Paris Travel Tips: 6 Things Not to Do on Your First Trip

There I was in Paris, barging onto the metro before the people inside had a chance to get off, when I realized I’d committed a faux pas. I’d gotten on too soon. That moment is exactly why I wrote these Paris travel tips, and it’s tip #2 below.

These are the Paris travel tips I wish someone had given me before my first trip. The short version: say bonjour before anything else, let people off the metro first, keep your voice down, order your water by name, ask for the check, and ask before you photograph anyone. Below, I explain why each one matters to locals and what to do instead, plus what to wear in Paris.

You’ve probably heard that Paris has a reputation for being unwelcoming to visitors. Most of the time, though, the coldness travelers describe comes from something they did in the first five seconds without realizing it.

I’ve been to Paris several times now, stayed in neighborhoods from Montmartre to the 6th arrondissement, and lived in Europe for more than eight years. I’ve watched friends, family, and myself make every mistake on this list. You aren’t a bad traveler; ya just didn’t know! I didn’t either, and we all learn somehow.

Are Parisians Rude?

Ask anyone who has visited Paris whether Parisians are rude, and you’ll probably get a mixed bag of responses. In my experience, most of the rudeness travelers describe is a misunderstanding of Paris etiquette, not an unfriendly city. That’s why so many of my Paris travel tips start with etiquette.

Daily life in Paris runs on a few unspoken rules: you greet people before you ask them for anything, you keep your voice low in shared spaces, and you don’t rush a meal. Visitors who don’t know these rules often break all three in their first hour, then wonder why the response feels cold.

The good news? It all comes down to small gestures. A “bonjour” at the door or ordering your water by name tells people you took the time to understand where you are. Parisians notice that, and they respond accordingly.

1. Don’t Walk Into a Shop Without Saying Bonjour

In France, saying “bonjour” when you walk into a shop, bakery, pharmacy, or café is a simple acknowledgment. It acknowledges that you’re entering someone’s space and that you NOTICE the person behind the counter.

Skipping it and going straight to “Do you have this in a medium?” comes across as rude, even when you don’t mean it that way. That moment is often where the “Parisians are rude” stereotype comes in.

I think greeting people matters in every country, and in France it carries real weight. The same goes for Belgium, where I live now.

What to do instead: Make eye contact and say “Bonjour, madame” or “Bonjour, monsieur” as you walk in. Switch to “bonsoir” in the evening. When you leave, say “Merci, au revoir.”

Learn a handful of French phrases before you go. People appreciate the effort even when you can’t finish the sentence and have to switch to English halfway through. Still, starting in French is a great way to show Parisians you’ve made an effort!

2. Don’t Rush Onto the Metro the Second the Doors Open

This is a big one! It’s the part I hate most about any metro, in any city.

When the train pulls in and the doors open, the instinct is to step on right away, especially if you’re nervous about getting left behind. But people need to get off first, and a crowd blocking the doors makes that much harder. At rush hour, it backs up the whole platform and causes real havoc for commuters trying to get to work.

What to do instead: Stand to either side of the doors, let everyone off, then board. If you’re near the door and need to get out at the next stop, say “Pardon” or “Je descends” (I’m getting off) so people can make room. On crowded trains, avoid sitting on the fold-down seats by the doors, since they take up standing room.

For solo female travelers visiting France: stand to the side and take a moment to check the line and direction before you board, and you’ll blend in with everyone else on the platform. My favorite travel apps for solo female travelers make this part easy.

3. Don’t Speak Loudly on the Metro

Listen on a Paris metro car, and you’ll notice how quiet it is. People talk, but quietly, and phone calls are short or saved for later. A group of travelers chatting at a normal American volume stands out right away.

I noticed this more after living in South Korea, where quiet on trains and subways is the expectation. After that, coming back to Europe, I was already more aware of my volume.

What to do instead: Keep your voice low, save phone calls for when you’re off the train, and use headphones for anything you’re watching or listening to. Being a quiet presence on the metro also makes you look less like a tourist, which is helpful when you’re riding alone.

4. Don’t Just Ask for “Water” at a Restaurant

Paris restaurant etiquette has a few surprises, and water is the first one. Ask a Paris waiter for “water,” and you may get a bottle of mineral water added to your bill when you wanted free tap water.

Guys, no one is trying to trick you here!

“Water” is just vague, and there are several options.

I always order sparkling water, so I know exactly what I’m asking for and I know what I will be paying for!

What to do instead:

• Tap water: “Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît.” With a meal, a carafe of tap water is normally free. Paris tap water is safe to drink.
• Sparkling water: “Une eau gazeuse, s’il vous plaît.” This is bottled, and you’ll pay for it.
• Still bottled water: “Une eau plate, s’il vous plaît.” Also paid.

