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Home » Travel » Europe » Western Europe » 10 Tips to Avoid Crowds in Paris France

10 Tips to Avoid Crowds in Paris France

Last Updated: January 1, 2023 // by Rhonda Albom // 57 Comments
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Avoid crowds in Paris by visit sites early in the morning, like Sacre Coeur in the distance in Paris France
Sacrรฉ-Coeur on Montmartre
Tips to Avoid Crowds in Paris France

Paris is one of those cities that you either love or hate. Either way, you know you are not in Paris alone. There are masses of people everywhere, and there is an art to avoid crowds in Paris.

The city can feel overwhelming even to those who came for the ambience, romance, and excitement of the city.

Visitors who aren’t used to so many people often get tired of waiting in endless queues, fighting the masses, and being pushed or jostled. Learning how to avoid crowds in Paris is a challenge, a mystery, and some say a “mission impossible”. 

Can it be done? Have a read, and then you tell me.

10 Tips to Avoid Crowds in Paris While Enjoying the City Icons

1. Plan ahead and be flexible

This one seems obvious, but a bit of planning can prepare you for the city. Many of the tips below are part of the planning process. Flexibility, however, is often difficult for travellers who like everything pre-scheduled.

If you arrive at an attraction and the entry queue is two hours, perhaps it’s time to change the plan and come back tomorrow or later in the day. This is where staying close to an attraction can come in handy, so book one of Paris’ finest vacation rentals to stay nearby and skip the queues.

2. Avoid crowds in Paris by visiting sites early in the morning or late at night

Tour buses generally show up at a prescribed time, often starting about 30 minutes after opening. Arriving first lets you beat the rush. And if it’s a popular hike or a walk, consider starting at dawn or just after sunset (provided it is deemed to be safe).

In Paris, we did this twice, once early in the morning and the other time after dark. The resulting images are two of my favourite Paris photos, both of Sacré-Coeur.

3. Buy tickets in advance that skip the line

We earn from qualifying purchases through partnerships or affiliate programs.

On our last trip to Paris, the queue to get into the Louvre Museum was over two hours. A bit of better planning and we could have had a Skip the Line ticket, and we could have gone straight in and had a guided tour.

 ⇒ Skip the Line: Paris Louvre Museum Guided Tour

And that’s not all. There are skip-the-line tickets to just about every Paris Icon. Check pricing and availability on a few of our favourites:

⇒ Skip-the-Line Paris Catacombs Admission Ticket and Audio Guide

⇒ Eiffel Tower Direct Access Ticket

⇒ Skip the Line: Versailles Palace and Gardens Day Trip from Paris by Train

4. Park far away and walk

Sometimes it’s not the people but the traffic that makes an area feel crowded. Parking far away and walking lets you avoid crowds in Paris, at least on the roads.

In a scene reminiscent of the comedy ‘European Vacation’, we entered the roundabout at the base of the Arc de Triomphe. What a mistake that turned out to be. Eventually, we gave up, drove a mile away, found a place to park the car and walked back.

View of Arc de Triomphe from across the road in Paris, France
Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Click here to see more of images and a closer look at the Arc de Triomphe.

Similarly, our GPS wouldn’t guide us up the hill at Montmartre. Despite it being the highest point in Paris, we eventually opted to park at the base and walk up a massive flight of stairs. While the walk resulted in a bit of grumbling, it did avoid crowds on Paris roads.

Once at the top, we were greeted with the spectacular nighttime view of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart shown at the top of the page.  It’s a massive cathedral more commonly known as Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

5. Use pedestrian tunnels

I am not sure this is a tip to avoid crowds in Paris, as the tunnels may be the only way to cross the roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe. If not, it should be, as trying to run across the traffic there would be dangerous.

6. Visit attractions outside the city

The two attractions we visited outside of Paris were both stately manors, yet very different in terms of their crowds. First, we visited the Musée Vivant du Cheval, a living horse museum dedicated to equine art and culture. Located in Chantilly, just 40 miles north of Paris, the Musée Vivant du Cheval horse museum is housed in the Great Stables of the Château de Chantilly, considered to be the largest stables in Europe. Built in the mid-1500s, the Château is a site to see in its own right.

Chateau de Chantilly home to the living horse museum in Chantilly France, outside of Paris
Our first view of Château de Chantilly.
Inside the Great Stables, home to the Chantilly living horse museum
Inside the Great Stables, home to the Chantilly living horse museum.

We also visited the Palace of Versailles, a royal palace of Louis XIV. It is a masterpiece inside and out, with massive queues to get in, even with advanced tickets. See our photo review of the Palace of Versailles here.  If I were going again, I would take a tour from Paris.

