Paris travel tips
15 Things to Know Before Visiting Paris
Paris is the world's most-visited city, but specific cultural and practical points make the difference between a great trip and a frustrating one. Here are 15 things that matter most.
01. ETIAS authorization required mid-2025+
Visa-free visitors need it before boarding. Apply online ~7 EUR, valid 3 years.
02. Always start with 'Bonjour'
Greeting French shop staff or restaurant servers before speaking English transforms the interaction. Locals find it impolite when foreigners skip it.
03. French waiters don't bring the bill
You have to ask for 'l'addition'. They consider proactive bill-bringing as rushing customers out.
04. Tip 5-10%, not 20%
Service is included by law. Round up + leave a euro or two for good service. Not 15-20% American style.
05. Public transport with the Navigo Easy pass
Buy at metro stations, rechargeable, valid on metro/bus/RER. Pay-per-trip is much pricier.
06. Many museums are free first Sunday of the month
Plan around this, but expect crushing crowds. Better: regular days with the Paris Museum Pass.
07. Pickpockets target Metro Line 1 and tourist sites
Front-pocket wallet only. Bags zipped on the metro. Eiffel Tower base, Sacre-Coeur, Champs-Élysées are pickpocket hotspots.
08. Lunch is 12-2pm, dinner is 7:30-10pm
Don't show up for lunch at 11am or dinner at 6pm. Restaurants will be closed or quiet.
09. Notre Dame reopened December
Restoration after the 2019 fire is complete. Entry is free as a working church.
10. Versailles is a full day
30 min by RER C. Closed Mondays. Pre-book skip-the-line tickets.
11. Avoid the Bateaux Mouches scam-ish operators
Vedettes du Pont-Neuf is the smaller, more pleasant Seine cruise option.
12. Aug is when Parisians leave
Many smaller restaurants and bistros close August. Big tourist sites remain open.
13. Don't compare French food culture to American Italian
French cuisine has its own rules. Bread is for eating between bites, not for dipping in olive oil at restaurants.
14. Carrefour Express + Monoprix are the convenience stores
Quick food + wine + sandwiches at fair prices. Better than tourist-area cafes for budget eating.
15. Free walking tours are tip-only
Sandeman's New Europe runs daily — pay 10-15 EUR per person if you enjoyed it.