Paris Tourist Traps

  • Seine cruise boat.
      Seine cruise boat.
    by breughel
  • Dry fountains.
      Dry fountains.
    by breughel
  • Line at the Pyramid and strikers below.
      Line at the Pyramid and strikers below.
    by breughel

Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Paris

  • Montmartre/Sacré Coeur, Paris

    1. Montmartre/Sacré Coeur

    On the way up to the Sacre Coeur, taking the main stairs right in front of the church, you cannot get around without seeing the African so called "bracelet guys". There young guys hang around on the...   more
  • Eiffel Tower, Paris

    2. Eiffel Tower

    Most newcomer insist in going up to the top of the tower - no objection, it's really high, and you'll feel in in your way up. But be prepared for a small disappointment: the views are generally better...   more
  • Street Artists, Paris

    3. Street Artists

    We chose to visit Montmarte as we read about the artists' village at Place du Tertre which sounded absolutely charming. When we arrived at the little enclave I was immediately met by an artist with a...   more
  • Lido, Moulin Rouge, etc., Paris

    4. Lido, Moulin Rouge, etc.

    If ever there was a place that was living off past glories, it is the Moulin rouge. It does however still have a steady trade, relying on hoardes of rich tourists to fill up the theatre seats. For...   more
  • Dining and Drinking, Paris

    5. Dining and Drinking

    when you go about paris these attractive french cafes on every corner seem so attractive they tempt you to stop in and sample what they have to offer. well you must be careful because these...   more
  • Versailles, Paris

    6. Versailles

    Things can be bad in Paris and Versailles because there are too many visitors. Even I, a fan of Le Louvre, wrote a tip about a bad experience there "Bad luck at Le Louvre" About Versailles a lot of...   more
  • Champs-Elysées, Paris

    7. Champs-Elysées

    We were taking pictures of Triumphal arch when suddenly a woman bend down and picked up something from the street. It was a ring like those wedding rings. She asked us if it was ours, but we said it...   more
  • Louvre, Paris

    8. Louvre

    This could be read to-day in the French newspaper "Le Figaro": "Le musée n'a pas pu ouvrir ce mercredi. Les agents de la surveillance ont exercé leur droit de retrait pour manifester leur exaspération...   more
  • Disneyland Paris, Paris

    9. Disneyland Paris

    Disneyland Paris My first warning, it isn't very clear what metro tickets to get to Disneyland. Expect to pay €15 for two people to get to Disneyland on the metro, if you pay any less you got the...   more
  • Taxis, Paris

    10. Taxis

    It's not a surprise Taxis are very expensive in Paris (also we knew we should avoid illegall taxi). The problem is that taxi drivers can make it even more costly for you. 1. Check the taxi price with...   more
  • Seine, Paris

    11. Seine

    I don't understand how the Seine can be listed among the tourist traps as long as you don't fall in the water and as long as you don't expect the river boats to serve a three stars Michelin dinner! A...   more
  • Notre Dame, Paris

    12. Notre Dame

    If you want to see Notre Dam, be sure to chose a time when there is lack of tourists. The ques can be awful and you be stuck for hours. Come back later or strategically chose another time or date. You...   more
  • La Défense, Paris

    13. La Défense

    It is a big square and a bunch of office buildings. Other than a small shopping mall below ground it is just not worth the effort to go and visit. We were pretty dissapointed in it. Turn around and go...   more
  • Catacombes, Paris

    14. Catacombes

    We made our way to the catacombs hoping to find an extraordinary sight. Unfortunately it was nothing but rooms and rooms and rooms full of bones. I mean, it's interesting and all, but I would rather...   more
  • Driving, Paris

    15. Driving

    I always look for free or cheap place to park a car and Paris is in my top worse 5 cities in Europe in this matter (hmm... the worst for me was Florence - but it's the best city in Italy). 1. Stay at...   more
  • Metro, RER, Trains, Paris

    16. Metro, RER, Trains

    Do not buy metro tickets from people in stations, its an obvious point but just a reminder. Paris metro tickets are very cheap as it is and a single will cost around one euro! Dont show them your...   more
  • Old Museum at Arc de Triumphe, Paris

    17. Old Museum at Arc de Triumphe

    When I visited the Arc de Triumphe there was a small museum that seemed outdated. It showed a bit about the construction of the Arc as well as some of the...   more
  • Café Richelieu, Paris

    18. Café Richelieu

    It’s in the Richelieu section of the Louvre.€20 for “breakfast”. A cup of coffee. A wee orange juice. 3 minuscule pastries. I should have had a bread roll too,...   more
  • Souvenirs, Paris

    19. Souvenirs

    While traveling to any foreign country or city you will find that the shops selling souvernirs near any major tourist attraction will have higher prices than...   more
  • Long Lines, Paris

    20. Long Lines

    Sainte-Chapelle is one of greatest wonders of Paris, but it is small. This means very long lines to enter. When planning your visit, go in advance and be...   more
  • Expensive visit, Paris

    21. Expensive visit

    Expiation chapel is a curiosity near St Augustin and in the shopping area. It's interesting to see Louis XVI and Marie Antoniette's first burial place, but the...   more
  • Compare Paris Passes before you buy, Paris

    22. Compare Paris Passes before you buy

    This isn't so much a warning as a comparison of the various passes available in Paris. If you haven't been in Paris often, the passes can be confusing. Some...   more
  • The Wrong Place?, Paris

    23. The Wrong Place?

    This is St. Germain l'Auxerrois, but not the big St. Germain l'Auxerrois near the Louvre!There is a Grand Cathedral called Saint Germain l'Auxerrois. Beautiful,...   more
  • The Bastille, Paris

    24. The Bastille

    You have always heard about the people, tired of the deprivation of human rights and needing bread and liberty storming the mighty fortress, the Bastille. You...   more
  • Baccarat Museum, Paris

    25. Baccarat Museum

    Maybe it's unfair to call this a tourist trap: the museum is beautiful, and some pieces truly remarkable. But the ticket they charge allows us to expect more. A...   more

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When the same Paris attraction is one person's "tourist trap" but another person's "favorite," you will have to decide for yourself!

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