Top 10 Tourist Scams in Paris + How to Avoid Them
Paris attracts every scam under the sun. Here are the 10 most common + how to spot them.
1. Petition scam near Louvre/Trocadéro
Young women holding petitions ask you to sign ‘for deaf children’, distraction for pickpocket partner. Don’t engage.
2. Gold ring scam along Seine
Stranger ‘finds’ gold ring, offers to share/sell — it’s worthless brass. Walk away.
3. Bracelet weavers at Sacré-Cœur steps
Tie thread on wrist, demand €5-20. Don’t extend hand at the base of the steps.
4. Friendship bracelet at Trocadéro
Variation of above: they grab wrist, tie, demand cash.
5. Restaurant tourist menu
Restaurants near major sights post tourist menus 2-3x normal prices. Walk 2 blocks away for normal prices.
6. Three-card monte at major squares
Shell game + accomplices in crowd = you lose. Never play street card games.
7. ‘Eiffel Tower keychain’ aggressive sellers
Approach + drop souvenir at your feet, demand payment. Don’t pick up anything from street.
8. Fake taxi at CDG arrivals
Unmarked cars approach with ‘taxi’ offers, charge €120+ (real meter ~€55). Use official taxi line or RER train.
9. Metro pickpocket teams
Lines 1, 4, 9 are infamous. Use anti-theft crossbody bags + back pocket = nothing.
10. Ticket booth scammer at attractions
‘I’ll get you ticket faster’ = takes money, vanishes. Buy online or at official booth.