→ Check Pricing on Versailles Palace and Gardens Day Trip from Paris by Train

View of columns and high domed ceilings in the Palace of Versailles
Inside the Palace of Versailles.
The gardens of the Palace of Versailles just outside of Paris France
The gardens at the Palace of Versailles, located outside of Paris France.

7. Step off the beaten path and go to less frequented streets

We love getting off the tourist path and exploring a city or neighbourhood. Not just because it will often avoid the crowds, but also because it is a better way to learn about the people and the culture.

Cities like Paris that get large numbers of tourists often spend a small fortune to show off the best of their city.  Stepping off the tourist path lets you see a different side of a town. More importantly, it is often the fastest way to avoid crowds in Paris.

Off the beaten path in Paris France. A side street with residential row houses.
This particular off-the-beaten-path road was in Chantilly outside of Paris.

8. Stay in local neighbourhoods

Similar to stepping off the beaten path, staying in local neighbourhoods rather than in a tourist area often puts you in a less crowded section of town.

If you prefer to stay in hotels, you will find the full spectrum in Paris. We opted to stay in one of the Disneyland Paris hotels, and we never felt like we could avoid the crowds, especially at breakfast. However, the atmosphere was lively and fun. Reserve a hotel near Disneyland Paris

Like in any major city, the more you are willing to pay, the better the service, and therefore shorter wait times and a less crowded feel. Reserve a hotel in Paris

9. Change your photographic perspective

Illusion is everything: Take photos from a distance, close up, or at an angle so that it doesn’t appear crowded. Sometimes this is the best I can do.

The Eiffel Tower seen from across the river gives the illusion of avoiding crowds in Paris
Photographing the Eiffel Tower from across the river removes the crowds from the image.
Standing under the Eiffel Tower and photographing up in Paris France
Standing under the Eiffel Tower and shooting up also removes the crowds from the image.

10. Change your emotional perspective . . .

. . .Or as my teenager would say, “suck it up”. If you must go to certain places, you will have to deal with the crowds. A prime example is Disneyland Paris. We avoided the crowds by avoiding Disneyland Paris altogether. We had enough Disney at our hotel.  However, if it is somewhere you must go, you will have to face the crowds. The same general rules apply to Disneylands around the world. Avoid the high season, which in the case of Disneyland Paris is in July and August. Any other time of year, avoid holidays in both France and nearby countries, avoid the weekends, and avoid Friday or Monday.

Another always crowded Paris destination is the Eiffel Tower. Even with advanced timed tickets to go up in the Eiffel Tower, there was a queue. It was far shorter than for those who didn’t have “Skip the line” tickets. Then there was a second queue to get from the lower platform up to the top.  However, once there, it was worth it.

View from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris France
View from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

A quick recap of the top 10

  • Plan ahead and be flexible
  • Avoid crowds in Paris by visiting sites early in the morning or late at night
  • Buy tickets in advance that skip the line
  • Park far away and walk
  • Use pedestrian tunnels
  • Visit attractions outside the city
  • Step off the beaten path and go to less frequented streets
  • Stay with locals
  • Change your photographic perspective
  • Change your emotional perspective

Save for later

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

A view of Sacré-Coeur on Montmartre in Paris France

Love it or hate it? Either way, did you discover any tips to avoid crowds in Paris?

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Category: Western EuropeTag: France, Travel Tips

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. moois van mie

    September 7, 2021 at 5:54 am

    I have another one! : Visit Paris in august!

    Reply
  2. Nancy

    September 1, 2021 at 1:43 am

    The first photo proves the value of your tips to me – I always feel rather overwhelmed in crowds, and it looks like it would be terribly congested and crowded to approach this beautiful cathedral.

    Reply
  3. Tal Bright

    January 31, 2019 at 1:10 am

    Planning to re-visit Paris next year, so thank you for the tips!

    Reply
  4. Anda

    April 22, 2018 at 10:30 am

    I don’t think you can totally avoid crowds in Paris, no matter what you do. We traveled to Paris many times, at very different times of year (we had a friend who had an apartment in Paris) and never encountered a “good” time. While it’s true that early morning or late at night will give you a little space, I find this city to be always crowded. Even when it rains or it’s a blizzard. But in a way that’s its charm.

    Reply
  5. Annette

    April 4, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    Great tips Rhonda. Itโ€™s always great to manage a photo with no crowd, or at least as few people as possible.

    Reply
  6. California Globetrotter

    April 4, 2018 at 7:17 am

    No matter where I am, we definitely love to get up early before the crowds, have a rest in the afternoon and then go out again at night once the crowds have left! I don’t remember finding pedestrian tunnels, so that’s something to look out for next time in Paris!

