Le Louvre and other Paris, France Tourist Trap Tips

The Louvre is probably the world's most famous museum and one of Paris's most visited tourits attractions, yet I have never really enjoyed my visits here. I think you'd need a few days to fully explore each wing, and I have never had the patience or love or art to do so. I found it repetitive, vast, and not half as interesting as expected.

Many people just visit to see La Joconde (Mona Lisa) which is as much a let down as anything else here (it also takes forever to find it).

Leave a Comment

At Least Do This: Go on Sundays when it is free or on afternoons after 3pm when it's either free or half-price (can't remember which).
Alternative: I much preferred Musee D'Orsay (see my must-see activities). Some of the smaller museums such as the Dali, or Picasso, are a better option.

Street-artists congregate at many of the city's tourist spots and will hassle you until you let them draw your portrait. I've often seen these guys ask upwards of 200 Francs (25 Euros). Usually they quote a price beforehand and by the time the picture is drawn the price will have trebled. This can be confusing for tourists who don't speak great French or who don't want to be appear rude.

One particular guy (pictured) offered to caricature my brother for free, as he wanted a sample to display to potential customers. 'Fine', we said. So off he went and drew a picture of Kevin, which came out pretty well in fact. He then had the guile to ask for 100 Francs. We laughed and said not a chance. But as it was a good picture we gave him 20F.

Leave a Comment

At Least Do This: Find out the price up front and pay no more at the end regardless of what they ask for.
Alternative: Don't get your portrait taken.

Place du Tertre is is a well known square in the heart of Montmartre. As the former main square of the village, it attracts many visitors, and anyone exploring Montmartre usually ends up here at some point.

I've tried to avoid this square the last few times I've been in Montmartre. Every time I return there seems to be an even greater concentration of shops and restaurants aimed at tourists. If you go for a drink or a meal here you'll pay well over the odds though that doesn't seem to deter the thousands who visit. The square is also well known for its street-artists who charge inordinate amount for their pictures.

Leave a Comment

At Least Do This: Try not to buy anything here.
Alternative: Try visiting some of Montmartre's quieter streets nearby. There will be less people around and you'll get better deals.