I worked as a tour guide in Paris. Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I saw tourists make.

• I often saw travelers repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
• In my opinion, staying in a hotel near the Eiffel Tower isn’t worth the money.

For a more authentic experience, seek out small coffee shops, restaurants, and local markets instead.

Not saying hello to the locals can be seen as rude.

There’s a stereotype that French people are rude, but in my experience, this is far from the truth. However, it’s important for tourists to understand one simple etiquette norm: saying “bonjour.”

In France, it’s polite to say a simple “bonjour” when entering a store or restaurant. This small gesture goes a long way toward building rapport with the locals.

I’ve seen many tourists try to do too much in one day.

I’ve seen so many tourists compete over who can do the most during their time in Paris. But I often have to remind people that the Olympics are over and seeing the city isn’t an endurance event.

I always tell visitors to allow themselves to be on vacation. After all, nothing is more Parisian than reading a book in a park or enjoying a calm drink on a terrace.

This story was originally published on October 28, 2024, and most recently updated on June 29, 2026.