us most often: things locals know about Paris that tourists often learn too late. If you are planning a trip, these quick, practical tips will help you pack smarter, blend in and enjoy the city more.

Before you go

  • Pack half of what you planned, and bring comfortable sneakers for 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day on stairs and cobblestones.
  • Bring a long phone cable, a little cash for tips and toilets, hand sanitizer and, in summer, a hand fan.
  • If you are sensitive to heat, avoid the summer months, since air conditioning is rare.
  • Book popular restaurants and tickets for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Versailles in advance.
  • Check for big events, like football games, fashion week or festivals, that could affect crowds.
  • Get a Navigo Easy card before you need it, so you are not fumbling at the metro machines.

Blending in

  • Always start with “bonjour” when you walk into a shop, hotel or restaurant, and learn a few polite French words.
  • On escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left.
  • Never put your feet on train or metro seats. The fine was €65 when we filmed.
  • Keep your voice down in the metro, trains and museums.
  • Do not worry about what you wear or about looking like a tourist. Nobody cares.
  • Please do not put padlocks on bridges and gates.

Enjoying the city

Plan just one major activity a day, because everything takes longer than you think, and Paris is not an amusement park. Use Google Maps or Apple Maps to get around, browse the secondhand and vintage shops in the Marais, try the street food, and consider a private driver for a day in Champagne, Normandy or the Loire Valley. Be aware of pickpockets, but do not let them worry you. If the crowds get overwhelming, sit at a café and people-watch. And above all, wander the streets, what the French call flâner.

For more help planning, see our Paris Guide Bundle, our guide to 125 Paris hotels and our selection of things to do in Paris. Food lovers can taste the city with a local on a Devour food tour.