12 Things Tourists Should Never Do When Visiting France

Every year, France finds itself among the most visited countries globally, and with good reason. France has much to offer, including many of the world’s most famous landmarks, popular tourist attractions, and fabulous cuisine. However, before you can plan your trip to France, there are many things you need to know, including what not to do.

France has a rich, unique, and quite fierce culture that needs to be respected, and rules and laws must be followed. To learn more, we’ve compiled a list of 12 things tourists should never do when visiting France. This list will help you have an enjoyable and relaxed vacation.

Don’t Visit Only Paris

Not To Do When Visiting France Don’t Only Visit Paris — © Goce Risteski / Adobe Stock

First, we can’t stress enough how important it is to try and visit other places in France, not just Paris. Only considering Paris as your destination in France is a big mistake because the country has so much to offer. Therefore, once you’ve visited Paris, look to visit somewhere new.

We understand that traveling to France is expensive and you might not be able to visit more than once, but if you can, you won’t regret it. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a city break, a romantic weekend, or a beach holiday; France has it all. Some of the best places to visit in France that aren’t Paris include Menton, Nice, Marseille, and Toulouse.

Don’t Visit Just the Main Attractions

Not To Do When Visiting France Don’t Just Visit the Main Attractions — © Frédéric Prochasson / Adobe Stock

Similarly, don’t just visit the main attractions in the places you visit. Understandably, you’ll want to see the most famous sights and do the most exciting things, and you definitely should. However, you’ll regret not discovering some lesser-known tourist attractions, too.

Take Paris, for example. The French capital is best known for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe. However, there are many more exciting locations to visit once you’ve seen the main highlights. This includes the Catacombs of Paris, Montmartre Cemetery, and 59 Rivoli. The same can be said for most places in France, so why don’t you balance your itinerary with a mixture of famous and unknown attractions?

Don’t Take Taxis Everywhere

In France’s biggest cities, jumping in a black cab to get from A to B can be tempting, especially if you’re short on time. However, as alluring as a quick taxi ride may seem, it’s not a good idea if you want to make your money go further. Black cabs in most cities are costly.

Furthermore, they are a less enjoyable way to explore a city. Jumping on a local bus or metro is a great way to see more of the city. Besides, most of the time, attractions are close enough to walk between. For example, Paris only spans approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers), so you can easily walk from one place to another without paying a hefty taxi fee.

Never Assume All the Locals Speak English

If your first language is English, you’ll be pleased to hear that English is the most common second language in many French cities and towns. Therefore, you’ll likely be able to communicate with most people you meet. However, you should never assume everyone in France speaks English.

You might even encounter locals who refuse to talk to you in your native tongue. In these instances, knowing a few simple phrases is useful. Saying simple common courtesies like hello, how are you, and thank you in French goes a long way in showing respect. To help, here are some words you can use:

Hello = Bonjour
How are you? = Comment allez-vous?
Please = S’il vous plaît
Thank you = Merci

Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen in Summer

Not To Do When Visiting France Forget Your Sunscreen in Summer — © Kirk Fisher / Adobe Stock

Some might think packing sunscreen for a trip to France is unnecessary, but you’ll be surprised just how hot it can get, especially in the south of France, in summer. For context, the overall average temperature in Marseille, a coastal city in Southern France, in July is 75°F (24°C), with highs of 84°F (29°C).

Even places like Paris in northern France experience hot and long sunny days in the summer. The average daily maximum temperature in Paris in July is 75°F (24°C). To avoid burning, you must put on sunscreen. You should apply sunscreen in the morning before going out and reapply it throughout the day.

Don’t Leave Valuables Out in Public

Unfortunately, like many European tourist destinations, petty crime, pickpocketing, and bag snatching are common problems in most major French cities. Luckily, you can reduce the risk of being targeted by pickpockets by keeping your valuables close. Even leaving your phone on a table while dining with friends exposes you.

Keeping your valuables close is particularly important in busy tourist areas and on public transport. It’s never a good idea to flash luxury belongings in public, especially at night. Despite this, it’s important to note that France is generally a very safe place for tourists, with few crimes against tourists.

Don’t Fall For Scams

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One of tourists’ biggest mistakes when visiting France is falling for tourist scams. Many scams are waiting to catch you out, surrounding the most famous tourist attractions in France, whether the Eiffel Tower in Paris or on the beach in Nice. Luckily, you can do plenty of things to avoid falling for scams.

Firstly, do your research before visiting France. A quick Google search will reveal common swindles and where they often occur. For example, common scams currently happening in France include the dropped ring scam, the friendship bracelet scam, and the fake charity collector scam. You can also avoid scams by ignoring strangers approaching you on the street.

Don’t Put a Lovelock on a Bridge

One of Europe’s most popular tourism trends is to attach a lovelock (a fancy word used to describe a padlock) to bridges. While this romantic gesture, made popular due to the fantasy and romance of cinema, is a lovely thought, it isn’t something you should do because it can cause severe damage.

According to the BBC, in 2014, part of Paris’s most popular lovelock bridge, Pont Des Arts, collapsed under the growing weight of all the locks attached. Ultimately, the council was forced to remove all the locks from the bridge and replace the railings with glass panels. Now, attaching a lovelock to a bridge in Paris is illegal, so don’t partake in the activity.

Never Assume Cars Will Stop at Pedestrian Crossings

Paris-things-to-do_Musee-Yves-Saint-Laurent — © Augustin Lazaroiu / Adobe Stock

Like most countries, France has pedestrian crossings that make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross the road in busy traffic. However, just because France has pedestrian crossings doesn’t mean everyone follows the rules. Even though it’s now law for drivers to stop at pedestrian crossings, many people won’t automatically stop.

Some people see the crossings as somewhere to slow down because people might cross. If you want to cross and nobody stops, signal with your hand and only start moving when the cars have seen you. If they don’t start slowing, don’t cross.

Don’t Disrespect Local Cuisine

Many countries worldwide take food seriously, but no other nation on earth takes its local cuisine as seriously as France. French cuisine is a significant part of daily life in France. Most chefs have spent years or decades fine-tuning their craft to provide locals and visitors with world-class food.

With that in mind, don’t disrespect local cuisine by turning your nose up at things that seem different from foods you eat back home and asking for certain dishes to be changed. For example, while the thought of eating snails might seem strange in your country, it’s a delicacy in France. Instead, embrace local cultures and try new things.

Don’t Leave a Tip for the Sake of It

As is the case in many European countries, tipping in France isn’t expected. Service workers like baristas, bartenders, and waiters are paid a living wage, so they don’t rely on tips as much as in other countries like the United States. Therefore, you don’t have to tip staff for the sake of it.

However, tipping culture is still common in France, so if you want to leave a tip because you were impressed with the service or food, feel free. Servers will always happily accept any tips. Double-check to ensure a service change hasn’t been included first, though.

Never Stay in Tourist Hotspots

Paris-things-to-do_Where-to-stay — © Karen Mandau / Adobe Stock

You should avoid staying in tourist hotspots to get the most bang for your buck. Admittedly, this might not be a problem for you if you have enough money to stay in more expensive hotels, but it can be a budget killer if you need to make your money last.

Accommodation surrounding or overlooking famous tourist attractions in France is usually absolutely beautiful but very overpriced. If you stay just a few blocks or a short metro ride away, you’ll find similar accommodation for a lower price. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy a more authentic and peaceful stay as swarms of tourists won’t surround you.