The 9 DON’T You Must Remember in Your First Time Travel to Paris
When traveling, many people are usually comfortable doing what they want without planning. As a result, failure to research in advance and prefer spontaneity will sometimes cause travelers trouble or waste time and money. Especially when you travel to Paris, France, where there are hundreds of tourist traps everywhere, you may pay more for less experience than its real worth. Don’t worry, here in this blog, The Broad Life has some tips for you to enjoy your trip to Paris without tourist traps.
1. Don’t Stay Outside the City
Although the price is definitely cheaper, most visitors consider it’s not worth staying on the outskirts of the city. Instead, you should choose hotels near the center, with easy access to bars and restaurants. Such an option will help you mingle with the locals and learn more about magnificent Paris city without having to travel long distances or feel disheartened by having to return to a boring hotel room.
2. Don’t Buy Tickets for the Day
If you arrive at a tourist destination and then buy a ticket, you will not be able to visit immediately and may be stuck in a long line at the door. This queue can last several hours or even half a day in popular spots. Hence, the best way to avoid this is to plan and book your tickets online in advance.
3. Don’t Board the Train Without a Ticket
When traveling to Paris, many tourists will find that taking the train is easier than taking a taxi and even a lot cheaper. One thing to avoid, however, is getting on a train without a ticket as you could incur hefty fines that aren’t worth it. You should also be aware that the train can sometimes be a bit late. Yet, it’s still better than being stuck in traffic.
4. Don’t Buy Water
In fact, tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Paris, according to the International Standards (WHO). Thus, you shouldn’t waste money buying bottled water as you can go to the sink or Wallace fountains around the city. Bringing a water bottle will save you quite much from having to buy bottled water. Also, when you come to restaurants, simply ask for tap water.
5. Don’t Shop at the Champs Elysees
An attractive thing for visitors when coming to the fashion capital of Paris is to go shopping. High fashion boutiques dot the capital, and one of the most popular shopping streets is the Champs Elysees.
This place converges a series of stores of world-famous brands. You can easily find every trendy high-fashion item. However, if you have a tight budget, Champs Elysees is not the ideal shopping destination for you. Instead, the streets behind this avenue are filled with shops with much more affordable prices.
6. Don’t Eat at Tourist Restaurants
There are tourist traps, including restaurant traps near tourist attractions, where food is at sky-high prices. To avoid those, you can go to much better restaurants just a street or two from the main streets of Paris that the locals will recommend to you.
7. Don’t Just Rely on English
English is not the native language of Paris. French is primary in France. Therefore, you should make an effort to learn a little French before traveling to Paris, even if it’s just a few words or sentences. This will create sympathy with the locals, who will appreciate your understanding and polite attitude.
Additionally, in a lot of places locals don’t speak English and won’t understand what tourists are saying. However, some translation apps can also help you communicate well.
8. Don’t Miss the Arc de Triomphe
While most tourists love visiting classic attractions like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, a few other attractions are less well known but well worth a visit. One of them is the Arc de Triomphe, where you can enjoy city views at a cheaper rate and with fewer crowds.
9. Don’t Forget to Dress Well
Sometimes, travelers may not care how they dress during their outing. However, when coming to Paris, one of the fashion capitals of the world, where most people usually dress well, you should also pay attention to your appearance to better match the surrounding atmosphere. It does not require you to wear too fancy clothes. Nevertheless, a polite and elegant appearance will make you more confident when visiting the city. Furthermore, I’m sure that you can take great photos with beautiful outfits in the environment of Paris.
In the end, I hope you enjoy the tips and have a great trip to Paris!
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Khoi Nguyen
Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.
30 Comments
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Khoi Nguyen
I hope you enjoy and have a great experience in Paris!
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briannemanzb
These are all important things to remember when traveling to Paris. It’s a wonderful place and you will have a more rewarding trip if you keep these in mind.
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Khoi Nguyen
Definitely, don’t forget these tips when traveling to Paris.
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Beth
I really like this take on the classic travel bucket list. I’ve never seen a DON’T post like this before. It’s very helpful.
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m glad that you like this post. Thanks for your comment!
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Bryan
I didn’t know that about the water! Out of habit, most Americans will buy bottled water everywhere they go.
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Khoi Nguyen
Haha, that surprises me for the first time too. I buy bottles of water everywhere.
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TweenselMom (@TweenselMom)
Ooh now I’m more excited to visit Paris. Thanks for the tips! I’m glad tap water in the place is clean.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah, have a try, and tell me your experience with it.
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Talya Stone
Hoping to get over to Paris again with my daughter sometime this summer so will definitely keep all of the above in mind – thank you!
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Khoi Nguyen
You’re welcome! And have a great trip to Paris with your daughter.
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Anosa - MyrabevLife
Coudln’t agree more on your points! What I missed before my first time was the buying water! Hahaha after that I know what to do next.
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Khoi Nguyen
Haha, now you’re fully prepared for the next trip to Paris, aren’t you?
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Nyxie
We were caught out with the water thing. Everywhere insisted that we buy bottles of water but it was only when we were speaking to locals that we were told it’s perfectly fine to drink!
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Khoi Nguyen
Yeah, looks like many people learn something about the water in Paris.
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Kelly Bolen
I loved Paris! And we stayed in the city about 1/4 mile from the Eiffel Tour! It was fabulous!!!
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Khoi Nguyen
I believe you had a great Paris trip.
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Fransic verso
Great tips when going to Paris. I will save them and try them because we will go soon in the future.
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Khoi Nguyen
You will have a great trip to Paris with these tips. Enjoy!
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Cinny
Ah, I do love Paris and want to go again some day. I had no idea tap water was okay there.
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Khoi Nguyen
Hehe, try the tap water when you come to the city. It’s ok to drink.
And don’t forget to tell me your experience with it.
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Elise Ho
I have not made it to Paris yet. And I really don’t expect to this year. However these chips are good and I will revisit them
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Khoi Nguyen
Enjoy, and have a great trip to Paris in the future!
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Ramil Hinolan
So helpful travel tips; At least for me, when I go to Paris, I will be more cautious and careful.
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Khoi Nguyen
You will have a great trip to Paris with these tips, surely!
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Ntensibe Edgar
Nnniiiccceeeee…it’s nice to hear of the drinking water situation in Paris! Packaged water has it’s own issues, these days. I no longer trust it as much.
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Mijia Eggers
I have been to Paris a couple of time and agree with you, that I choose hotels outside of the city. The price is much cheaper than those in the city range.
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Angela Ricardo Bethea
Those are some great tips to keep in mind and will keep this in mind for future use.
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Khoi Nguyen
You may apply these tips and have a great trip to Paris.
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Alita Pacio
I will surely keep these in mind when I visit Paris soon. Looking forward to have an amazing time there!