Paris: The Don'ts of Paris

[@NovaStar1967]

The most important bit of French you should know when traveling is "bonjour"! Start every single interaction with it and you will have a much better overall experience. It is part of French cultural politesse to begin with "bonjour". If you don't, you come across as rude...so they often respond in kind. If you want to avoid "rude French people" start our by being a polite visitor :)

[@BillGreenAZ]

My travel partner told me this and I agree. Although he also said any time you go into a small shop you should greet the shopkeeper with a "bonjour" as you come in even though you're not engaging him/her right away.

[@BillGreenAZ]

@@micade2518 It's more than being polite. It's a matter of greeting a shopkeeper even though you may not be interacting with the person right away. Not everyone says "good day" when starting a personal conversation. Some people just start talking to the person. So I believe it's a French custom.

[@BillGreenAZ]

@@micade2518 Your mother's advice was proper and decent. It's not universal.

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

In Paris you can easily get through with Arabic. I don't speak French, and I often tried Arabic succsessfully. 5555 Works even I am not Arab.

[@xqp5503]

@@micade2518 Agree. But they do expect you to do all of it (Greetings) in their Language (French) if you just say Good Morning or thank you in English they may get upset. So, it’s important try to learn a little of those Keywords in French with the right pronunciation. PS: I am Peruvian, my husband is American, currently we are in the States, but in the past and due to his job we used to travel a lot for 12 years. And what Walter is saying is true. Of course you need to be polite but make the effort to learn those “key polite words” in their language, it’ll help you a lot, in comparison if you says those words in English. It will also help you with locals that maybe want to take “advantage” of you… if they are aware that you understand their language, even if you just know some words, they will be more careful with you. I am fluent in French and when my husband and I were around Paris a few years ago, I’ve noticed some Parisians spoke right in the face of some people not so nice things, literally in front of you in French… because they assume you don’t understand their language… if you do, or at least you make the effort to learn some KEYWORDS in their language, it will make your travel experience even better, not just in Paris, but wherever you go.

[@Cwgrlup]

My husband proposed to me on the Eiffel Tower at 56 during a sunset dinner. Lovely memories of Paris.

[@woltersworld]

That sly dog 😉

[@travelwithwill1]

I loved Paris. I found it safer than everyone said

[@youtopia2621]

thats such a relief omg, i'll be there in a few days and i am paranoid about the pickpcketing and scams, i just really really hope nothing bad happens

[@TheSiegeofGondor]

​@@youtopia2621 as long as you're cautious in the tourist spots and on the metro, you'll be absolutely fine

[@julezzzz5866]

​@@youtopia2621 you will be fine! Try not to carry a bunch of stuff with you is my best advice! Travel light and be aware of your surroundings, especially when in crowded areas. You will love Paris!!!

[@ladonnabarker2983]

I just traveled their with my 22 year old daughter and I was skeptical of how safe it would be. We rode the metro, the buses and the train and it was safe. A local told us that when you get onto the metro, to step inside quickly and hold onto your bag because pick pockets will grab it and rip it off and then run. We never saw this happen. Also, I never spoke to my daughter or anyone on the metro. I wanted to appear to be a local. I don’t know, it made me feel safer.

[@billricheter5678]

Loved Paris. People friendly and a lot to see.

[@patriciakounakowitch3025]

You are so right! I really appreciate this video. I lived 10 years in Paris and it is exactly as you mentioned.👍I would add: do not rent a car. Parking lots are very expensive and the traffic is crazy.

[@woltersworld]

Amen to the parking and driving craziness 😀

[@picobello99]

I always wonder who would want to rent one of those Ferrari's or Lamborghini's. Besides the risk of it getting damaged, what's the fun in driving a sports car in a continuous traffic jam? 🤔😂

[@theatrix10]

I love how this video dropped my first day in Paris 😂 I’m literally here now

[@vanessaledda6847]

I am French and I don’t especially like going to Paris :-) I find this city beautiful but stressful. I understand that so many people want to visit it but France has many regions that are all very different, charming and authentic. They all have specialities and traditions to discover. For those who are interested, I recommend Alsace (my region

[@Kekles]

Love Alsace & especially the French-German influenced food. The wines & wineries are wonderful with such friendly people. I am going back there this March & can’t wait to eat some delicious escargot, sauerkraut, & foie gras! Such charming towns & inns!

