Heading to Paris soon? Bring these Paris travel tips along with you to make your experience one to remember.

 

I looked at the silver tray full of snail shells with apprehension and pulled my glass of white wine closer. Sitting in the packed dining room of Bistrot Victoires, I was about to take the plunge and try escargot for the first time.

Using the tiny, specialized fork and tongs, I removed the steaming snail from its shell and didn’t waste time looking at it. No backing down now.

In an instant, my taste buds were overwhelmed with buttery, tender flavors accented by garlic and parsley. I loved it! I don’t think I’d be able to down more than a few of these, but the fact that I was eating well beyond my comfort zone was a huge victory for me.

Washing the snail down with the crisp white wine, I settled in for the rest of the meal. I was proud of myself, and looking back, these are the moments that inspire many of the Paris travel tips I share with friends today. Now, I’m happy to share them with you!

Here are 8 Paris travel tips that are so easy to use, yet super effective when it comes to making your visit that much better.

 

Make your requests and needs known when booking a reservation

Here’s the thing: booking and eating at a high-end, Michelin-starred restaurant is a bucket list item for many people visiting Paris—and for good reason! You can have an incredible meal and an unforgettable experience if it’s done right.

But between being spoiled for choice (121 Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital!) and hoping you get your money’s worth, booking that special restaurant can be intimidating. You might be picturing a beautiful corner table and a meal that fits your dietary needs, only to find yourself stuck in the middle of the dining room with five of the seven courses featuring foods you can’t eat.

Make it easy on the restaurant, and make your requests known when you book your reservation.

When you book online, use the restaurant’s “requests” form or send an email to ask for simple accommodations. For example, when I booked a table at Contraste, I included a polite request in French for a table along the wall with a nice view. Less than 24 hours later, the restaurant confirmed it was no problem.

Now, I don’t mean making demands like “no soy sauce” at a three-star Japanese-French fusion joint like Restaurant Kei. You’ll need to do a bit of research to find a restaurant that fits your needs and budget.

But the old adage “don’t ask, don’t get” rings true! Most Michelin-starred restaurants care as much about service as they do about food. A polite, reasonable request—especially in French—can make your night extra special. Then, all that’s left is to show up on time and enjoy the experience.

 

Be open-minded when it comes to eating

Food is a huge part of the Paris experience, so being open-minded about eating is one of the most valuable Paris travel tips I can provide. In a city brimming with incredible food options, it pays to be up for anything that comes across your plate.

I’ll admit, my palate wasn’t always refined, and my tastes used to be… limited. My wife will tell you that before I met her, my meals often consisted of bacon sandwiches—and she’s not far off. But as I got older, traveled more, and became more open-minded, everything changed.

For example, when we visited Japan, I committed to trying everything—even foods that weren’t my favorites, like sushi. At a seven-course sushi tasting menu prepared by a true master, I ate eel, cuttlefish, and bluefin tuna, embracing every dish. That night remains one of my favorite dining memories.

Now, I take the same attitude to Paris, and it’s led me to discover foods I love—like escargot! This mindset applies to both three-star, wallet-melting meals and a simple pita full of falafel eaten on a park bench. Being open-minded adds a whole new dimension to the Paris experience.

 

Don’t rely solely on reviews or prestige when choosing restaurants

If nearly half of my Paris travel tips aren’t food-related, I’m not doing it right. Here’s one more: don’t rely solely on reviews or Michelin stars to pick where to eat.

Reviews can give you a general sense of a restaurant, but nothing beats firsthand experience. Often, you can tell who didn’t say “bonjour” when entering a Paris restaurant just by the tone of their one-star reviews. Use reviews to spot patterns, but don’t let them completely dictate your choices.

Similarly, if you only eat at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, you’ll miss out on countless amazing meals. Mix it up!

Try inventive quick-service spots like Janet By Homer in Le Marais or more laid back places like L’Avant Comptoir in Saint-Germain. These gems aren’t hoisted up by a rating system—they’re just consistently delicious. Plus, you’ll have more Euros left for after-dinner drinks.

Search for activities in the native language

When you’re looking for fun things to do in Paris, don’t limit your searches to English. If you do, you might miss out on experiences and events that locals know about and tourists rarely discover. Mixing in some French can lead to much better results.

Here’s a recent example: I wanted to find out if Paris had a professional hockey team. Searching “hockey in Paris” only pulled up results for Olympic field hockey from last summer. But when I remembered my French lessons and searched for “hockey sur glace” (ice hockey), everything changed.

Suddenly, I was looking at the schedules for Ligue Magnus, the top ice hockey league in France. I found out that the local pro team, Les Jokers des Cergy-Pontoise, plays just outside Paris, and the Francais Volants play in the Bercy arena near the city center.

