Paris is the second most visited city in Europe right behind London, and France is in first place for most visited nation in Europe. It’s no wonder everyone wants a taste of la vie en rose, the city is incredibly historic, architecturally magnificent, and full of things to do.

Maybe you’ve watched the timeless film Amélie and dreamed of riding on the back of a moped with a mysterious and handsome Parisian man in Montmartre. Maybe you grew up reading the Eloise or the Madeleine books. Maybe you dreamed of having a cute apartment with one of those typical blue zinc Mansard roofs and a fluffy white cat by your side. There is a reason those Parisian clichés exist. Because they are real! But like any city, it is a place where real people work and live, who can be stressed out or can be happy. As a tourist this city can be your playground provided you respect it. And of course the more effort you put into the experience, the more you will get out of it.

While many dream of visiting Paris there are a few things to know if you want to make the most of your trip.

There is this general idea that Paris is the perfect city where you walk around the Eiffel Tower eating macarons and wearing berets.

Here’s the catch: Parisians don’t wear berets and they don’t hang out by the Eiffel Tower. And while macarons are delicious, there’s so many other pastries to try! This guide will show you what to do, where to stay and some cultural tidbits that will be useful to you in Paris.

Without further ado, here are 5 tips for you to keep in mind.

1) Try not to stick out as a tourist.

Let’s face it, some tourists, especially Americans, tend to stick out like a sore thumb in a place like Paris. Ever been in a place and realized you can tell the Americans apart from the rest? You know, the older couples in t-shirts, socks and sandals with a camera around their neck? No hate, but if you want Paris to open up to you, it’s best to blend in.

The fashion revolves around neutral tones, and simple yet classy, functional looks.

People don’t wear graphic t-shirts or shorts, especially not men. If you’re going to wear a hat, don’t wear a baseball cap. Instead wear a nice sun hat or if it’s cold, a knit hat. Wear sturdy walking shoes, but not flashy running shoes. Ankle boots are always a good idea!

Parisian men are usually well dressed. They wear classy leather shoes or sneakers If it’s autumn, do not forget your scarf! Men in scarves….ahhhhh!!! *swoon*

If you’re a demoiselle and you like to carry a purse, (who doesn’t?) make sure it’s a cross-body bag. The #1 mistake people make while sightseeing is carrying a cute purse and getting it stolen. Decrease your chances of falling victim to pickpockets by using a nice cross-body bag with lots of space.

And lastly, try to stay away from booty shorts and flip flops. It’s a fashion faux pas!

2) Don’t book a hotel by the Eiffel Tower.

This is the best way not only to get scammed but also to pay far too much money for staying in an area that really does not have much to offer. Because it’s where most tourists are going to go, the food is going to be bad and overpriced. The area is also not super walkable, since it’s home to mainly big hotels and corporations.

Instead, try these areas:

The historic and picturesque Marais, there are great Airbnbs in La Rue des Archives for example, and you’ll be staying in the oldest part of Paris, where there are museums galore and plenty of hidden parks to explore. Make sure to take a minute to relax in the Place des Vosges park and grab falafel in the Jewish quarter!

The area around the Canal Saint Martin and Belleville is a great place to book if you’re a student or twenty-something. There are great bars and cheap beers (yes, cheap beers in Paris!! Surprise!) The République area is great for nightlife, check out the hidden speakeasy, Lavomatic, where you enter through a functioning laundromat!

For older travelers the Montmartre area or the Latin Quarter are more quiet at night and vibrant with culture and museums during the day. Be wary because Montmartre, especially the touristy area by the Sacré-Coeur, gets sketchy real quick after sundown. But there is more to Montmartre than the basilica! In the Latin Quarter, check out the Panthéon on a hot summer day, it will be nice and cool inside and you can learn about the famous French leaders, activists and philosophers buried in the crypt.

3) If you want to visit the Eiffel Tower, resist the urge to climb it.