[@andreebesseau6995]

Tout a fait😊

[@acilegna2476]

Merci! Visiting from Miami,Fl in Sep

[@dianat1260]

I am so glad you said French can be unpleasant. I went to Paris with my daughter and we had bad experiences with some of them. When we entered a bakery, the staff totally ignored us standing there and waited on everyone that walked in the door. When I called attention to us, she was rude the whole transaction. When we asked the woman sitting at the information booth in the subway for directions, she said, "read the signs" and turned back to her book. We also encountered rude servers at restaurants. I wanted to go to France because my Grandfather was born there and wanted to experience their customs, but this trip was disappointing as I found out that one of their customs was being rude to tourists.

[@vanessaledda6847]

@@dianat1260 oh I am sorry for you... 😔

[@kimmontenegro2258]

On my first trip to Paris, my son reserved us an apartment on the outskirts of Paris. My favorite memory is getting a delicious sandwich from a local boulangerie and eating it in the garden with him and my daughter in law. One of our best and cheap meals. Also going to the Monoprix with them was fun.

[@rexx9496]

I visited Paris last year at the peak of summer. The only time I felt overwhelmed by tourist crowds is right around the main sites like Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur and Champs Elysee, which is to be expected. But going off and exploring random neighborhoods felt like being in any other major city. Since Paris is such a huge city it's easy to get away from tourist crowds.

[@gerrypower9433]

Off the beaten path museums like the Musée Guimet (Asian art) in the sixteenth can be oases of calm and culture. The Guimet even has a small restaurant serving delicious pan-Asian cuisine.

[@jchambers5668]

This is great! When we were there December 2022, the waiters were all great. Paris was wonderful! One thing that struck me the most: Paris is enormous. Nothing can prepare you for this. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. It really made me appreciate the uniqueness of the city. I've been watching your videos for years. Thanks soooooo much!!!

[@kenlongfellow]

Such great advice no matter where you're visiting. Take the time to familiarize yourself so you can be more "at home". When you feel you are more a part of the culture and community, you'll enjoy a greater experience of peace and calm. You create your experiences & memories, and nothing will dull these more than rushing through an itinerary of "must do's".

[@kylepifer9509]

We went to Paris in aug 2014🎉. Would go again in a heartbeat 💗. I’m not a city person but Paris is totally different I’ve been to London,Germany, Ireland,Africa. Paris is still my best trip to a city.

[@alainportant6412]

😂😂africa

[@sula1529]

I don't feel safe in paris anymore it has changed a lot

[@alainportant6412]

@@sula1529 it was safe during the olympics because they put the blacks in buses and sent theme elsewhere.

[@avagrego3195]

Loved every moment in Paris. My waiter experience was terrific.

[@janedoe8983]

My friends and I got on the metro and went to the huge flea market north of the city. It was amazing.

[@_k4ken]

Your videos helped me prep for studying abroad in Italy a few years ago, and now for my trip to Paris! These videos are so helpful so thank you!!

[@didaskohistory]

Paris was amazing! Thanks for the great tips, Wolters World!

[@streetnomadism]

Great video dude. Here is another MAJOR tip for the tourists who ask when coming to Paris. Don't Come in summer ! It's packed and expensive. Come in February/ March or April. Most importantly you won't have to queue to long for the Eiffel tower or the Louvre. A Walker from Paris

[@Fan652w]

Don't forget that the station for Normandy is Gare St Lazare, not mentioned in Mark's list of stations.

[@walideg5304]

Well if you take a ticket online, of course you know the train station, it’s clearly mentionned

[@darcisw]

Funny you said that. I just googled it and found exactly this info. Thank you!

