However, costly mistakes lurk around every (picture-perfect) corner. If you hit a snag that sets you back €20, €40, or even €60, well, it still stings.

Related:

• Top budget hotels in Paris
• Best time to visit Paris
• 50 do’s & don’ts in Paris

10 Paris mistakes to avoid on your trip

Here are a few tips for avoiding everyday costly mistakes when visiting Paris, many of which could be applied to visiting other cities in Europe, as well.

1. Buying a bottle of anything at dinner

When dining out in Paris, go for a carafe of wine (cheaper) and water (always free). There’s no need to plunk down €60 for a bottle of wine for a normal dinner, trust me — a €12 carafe will be perfectly fine for the casual wine drinker. Remember, this is France — the wine is good.

And tap water, I insist, is perfectly fine to drink, so don’t splash out on costly Evian (especially when it only costs a euro at the supermarket).

Related: Why you should never buy water in Paris

2. Paying for the hotel’s lackluster breakfast

Why spend €10-€15 for some coffee and croissants? Even with those cute little jars of marmalade, it’s a still a rip. Head to a café or just pick up some pastries at the local bakery and save a significant amount of money each day. The same bakeries are delivering the baguettes and croissants to your hotel — so save by going straight to the source. You might as well get them fresh from the oven!

Most bakeries have a spot where you can stand, mingle with the locals, and enjoy your breakfast. If they don’t, either keep looking around for one that does, eat it outside on a park bench, or head into a cafe where you can order the same thing at the counter.

Plus, you get to practice your French: “Bonjour, un cafe et un croissant, s’il vous plait.”

3. Waiting until the last minute to book

Whether it’s airfare, your hotel, or a TGV train ticket, it’s best to book early. TGV trains, in particular, are much cheaper when they first go on sale three months before the date of departure. Eurostar tickets to London are also cheapest when they go on sale six months in advance.

When should you book that hotel? It’s an oft-discussed topic (and we address it in detail here), and a lot depends on where you’re going and when you’re visiting. If you’re heading to a less visited destination or traveling during a slower period, you could wait and probably score last-minute deals. However, if you’re traveling to Paris during the peak summer or early fall travel season, your best bet is to book in advance (especially if you hope to book a specific hotel). Many of Paris’ best budget-friendly hotels are small properties that are quite popular — and they fill up fast.

Related: 10 best budget hotels in Paris (book early!)

4. Spending silly amounts for a cup of coffee

If you go to the terrace of a really, really nice café like the Café de la Paix (pictured above, facing the Opera Garnier), prepare for a hefty bill. The view might be great, but it’ll cost you — €6 for a cup of coffee, for example, at the Café de la Paix. Those €6 coffees can add up fast!

Instead, consider going around the corner to a smaller, more out of the way café where they’ll charge you €2-3 to sit outside and people watch (or €1 to sip at the counter).

5. Handing over money to anyone on the street

Don’t hand over cash to anyone unless they’re your waiter, taxi driver, tour guide, or selling you something. Anyone who stops you in the street and asks for money is a panhandler or scam artist. Sure, they might sport an official-looking badge or ask you to sign a petition — but they are not working for a charity. They come in all forms — some seem legit, others clearly do not — but handing over cash is a sure-fire way to throw money down the drain.

Oh, and the guys you’ll see playing three-card monte? Or trying the ring trick? No, no — you know it’s a scam, right? Keep on walking.

6. Tipping too much

And in that same vein, don’t tip 15-20%. Please don’t. Servers are paid a respectable salary in France and do not live off of their tips. You’re cheating yourself out of money by giving someone a bonus. That’s not your responsibility. Though a few euros for good service is certainly always appreciated, you don’t need to break out the calculator.

Related: When (and when not) to tip in Paris

7. Changing money at an exchange counter

Don’t ever expect to get a good deal at currency change counters. Almost all will be profiting handsomely off of the transaction by either offering a lousy exchange rate, a hefty service charge, or both. “No service charge!” the sign screams — okay, check out the exchange rate. “Best exchange rate, guaranteed!” its competitor beckons — check out the service charge.

You are better off just hitting the ATM and paying a few dollars in fees to the banks instead of losing out big to the money changers.

