Paris welcomes millions of visitors every year, and those crowds bring a few scams that repeat at certain spots. The good news: almost all of them are easy to sidestep once you recognize them. Here’s what you need to know. For the rest of France, see our France travel guide.
Classic Paris scams
The “petition”
Where: Around the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Sacré-Cœur and Notre-Dame.
How it works: Someone approaches with a clipboard and asks you to sign a petition for people with disabilities or children. After you sign, they ask for a donation, while an accomplice may go through your pockets.
What to do: Say “non, merci” without stopping, and keep walking.
The gold ring
How it works: Someone picks up a “gold” ring from the ground, asks if you dropped it, then gives it to you “for luck” and asks for money in return. The ring is, of course, worthless.
What to do: Don’t touch the ring.
The bracelet trick
Where: Montmartre, the steps of Sacré-Cœur.
How it works: A group quickly starts braiding a string around your wrist on the pretext of a “friendship bracelet,” then demands payment for it.
What to do: Keep your hands in your pockets and steer clear of these groups. Going up to Sacré-Cœur via the side streets or the funicular is one way to bypass the area.
The cup-and-ball game
How it works: On bridges and crowded streets, a game is played in which you guess which of three cups hides a ball. The “winners” are usually part of the group, and winning is next to impossible.
Transportation and ticket traps
- Fake ticket sellers: Stay away from people selling “skip-the-line tickets” at museum and tower entrances.
- Metro ticket machines: People who offer to “help” at the machines sometimes sell invalid tickets. Buy your own ticket or use the official app.
- Airport taxis: Use the official taxi stand for rides into the city; offers from drivers who approach you inside the terminal are usually overpriced and unlicensed.
Pickpocket hot spots
Inside and in front of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower lines, the Champs-Élysées, metro line 1 and the area around Gare du Nord. Not leaving your phone on the table, wearing your backpack on your front and using zippered inner pockets are the simplest precautions.
Overrated experiences and alternatives
- Eating on the Champs-Élysées: Prices are high and the quality is often average. Try the small bistros in the back streets of the Marais or Saint-Germain instead.
- Climb the Eiffel Tower, or see it? The tower itself is the star of the Paris skyline. For a view that includes the tower, Trocadéro, the Montparnasse Tower or the free rooftop terrace at Galeries Lafayette are good alternatives.
- The Louvre just for the Mona Lisa: The area in front of the painting is always packed. Exploring the museum’s quieter wings makes your visit far more enjoyable.
Final word
Knowing about these traps doesn’t diminish the magic of Paris one bit; if anything, you’ll explore more freely. To choose guided tours through trusted channels: Paris tours.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Paris metro safe?
Generally, yes, but pickpocketing is common on crowded lines and at tourist stations. Be careful using your phone near the doors.
Where should I buy Eiffel Tower tickets?
Only from the official website or trusted platforms, in advance and with a timed entry. Don’t buy from people selling tickets around the tower.