[@StamfordBridge]

In the States you can have a meal whenever you want. Don’t expect the same in Paris.

[@samelmudir]

And you can't rely on Google for business hours so have a couple backups in mind

[@SuperSlimshady1]

😂😂😂 yea well thats why I'm glad to be an American 🇺🇸🗽

[@zacsimillion]

Are you in Paris right now?

[@StamfordBridge]

@@zacsimillion No. I was there last summer. I loved my time there in general. (You replied to me, but I’m not sure you meant me.)

[@blankface_]

Underrated piece of advice. Applies to Europe as a whole

[@robertoescobar7276]

You rule amigo. Such a great vibe you have. I have seen so many videos that make visiting Paris seem scary. Pickpockets, scams, etc. I know they are trying to be helpful but they seem to put a dark hue on the trip. Grateful for you and excited to head over there!

[@Fan652w]

Don't forget that a lot of the metro is over 100 years old, and accessibility is sometimes a problem.

[@blankface_]

That’s one thing the US often does better

[@BillGreenAZ]

That is what surprised me too, when I rode the Metro. However, there are now online resources to find out which Metro stations have an elevator (a lift) and which ones have escalators.

[@ilovesparky13]

That is a problem with Europe in general. I recently visited the Netherlands, and was very surprised by how little they accommodated folks with disabilities. The big one was lack of benches at train stations. Also very few ramps or elevators anywhere.

[@Fan652w]

@@ilovesparky13 Sorry, but I think this is a very misleading overgeneralisation. Many European countries are rebuilding their stations to make them more accessible. Austria and Switzerland lead in this respect. The lack of seating on platforms is deliberate. Seats take up space on often narrow platforms. European railways often like passengers to wait in the station hall until the train is about to arrive. A brilliant arrangement exists at some Swedish stations. Some have wide HEATED bridges over the platforms with plenty of seating for waiting passengers.

[@mgparis]

Buses are better than metros in that respect

[@ajmee9664]

Would be awesome to get an Olympics edition of Do’s / Don’ts in 2024. Thanks for sharing your wisdom (as always)

[@jaysterling26]

Don't go in the 1st place (sic)?

[@Nykut7]

Paris Olympics 2024 : just don't.

[@meedred2712]

I beg you not to come to Paris during the olympics u'll thank me later

[@itsbellegonzales]

Ive been binge watching your videos! I learned so much. ❤ Thanks a lot! Your vibe is so wholesome!

[@retalyndawati2867]

Thank You!!! Im sooooo jealous with the view behind you.. hopefully next year i can visit Paris ❤

[@positiveoutlook17]

my 2 cents of advice: when visiting a city like Paris during tourist season. Look up the "top 10 things to do"...then do everything else first! Spent the day in the rain walking almost alone through the awesome gardens of Versailles. One of my best travel days ever. (everyone else went off to crowd into the museums

[@Bakerboy1958]

We went to versailles In March when it was quite chilly. Found a little spot to get coffee and a sandwich and eat in a little garden area surrounded by bushes and trees.

[@Rosie-wj1le]

The boulangerie Ohhh so yummy. I went there every day when I visited.

[@richardjames3022]

I have just found this very great channel. I would say: if you only visit three cities in Europe you must, must visit London, Paris and Rome. Being English I have a slight bias, but I love all three and they are only in that order because of it.

[@sonjamuc6638]

Hi Mark, thank you so much for the great restaurant tip: La Vache et Le Cuisinier!!

[@gerrypower9433]

Additional information for your hotel advice; in central Paris a room with a view will likely be noisy. A room facing a courtyard will always be quieter. And another tidbit for visiting a cafe; often there is a premium for sitting outdoors. A coffee standing at the bar might be €1, then €2 sitting at a table indoors, and finally €3 seated on the terrace. It's not really spelled out for visitors, but it is customary in Paris.