8. Ordering fancy drinks without looking at the price

Going out at night can add up quickly if you don’t follow the happy hours (here are my favorite cheapo happy hours). A pint of beer or, especially, a fancy cocktail can set you back €9, €12, even €15 in some places.

If you want a good drink and are willing to spend for it, do some research first on websites like 52 Martinis to make sure you’re going to a place where they know how to make good cocktails!

9. Packing poorly

If I had a dollar for each tourist I’ve known who’s arrived with the wrong clothes or shoes, I’d be on vacation right now. Pack wisely and be prepared for the weather (and yes, it’s okay to pack an umbrella) so that you needn’t spend extra money — and time — buying clothes at Monoprix when you already have the same things back home.

Related: 10 Packing tips for a two-week European jaunt

10. Using your smartphone data

When you turn on your cell phone from back home in Europe, prepare for charges. We have plenty of tips on how to avoid a huge phone bill. In short, get a data plan if you plan to use it abroad and stick to Wi-Fi when possible, or buy a SIM card in Europe to use in your phone including one of these SIM Card deals in France.

Fortunately, Paris has abundant free Wi-Fi networks available to anyone to use. So, turn off your data and settle down in a park or other public space, and look for the “Paris_WI-FI_” network. Now hop on Skype, Facebook or Instagram for free! (Or you could work. But who wants to work? You’re in Paris!)

Share your tips!

What mistakes have you made in Paris that you wish you could go back in time to do over? Let us know so we can help Cheapos have a better (and more affordable) Paris vacation.

The post Paris: 10 costly mistakes that tourists make appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You may not count your arrival as a full day of your Parisian vacation, but if you plan things right and come prepared, you can pack a lot into your first few hours on the ground.

Related: Arriving in Paris: Getting situated at your hotel

How to spend your first day in Paris

Here’s an outline of my strategy to make every precious minute count, from the moment you get off the plane and check-in at your hotel to the sleepy minutes just before you close your eyes for a well-deserved good night’s sleep.

1. Have a plan to get from the airport to the city center

There are several ways to get from the Paris airports to the middle of the city whether you want to take a bus, taxi, or commuter rail. If you are flying light, you can just grab your carry-on, get through customs (hopefully quickly), and be on your way to a good time.

But there’s one obstacle: Do you know where you’re going? Figuring out how to get tickets can be even more challenging on only a few hours of sleep, so be prepared. Read through our budget tips for getting from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the central Paris.

That bed at Hôtel Les Chansonniers sure looks tempting.

2. Check-in, but don’t get too comfortable

Once you reach your hotel, you can take a breather. But don’t linger too long. You’ll be tempted to curl up on that bed that looks so inviting. Try to avoid it if you can. If you need a power nap, go for it. But just make sure to set your alarm for an hour or two. There’s a whole city out there just waiting for you!

Sleeping for cheap: Our favorite budget hotels in Paris

3. Get moving and pick one destination

After a quick freshen up and a change of clothes, it’s time to start your vacation. Throw your map, guidebook, camera, a bottle of water — whatever it is that you like to carry — into your bag and head out. Pick a place (a park, an attraction, museum… we love these free ones) that’s on your list, so you can check one off on your first day.

Related: How to beat the crowds at Paris’ top attractions

Get out and start exploring just after you land. Your trip will go fast!

4. Swing by the grocery store

One of our first stops is a quick jaunt into a shop or market. In Paris, there are Franprix and Monoprix supermarkets almost everywhere. Pop in to get a bottle of water (you’ll be in heaven if you like the fizzy stuff) plus a piece of fruit, chocolate, energy bar, or whatever might give you a little jolt of energy.

And if you need caffeine like I do…

5. Grab a coffee

It’s time to practice your French! Just jump into the first inviting café you see. It’s simple, “Bonjour Monsieur/Madame, un café si vous plais.” The price is probably posted somewhere, so if you’re like me, you can pretend to understand when the bill comes and hand them exact change (probably around €1.20) and walk out the door with your first victory en francais.

Related: 22 French expressions you should know

6. Sip some wine… but not too much

After you do a little sightseeing, it’s time to act like the locals and enjoy an aperitif. While you sit back and watch the city go by, you can also spend some time planning out your vacation and going over last-minute details so you can hit the ground running first thing in the morning.