    Reply
  7. Olivia Mitchell

    April 3, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    Thank you for the tips Rhonda! I’m travelling to Paris next month so these are great to know ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  8. Travel Tuesday

    March 28, 2018 at 3:14 am

    Fantastic pix and great tips, Rhonda. We’ve visited France several times and enjoyed it thoroughly each time. Your Paris photos are wonderful and bring back happy memories.

    Reply
  9. Megan Jerrard

    March 27, 2018 at 10:36 pm

    These are fabulous tips, because Paris can get SUPER crowded – I actually really loved traveling in off season, which was winter – it was a lot less packed than when I went during summer, and we loved exploring local neighborhoods which were more off the beaten path as you suggest. Will have to stay with locals next time though, I would love a more immersive experience ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Renee Kemper

    March 23, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    I am in love with these photos and this post! We are traveling to Paris next year!

    Reply
  11. Ana

    March 23, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    Love all of your tips – Pinning your post for future reference and my future travel bucket list vacation. Love all of your photos (just beautiful) – Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and tips.

    Reply
  12. Jill

    March 23, 2018 at 7:15 am

    Great tips! Still one of my favorite cities – crowds and all – and I’d go back time and time again!

    Reply
  13. Natalieaubele

    March 22, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    Thanks for sharing !! Bookmarking this for my someday trip to Paris !

    Reply
  14. Danielle Desir

    March 22, 2018 at 7:56 am

    Hadnโ€™t thought of changing the photographic perspective for less crowded photos but this is a gem. So many tourist want up close photos but like you showed those distance shots are just as beautiful and no one is in them!

    Reply
  15. Amanda

    March 22, 2018 at 4:42 am

    Great tips. A lot of those can be used in the city in general. Thanks for sharing! Great photos too!
    Have a great week!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      Very true, but my photos are of Paris ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  16. Melanie williams

    March 22, 2018 at 4:13 am

    There are some great tips here. I have been to Paris alot and the early mornings are the best time to see the sights without mass people crowds x

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 1:07 pm

      Really, early mornings are the best time to see anywhere. Of course, it messes with my passion for sleeping in the morning.

      Reply
  17. Indah Nuria

    March 22, 2018 at 3:41 am

    Great tips indeed, Rhonda. And you know what, I just had a stopover at Paris for 3 days and really enjoyed my time there. Good to be back after 4 years ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 1:07 pm

      Three days would be a good amount of time if you had to deal with the crowds. After that, I think it would really start to get to me.

      Reply
  18. Ella

    March 22, 2018 at 1:27 am

    I really love Paris!
    Our adventure at the Ice Cube Bar at Galeries Lafayette was beautiful!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      I will keep that place in mind, should we visit again.

      Reply
  19. Carol

    March 22, 2018 at 12:52 am

    Great tips and fabulous photos as usual – pinned and shared!

    Reply
  20. Mandy

    March 22, 2018 at 12:28 am

    If you ever return to the Palace of Versailles, I recommend actually staying in the town of Versailles. It’s absolutely adorable. Plus, you can sleep in (more than you would be able to if you were staying in Paris), grab breakfast at the farmer’s market in town, and then beat the crowd for the Palace of Versailles. Or, alternatively, it allows you to stay later than you otherwise would be able to because you don’t have to worry about catching a train. Versailles itself is totally worthy of exploration. I only got a glimpse but I just love it! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      Great tip. Actually, we stayed with friends for a couple of nights before we moved to the city. We were walking distance to the Palace of Versailles, which is exactly how I go there early enough to snap that photo outside the gates without too many people.

      Reply
  21. Jane Cotton

    March 21, 2018 at 11:04 pm

    Some great photos here, I think all cities are crowded especially in the summertime. Great tips though, thanks for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 12:23 pm

      Yes, all cities can be crowded, but for us, Paris was one of the worst we visited. People were everywhere.

      Reply
  22. Bill

    March 21, 2018 at 11:00 pm

    I’ve been to many places around Europe, driven around the outside of Paris, & been on the metro but it is not a place I wanted to visit

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 12:23 pm

      Next time?

      Reply
  23. Jo

    March 21, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    Great tips. Wish I had read this before and booked in advance to skip the queue. Eiffel was the worst and i had to wait forever to get on the top but of course it was totally worth i. A little bit of planning , booking and getting their early would’ve saved a few hours for sure.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      I wish I knew it before I skipped the Louvre. I am sure we would have gone in if we could have skipped the queue.

      Reply
  24. Patricia G.