[@mariel_bosque]

Happy to heard you mention my adopted city ! Grenoble is one of the best destinations if you want to find a city that balances modernity, art and nature. Spoiler: You will fall in love of the mountains !

[@gayleselby1665]

Great video! We’ve spent many weeks in Paris over the past several years and you are right on!

[@rwc19390]

Vistied Paris last summer, my don'ts: Don't be intimidated by security measures at the big attractions such as soldiers on patrol with long guns. Don't expect Disneyland Paris to be like Disney World... a different vibe with some rides more intense than at DW. Don't pass up eating at a Paris McDonalds, they offer some stuff you won't find at a US McD's like macaroons and baguettes. Don't be afraid to rent a car and drive from Paris to Normandy, just rent from a place that is as close as possible to the A14 highway (which links to the A13 which gets you to Normandy) to minimize city driving and to avoid driving around Arc de Triomphe. Don't even think about driving around the Arc or walking across it, that is truly one of Dante's circles of hell. So glad there is a pedestrian tunnel to it. Related to wait staff, don't expect wait staff to dote on you like in the US, I found Parisian wait staff to be less attentive overall. Longer to order, longer to get food, longer to get the bill than in the US.

[@kimmontenegro2258]

Dante's circle of hell 😂😂😂

[@jacqattacq19]

Thank you so much for this tip. Trying to figure out the best way to get to Le Treport to visit my great grandfathers grave (I’m Australian and first visit to France) and I’m thinking of driving. I appreciate the advice. 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@elipotter369]

@@jacqattacq19 Don't be like my husband, who repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road. I got so fed up with telling him, one time I just said nothing. Then as a small truck came towards us, he said to me: "Why is he in our lane"? "Because we are in France." I said.

[@jacqattacq19]

@@elipotter369 Oh no! Luckily for me I’m used to driving on both the right hand side of the road, and the left. I only seem to have trouble when I get back home 🤔😁👍🏻

[@elipotter369]

@@jacqattacq19 lol, me too! I was great at adjusting to the other side, but for some reason couldn't jusr switch back mentally when I got home!

[@benoitgariepy6657]

I just came back from a 8-day trip in Paris and I agree with the vast majority of these Don'ts. A few comments: 1) I've been very pleasantly surprised by how nice most people were. 2) I'm from Québec, and a few waiters (for some reasons) were still talking to me in English even when I made it clear French was my first language. My accent cannot explain this, and it was a bit annoying at times. 3) Regarding public transit: I would really recommend the Navigo pass. It's not cheap (30 euros a week for a zone 5 pass - allow you to go everywhere), but it is totally worth it. 4) Day trip recommendation: Provins, a medieval city that can be reached by a 80 minutes train ride (Zone 5 Navigo pass is enough). Really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@ilovesparky13]

I have heard people speak Canadian French, and they always have the THICKEST Canadian accent. It’s probably pretty jarring for someone who has lived in France their whole life.

[@Nina-oi1qk]

thank you! We leave in 2 weeks for Paris! So excited!

[@bernardopena1601]

Will be there in 2 weeks! Your video on Rome saved me so much time and money and I recommend you to everyone.

[@krcal3020]

Great video! I’d like to add “Don’t Wait in Line”. For many popular museums and attractions, you can buy tickets online ahead of time. The rules for entry vary - some are for a specific day and others are more flexible. You can usually skip the lines and walk right in through the “online tickets” entry. If you get a museum pass, it is even easier.

[@FredSox49]

Great advice. Having gone in 2019, my most recommendation is: Make a reservation for everything! Don't leave anything to chance. We had no trouble getting into any of the major sites because of reservations. The others would be: Take a Seine cruise. Ours started at the canal, which gave a very interesting perspective. Another (unpopular as it may be) is unless you have a private tour guide who will skip the line, forget about the Mona Lisa. Unless you want to spend an inordinate amount of time in line, only to be squashed in with everyone else holding up their cellphones to see one painting, walk through other parts of this specious museum.