Pick up a local newspaper or search cultural listings online. The official Paris tourism site has an excellent calendar of events by month. Maybe there’s an art opening or movie playing that you didn’t know about during your stay that you can squeeze into your schedule.

Dinner is served in the Marais at Robert e Louis.

7. Enjoy a casual dinner

Keep your dinner plans simple on your first night. If you really crave a big splurge at a classic Paris bistro, save it for any other night than your first evening. The goal is to find good food that won’t cost a fortune and won’t take up too much time.

On my most recent trip, I popped into Robert e Louise and sat at the counter for a classic steak and red wine feast to kick off my trip. Here are recommendations for 8 affordable dinners in Paris.

8. Buy postcards

Your trip will go fast, so if you see a shop selling postcards (yes, I still like to send them), pick up a few right away. When you feel inspired to write a few friends or family back home later in your stay, you’ll already have them ready to go. I find if I don’t buy them on the first or second day, my friends and family won’t be getting any mail. Like this last trip — sorry dad!

A sunset view of Musée d’Orsay on a Sunday evening walk in May, 2018.

9. Take an after-dinner stroll

Once you’ve paid the bill for dinner (remember, you don’t have to tip too much), you can head out for a walk around the neighborhood. If you’re dining in Le Marais, it’s a quick walk down to the river.

On my recent visit in late spring, the banks of the Seine were filled with locals chatting with friends, sipping wine, and strolling hand-in-hand with their loved ones. That time of year is amazing because you get an extra dose of light — it really doesn’t get dark until 10 pm!

10. Don’t stay up too late

Try to stay up until your normal bedtime hour if possible. Your adrenaline might be in overdrive, but don’t be tempted to stay up until the crack of dawn. Your reward for resisting the urge to go to bed hours early will be a deep sleep that should have you on track for an amazing Paris vacation.

11. Set your alarm!

This is a big one. You could easily sleep through half the next day if you’re not careful. Double check your alarm, so you can wake up at a decent time.

And be strong the next morning. How do I convince myself to get up even though I might be jet lagged? Treating myself to a croissant and coffee in the morning. That always gets me out of bed.

Your tips

Do you have a strategy when you arrive in Paris or do you have a good story to share from your first day adventures? Let us know in the comments below or share it on the EuroCheapo Facebook page.

The post How to make the most of your first day in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Let’s break down the pass, and try to make it comprehensible. The website, in typical French style, doesn’t make it extremely easy at first glance, but the multiple options aren’t too complicated to follow.

What is the Passlib’?

The Paris Passlib’ is actually a combination of several existing Paris passes into one mega-pass:

• The Paris Visite pass: which offers unlimited access to the Metro and public transportation +

• The Paris Museum Pass: which offers free entry to many of the city’s big museums and galleries +

• The Paris Passlib’ card (the new addition): which covers an hour-long boat cruise and a day-long sightseeing bus tour.

All of these passes are available in 2-, 3-, and 5-day options (see prices below).

There is also another option, the “Passlib’ Mini” that excludes the Paris Museum and the Paris Visite passes, so essentially it’s just a boat ride and a one-day bus tour, plus the chance to upgrade to a visit to the Eiffel Tower  (see below).

Passlib’ prices

The cost of the new Passlib’ varies depending on your age and the duration of the pass. (See all pass options on the Passlib’ website):

Adults:

• Paris Passlib’ Mini – Adult: €40
• Paris Passlib’ 2 Days – Adult: €109
• Paris Passlib’ 3 Days – Adult: €129
• Paris Passlib’ 5 Days – Adult: €155
  + Eiffel Tower (second level): €15 extra

Youth: (EU members: 12-25; non-EU: 12-17 years)

• Paris Passlib’ Mini – Youth: €35
• Paris Passlib’ 2 days – Youth: €65
• Paris Passlib’ 3 days – Youth: €70
• Paris Passlib’ 5 days – Youth: €90
  + Eiffel Tower (second level): €15 extra

Children (4-11 years)

• Paris Passlib’ Mini – Child: €26
• Paris Passlib’ 2 Days – Child: €35
• Paris Passlib’ 3 Days – Child: €39
• Paris Passlib’ 5 Days – Child: €47
  + Eiffel Tower (second level): €15 extra

Skip line at Eiffel Tower

And on top of all of these choices, you can add a €15 supplement to access the Eiffel Tower’s second level without waiting in line. While it seems attractive, remember that another ticket is required to reach the top of the tower, costing an additional few euros.

