Ten Things That Will Shock You When You Visit Paris, France
Bonjour from Paris, France! Today, I’m sharing Paris travel tips and 12 things that will shock you when you visit Paris. Paris is my favorite city in all of Europe, and it’s well worth visiting, especially if you are prepared for these shocks!
Paris Travel Tip #1 Parisians Are Nice People
With all of the rumors you hear about rude people in Paris, you will be shocked at how friendly the people in Paris are. They are mostly super helpful, and very friendly. Don’t let a stereotype inform how you interact with Parisians and you just might be surprised. That said…
Paris Travel Tip #2 Parisian Service is NOT Friendly
While Parisians are generally very friendly, you will be shocked at how unfriendly the service can be in Paris. Something happens when Parisians enter the service industry that all of a sudden, they are very unfriendly. This is especially true of servers in restaurants and bars, and is likely the reason for the stereotype of unfriendly Parisians. They have an uncanny ability to scan the room and yet totally avoid eye contact when you need something. To make your interactions slightly better, I recommend learning a bit of French to soften the edges of the rough service you’re going to get.
Learn French: Basic Phrases for Tourists
Paris Travel Tip #3 Parisians Smoke. A Lot.
You will be shocked at how many people in Paris are smoking. Before breakfast, during breakfast, after breakfast, and on and on. If you’re coming from the U.S. or other parts of Europe, it’s a big surprise at all the smokers in Paris. There’s no point in complaining about the smoke, it’s just all part of being in Paris.
Paris Travel Tip #4 Dog Poop is Everywhere, So Watch Your Step
Paris has so many beautiful sights, and you will be busy trying to take it all in, with amazing attractions in every direction. Inevitably, if you don’t watch where you’re walking, you’ll end up stepping in dog poop. The amount of dog poop on Paris streets is truly shocking. It’s gotten better in recent years, but it’s still advisable to keep an eye out on the sidewalk in front of you so you can avoid any unpleasantries.
Paris Travel Tip #5 So Many Things to See in Paris
The amount of amazing sights in Paris is very shocking. There’s the sights you’ve heard of, like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre. Then there are the amazing sights you might not have heard of, like smaller museums, interesting arrondissements, or even lesser-known parts of the Louvre. No matter how long you spend in Paris, you’ll never run out of fascinating sights to visit.
Read: 13 Ways Pickpockets Rob Tourists Without Them Even Knowing It
Paris Travel Tip #6 Paris Can Be Affordable
You might be shocked that you don’t actually have to spend a lot of money to enjoy Paris. With all of the things to see and do, many of them are free to see. Hotels may be slightly more expensive than elsewhere in Europe, but it’s easy to save money by just enjoying the sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees or the many parks and gardens of Paris. Wandering around Paris is one of the best things you can do. Some of the museums and attractions will also have free or discounted admission days, so you can plan ahead and save money that way.
What To Know Before You Visit Paris
Paris Travel Tip #7 Paris Hotel Rooms Are Small… (tiny)
Yes, it can be a shock when you see how small the hotel rooms in Paris are. You may even find the bathroom is down the hallway, but it won’t matter. The point of coming to Paris is not to hang out in your hotel room. With so many things to do in Paris, you won’t be spending much time in your room at all. If you’re traveling with more than two adults, though, make sure you get a triple room, as a double just means two twin beds.
Paris Travel Tip #8 Paris is Huge, But Neighborhoods Make it Feel Small
It’s shocking how huge Paris is, but equally shocking is how at home you can feel once you find a neighborhood that suits you. If you find a great neighborhood of Paris to call home, it really begins to feel like a small city. You’ll still have all the great attractions of Paris at your doorstep, but a neighborhood like Montmarte feels like a completely separate city. You can get to know the local cafe and bakery. Getting to know the “local’s Paris” is one of the best things about visiting this city.
Paris Travel Tip #9 The Metro is Everywhere
You’ll be shocked at how extensive the Paris Metro is. There’s a Metro stop every 500 meters, no matter where you go. Public transportation in Paris is amazing and helps save a ton of money over taking taxis everywhere. Purchasing Metro tickets in Paris is super simple, but remember to hang on to your ticket as you might also need it when exiting the station. Another shock might be the number of steps you’ll take at these stops. If you have mobility issues, be sure to look for a Metro stop with an elevator.
Read: 10 Culture Shocks Tourists Have When They Visit France
Paris Travel Tip #10 Beggars With Children
This is a shocking sight for anyone who comes to Paris. You’ll most likely see a lot of beggars on the street, with children. This is especially common in the heavily touristy areas. The French will tell you these people are not French, but regardless, it’s a shocking sight. Most sources recommend not giving these beggars any money, but it’s a very personal decision to make.
Paris Travel Tip #11 Crowds of Tourists
Another thing that will shock you when you visit Paris is the insane number of tourists. Paris is the most visited city in the world, for good reason! The city is gorgeous, the food is amazing and the people are wonderful. Because of this, there’s not really a low season in Paris. There’s high season and then there’s “oh my God” high season. Where ever you go in or around Paris, be prepared for crowds and tour groups. You may have to wait in line to enter attractions, or to get a table at a restaurant. (Side note: some restaurants do not serve dinner until 7p.m.)
Bonus Paris Travel Tip: Park Rules
You might be shocked that some parks don’t let you walk on the grass. It’s a little surprising when Paris has so many parks, but many don’t actually allow you to walk in the grass or sit on the benches. Keep an eye out for signs so you can know where to walk and where not to walk.
I hope these shocks help you be better prepared for your trip to Paris. Paris is such a great place; everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. If you want to learn more, check out some of our other travel videos: