7 Mistakes Many First-Time Paris Travelers Make

Tips for waitstaff when unnecessary or over-scheduling sightseeing trips are common errors made by first-time travelers to Paris.

7 Mistakes Many First-Time Paris Travelers Make

Here are some common mistakes made by many tourists when they first visit the bustling capital of France.

Paying for bottled water

Simply asking for a carafe d’eau (a jug of water) from your server immediately gets you free tap water. In Paris, no one should have to pay for plain water. If not in a restaurant, you can drink directly from tap water and save those Euros for more worthwhile purchases.

Over-visiting too many places

Many people think 'I may not have a chance to return to Paris again' and thus try to make the most of their time visiting every famous spot in the City of Light. However, rushing through too many places in a short period will prevent you from fully experiencing the unique aspects of each place you visit. It will leave you with a feeling of 'racing through the flowers' and you won't have many lasting impressions of Paris.

Visiting Versailles Palace

Many people may doubt the advice not to visit Versailles Palace when first coming to France. According to locals, if you're in France for the first time and only have a few days in Paris, they'll leave it up to you whether to visit Versailles. During peak seasons (summer, spring), it's usually crowded. You'll spend hours waiting in line before being pushed and shoved in the crowd just to catch a glimpse of Marie Antoinette's bed for a few seconds.

Tipping

In some shops, the tip is already included in the bill. So you won't need to 'top up' for the service.

Hotel Breakfast

Many travelers consider hotel breakfast to be a significant waste, with no guarantee of good food. Instead, you can head to a pastry shop, enjoy a cup of coffee with a delicious croissant, and sit watching the picturesque streets of Paris for just a few Euros.

Patience in Queueing

With the increasing number of tourists in Paris, waiting for hours to visit a famous attraction is no longer uncommon. However, if you know the off-peak times at some places and visit during those hours, you'll save a lot of time and energy by avoiding long waits.

Avoiding Central Areas

Many tourists often think they should stay in non-central areas to save costs. However, the prices of hotels in France don't differ much while you'll end up spending more time commuting if you stay in the outskirts.

Source: VNExpress

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Reference: Minprice Travel Guide