Travel Mistakes to Avoid in Paris, According to a Local

• Not knowing local etiquette and eating on the street are among the many missteps that will mark you as a tourist when visiting Paris.
• To get the most from your trip, take these insider tips to avoid practical mistakes, like visiting during local holidays when restaurants tend to be closed or overpaying for transportation.

Firstly, even the French—meaning non-Parisians—don’t always get it right when visiting the country’s capital. Why? Because in southwest France, pain au chocolat is called chocolatine, and in Alsace, they start their bisous (double-kiss greeting) on the left cheek, not the right. That means you likely won’t be alone in making a faux pas when visiting. You’re a tourist, after all. We know, we know—you want to avoid being pegged as one.

I’d say to leave the fanny pack and sneakers at home, but both are back in style these days, and Paris is known for its trendsetting ways. I learned this the hard way when moving here from New York in 2014. Since Parisians don’t prance around in their gym clothes like Americans, I wore jeans to the yoga studio, only to arrive and realize I left my leggings back at chez moi. Thankfully, this always-be-dressed-to-impress rule has lightened up a bit in recent years, although a few other steadfast rules remain.

I’ve compiled some other travel mistakes to avoid in Paris, so you can learn from my missteps and awkward encounters and take on the City of Love like a true Parisian.

Not Exchanging Basic Pleasantries in French

When in Paris, be polite and mind your Ps and Qs. It’s imperative to say “hello” (bonjour if it’s daytime, bonsoir if it’s nighttime) upon entering a store or restaurant. Eye contact is encouraged, too. Acknowledge your fellow humans. It took me a while to get used to this one, and I’ll never forget the time I walked up to someone at a store and launched directly into a question without greeting them. Madame, understandably, was not happy. When in doubt, simply start with bonjour, and don’t forget s’il vous plaît (please) and merci (thank you) as well.

Waiting for Water and the Bill at Restaurants

Eating and drinking in Paris is a favorite pastime and one to be taken seriously—so seriously, in fact, that you won’t be rushed out the door upon finishing your meal. Eating is a time to savor both the flavors of the food and the company you keep. This is why the bill won’t arrive as soon as your plates have been cleared and you’ve had your last sip of water. (Speaking of which, you’ll likely have to ask for water—une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît, if you just want tap—unless you’re at a super-fancy restaurant). The bill will only be dropped on the table when you ask for it (l’addition, s’il vous plaît).

Not Making Reservations at Restaurants

Most reputable restaurants require bookings. For some, that means the night before; for others, it means a week or a month ahead. Either way, it’s important to put your name on the list. Dining rooms in Paris are significantly smaller, and unlike American cities such as Los Angeles or New York City, they’re not as interested in turning tables and increasing head count as they are in making something delicious during their set kitchen hours. Generally, this time frame falls between noon and 2:15 p.m. for lunch and 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. for dinner, though there are all-day restaurants and cafés (look for signs that say service continu).

Not everyone travels to eat, but if you do, plan ahead and make a reservation. Many restaurants have online systems, so you don’t have to worry about whether to use tu or vous when calling. (To be safe, always go with vous.)

Visiting in August

If you’re traveling to dine at a specific Michelin-starred spot or hope to try as many eateries as possible, avoid visiting in August when many restaurants close for vacation. Plus, while a lot of Parisians may be out of town during this month, it’s still high season for tourism, so expect large crowds at popular museums and monuments.

Restaurants also tend to shut down around the December holidays, and in general, the city has a quiet, closed-up vibe in winter. Some love it, while others, like me, thrive on the buzz and prefer busier times of the year. But if this sounds appealing and you don’t mind chilly weather, plan a winter trip to Paris for better rates at some of the city’s finest hotels.

Getting a Coffee at a Corner Café

If you haven’t already noticed, in France, food is la vie, and dining out is one of the best things to do in Paris. It may be your dream to come here, sit on one of those wicker chairs facing the street, and order a café crème. It was mine, too. And yes, there is nothing quite like people-watching or reading the likes of Hemingway or Sartre from one of these corner cafés. However, a word of advice. Smoking is still permitted on restaurant terraces here, so expect whatever you order to come with a side of secondhand smoke. Plus, the coffee at such places is arguably not good. You’re better off ordering wine or a beer if all you want to do is imbibe and take in the scene.

Quality bean lovers should seek out any number of the newer craft coffee shops that now proliferate around Paris for a true filtre (long, black drip coffee) or a crème where the foam isn’t the equivalent of overly soapy bath bubbles.

Only Buying Baguettes at the Boulangerie

Instead of a baguette, ask for a tradition (tradi if you really want to seem like a local) when visiting the bakery. The former is white inside, can be made with any ingredients, and is often mass-produced, so it’s not quite as delicious. A tradi can only contain flour, salt, water, and yeast, and is usually made by hand on the premises; therefore, it’s much tastier. If you get one straight out of the oven, I dare you not to devour the entire thing on the way to your destination.

Eating or Drinking on the Go

Speaking of eating or drinking while on the move, Parisians don’t really do it. Again, food and beverages are meant to be enjoyed and ingested slowly—not in a rush, over your computer, or on the metro. The only thing I’ve ever seen people eating on the street while walking is a sandwich or baguette (likely because it’s hot—and yes, you can still call it a baguette colloquially even if you order a tradition). Coffee is rarely ordered to-go, and even eating apples or bananas on the street may cause people to scoff. And while there are certain dos and don’ts at the table, too—like proper ways to cut cheese or pour wine—Parisians are ultimately an international bunch. So if you want to eat a hamburger or a slice of pizza with your hands while they cut theirs with a fork and knife, go ahead.

Touching Anything Without Asking

When it comes to getting handsy, just don’t. Or, as the French say, ne touchez pas! At food markets, it’s best to ask before you grab something. The same rule applies at any of the weekend brocantes (flea markets) dotting neighborhood streets. Many of the items for sale are valuable and fragile, so it’s better to catch the seller’s attention and point rather than caressing the porcelain salt and pepper set like it’s already yours.

Buying a Weeklong Metro Pass

The Paris metro offers a variety of ticket options, including single-journey rides and extended-use passes. If you’re in Paris for a few days, it may seem rational to get a weekly travel pass instead of constantly paying for one-off tickets. That being said, many popular Parisian sites are so close together that you may want to walk and enjoy the attractions along the way. Unless you’re here for an extended stay or will be commuting to and from a specific place regularly, don’t bother buying a weeklong pass.

Overpaying for Taxi Rides

If you’re not up for walking or taking the metro, car services are everywhere—and that includes old-school taxis. Not all are official, though, and you could end up getting drastically overcharged. That’s why you want to ensure you’re using the real deal. Official taxis say “Taxi Parisien” or “G7” on the vehicle, and there are designated taxi stands from which you can hop in and go. That said, Uber is widely used, so you can also order one from wherever you are. Fares vary depending on the destination, but rates from the airport are always the same. From Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, it’s €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank; from Paris Orly Airport, it’s €36 to the Left Bank and €45 to the Right Bank.