5. Don’t Wait for the Server to Bring the Check

On a recent trip to Paris, my husband’s cousin kept asking why the waiter was taking so long with the check. We explained what was going on: the server hadn’t forgotten us. In France, bringing the bill before you ask for it can feel like rushing you out. Meals are meant to be unhurried, and the table is yours for as long as you want it. This is one of the biggest café etiquette differences for American visitors in Paris.

I think this is standard across Europe; Europeans just have a different way of eating and a different idea of what a meal means.

If you’re on a schedule, it can be frustrating until you know how it works.

What to do instead: When you’re ready, catch your server’s eye and say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” If you’re short on time, ask for the check when your last course or coffee arrives. In many cafés, you can also pay at the counter on your way out.

Want a local to set the pace for an evening out? A Paris cocktail bar tour is an easy way to experience a slow Parisian night, especially if you’re traveling solo.

6. Don’t Photograph People Without Asking

I love photography and taking pics, but I have learned that there’s a way to do this, and we need to start being careful.

I was walking along the Left Bank with a photographer friend while she photographed the bouquinistes, the booksellers whose green stalls line the Seine. One of them got very upset. I’ve seen the same reaction from artists and artisans in Montmartre. People are not props for our photos.

They’re people at work, and many of them don’t want their face posted online.

If Montmartre’s artists are part of why you’re visiting, a guided Montmartre walking tour is a respectful way to learn their stories.

There’s a legal side too. French law protects a person’s right to their own image (droit à l’image), and publishing a recognizable photo of someone generally requires their permission. The City of Paris explains what you can and can’t photograph in Paris.

Europe’s data protection rules add another layer, and it’s why I’m careful about flying my drone anywhere people are around, even in the Dolomites.

What to do instead: Ask first. “Est-ce que je peux prendre une photo ?” works, and so does pointing at your camera with a smile. If the answer is no, accept it and move on. If you’re photographing a scene, frame it so people aren’t identifiable, or buy something from the vendor and then ask. Asking for permission goes a very long way.

What Not to Wear in Paris (and What to Wear Instead)

Of all my Paris travel tips, this one surprises people most. Most guides about what not to wear in Paris give you a long list of rules. Want the truth?

Parisians don’t care what you’re wearing. Wear what’s comfortable for you. If you want to be fashionable, be fashionable. If you want to walk 20,000 steps in sneakers, do that.

The volume and tone of your voice are usually what give you away as a tourist!

It’s getting harder to pick out tourists by their clothes, but a loud conversation on the metro or in a café still gives you away right away. If you want to avoid dressing like a tourist in Paris, start by lowering your voice. Not everything needs to be an announcement.

I have a few tips for my solo traveler friends, though:

A crossbody bag that sits close to your body. Choose a crossbody that keeps your things within reach and doesn’t make you look like a tourist.

In fall and winter, wear it under your jacket so it’s covered on the metro and in crowds.

My go-to is my Baggallini RFID crossbody, which protects my cards and holds everything I need for a full day.

Kimkepharttravels

REI

Borealis Sling Bag Blue

$59.00

When I’m shooting photos, I switch to my North Face sling or my because my camera fits inside and I can slide it to the front of my body in busy areas.

The bag on my wish list is the Peak Design Everyday Sling, which has the clean, minimal look that works anywhere in Paris.

A jacket that covers your bag. A longer coat looks polished, keeps you warm, and keeps your bag hidden on the metro. For what to pack, see my Europe packing list.

For winter in Europe and Christmas market season, I wear my Uniqlo down jacket. It’s warm and light, and it packs down small enough to fit in a carry-on.

Shoes you can actually walk in that still look good. Paris is a walking city, and your shoes matter more than anything else you pack.

I switch between my New Balance sneakers (the sleek styles, not the grandpa ones) and a comfortable pair of boots. Both handle cobblestones and long days, and neither looks out of place at dinner.

Sunglasses that stay put. I’ve worn my Goodr sunglasses for almost two years, and they’re on every packing list I make. They’re my favorite pair for hiking and for everyday wear, and they don’t slip, whether I’m on a trail or walking along the Seine.

So, what tourists should not wear in Paris all comes down to this: anything that makes you uncomfortable or makes your belongings easy to reach. Everything else is up to you.

Still deciding what to pack? My Europe packing list covers what to bring in every season. Grab the free printable version below.

Paris Travel Tips: What Really Matters on Your First Trip

If you remember only a few Paris travel tips, make them these. Say bonjour, let people off the train, keep your voice down, order your water by name, ask for the check, and ask before you take someone’s photo. You’ll get warmer service and easier conversations, and you’ll feel a lot more confident navigating the city on your own. For more ideas beyond the city, start with my France travel guide.

Paris Travel Tips: FAQ

Research and Sources

• My own trips to Paris, most recently in 2026
• City of Paris: photographing in Paris (droit à l’image)