Usually, tourists can book a time slot to go up the tower in advance, but often dates and times are sold out months in advance, or it ends up raining on the day of your reservation. This addition with the Paris Passlib’ changes all of that.

The verdict?

Is it really worth it? It depends. For a 2-day pass for an adult, at €109 (without the Eiffel Tower), you’ll get the following items, which would normally total roughly €117.15:

• Paris Visite: €18.15/2 days
• Paris Museum Pass: €48/2 days
• Bus tour: €32/day tour
• Boat tour: €14/1 hour tour
• Paris Passlib’ book: (a map) maybe valued at €5.

So you save a bit, but the real question is, did you want all of that?

Paris is an entirely walkable city, and most tourists can get by just fine splitting a carnet (a booklet of 10 Metro tickets) over a few days.

The museum pass for two days will require some intensive museum-going in order to make it worth it, and what if the weather’s great and you just want to picnic or stroll? Also, children under 18 get in free to museums anyway, and the Paris Visite is cheaper for them.

And what about that bus ride? Do you want to sit on a bus for a whole day? If it’s your first time to Paris, maybe, but then to sit on a boat as well? It could be a bit of overkill. Could you just have spent €1.80 on a public bus and toured the city like the locals?

The argument for…

The pass certainly does group everything together in one package, and the addition of the Eiffel Tower line-hop is attractive, as long as too many people don’t purchase this same option.

If money is no issue, the pass is a solid way to prepare a family trip without too much fuss, while ensuring activities for the whole family.

If money is an issue, but you want to pack in as much sightseeing and visits as possible, the card could work in your favor if you plan accordingly: Spend one day on a bus, then two days crisscrossing the city in the Metro to visit the most expensive museums for free. It could work.

The argument against…

For budget travelers looking to really explore Paris, the pass may create a stress to spend time doing things that you may not have wanted to do in the first place. In the interest of “getting your money’s worth,” you may forgo exploring the streets of Paris in order to heap on museums and vehicle tours around town.

Don’t forget that some of the city’s best museums are free (the Carnavalet, the Victor Hugo house) and the boat and bus rides could be overkill for those who like to walk (or take a Velib’ like the locals). In a city where sitting in a café and watching the world go by constitutes an activity in my book – and at only €2-3 for a coffee on a terrace – it’s difficult to consider the pass a great idea.

Final thought

For those seeking the structure and the serenity of a travel pass, the Pass Parislib’ could work well. Just be sure you know why you’re purchasing it and be certain that it will really offer you experiences that you want during your visit to Paris.

The post Paris Tourist Cards: Should you buy the new Paris Passlib’? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are 16 such reasons to visit Paris in 2016, when honestly the cheese and wine should be enough to convince even the most hesitant traveler.

1. UEFA Euro Finals

June 10-July 10, 2016

The football – I mean, soccer – event of the year will take place in Paris, with 24 teams hitting the field for the UEFA Euro Championships. If you don’t care about sports, there’s still something in it for you since David Guetta will be playing a free concert at the Eiffel Tower on June 9th. Yes, free!

2. Disneyland Paris’s first half marathon

September 23-25, 2016

Big news at Disneyland Paris: In addition to closing many attractions for renovations, the theme park will host its first half marathon in September. How will it stack up to the races in the American theme parks? We’ll see…

The Right Bank of the Seine may soon be car-free if the city gets its way. Photo: Chris Chabot

3. Berges of the Rive Droite

After the successful renovations along the Left Bank, the city is looking to pedestrianize the Right Bank as well. This means even more wonderful car-free strolling along the Seine, if all goes well.

4. Art will be in full bloom

There are plenty of exhibits at the city’s many iconic museums from the Louvre to the Pompidou Center. There will be a Contemporary Chinese exhibit at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, while the Impressionists have their turn at the Musée Jacquemart-André (March 18-July 25, 2016). The list goes on and on and on, so it’s best to plan a trip and see for yourself.

Related: A list of free and discounted museums in Paris

5. Les Halles will be finished

I hate predicting things, but according to their timeline, much of the construction around Les Halles will be finished and the new structure should be complete. Since these things tend to take longer than expected, I’m skeptical, but one can hope.

The Ritz in Paris will finally open after renovations in 2016. Photo: Tom Flemming

6. The Ritz will REALLY open

Again, according to their PR team, the Ritz should open in early 2016. While cocktails at the Hemingway Bar might not be on every Cheapo’s list, a visit to the renovated hotel, Chanel’s former haunt, is still a fun thing to do while passing through Place Vendome. (If you need a place to stay that’s a bit more affordable, you can check out EuroCheapo’s 10 favorite budget hotels in Paris.)

7. Divas in concert

Yes, 2016 is the year of the diva in Paris. Concerts featuring some of the world’s best leading ladies will take place this year, including Celine Dion (June/July 2016), Rihanna (July 30, 2016), and Adele (June 10, 2016). Most of the shows sold out in minutes, but expect people to start reselling their seats closer to the dates.

8. Temperatures on the rise

This year was the UN’s global climate conference in Paris, called COP21. But if this summit doesn’t work out and world leaders can’t agree on how to end climate change, we can expect warmer temperatures to be the norm in Paris. Paris Plage might become a year-round thing!

The famous bookshop Shakespeare and Co now has a cozy cafe. Photo: Ib Aarmo

9. Shakespeare and Co. and Bob

The iconic bookstore famous worldwide to English-speakers, Shakespeare & Co. has recently opened a new café next door. Run by Marc Grossman, owner of Bob’s Juice Bar and Bob’s Bake Shop, the café features pies, brownies, cookies, and other fresh pastries to pair with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. With views of Notre Dame just across the river, it’s well worth the visit.

Related: The most enchanting bookstores in Paris

10. Escape the 2016 presidential campaigns

If there is any reason to come to Paris in 2016, it’s to escape the US presidential campaign that will no doubt take over every media outlet (even more than it already has). In Paris, you’ll be able to sit in café, go for a stroll, browse the boutiques, and forget all about who-said-what at the last Clinton-Trump debate (just speculation!).

11. Musicals galore

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s infamous musical “Cats” has been prolonged through July. How can you come to Paris and not hear “Memories” sung by cats… in French? If feline singers aren’t your thing, maybe glamorous monarchs are. “Marie-Antoinette et le Chevalier de Maison-Rouge“, a musical dedicated to Marie Antoinette and one of her alleged trysts, might just do the trick. The cast recording has already been introduced in France, and now the stage show is on its way.

Scooter share may soon be coming to Paris. Photo: Curt Smith

12. Scoot through Paris

You know the Velib’ and the Autolib’, but Paris in 2016 might have its own scooter share. The mayor has the Scootlib’ in mind as a name, but one entrepreneur hopes to introduce his version, called Cityscoot, sometime in 2016. Nothing is confirmed, but it’s a distinct possibility.

13. New Musée de l’Homme

After extensive renovations, the new Musée de l’Homme, located just across the river from the Eiffel Tower, is open for business. It’s dedicated to all sorts of anthropological and cultural discoveries. They even have a new café/restaurant to check out in between sightseeing.

14. Things will get back to normal

The concerts, the film festivals, the races, the July 14th fireworks, the markets—there’s something every month, so there’s really no reason not to come. The tragic events of November 2015 have only made Paris even stronger, and possibly safer.

The beautiful Bataclan music venue plans to reopen in 2016 after the tragic events of November 2015. Photo: here

15. The Bataclan will reopen

Recent news reports have said that the owners of the Bataclan venue will push to reopen in 2016. Following the terrible events at the venue in November, the city won’t be held down. The city’s motto, “Tossed in the waves but never sank“, couldn’t ring more true. No word yet on who may eventually headline the first concert.

16. Because Paris needs YOU

Businesses are urging Parisians to go back to their restaurants and terraces, and back to the way of life that makes this city so great. We’re all urging tourists to do the same. It’s never been so important to come to Paris, to support local businesses, to keep the city moving forward.

