Paris loves visitors. It’s literally one of the most visited cities in the world. But let’s be real—some tourists? They make locals want to pack up their baguettes and move to the countryside.
If you don’t want to be that tourist—the one getting eye-rolls from Parisians and side-eyes from fellow travelers—then pay close attention.
Here’s what you absolutely need to stop doing at Paris attractions.
1. Blocking the Sidewalk Like It’s a Picnic Spot
Paris sidewalks are NOT the place to stop for a group meeting, pull out a giant map, or have a long chat about where to get lunch.
Locals are on a mission, whether it’s heading to work, grabbing an espresso, or just walking fast because they were born with an instinct for sidewalk dominance.
🚨 What to do instead: Step to the side if you need to stop. Trust me—your ankles will thank you.
2. Treating the Metro Like an Amusement Ride
First-time metro riders, listen up:
- Let people get OFF before you get ON.
- The turnstiles are not a puzzle—just walk through.
- If you block the left side of the escalator, expect loud sighs behind you.
Paris locals navigate the metro like pros. They don’t stop to admire the station’s architecture or scream, “OMG, it’s underground!!” It’s a means of survival, not a tourist attraction.
🚨 What to do instead: Act like you’ve done this before—or at least like you’ve seen a subway on TV.
3. Asking “Do You Speak English?” Without Saying Bonjour First
Paris isn’t rude—people just appreciate manners.
If you walk up to someone and just blurt out “Do you speak English?” without so much as a bonjour—congrats, you’ve just unlocked Instant Cold Shoulder Mode.
🚨 What to do instead: Start with “Bonjour” or “Excusez-moi”. It’s the Parisian secret handshake.
4. Taking Forever to Order at a Café
Parisians know what they want.
They sit down, nod at the waiter, and order like a smooth operator.
Meanwhile, tourists? They:
- Ask for a “large coffee” (which doesn’t exist here).
- Spend 10 minutes debating between a croissant and a pain au chocolat.
- Try to customize their order like it’s a Starbucks in L.A.
🚨 What to do instead: Keep it simple. Order a café crème in the morning and a café in the afternoon. Anything else? Just own it and order with confidence.
5. Standing in the Way at the Eiffel Tower & Louvre
If you suddenly stop walking in front of the Eiffel Tower to take a selfie without checking who’s behind you—congrats, you’ve just become an obstacle.
At the Louvre, if you shove your way to the front of the Mona Lisa crowd just to get that one selfie, you’re officially Public Enemy #1.
🚨 What to do instead: Be aware of your surroundings. The city is full of amazing spots for photos, so don’t hold up an entire crowd just for one picture.
6. Waiting in Line Like a Rookie
Nothing annoys locals more than watching tourists waste their day standing in line when a perfectly good fast-track pass exists.
You think Parisians are waiting 3 hours to get into the Eiffel Tower? Absolutely not.
🚨 What to do instead:
- Skip the lines with Eiffel Fast Tickets
- Get Louvre priority access through Allejo.fr
- Glide into Versailles like a royal with Wonder Meets and Tours
Paris isn’t just about seeing things—it’s about experiencing things. And trust me, lines are not an experience worth having.
