Paris Forum: What do you wish someone had told you?

I'm not sure if I can say that I wasn't told certain things, but sometimes one gets varying opinions on a subject - especially here on Trip Advisor.

I wish I would not have carried my passport and credit cards/extra money in a neck safe/money belt everywhere in Paris. The website for Canada's passports said to always have your passport on your person, preferably in a money belt. I wish I had listened to others here on the forum and left it in the hotel safe. (I do now, and only carry a photocopy). It was never lost or stolen, but money belts are a pain.

I wish someone had convinced my husband that the Moulin Rouge is a cheesy tourist trap with way too many people stuffed in there. I already had my strong suspicions, but they were strongly confirmed for both myself and my husband after going to a show there.

And I wish someone warned me that the minute I returned home from Paris, I would be miserable, and have to plan out my next trip immediately. Having known that, perhaps I would have started saving in my childhood! :-)

I can't really think of anything major except leave time to relax and enjoy the city and be prepared to become addicted to the place!

I think also, I wish I had a clearer insight into French culture before I first started going to Paris, i.e. I wish I had known that they are often a little more reserved and formal in their manners than we are in North America.

Had I known that, I think the first couple of times I went to Paris many years ago, I probably would have had a better understanding of how our dealings with waiters, staff, etc. went. I think sometimes in my culture, the service industry tends to be "Hi my name is Amber and I'll be your server. How are you guys today? I love your sweater! So what can I get for you Hon?". So when you encounter a much more formal and reserved welcome, people can take that to be standoffish or rude. It's not, it's just different than what we tend to be used to.

I agree with other posts about the courtesy of trying some words of French, even if you are not that confident. When you are out of Paris and you want to learn a new word, I find that "Comment dit on (fill in english word) en francais?" This works best with students or young adults. Bon vacances!

I'm still laughing at K2's #1. That's a good one. And so true!

I guess I'd say not to try and cram so much in to your trip that you lose sight of the fact the Paris is meant to be savored slowly. It's a beautiful city, but you need to take time to absorb that sort of beauty and not rush around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to see everything and not really seeing anything in the end.

Wow,, so many little tips, many of them learned here. You don't have to get a Musuem pass to avoid long lines in many places, there are alternate entrances and online tickets and a bunch of other tricks.

Having a pen and paper easy to get to is handy if you want to write down a number or have a shop keeper do so,, I know french numbers up to a hundred or so , but when they speak quickly I can get confused.

Ignore ignore ignore,, I knew this one from relatives, but I really think its something that every first time visitor should learn to do when confronted by strangers wanting to "chat" have you sign a clip board, or give you a ring.. lol.People from big cities usually know this, but people from smaller cities and towns may feel they are being rude. They are not, they are being smart .

Hotel rooms with shower only usually have the type of shower I am used to, the mounted one in a stall,, ones with tub and shower often have a hand held shower and no shower curtain, so you have to sit in tub and "shower" or get room soaking. I try to reserve shower only rooms.

French people are not cold or rude, but, they are not bubbly "hi I'm Jeff your waiter for tonight " types either,, they are warm and wonderful with family and close friends, but there is a reserve that is cultural and does not mean they hate you,, just like you are not crazy cause you smile at passerbys( they think its weird there) ,, they are not mean cause they don't. Showing respect is important there, always greet( bonjour madame or monsieur) shopkeeper or clerk before asking for anything,, they are not your servants and feel very much to be at same standing as you,, the revolution meant something to them,, lol so just walking up and demanding something is a no no.. ( hey they will likely give it to you, but there will be an air about it ),, and metro kiosk workers can actually just ignore you ( I have seen them close a window on a rude demanding tourist once,, he just kept yelling at them louder and louder in english,, thinking that would help,, lol )

Try the stinky cheeses( being from Netherlands you probaly know this one) , they are often the tastiest.

Pops and juices are expensive in restos.. get house wine and tap water.

Its worth the metro trip out to St Denis, I guess I should be happy its not a crowded place like Notre Dame, but its so worth seeing if you have any interest in French history.. I loved my day there.

You can't just sit on the grass anywhere in Luxembourg gardens,, there are signs everywhere , but I just thought this was weird,, so plan to picnic on a bench,, there is sitting grass, but on hot days its crowded.

One thing is very important - do not try to "see it all". You will destroy your trip. Visit a few places of note but remember, much of the charm of Paris is simply walking the streets and absorbing the ambiance. Sit in a cafe, have a glass of wine and let the city pass by. Another thing; in the morning, go to "le Zinc"(any local brasserie), stand at the bar and order a Creme or espresso, perhaps a pastry and try your French with your neighbour. On the subject of French, the French like politeness. Use s'il vou plais (please) OFTEN. Try some simple French phrases such as Bonjour (good day), and ca va (how are you doing?) along with s'il vous plait. It goes a long way.

I wish someone had told me to trust my husband on his solo ventures. He knows about 10 words of French, but I have seen him exhibit a charm that has every Paris shopkeeper smiling at him after 30 seconds. I always expected a call from the local gendarmes ... thinking that he might have made some horrible gaffe ... but everyone he meets seems to just love him. Go figure ... LOL!

Wear the absolutely most comfortable shoes you own, even if they are white sneakers. It really is true that no one cares what you have on your feet. I made the mistake of trying to "look fashionable" and ended up with blisters, even with shoes I wore all day for work. Luckily, I had thrown my trusty, worn-in sneakers at the last minute and they saved my trip. Have a pair of nice shoes for that special dinner out but otherwise...think comfort.