Paris needs you to come, to visit its museums and monuments, to eat its macarons and baguettes. 2016 is a pretty good time to start.

The post Paris: 16 reasons you should visit in 2016 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If I could do it all again, however, there are a few things I wish I had known that could have made my first Paris experience a little richer.

So if you are going to Paris for the first time, heed my words. My mistakes are for your benefit. Along with these 50 do’s and don’ts and rookie mistakes, here are tips based on my experience to keep in mind when visiting Paris.

1. Parisians are people too

Parisians aren’t Martians: Parisians were always some sort of mythical people to me before coming to this city. They were classy, elegant, cultured — nothing like me.

Now I realize that, in fact, Parisians are just as clumsy, sloppy and ignorant as the rest of us. I am so much more comfortable now that I know.

Related: 5 Things to relax about before coming to Paris

2. The city is more than just the Eiffel Tower

The city extends beyond the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain: This one might just be me, but I had a very limited geographical view of Paris. Anything beyond the center was suburbs. Even as an exchange student, I remember finding the Canal Saint Martin once and feared I had left the city limits. If I knew how big the city was, I might have explored more. I’ve since made up for the lost time.

3. Walking tours offer orientation

I should have booked a walking tour. I don’t think I ever did a proper walking tour in Paris — funny now considering I give them. The orientation would have really helped me make sense of the city. Taking a tour would definitely be on my list of things to do if I were in Paris for the first time again.

Related: 11 Specialty tours in Paris worth booking

4. Café culture needs to be experienced

Sitting in a café alone is no issue: As a newbie in Paris, I thought only cool people sat alone at cafés. I had no clue about Parisian café etiquette. You just don’t do it in the US. Dining alone? What’s wrong with you? I would have spent more time reading or just people watching, had I known. I wasted so much time looking for benches to sit on when I could have just bought a coffee for €2.

5. Learn at least a few French words

I should have paid attention in French class: I took about four years before visiting Paris for the first time, and I couldn’t understand a word. I know I was young and naive when I studied French, but if you’re a bit older and wiser, heed my warning. Pay attention and get a few bits of language down. It makes all the difference. Bonjour, merci, au revoir…

Related: 10 French phrases to help you save during your trip

6. Everything tastes better from local markets

The supermarket is not the only place to buy food. I distinctly remember buying butter and onions at the supermarket, and not much else. Had I known how fresh and affordable the veggies at the outdoor markets were, I would have eaten healthier.

To that end, I wish I knew that specialty shops are not all that more expensive. I was afraid of the cheese monger. The butcher was a no-go zone. The baker couldn’t understand me when I said, “baguette.” Life was tough for a student in Paris so many years ago. But now I know (and speak) better. Specialty shops are not much more expensive than grocery stores, and what’s more, the products are better. I’ll never buy cheese from Franprix again.

7. Good wine is really affordable

I also would have liked to know that €3 wine is not exceptional. It was a revelation. I wish I hadn’t spent so many years drinking really mediocre bottles of wine thinking I was getting a deal.

Related: 6 tips for buying wine in Paris

8. Know a bit of Parisian history

I wish I knew some history before arriving. I came to Paris knowing what I saw in the movies, which isn’t much. Why are all of these buildings important? Why did Paris become such a major capital? Who were the famous people living here? I knew nothing. I’ve since overcompensated, and my friends hate me for sharing stores about King Henri IV while walking down the street. But at least I can now put the city and its attractions into a context, which I find gratifying.

9. It can be hard to share stories back home

Other people won’t understand what it’s like here if they’ve never visited: I remember coming back from Paris and not being able to share my experience with anyone. It was even worse after studying abroad. I thought my friends and family would be enamored with my stories.

But no. No one really cared because no one around me had been to Europe. Travel is a very personal thing, and only others who traveled would understand that. I know that now. I wouldn’t have wasted so much time trying to tell people how cool Paris was, which ended up sounding like I was just trying to justify my own experiences. Silly Bryan.

Your advice for first-timers?

Is there anything you would have liked to know before coming to Paris? Share your stories in the comments below.