[@fishandfloral]

We’ve been to Strasbourg, which is amazing. We’re going to Paris in November, then Cote’d Azur next summer. Yes, we’ll be in France for the start of the Olympics but we’re going specifically to see the Tour de France, which is finishing in Nice. I cannot wait!

[@elipotter369]

People in Paris were super nice and friendly when I went with a toddler.

[@joshg8026]

Having been to Paris multiple times and having just returned from another visit... I can say that all of these tips are right on! We did all of this and it added to our visit. GOOD CONTENT!

[@positivevibez73]

Another great video by this very informative man. There's 100% truth in what he says. I've gotten to know Paris fairly well over the years. He's so right about finding your own little part in Paris. Mine is Monmartre. Although I've covered all the tourist sites in the city I do need to cover The Latin Quarter a lot more.

[@julietdrozdz7016]

Thank you. I'm taking my sister for the first time. Very helpful!

[@tsw1tsw1]

Hint on museums : Louvre closes on tuesdays while Musée d'Orsay closes on mondays. Both those museums will be more crowded when the other one is closed, so i'd suggest to go there on wednesdays or thursdays.

[@lukeshdoesntknow]

Always love your content Mark!

[@katecostantino5753]

Oh Rachel- the matching jumpers are wonderful! The babies are beautiful! 💜

[@carryontravel]

Can't wait to land in a few days! Great video :) :)

[@shelleybergen1232]

Paris is our favorite city and we have been there several times. One of our treats when in Paris is having a ridiculously expensive lunch on the Champs Elysse, but we plan for that expense, and we love it! Make sure to try the French onion soup on Paris, it is amazing!! Hello from Canada!!

[@WDH59510]

A few thoughts of my own: 1) Don't be an idiot on the Metro and talk very loudly on your cell phone. The Metro is often full of tired Parisians wantng to get somewhere soon and the last thing they want to hear is some two-bit tourist yelling "HEY MOM PARIS IS AWESOME !" or words to that effect. 2) Don't expect to be overwhelmed by the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. It's not that big. 3) Do watch who you speak favourably about the TV show 'Emily In Paris' to. Many Parisians hate it with a passion. 4) As in many big cities, do watch for groups of kids out robbing unsuspecting tourists. 5) Do wear good walking shoes and (in summer) carry a bottle of water. You're probably going to walk a lot. 6) As Mark said, Paris isn't France. I used to live in Toulouse which is a great place (the wine, the food, the architecture, the rugby ...). I now live near Lille in the north and that too is a great place worthy of your attention.

[@woltersworld]

Thanks WD! Great points!

[@a.humphries8678]

Awesome. I'm visiting Toulouse next month, and also Frayssinet. So excited. Paris for a few days, but more excited about the countryside and small villages.

[@lisalu910]

I have friends in Lille and have spent some time there. It's interesting for the Flemish architecture, but I wouldn't say it was one of my favorite cities in France. However, I LOVE Amiens, I spent several months there a few years ago and have visited a couple more times since then. The Notre-Dame cathedral there is bigger and more beautiful than the one in Paris (even before the fire) and yet you see very few, if any, tourists in this town. I almost hate to mention it, I'd rather it stay a secret!

[@diesalonniere7227]

Ad 2) Exactly 😂. Rather try not to miss the wonderful statue of Nike of Samothrace at the Daru Staircase or the excavations of the medieval Louvre at the basement level. It's another world... 🤩

[@jen.g3384]

Thank you so much. My husband and I are coming to Paris in a few weeks and we love your videos. We appreciate you!

[@amanacatandhisdog8836]

I agree Mark when you are discussing stereotypes. You can’t judge the states by going to New York City or Los Angeles. You also can’t judge the citizens here by watching Hollywood. I appreciate your channel.

[@TMD3453]

Don’t forget you can have a picnic outside with wine!!🍷 Good tip about taking the metro. Don’t forget it’s not open real late- like after 1 am

[@dnsnnab]

As someone who just came back from Paris, I agree with everything you said.

