Paris Travel Tips – Insiders Advice For A Better Visit

Want to feel less like a tourist and more like you belong in Paris? That's our goal with these Paris travel tips that will help you navigate the city with confidence, whether it's your first visit or your tenth. After decades of exploring Paris, we've learned a few things — the unwritten rules, the little tricks, and the small shifts in attitude that make all the difference.

The first thing to know? Parisians aren't rude, they're just French. They appreciate good manners, they don't overshare, and they expect the same from you. A few simple habits — like saying bonjour at the right time and keeping your voice down — can transform your entire experience. Ready for more Paris travel tips? Here's what you need to know.

Level 1 of the Eiffel Tower, featuring Madame Brasserie

Our Top 10 Paris Traveler Tips

1. Learn to say "Bonjour" – All. The. Time.

To everyone. All the time. Walking into a cafe? Say bonjour. Entering a shop? Bonjour. Hopping into a taxi? Bonjour. It shows that you're trying to be part of French culture. Say bonjour whenever you walk into a store, restaurant, shop; to the ticket seller in the Metro, the vendor in the market stall. Say it every time you return to your hotel and pass the front desk. Say it… well, you get the picture.

It's not just a word, it's an acknowledgment — of the person, of the moment, of the simple fact that you're in their space. Miss this step, and you might get the dreaded Parisian cold shoulder. And when you leave? A cheerful au revoir does wonders. Even if you buy nothing, even if you spent only 30 seconds inside a shop. It's just how things work.

Want the real insiders trick? If it's evening, swap bonjour for bonsoir. You'll sound like a natural.

2. Les 4 Mots Magiques – The Four Magic Words

Want to shine in Paris with almost zero French? You only need four words:

• Bonjour
• Au revoir
• Merci
• Pardon

These are your golden tickets. Toss in a smile, and you'll be treated infinitely better than the hapless tourist barking "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?" at bewildered shopkeepers.

When you leave any store, any cafe, shop; when you get our of the the taxi; it's the polite companion piece to bonjour. You might even say it to the table of diners closest to the door as you leave a restaurant. We've been seated there and spent the entire evening au revoir-ing every other diner as they departed and greeted us.

3. Hidden Paris Travel Tips – Eat Like a Local

French food isn't just a meal, it's a rhythm. And if you want to keep up, you'll need to adjust your approach. The standard format? Three courses: starter (entrée), main (plat), and dessert. Portions are smaller, so don't be shy about indulging. And that "let's split a plate" idea? Non. Order your own dish. It's part of the experience, and it keeps the kitchen from glaring at you.

Be bold. Escargots, duck confit, beef tartare — give them a shot. Order dishes you don't understand. If you stick to Croque Monsieurs , you're missing the best stuff. If there is a set menu (called le menu), order it.

4. Breakfast Is Not What You Think

Breakfast (petit-déjeuner) is not a big deal in France. If you're dreaming of a giant plate of eggs, bacon, and pancakes, prepare for disappointment. Breakfast in Paris is minimal: drop into a nearby boulangerie or café for a croissant and coffee. Keep your appetite strong for a 3-course lunch or dinner.

Restaurant Au Bon Accueil near the Eiffel Tower

5. Paris Travel Tips – Look the Part

Parisians dress well — not fancy, just well. That means no gym clothes at lunch, no hiking boots unless you're actually hiking, and definitely no shorts and flip-flops unless you're at the beach (which, spoiler: you are not). You don't need to dress like a Paris Fashion Week model. Parisians dress with understated elegance — clean lines, neutral colors, well-fitted clothes.

• For sightseeing: Comfortable but stylish — dark jeans, good walking shoes (not sneakers unless they're sleek), and layers.
• For restaurants and museums: A step up — nice pants or a dress, a blazer, polished shoes.

Remember: you're a traveler, not a tourist. Cargo pants? Don't even pack them. Trust us, you'll feel more comfortable when you don't stick out.

6. Banc on It

It's easy to get tired in Paris. But this is a city that rewards those who slow down. When your feet start aching (and they will), find a bench. They're everywhere — along the Seine, in the parks, tucked into quiet spaces — use them. Sit. Breathe. Watch the city unfold around you. Some of the best Paris moments happen when you do absolutely nothing.

Running around to check off every sight on your list? That's how you miss the magic. Paris rewards those who linger.

7. Travelers Speak Softly

Once you become a traveler it's easy to spot the tourists in restaurants. They're the loud talkers. Parisians speak softly in public and keep their conversations private. So do travelers.

Want to blend in? Lower your volume. You'll not only get better service, but you'll also be following one of the most unspoken (or softly spoken!) Paris travel tips — respecting the atmosphere. So if you catch yourself booming out, "I THINK THIS IS THE LOUVRE?" just… take it down a notch.

Relaxing on the grass at Places des Vosges, photo by Mark Craft

8. No Tipping Necessary

Tipping in France works differently. In restaurants, a service charge is already included in your bill. you'll see service compris at the bottom — that means the tip is included. Servers earn a living wage; no need to add an extra 15% or 20%. While rounding up or leaving a few coins for exceptional service is appreciated, it's not expected.

Bartenders? No tip. Taxis? Round up to the nearest euro. Hotel staff? A small tip is fine, but nothing extravagant. Save your cash for another café crème instead.

9. Hidden Paris Museums – The Best Ones Aren't Always Obvious

Sure, you'll visit the Louvre Museum. Maybe Musée d'Orsay. But some of the best Paris museums are the ones most tourists miss.

• Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature — A museum about hunting and nature, but somehow, also a surreal art experience.
• Musée Gustave Moreau — The former home of the Symbolist painter, a labyrinth of wild colors and dramatic staircases.
• Musée des Arts et Métiers — Where you'll find Foucault's pendulum, ancient scientific instruments, and the odd steampunk-looking contraption.

Paris is packed with surprises — you just have to know where to look.

10. The Metro Is Your Best Friend

Taxis are expensive, buses are scenic but slow, and walking everywhere is great until your feet protest. The Paris Metro is fast, efficient, and easy once you get the hang of it.

• Buy a Navigo Easy card or a carnet (pack of ten tickets) to save money.
• Hold onto your ticket until you exit your final station — random checks happen.
• Move quickly through turnstiles — nothing annoys other riders more than someone hesitating in the Metro queue.

One more thing — ignore the Metro map's spaghetti mess of lines; Google Maps will tell you exactly where to go.

Paris Travel Tips – Stay Open, Stay Curious

Paris is a city of beauty, history, and unexpected magic. But it's also a place with its own rhythms, customs, and quirks. Follow these Insider travel tips, and you'll be the kind of visitor who gets a smile instead of a sigh.

The best trips happen when you let go of rigid plans. Wander. Try something unexpected. Duck into that tiny cafe with no English menu. Order the thing you can't pronounce. Hop on a a Metro and ride to the end of the line. Trust that Paris has more to offer than the checklist you made back home. This city doesn't just reveal itself — it rewards those who take the time to truly see it.

That's your Paris travel tips starter pack. Follow these, and you'll not only have a smoother trip — you'll have a better one. A traveler's trip. The kind that leaves you longing for your next return before you've even left.