The biggest dos and don'ts for Americans visiting Paris

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:

“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).

The biggest dos and don'ts for Americans visiting Paris

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