10 things to avoid in Paris

10 things to avoid in Paris

Paris, like all cities in the world, has special "quirks" that only the locals know about...

Here are 10 things locals know about Paris that you might want to know before you get there.

1 – Do not place your metro tickets near coins or metal

subway tickets have a magnetic stripe. If it comes into contact with metal, it will demagnetize and the tickets will not work: the machine will reject them.

If this happens to you and there is a booth nearby, cross the line and go directly to the cashier. Hand him your tickets and tell them they don't work, they need to be changed. And don't keep your tickets in your wallet…. how practical.

By the way, you should have your metro ticket handy while you're still on the metro - there are controls and if you don't have a valid ticket, you'll get a fine.

2 – Beware of private limo drivers approaching you at the airport

They will tell you that they charge like a regular taxi driver, but it is not true. They charge more and it's not legal. This isn't dangerous per se, it's just not a good idea...

Some of them are private limousine drivers, others are just ordinary people without any taxi licenses and often without taxi insurance...

Go to the taxi line like everyone else.

3 – Avoid restaurant patios unless you like cigarette smoke

It's sad but true. After the 2007 law banning smoking in pubs, all smokers go to "la terasa", which is outside and therefore exempt from the law.

Smokers now rule the French patios, so avoid sitting there if you can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke.

4 – Don't plan to visit museums on Monday or Tuesday

Many Parisian museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays and on public holidays, so be sure to check their opening days before you go.

5 – Traveling in the subway with suitcases or carta probably it won't be easy for you

Be prepared to face long walks and stairs...especially if you need to connect between lines.

The “plan de métro” does not say how long the connection is: some take up to 15 minutes of brisk walking with at least 6 flights of stairs.

6 – Do not bring large suitcases to Paris

Compared to the US, things are smaller in Paris: car trunks, elevators... It's actually impressive how small the elevators are.

So pack smart and think small... (The same goes for baby strollers: it's almost impossible to fit a large size in a French rental car).

7 – Getting a taxi can be very complicated

Like everywhere else, taxis are super busy on rainy nights and weekends…..so if you need to go somewhere, be prepared with company numbers

And of course, now there's Uber, which makes things really easier.

8 – be careful how you address the waiter

All you have to do is catch their eye, maybe make a discreet hand gesture, and they'll get to you as soon as possible.

Don't call your waiter "garçon" either, it only applies to a very specific type of waiter "le garçon de cafe" and is very old fashioned anyway...

Use Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle.

9 – Beware of “Do you speak English” scams

Paris is a big city and relatively safe. As in any other big city, you may encounter pickpockets, beggars of all kinds and of course scammers.

Some will start with "Do you speak English?", be friendly, tell you their oh-so-sad story, and eventually ask for money.

Another popular scam is “You dropped something!” and then the person hands you something that looks like a valuable piece of jewelry … Especially effective in front of a jewelry store 🙂 While you are busy talking, someone else comes and accuses you of robbing them, and it all ends asking for money.

Just be aware of your surroundings.

10 – Some areas of Paris are not safe or suitable for families

Some parts of rue Saint-Denis, a few blocks from the Center Pompidou, may be unsuitable for walking. There are quite a number of prostitutes and drug addicts around.

Like the side streets around Place Pigalle down the hill from Montmartre.

You should also avoid walking at night along Boulevard Barbès, Forum des halles and the banks of the Seine.

Most suburbs of Paris are safe enough, but don't go to St Denis, La Courneuve or Mante-la-Jolie unless you want to see what the French ghetto is like.