The post Paris: 9 things I wish I had known before my first trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating that when in Paris, it’s OK to be a tourist. Book that charming hotel in the center of town, enjoy an outdoor table at a cafe, and stroll along the Champs-Élysées if you like. Over the years as a tour guide and correspondent, I’ve experienced lots of people who try, without success, to pass as a local. It’s just not necessary.

It’s normal that tourists want to fit in, but too often you end up adding too much pressure to the trip planning process and to the actual trip itself. Here are five ways I think tourists could relax about their trips to Paris:

1. Don’t freak out about wearing the right shoes.

I always tell people I can spot a tourist by their shoes—but since they are usually in a touristy spot, like by the Eiffel Tower, I don’t think I’m really all that clairvoyant.

The bottom line on footwear? If you really think anyone in Paris cares what you are wearing on your feet, and if you’d rather spend more time shoe shopping than planning the rest of your trip, that’s your problem. Parisians wear boots, sneakers, flats, heels, loafers, Chucks and everything in between. And while they aren’t always practical, flip-flops do come out in the summer from time to time.

Related: 8 Paris travel myths debunked

2. You don’t need to speak French like a pro.

You don’t know any French? Quel dommage. Enough websites (including EuroCheapo, for example) urge visitors to learn some basics—merci, bonjour, au revoir—and that’s all you’ll need to know.

It’s nice to know local lingo, but few waiters or bartender will expect you to whip out the conditional or future perfect tense while ordering a beer. Some Parisians speak English, and others who you will inevitably encounter are comfortable with tourists pointing, nodding and holding up fingers to signal numbers—if you’re polite about it. Get the bare basics down and then give it a rest. This isn’t a backwoods town where no one has ever met a foreigner.

Be prepared for lines at big attractions in Paris like the Louvre. Photo: Duncan R

3. Visit museums that match your tastes.

Paris is a treasure trove of art, and travelers want to be very discerning when choosing their museums to visit, and often think that it’s better to go to one museum over another. In the end, if you really care about art, go to the museum that matches your taste. If you’re only going to the museum because you think you need to, then go when it’s convenient and just accept that yes, there will be tourists at places like the Louvre. Everyone wants to see the Mona Lisa, and no one knows why, so either just go with it or else pass.

Related: 7 tips for surviving the Louvre

4. Relax about finding the “perfect” restaurant.

You only want to eat where the locals are eating? Sorry, I’m very selective about who can come over for dinner. Want to do what Parisians are doing if not dining at home? Have you seen the lines at McDonald’s?

Thinking that Parisians are all going to some quaint little, off-the-radar bistro every night is a good exercise for your imagination. There are plenty of great “local” places, but don’t think you’re going to unearth anything that hasn’t been dug up a thousand times already. Just try to enjoy your meal wherever you go, and don’t Instagram it—because real locals don’t need to photograph every goat cheese salad and glass of wine.

Be aware but don’t panic for your entire trip. Photo: Duncan Hull

5. Stay alert and stay safe.

Money belt, traveler’s checks, locked box in the hotel—check, check, check. You’re a tourist and you’re overly concerned about falling prey to pickpockets? While I applaud your caution, I wonder if you leave your phone laying on a table while you go to the bathroom at Starbucks. Do you often take candy from strangers? Do you leave your door unlocked at night?

For some traveling to Paris means leaving all notions of personal safety back in their home country—but Paris isn’t Disneyland. (Although there is one a few miles outside of the city.) It’s a real city with the same sorts of crimes that you find in other parts of the world, including America (without the fear of getting shot). If you’re walking around with a wad of cash in Paris, you’re asking for as much trouble as if you did that in Chicago, or London or Sydney—it’s not a good idea anywhere, so don’t do it.

Be vigilant and prepared, yes, but don’t overdo it. Keep your wits about you as I hope you do anywhere else in the world and you should be fine. Check out our article on popular “scams in Paris” so you know what to expect, but honestly, if a scruffy looking group of teenagers swarmed around you in Kansas City asking you to sign a dirty petition and give them money, would you really stop and engage them?

Other things tourists should relax about?

Do you have something else to add to our list of things tourists should relax about when visiting Paris? Do you agree or take issue with any of the points above? Share with us in our comments section below.

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