The biggest dos and don'ts for Americans visiting Paris

• Learning a few key French phrases, like "bonjour" and "merci," is a sign of respect.
• Americans should be mindful of cultural differences, such as speaking loudly in restaurants.
• Tipping is not expected in Paris as service is typically included in the bill.

There are a few things you must do as an American in Paris – but they don't necessarily involve the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum or the Champs-Élysée. 

How travelers approach the city and locals can make or break the experience.

Here’s what to know for your first or next Paris trip, from experts: 

• Cécilia Jourdan, a French American entrepreneur and educator who grew up in France and cofounded Hello French, an online platform dedicated to French language and culture with more than 2 million followers on social media.

• Emmy Rener, an American entrepreneur and food content creator who lives in Paris and highlights the city through an American lens. 

Dos and don’ts in Paris 

“You can't just assume everyone does speak English,” Rener said. “And if you speak louder, it's not going to help the problem.” 

In general, travelers should learn a few key words in the language of any destination they visit. Hello French has a free downloadable list of 30 essential phrases for travelers, ranging from Vous parlez anglais? (Do you speak English?) to L'addition, s'il vous plaît (The check, please).

Chief among terms to know and use are bonjour (hello) by day and bonsoir (good evening) at night. More than rote greetings, they're signs of respect.

“Even if you have a really thick American accent and say 'bonjour,' who cares?" Jourdan said. “Say that with absolutely everyone – when you purchase your bread at a bakery, when you sit down at a cafe. It's a great way to acknowledge the other person. ... And that's also an indication that you are willing to adapt to a language even though you don't speak French.” 

If you walk into a bakery and start placing an order without exchanging greetings, Rener said staff may emphatically reply, “’Bonjour,’ like, 'Come on. What are you doing here?' ... An American would be like, ‘Oh, that's rude,’ which it's not rude. I think it's just polite.”

In the same vein, it’s customary to say merci (thank you) and bonne journée (have a good day), bonne soirée (have a good evening), or au revoir (goodbye) when you leave. 

“As far as Americanisms, I think that there are so many things that we do that we don't really realize might be ... more abrasive to the French culture, and I think it's important to recognize those things,” Rener said. “Like even when you're at a restaurant, you'll notice, if you're talking really loud, that's a very American thing. In French restaurants with actual French people, the volume of the restaurant will be quiet.” 

That’s not to say travelers need to change who they are, she and Jourdan said separately.

“Culture is different and so behaviors are different, and so they can be loud, but they may get some looks,” Jourdan said. “Be open to the different reactions of French people without taking it personally and understanding that they're being perceived with the lens of culture. ... It's not about you. It's about two cultures coming together and trying to adjust to things that feel maybe unusual.” 

There is, however, something else travelers should expect. 

“If you're a tourist asking for something in a way that may sound stressed or rude, then you will be matched with that energy,” Jourdan said. On the flip side, she said, travelers who are open and flexible will be met the same way.

Are people in Paris friendly to Americans? 

“There's a stereotype around French people that they can be kind of rude,” Rener said. “I don't think that they're rude. I think they're just polite.”  

Of course, there are some rude French people, just like there are rude Americans, but Rener said, “French people can be incredibly nice and kind and welcoming.” 

Cultural differences can account for some misunderstandings.  

For instance, French people are often seen as more direct. Whereas small talk is considered friendly in the United States, Jourdan said that in France, it's considered unnecessary and sometimes even intrusive.

She noted French people may also be uncomfortable receiving compliments, though they give them in their own way. For example, instead of saying something is delicious, they may say "c'est pas mal" (that's not bad).

They may not, however, shy away from what would be considered hot topics in the United States, like politics and current events. 

“There's really the art of debate in France and the art of conversation,” Jourdan said. “People may think that a whole table is arguing and it's really heated, where in a sense they're just debating ideas and it's the way we assert our identity, and then we can just stop the conversation. It’s like ‘OK. We won’t agree on that’ and say ‘Let’s order another round of coffee’ and that’s it.” 

Debates aren’t personal attacks, but if you’re looking for a less touchy topic, she suggested discussing food. 

“Food, I think, is an awesome subject to talk about with everyone – people you know, you don't know,” she said. ”We really connect about that because it's about our heritage and the savoir faire [know how] and that's also part our identity.” 

What to do in Paris 

“I would have a traditional French meal for sure,” Jourdan said, recommending her dad's restaurant, Le Colimaçon in Paris' trendy 4th arrondissement (district), which is also known as Le Marais. “But there are others, too, like a bistro type where you really have the typical French dishes like rabbit, like confit de canard [duck confit], all of the entrecôte [boneless ribeye]. We love our meat.” For travelers who drink alcohol, she recommended adding a good French wine, which is relatively cheap in Paris. 

Rener challenged tourists to be adventurous. 

“From an American perspective, we have these ideas of what French foods are, and it's kind of like croque monsieur and boeuf bourguignon. And I think that there are so many amazing French foods that we've never heard of or ever tried before. ... Ask the waiter for their recommendation. Ask the sommelier for their recommendation with wine. I think that it's important to just kind of give yourself over to the French people because they know their menu best.” 

Jourdan also encourages travelers to try the wealth of international and fusion cuisines available in the city. 

Her other suggestions include popping into shops, historic covered passages and open-air markets – even if you're not shopping.

“The experience of a market is incredible, right? You have smaller ones, bigger ones. You get to see also how French people live," Jourdan said.  

If possible, visit at least one museum. Her favorite is the impressionist Musée d'Orsay, which is undergoing renovation through summer 2028 but remains open. She also recommends Musée Rodin, notes has a beautiful garden, and the Paris history museum Musée Carnavalet, museum, which offers free admission to its permanent exhibits. 

