10 OVERRATED Things To Do in Paris (and Tourist Traps)

Discover the 10 overrated things to do and visit in Paris including some tourist traps.

RECOMMENDED GUIDED TOURS in PARIS

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[donnamattingly]

My tip for Musee d’Orsay (top of my list on my first time in Paris): Get there at opening time, go to the top floor and work your way down. I was alone in many rooms in the morning, and by the time I got to the main floor late afternoon, the crowds had dissipated. Just my preference - arrive at opening and stay until closing. I usually plan to spend a whole day there.

[perfectedpitch]

The only five-star rating that can happen here is for this informative and amusing video you guys put together — great work! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[BMC_Atlanta]

You guys are the REAL deal!! You put these other shallow “influencers” to shame. I don’t know why it took me so long to find your channel and so glad that I did. Can’t wait to visit France, thank you and keep up the great work. Love your no-nonsense, honest style of providing very useful information🙌🏼⭐️

[frenchxican_a]

As always, on point! I am a Parisian and I LOVE your videos! I agree with all these, especially with the so-called "love locks", please if you visit Paris, don't put them on our bridges! thank you for the great work Les Frenchies!

[marilou]

Putting those padlocks on the bridges is nothing short of vandalism- I don’t know when it started but it has spread to other places now and needs to stop! I’m glad I visited a lot of these places (Le Louvre, Versailles etc) long before they got so crowded- looks hellish now! x

[t]

Highly agree with visiting the chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte instead!
Stunning and more manageable size, and the three key figures Louis Le Vau (architect), Andre Le Notre (gardener) and Charles Le Brun (painter) all went on to be involved with the creation of Versailles.
If you saw the tv series Versailles, they did a lot of filming here, both interior and exterior shots.

[minutefilms]

We took an April 2023 trip to Paris and found these videos to be a invaluable. Ate at several restaurants they recommended and enjoyed them all

[monicakoenig]

My friend that lives in Paris said that the shops & restaurants down side streets are much better than the famous ones, so this video was spot on 😎

[CrankyCorvid]

OK, gotta jump in here and say that we truly enjoyed going up the Eiffel Tower. It’s been a bucket list item for years and we were pretty thrilled to finally be there. But we went during shoulder season and had skip-the-line tickets, so all we had to do was pass security, which was quick. We really enjoyed reading the informative plaques and gazing up through the ironwork. It was a nice leisurely morning. Also went up the Arc de Triomphe, and yes, the view from there was just wonderful. Agree about Place Tertre though. Fortunately our little hotel was in walking distance of Montmartre, and a treasured memory is us just walking around the area. We *almost* went to Le Sanglier Bleu! Can’t remember why we didn’t.

[maxidrivemaxidrive]

I wouldn’t call Champs-Élysées just a street for designer clothes. It’s the most famous avenue in the world for a reason - its beauty! I went there almost every week just for a walk or to watch a movie when I lived there in the ‘80s. The view from atop the Eiffel Tower is one of a kind, definitely worth the wait time.

[exchangeyourlife]

Love your channel! I agree with all of your attractions on your list except one, the Chateau of Versailles. Yes, it is crowded, yes it is a lot of walking, but I think it is totally appropriate for the absolute grandeur, opulence, beauty, and history that you will see there. I suggest just reading up on which days of the week are a little less crowded, be prepared with appropriate walking shoes and clothes for the weather, and maybe even book a small or private tour. It truly is one of the most interesting places I have ever seen in my life so I would hate for people to skip it thinking it's not worth the hype! :)

[martinvers]

Great video !
As a Parisian, I kind of agree with all the points apart from the last one. The Saint Ouen flea market is great and it seems that you haven't been in the real, original part of it. The counterfeit area is all around it, but once you get past these shops, it's nice and definitely less crowdy.
However, I really think there are many much more exciting things to do before visiting the flea market, don't do it if it's your first time in Paris and you stay for a short period of time.

[maggiec]

I love how honest you both are. Many popular tourist attractions are overrated, underwhelming and too busy. So many other gems deserve your time

[gabrielleparis]

🇲🇫Some Paris thoughts: perhaps what you are looking for when you visit Paris: the exquisite good restos & bakeries, the richness of daily French life, the cobblestone streets, helpful and happy French people is better found in the fabulous cities of Bordeaux, Tours, Toulouse, Fontainebleau etc. It's something to consider: the Paris you dream of is now outside of Paris. Having lived and worked in Paris in the 70s, I return each year. Paris has changed. It once was charming every minute, now one must work hard and smart to find the charm. I am presently in Tours, France after a week visiting Paris, and Tours oozes charm and friendly French. And yes, cobblestone streets and ancient timbered homes. Streets filled with music and joy. Follow Antoine and Colleen's Paris suggestions. They really work. I think now its the only guidance I would follow. But then plan at least a week in a smaller city.❤️❤️❤️

[ApeApes]

Very helpful and practical tips. I feel lucky that I was able to experience many of the places you highlighted when I first went to (and lived in) Paris over 50 years ago. Once I went to Versailles on a weekday in November for a conférencier tour. Only three visitors showed up for the tour, and the palace was practically empty, so the guide took us into some back rooms not often seen by the public. I saw Louis XIV’s toilet!

But in all these years, I’ve never gone up the Eiffel Tower. Back then I was a poor student who enjoyed the view from the rooftop of La Samaritaine. Now, I avoid crowds.

Keep up the great work. Much appreciated.

[annaanna]

Just came back from a 5 day trip to Paris, and already want to go back! This time to explore the less tourist things and eateries!!! Love your videos!

[firstandlastname]

A great museum in Paris is Musée Carnavalet. You can spend half a day there and it is free and not crowded. It is about the history of Paris since the first humans until now. A lot of art.

[donnamattingly]

Agree 100%. And my best experiences in Paris were November (chestnuts roasting) and January ( no crowds). Would never want to repeat the July visit during World Cup.

[sniperdps]

I would offer a slight disagreement to the Eiffel Tower summit. I would say it’s an experience everyone should do ONCE. I went in August with my wife and our son (3). August is a busy time of the year for Paris but we booked in advance and went on the first possible time available (early in the morning), and our lines looked nothing like what you showed in your video. We got there 15 minutes before and we were maybe 8th in line. The views from the top of the Eiffel Tower are pretty spectacular, but even better, it was so incredible to see all the gears and wheels turn as the industrial era elevator takes you up to the top.

Would I pay to do it again? Probably not. But I’m glad I went that one time. Just my $0.02.

[macabelik]

I think when you have easy access to Paris and its attractions your perspective is totally different. Being ripped off is no fun anywhere, but you HAVE to expérience seeing La Gioconde. Everyone knows she's tiny and popular. Also climbing up the Eiffel tower (because it's impossible to get elevator tickets sometimes) was a super exhausting yet fun experience, especially if you're in good company -who's in good shape and can handle the almost 700 steps). One thing though: The Eiffel tower is more romantic from afar. Haha. Great video!