[@woltersworld]

Merci!!!

[@F_Bardamu]

Fully agree with your "don'ts" list, particularly the waiters one. Most waiters are obnoxious and can easily ruin your day, even for us Parisians. Just disregard them.

[@michaelz.7140]

I had a very large hotel room with a kitchen and even a dishwasher for like 50 € per night. Ok not in central paris, I needed a bus ride and a 20 min ride on the metro to go to the city, but it was worth it.

[@Zodia195]

Only 50 euros?! Wow that's is awesome. Hey I wouldn't mind the travel distance either.

[@deliverancetwo]

A great in-depth video. I love it. Thanks for all the information I greatly appreciate it. Paris is definitely on my bucket list.

[@BonafideShaunDent]

Decades ago I said I would like to go to Paris. When asked what sites I wanted to see I replied "I just want to sit at a cafe, eat pastries and drink coffee. Obviously I would do more than that but I want to keep it simple. Hopefull I will get to go around sept/oct and my "plan" is focus on two arrondissements given the time I will be spending which would be atmost four days. Or I could extend it to one arrondissements a day?

[@CavemanTravels]

Buy food and alcohol from stores its cheaper.

[@dkizzy55]

Going next week :-) Can't wait!!

[@patrickparisienne1917]

Paris has so many places to see beyond the obvious monuments. As said here, take time to just walk the streets, eat from the local cafes, restaurants, and boulangeries ( bakeries). The 6th arrendistment ( suburb) is the big tourist neighbourhood, but if you stay further out, it’s a more chilled experience, like the 16th. The metro is so good for commuting around the city. Download the Paris Metro map, and you can use it offline. Though I saw no pickpockets this time, take precautions with how to carry your things just in case…

[@nvm_fam2779]

Just came back from Paris for spring break. This video is very helpful, I wish it came out weeks earlier!

[@AnneMB955]

In Provence on the way to Nice. Loved my France holiday. Back to Paris in 4 days. Your tips are truly helpful.

[@lisalu910]

I was stoked to find out that Delta has a direct flight from Nice to Atlanta (my hometown) so at this point I'm thinking I'll just skip Paris altogether the next time I go to France!

[@millercreativestrategiesll8863]

We love Paris. We are returning to celebrate our 40th anniversary next year with 20 friends

[@laineydavis00]

Hot chocolate drinkers unite!! (Also very good tips. I'm leaving for my first solo trip in a few days and I will definitely take this advice with me!)

[@woltersworld]

Awesome!!! Have fun!

[@stivemaquekek4188]

il manque la gare st lazare , ça permet d'aller au mont st michel par exemple :) ou a rouen accessoirement

[@mares81]

Thank you very much ,always extremely helpful

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, awesome video and great tips.

[@robynaboverubiesorpearls]

I drink hot chocolate instead of coffee, too. I’m glad I’m not the only adult who does. 🙂

[@janebaker966]

Its fantastic to go off the big main boulevards into any one of the neighbourhoods. They all have cake shops,cafes,arty shops all sorts. In fact until i visited Paris i did wonder if our "popular image" of Paris was a bit fake and Disney then i (after i got more confidence) went off into the smaller neighbourhoods and found that they too have cafes on every corner etc. It is real even if the very famous and overpriced tourist famous ones are the money traps!

[@cyn865]

Lots of locals working in Paris are foreigners too .

[@janebaker966]

They do say that everyone in Paris is not from Paris.

[@kadenstimpson3167]

In my opinion, best way to experience the Louvre is to go on 2 days. Almost every day there will be a different section closed, and I actually missed out on a painting I was very excited for when I went. Also, unless you are particularly into the Mona Lisa, I suggest skipping it. We've all seen it, the crowds are too crazy, and the painting itself is so small that even seeing it up close in person is nearly impossible. Another weird piece of advice for the museum is to prepare for wildly fluctuating temperatures through different rooms. In the summer, the upper floors are boiling and the lower floors are like a cold dungeon

[@ilovesparky13]

Heat rises.