“You can be on a budget, not loving arts and still feel the depth of Paris historically just by walking in the passages, in the gardens or just in the streets,” Jourdan said. 

Most of all, she and Rener recommend taking your time to really explore and savor the city. 

“If it's your first time – hopefully not your only time – you go to the few touristy spots that you would like to visit and then you take really chunks of time wandering around the city,” Jourdan said. “We call that flâner in French, which is really the art of walking aimlessly, so no goals. I think it's the best way to visit not just Paris, but any city. It's just to walk around and take it all in and absorb it and be in the moment."

What needs reservations in Paris? 

Restaurants: Many Parisian restaurants are relatively small, so tables fill up quickly and stay filled because dining is a leisurely event, with tables turning over less frequently. If there’s a restaurant you have your heart set on and they take reservations, book them. Some restaurants, like l’Entrecôte de Paris, which is known for its steak frites (fries), only accept walk-ups and in-person waits. 

Notre Dame: Reservations aren’t required to visit the famed cathedral, but they can save you a lot of time compared with the standby line. Free reservations are available through Notre Dame’s website up to two days before your intended visit. 

Certain museums: Many, but not all, Paris museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of each month. Some like Musée d'Orsay require reservations, while others, like Musée National Picasso-Paris, do not. 

What requires tickets in Paris? 

Eiffel Tower: Tickets are required to ascend this iconic tower, and they do sell out, so it’s best to book early through the Eiffel Tower’s website. However, you can enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower for free throughout the city. 

The Louvre and other museums: Louvre tickets can also sell out, so you may also want to secure those early. Visitors are encouraged to book directly through the museum and beware of fraud. On the first Friday of every month, except July and August, all visitors may enter the Louvre for free after 6 p.m. Year-round, Louvre admission is free for children under 18 years old, European Economic Area residents and citizens under the age of 26, and all visitors with disabilities with a certifying card. Details on other museums can be found on their websites. 

How should tourists dress in Paris? 

In general, Jourdan said French people are quite elegant and tend not to wear athleisure unless they’re going to work out.  

“I'm never saying to an American, 'Don't wear athleisure,' because I wear that myself because I prioritize comfort,” she said. 

Rener, however, warned that dressing like an obvious tourist may make you a target for pickpockets and other scammers. 

No matter what you pack, both she and Jourdan say to prepare for Paris’ fickle weather.  

“Carry an umbrella, a very tiny one, and have something to cover yourself. It can get really cold and then hot and then rain,” Jourdan said, adding that weather apps can be unreliable. “Packing accordingly will really make a difference.” 

Is it still safe to travel to Paris right now? 

“Yes, 100%. As a woman living in the thick of the city, I definitely do feel safe,” Rener said. 

The State Department ranks France as a Level 2 destination, encouraging Americans to “exercise increased caution” because of possible terrorism and unrest. The State Department also issued a worldwide security alert on March 22, amid the war in the Middle East. Travelers are encouraged to register for the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for alerts in the event of an emergency. 

However, violent crime is relatively low. Petty crime, like pickpocketing and phone theft, is more common in Paris and can be easily avoided. 

"Don't put your phone in your back pocket, don't have bags that don't zip. If you're going have a crossbody, wear it on the front of you,” Rener said. “I would give you the same advice if you were in New York City.” 

And just like on the New York subway, she recommended keeping your head on a swivel on the metro. “You don't need to be scared, but you need to be aware,” she said, adding that she might not recommend riding the metro after midnight, but Uber is widely available. 

Is $1,000 enough for a week in Paris? 

That depends on whether you’re counting lodging. 

On average, a hotel room in Paris costs $265 per night in the busy summer tourist season and $220 per night during the low season of January through February, according to 2025 data from Hotels.com.

If you’re not counting accommodations, you can stretch $1,000 for a week in Paris, depending on what you eat, how much you shop and what else you do. 

Many restaurants offer a prix-fixe menu with multiple courses for a reasonable price. 

“A nice place in Paris, it can be around 25 euros for entree [starter], plat [main course] dessert, which is, what, $30. So that plus a glass of wine, maybe it's like $37,” Rener said. “You could also get a jambon beurre [ham and butter sandwich] for 7 euros, so it just kind of depends.” 

Are you supposed to tip in Paris? 

Tips are typically already included in meal prices, and servers are paid better in France, so they don’t have to rely on tips to survive. 

Rener said if a restaurant payment terminal ever asks if you want to add a 20% tip, “You can hit no – non merci is what it's going to say – and that's not rude at all. ... The only reason why they would be showing you that is because you're American.” 

If you'd like to tip anyway, she recommends carrying euros in coins. 

“When we go out to a restaurant, if it's 100 euros [total], we'll leave like 3 euros in coins, which sounds crazy, but a lot of French people don't tip at at all, so even if you're doing a $5 tip ... that's nice," she said.

Just don’t tip in actual U.S. dollars. 

What is the best way for tourists to get around Paris? 

The best way to explore the city is by foot and metro. 

There are 20 arrondissements within Paris, which spiral out like a snail’s shell with one in the center and 20 at the edge. Each has its own history and vibe. 

“Have an hour or two or three hours almost every single day of like, ‘Let's just pick this arrondissement and walk and see,’” Jourdan said. “Maybe you have a few things pinned, but the beautiful thing about Paris is really walking. It's a great walking city.” 

Many of the city’s sidewalks are smooth and feature curb cuts, though some areas like Montmartre can be steep, according to WheelchairTravel.org, which describes itself as “the world’s largest accessible travel resource.”  

Public transit operator RATP notes that all Paris buses and trams are wheelchair accessible, as are train stations along the RER A and B lines. Portions of some metro lines may also be wheelchair accessible, but the only fully accessible metro line is 14.