    March 21, 2018 at 4:47 pm

    Good tips for avoiding crowds. I prefer following a.) the getting up early or going after dark to beat the crowds and b.) Buying skip the line /advance tickets. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 22, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      I am never a big fan of getting up early, but I will do it to beat the crowds and to get that special sunrise or morning golden hour shots.

      Reply
  25. Stella Jane

    March 21, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    These are good tips for avoiding crowds! I would definitely like to check out the horse museum the next time I am in Paris. And I love your photos of Sacre Coeur at sunset and at night. But telling people to suck it up is good too. In Paris there will always be some crowds…

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 21, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      I struggled with whether or not to include “suck it up”. My teen says it all the time. I am glad it didn’t offend.

      Reply
  26. candy

    March 21, 2018 at 10:58 am

    I like to avoid the crowds and definitely agree that getting up early is the best chance of avoiding mass crowds. Great tip on using the pedestrian tunnels ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope to visit Paris soon!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 21, 2018 at 12:51 pm

      Paris is an exciting city, but there are a lot of people everywhere.

      Reply
  27. Vibeke Johannessen

    March 21, 2018 at 10:08 am

    Such great tips, I visited Paris like ten years ago. I went to the Eiffel tower early and remembering seeing a huge line under us when we already were walking the stairs. The crowds were horrible at Louvre. I hope I can visit Paris during early spring or autumn ๐Ÿ˜€ All of these tips are great and makes sense ๐Ÿ˜€ Thank you for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 21, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      There is now an elevator in the Eiffel Tower, I am not sure the stairs were even an option when we visited.

      Reply
  28. Cathy Keller

    March 21, 2018 at 8:07 am

    Thank you for these tips. Will have to keep them in mind. We saw Paris as part of a tour , but would have loved to see more!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 21, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      I’ll bet you had skip the line tickets built into your tour. Really, they are the way to go.

      Reply
      • Cathy Keller

        March 22, 2018 at 5:12 am

        We did! It was grand not having to stand in line at the Louvre. Have a grand day!

        Reply
        • Rhonda Albom

          March 22, 2018 at 1:09 pm

          When I go back, a skip the line at the Louvre will be my first purchase.

          Reply
  29. Comedy Plus

    March 21, 2018 at 4:09 am

    You do lots of informative, first hand tips. That’s a good thing for those that want to visit Paris.

    Have a fabulous day. โ™ฅ

    Reply
  30. Photo Cache

    March 21, 2018 at 3:58 am

    Wonderful tips. We all could use a little reminder every now and then.

    Reply
  31. Paul F. Pietrangelo

    March 21, 2018 at 2:31 am

    Wow, how beautiful Paris is but I think it’s not for me. See ya Rhonda.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 21, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      It’s not for everyone. But, I’ll bet you would enjoy a cruise down the River Seine.

      Reply
  32. stevebethere

    March 21, 2018 at 1:10 am

    Loved the photos Rhonda nice mix loved the last one, some excellent tips there too.

    I have only gone through Paris on the way to Spain years ago by car.

    Have a crowdless week ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  33. L. Diane Wolfe

    March 20, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    It’s always more fun to go off the beaten path in a big city. We found some of the coolest buildings and places in London that way. We also learned from Disney and Universal that you want the Fast Pass whenever possible to skip the lines.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 21, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      We love going off the tourist path. You get such a different view of a city that way. Good tip about fast pass at Disneyland.

      Reply
  34. Lady Fi

    March 20, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Your shots are stunning!

    Reply
  35. Muina

    March 20, 2018 at 11:05 am

    How cool! Looks like you had fun in Paris, and great tips, although some made me laugh.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      March 21, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      We had fun, except for the crowds, and skipping the Louvre was probably a mistake.

      Reply
  36. Louise

    October 12, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    The first time I went to the Eiffel tower, my friend bought the tickets, then pushed me into the lift and insisted that there was no other option – I don’t like lifts and I don’t like heights.

    But when we got to the top and saw the amazing view, I was so glad I’d gone up. It is so worth it!!

    Thanks Rhonda for giving me the chance to see the view again (vicariously) ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Rhonda

      October 18, 2012 at 8:30 am

      You are so welcome. As for the lift, there was a women standing next to me who was terrified. She kept saying to her hubby, “I can’t do this.” Of course she did as the lift does go up once it starts. For me, I don’t think I would want to climb the stairs to the top.

      Reply
  37. Lynne

    October 12, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    I think we went to the first or second level ( I can’t remember!) – you had a great day for it

    Reply
  38. Joyce

    October 12, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    I’ve been to Paris twice but have never gotten to go up in the Eiffel Tower. Seen it, but couldn’t get my travel companions to agree to go to the top.

    Reply

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