Most Parisians have never even been to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

You will not only pay far too much to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but you’ll also wait in line for hours and get heckled by street vendors. There are plenty of other great monuments to climb where the views are great and actually include the Eiffel Tower. Try going up the Arc de Triomphe, the Tour Montparnasse, or the Tour Saint-Jacques (when it’s open in the summer) instead.

While Notre Dame cannot be accessed at the moment, the Tour Saint Jacques is in the same area and offers similar views. To get a great view of the Eiffel Tower, visit the Trocadéro first, and then decide if you want to get closer to the tower or go somewhere else.

4) Know some French sayings!

French people, especially Parisians, are seen as snobby and cold, but in reality it’s all a question of perspective. Many French people for example, believe American social norms are disingenuous and fake. Why does everyone need to say “hi how are you” when they don’t actually care to know how you are?

Instead, French society is built upon strong relationships that may take some time to create.

One good thing to know is that just because Paris is very touristy does not mean that everyone speaks English. In fact, it’s considered rude to assume they do. Instead, always remember to say “bonjour” upon entering a restaurant or a store. Bonjour is the first step. Next you can ask whoever is helping you if they speak English: “Parlez-vous Anglais?”

Customer service isn’t the same in France as it is in the U.S. Waiters at a restaurant will not constantly pester you about how everything is going. If you need anything, flag the waiter down with a simple “Monsieur/Madame s’il vous plaît?” And if you need the bill, “la note, s'il vous plaît!”

With a simple greeting and acknowledgment of the French language, you will be rewarded with friendliness and openness.

Make sure to say “merci!” on your way out!

5. Understand French dining practices.

And speaking of dining, there are a few things you should be aware of. First is that the French take their dining time very seriously. Instead of quick meals, they typically take 90 minutes or more to eat.

As mentioned above customer service doesn’t work the same way as it does in America. Waiters typically leave you alone unless you flag them down. And there is no tipping culture in France.

Most restaurants offer a 3-course prix fixe menu - and this is typically how Parisians order. This is also typically the chef’s special and the freshest products from the market, plus the best deal.

Restaurants are non-smoking, so smokers tend to sit on the terrace. If being around smoking bothers you, choose a spot inside!

6) Learn how the Parisians greet their friends

If you want to make friends when you travel to Paris, you should understand how real Parisians greet their friends. The French don’t hug their friends hello the way we might in America.

Instead, Parisians brush one of their cheeks to the other person’s while making two light kiss noise. You should start with the right cheek, then the left. This is called “bise”.

If you want to fit in, best learn this before you arrive!

7) Be prepared to walk EVERYWHERE

Public transportation in Paris is great….but if you want to really get around the way the locals do, be prepared to walk! The city is breathtakingly gorgeous all over, so you’ll get a chance to soak up the architecture and culture at the same time. Plus you can do a bit of people watching as well!

Most tourists coming to Paris end up walking WAY more than they are used to, so make sure to pack extra comfy and sturdy shoes. I recommend carrying an extra pair of socks in your purse - as this is a quick way to make your shoes more comfortable after hours of walking (without carrying around a whole extra pair of shoes!).

And watch where you step - Parisians LOVE their dogs - but aren’t always the best at picking up after them.

8) Don’t have too many expectations.

Travel is all about discovery and learning about a new place. Paris is that kind of city where you can get lost in the touristy chaos OR lost in the chill artsy labyrinth that is the city. Be open to going to places you didn’t plan on visiting like La Rue Mouffetard or the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. Read niche guidebooks to get the true Parisian experience. Stay in a hostel and make some friends! Grab a bottle of wine and hang out on the banks of the Seine or the Canal Saint Martin and you’ll be friends with the locals in no time.

Paris will open itself up to you but only if you are open to it. There are plenty of hidden gems to discover if you look hard enough.

Bon voyage!

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8 Things to Know About Parisian Culture & the City