[@brianboyd1239]

Thanks for the video, Mark.

[@Zodia195]

Now I don't judge people who smoke (my late paternal grandpa was a smoker), but I personally can't be around them due to my dad having a lung disease (he was the biggest reason why my paternal grandpa try to stop smoking after he learned my dad had this disease). Plus I am a carrier (the disease is genetic) and can possibly still get it, so thanks for mentioning the smoking at cafes, it's something I'll definitely be on the lookout for so I can avoid it. I really would love to visit Paris one day, maybe spend a few days there, but the big goal for me if/when I visit France is to go to Normandy to see the D-Day stuff as well as visit the place where Monet did his Water Lillies series. Plus, Normandy is where my dad's French Ancestors came from. One thing I'll be curious to see is if anyone in France gets my last name right (because it's French). As a rule, complete strangers here always got it wrong the first time. Only exception was when I took French in College and my Professor (who is from the Netherlands) got it right the first time lol.

[@zachy0309]

I know this won't be popular, but after being so excited to visit again after 26 years, I was bitterly disappointed. Didn't help that our 1st experience was trying to navigate Les halles metro station 😬 avoid at all costs!! Booked tickets to the top of Eiffel Tower but, upon seeing the line decided not to go up. The crowds around the Eiffel Tower were insane 😳 A tip for entering the Louvre if you've booked online, use the Carousel entrance hardly any wait time. Moved from Paris to Strasbourg, which was amazing.

[@pierren___]

Les halles 😅 Aïe

[@lisalu910]

I totally agree. I've been to Paris a number of times - I even spent several months there in 1980 - and the last time we went in Sept 2022 I decided I don't care if I NEVER go back again. It was crowded, dirty and noisy in a way I had never seen it before (and the last time I'd been there was in 2019, so it hadn't been THAT long.) I've ridden the metro extensively in the past - all the metro lines at some point - but this last trip the metro was completely ghetto. Sadly, I think I've bid adieu to Paris.

[@hallebay2743]

I love this guy ! This video is so wholesome ! Welcome to Paris :)

[@pongop]

Awesome tips! Thank you so much!

[@Bakerboy1958]

Loved your video! We went to Paris several years ago and had all 3 of the scams tried on us. The woman with the ring was super insistent. I just told her I don’t wear gold and we walked away. I would suggest getting a navigo card to make train travel easier, those little paper tickets are a pain to keep track of.

[@AgathaLOutahere]

I've seen the petition thing in Athens, too. Just smile and walk away.

[@malindastevens1016]

Yeah I can definitely see the being careful of your items in Paris. A pair of youtuber friends I watch went to Paris and when they were checking into the hotel she got her bag stolen by someone that slipped up behind her and used his foot to hook onto the bag's straps. Even with video evidence they said it seemed like the cops didn't really take it seriously.

[@fsruiz64]

Joel and Lia?

[@Alienor15123]

Great advice! I've lived here for a long time and visited Paris many times. You advice is spot on. Just try to speak a little no matter the accent. It's the effort that counts.

[@ThRealJC2]

The biggest mistake is to spend just 1 or 2 days in Paris. We spent 10 days, and we missed a lot of things. Paris is worth a single trip

[@michaelchen2718]

we are going in a couple weeks, but tour eiffel summit tickets are already sold out :(((

[@doctorj6030]

Paris is on my bucket list. Great video

[@juliamallon2948]

Absolutely, don’t rush and over schedule. We did too much in India. We stayed in Boutique hotels that were former palaces and didn’t get to enjoy. Did not make that mistake in April on our trip to Andalusia Spain.

[@babsr8479]

Good advice a lot of that I learned on my trip to Paris it would have been nice to know it beforehand so now when I go back I will know

[@sarahphilbricksandhage1443]

As always, great advice. Thank you

[@ericb9609]

The part on not walking across the roundabout to get to the Arc de Triomphe is so true. As a Parisian, it really pisses me off since driving through the heavy traffic there is kind of daunting, buth having to dodge jaywalkers gets on my nerves....