This simple shift in search terms made a huge difference. Even if you don’t speak French, use a translator app to convert your search terms. If you’re passionate about something specific, plug it into your app and see what comes up in French. You’ll be amazed at what you can uncover by stepping outside the tourist-oriented results.

Dress the part

How you dress in Paris doesn’t have to be a mystery, but it’s a topic worth discussing. A lot has been made of “not looking like an American” or “avoiding the tourist look,” but honestly, your French will probably give you away faster than anything you’re wearing.

That said, incorporating simple strategies into your wardrobe can help you blend in, feel more confident, and be comfortable in almost any situation. Here are three rules I follow:

1. Go for high-quality basics. Think dark jeans, well-fitted chinos, and wool or cotton tops.
2. Dress for the occasion. Don’t be afraid to wear a navy blazer for dinner but know you don’t need to dress up for a day of exploring.
3. Confidence is key. You wear the clothes; don’t let the clothes wear you. This is especially true if you’re trying to pull off something bold, like an all-black outfit with a bright scarf.

I’ve been asked questions in French while grocery shopping in Paris, and I think part of that comes down to how I carry myself rather than any specific piece of clothing. If you want more detailed tips, I’ve written posts about packing for Paris in winter and traveling to Europe year-round that can help you plan your wardrobe with ease.

Looking for some incredible baked goods? Remember these deliciously specific Paris travel tips

Boulangeries specialize in bread. Patisseries specialize in sweets and pastries. Full stop.

Use this when you’re looking for a specific type of baked goods near where you’re staying in Paris. These are the special terms that you’ll want to use on Google Maps when it comes time to grab your daily baguette or track down a perfect eclair.

But what if you’re looking for an incredible croissant? Enter the secret wildcard: the Viennoiserie. These are like the go-between of the boulangerie and patisserie, they make sweet and savory pastries and breads that are of the style that originated in Vienna, Austria.

That’s right, croissants are an import. And you can find the best croissants near you if you pop into a Viennoiserie. You can find them at boulangeries, cafes and some patisseries as well, but a Vienoiserrie will almost always lead to higher quality.

Oh and those giant croissants that you see on Instagram? You can usually skip the line. They’re made for photo ops rather than actually being that tasty.

 

Book ahead, but check for last-minute tickets for museums or shows

Planning is key when visiting Paris, especially for large museums like the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay. Book these tickets as soon as they’re available to lock in your plans. Major attractions can sell out quickly, and having these as the “anchors” of your itinerary ensures you won’t miss out.

That said, if you find yourself with some unexpected free time, don’t hesitate to look for last-minute tickets. Smaller museums like the Musée Rodin or Musée Cluny often release unclaimed tickets close to the date, and local performances are great for spontaneous plans. Websites like TimeOut Paris or the Officiel des Spectacles are perfect for seeing what’s happening around the city.

For example, smaller venues like the Odéon Theatre sometimes release unsold tickets just hours before a show. This applies to pop-up exhibits, intimate jazz concerts, or even outdoor cinema events in the summer. Flexibility can lead to experiences you’d never planned but will never forget.

Embrace your etiquette, but don’t be afraid to loosen up when the moment calls for it.

Paris—the city of lights, love, and locals who really appreciate a well-timed “Bonjour.” When visiting, embracing your best etiquette is a non-negotiable addition to these Paris travel tips. 

Start with the basics: greet shopkeepers in French as you enter, use “s’il vous plaît” like a magic password, and don’t assume folks speak English before you speak to them.

But here’s the thing: Paris isn’t all rules and rigor. So while your etiquette gets you through the door, don’t be afraid to loosen up and savor the city’s laid-back charm. Chat with your bartender, wander aimlessly through Montmartre, ask someone what their dog’s name is.

Want to blend in even more? Swap your formal “oui” for the more casual and oh-so-Parisian “oué” (pronounced like “way”) in relaxed settings. It’s a tiny tweak that signals you’re not just a tourist but someone who gets the vibe. 

And when ordering at a restaurant, try saying “je vais prendre” (“I’ll take”) instead of the overly polite “je voudrais” (“I would like”). It’s less textbook and more like how the locals actually speak.

Parisians may appreciate manners, but they also adore joie de vivre. So, strike the balance: bow to the rules when needed but embrace spontaneity when it finds you. After all, Paris was built for both refinement and revelry—and your trip deserves a little of both.

Give these Paris travel tips a try on your next trip and enjoy the results

These are a few of the Paris travel tips I easily rely on every time I visit. They’ve helped me have some incredible experiences, and avoid some of the classic pitfalls that lead to Paris Syndrome for a lot of visitors.

What Paris Travel Tips do you have to share? I’d love to know so let me know in the comments!