[@jenniferamour6133]

Thanks so much for all of your great tips! I love all of your videos😊

[@luvzfrance24]

I've been to Paris numerous times except the last time I was there was in 2009 and the recession was going on so no one was traveling and it was great! Now I'm going to go in July and am sad everyone is back😢

[@asavvysimpleguy6433]

Having traveled extensively, I do disagree with outside Paris trips. My suggestion is to make Paris one vacation( with a day trip or 2).Seeing other parts of France best another vacation. Actually thus suggestion is valid for most tourist big cities.. i.e. Madrid, Rome etc. Excellent channel.

[@Bexisnuts]

For people wondering why Paris has so many train stations all very far from each other : It's part of French history: when train transportation started to be developed in France mid 19th century, the country railway system basically got split between 5 different companies, all managing a specific region (east, west etc). Each company built it own station inside Paris. They used to be interconnected by an additional line ("La Petite Ceinture", the Little Belt, now repurposed as a park). These companies eventually got bought by the State under one administration in the early 20th, but there was no point in destroying these stations or rearranging the railway system which had already considerably expanded by that time. Some of these stations have been rebuilt / repurposed, like the building which now hosts the Musée d'Orsay, but the rest of the stations have as much history in these walls as some other famous buildings in the city :)

[@evcash25]

Never really cared about the hotel when the wife and I travel,only need it to sleep!

[@roundtable5626]

Went to Paris for the first time just last week and was pickpocketted on..yep..the Metro 7 train from Garde de Norde. Was late during rush hour due to RER strike shutting down the train from CDG. Yeah. Full Paris experience in 45 minutes. Best part: The high speed train ride out of Paris, never to return.

[@gietam9712]

Yah thanks a lot❤

[@doyogawithgail]

Lots of great advice as always, Mark. Thank you! And yes: The Metro is the most convenient way to get around the city - provided it's not a strike day! My husband and I found that out the hard way. The Parisians love a good strike.

[@woltersworld]

They do love tgeor strikes 😀

[@vergereyes5368]

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[@labtechsuperstar]

Great advice! I have been several times to Paris. I would add one don't: Don't dress like a tourist. And I'm sure you have other videos on this concept. My mom and I went once, and we were dressed with a nice top and pants. We had gotten a bit lost and stopped at a restaurant. In my best Grade 10 level French I asked for some help. She got a coworker to man the front desk and practically took us by the hand to where we needed to go. Contrast and compare with a workmate of mine who went with his friends backpacking...even when he spoke French, he was snubbed. It's the combo of dress decent and speak French - you will be treated like gold. One more don't for basically anywhere in Europe: Don't expect obvious street signage. The street signs are like blended into building walls. I have seen that in France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Czech Republic, Bratislava (Slovakia), Austria.

[@CityCata]

Going to Brussels & Paris in December. Hoping for less rain & nice Christmas Markets 😅

[@stevebartley628]

Some other major cities also have multiple train stations

[@livb.6987]

Where was the carousel at 3:49 filmed? I am going to Paris in December and I want to recreate this photo of me when I was 3 but I've been searching for a long time and have never nailed down exactly where it was taken... but I am certain that carousel is the carousel at 3:49. Even the background matches perfectly. If you know, please let me know! Thank you!

[@claude_1c74]

You have to keep in mind that Paris is a tourist mecca, roughly 45 millions tourists in 2022, more than London Amsterdam Barcelone and Venise ...combined !!! So when we talk about over tourism, it helps you to understand many things.

[@alexandraclement1456]

I just came back from Paris. I had a wonderful time there. I did have a couple of these women come up to me to get me to sign their petitions; the first one I entertained and listened to her mumbling something, so I said no; the2 others, I pretended I didn't know English. These people can be pretty aggressive at times.