Scams to avoid in Paris are a real concern for travelers who want to enjoy the City of Light without falling victim to clever tricks. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but that doesn’t mean everyone walking its cobblestoned streets is out to admire the Eiffel Tower. Some are there to prey on tourists. As you enjoy your croissant by the Seine or take selfies at Sacré-Cœur, it is crucial to keep your eyes open for the common scams to avoid in Paris that have fooled thousands. This article is not about fear. It is about awareness. And in Paris, awareness is everything.
What follows is not a shallow rehash of tired tips. This is a deeply grounded, experience-based guide compiled from years of travel, personal run-ins, and conversations with victims. Some of these stories are mine. Others come from travelers who let their guard down for just a few seconds too long. Every entry below is included for one reason only: to help you enjoy Paris fully without being played.
Scams to Avoid in Paris Near Eiffel Tower
It starts with a smile. A clipboard appears. You are asked to sign something for a cause that seems noble—deaf children, women’s education, environmental justice. It is usually a young woman or teenage girl doing the asking. She is persistent, almost too polite. If you sign, she then points to a donation box, demanding money. If you refuse, the tone shifts. Her demeanor hardens. You are surrounded. This is not a charity. This is a transaction forced under pressure.
It happens daily at the Eiffel Tower, especially around the Trocadéro and the lower lawns. Refuse to take the pen. Do not acknowledge the petition. Keep your pace steady and eyes ahead. Their power lies in hesitation.
Friendship Bracelet Scam on Sacré-Cœur Stairs
As you ascend the famous steps toward Sacré-Cœur, you will likely be approached by a man smiling, gesturing with yarn. He tries to tie a bracelet on your wrist. He calls it a gift. It is not. The moment it’s secure, he demands payment. If you protest, he will call over others. They crowd you, box you in, pressure you. Your personal space becomes their bargaining chip.
Never allow strangers to touch your hands. Keep them in your pockets or folded across your chest if necessary. Say no early and clearly. Once they have physical access, the scam escalates quickly.
Gold Ring Scam Along the Seine
It seems innocent at first. You walk near the Seine or down a quiet path and someone in front of you bends down and lifts a gold ring from the ground. They act shocked and ask if it is yours. When you say no, they offer it to you anyway, claiming it must be your lucky day. Then comes the story. They are broke, hungry, need money for food or a train. They suggest you give a few euros in return.
Do not take the ring. It is worthless. The setup is theatrical. If you walk away, they often throw insults. Ignore them. This scam is old, but still profitable because it plays on guilt and politeness.
Petition Scams Outside Museums and Notre-Dame
Outside the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Musée d’Orsay, fake volunteers operate in waves. They approach with urgency. “Do you speak English? Just one second.” They hold clipboards, fake logos, signatures. While you engage, their partner may be watching your bag. Others could move in behind you. A signed petition becomes a moment of vulnerability. Some will demand donations. Others will try to unzip your belongings as you look down.
Keep moving. If someone blocks your path, do not stop. You are not obligated to participate in anything you did not approach yourself. Legitimate causes do not ambush strangers on sidewalks.
Metro Distraction Scams and Pickpocket Rings
In the Metro, especially during rush hours, the choreography of scams becomes apparent. A team enters the train with you. One creates a disruption—asks for directions, drops something, starts an argument. In that moment of distraction, another quietly unzips your backpack or slides a phone from your pocket. It happens fast. You might not notice until much later.
Do not carry valuables in back pockets. Use bags that can be zipped and worn in front. Stay alert during stops and entrances. If a group is being unusually loud or physical, move to another carriage.
Taxi Scams at Airports
At Charles de Gaulle or Orly, you might be approached by an unofficial driver before reaching the taxi rank. He offers a ride for a “fixed rate” and ushers you toward a private car. The moment you sit, you are trapped in an unregulated fare system. Some demand triple the official rate. Others detour through traffic-heavy routes to pad the meter.
Only take taxis from designated stands. Do not follow strangers offering rides. Book through apps like G7 or Bolt for transparency. If in doubt, return inside the terminal and seek official help.
Rose Seller Scam at Restaurant Tables
Dining outdoors in Paris is an experience. Scammers know this. A man walks by with roses. He places one in your partner’s hand. Says it’s free. You smile. He lingers. Then he demands five euros. If you argue, he raises his voice, draws attention, and makes you feel embarrassed.
Tell your partner in advance not to accept gifts from street vendors. If a rose is handed to you, return it immediately. These are not souvenirs—they are traps disguised as romance.
Shell Game Scam in Busy Plazas
Three cups, one ball, fast hands. A crowd cheers. Someone wins money. You think it looks beatable. You are wrong. The winners are actors. The man running the game is a seasoned hustler. Once you play, the ball is never where it should be. If you win once, it is to bait you to bet more. Then you lose.
Avoid street gambling. It is illegal. Worse, it is staged. Every part of the performance is meant to empty your pockets.
ATM Helper Scam in Quiet Corners
You approach an ATM. A helpful man steps in. Maybe the machine “isn’t working right.” He guides you through the buttons. Watches your pin. Then distracts you or switches your card. Moments later, your account is emptied.
Use ATMs inside banks. Never allow strangers near you when handling money. Cover your keypad. If approached, cancel the transaction and walk away.
Menu Swapping and Hidden Charges in Cafés
A waiter gives you a menu with no prices or suggests a dish not listed. After the meal, the bill includes bizarre extras—service charges, bottled water you did not order, fees for bread. You are told that since you did not ask the price, the high cost is your problem.
Always ask for a printed menu with prices. Do not accept verbal offers without confirmation. If something feels off, stand up and leave.
Paris is extraordinary. Its architecture, its art, its culture—they will stay with you for life. But you are not immune to deception just because you are on vacation. Awareness is not cynicism. It is wisdom. Know the signs. Trust your instincts. The moment something feels forced, unnatural, or hurried—it probably is.
Keep your wits sharp and your valuables closer. Let Paris impress you with its beauty—not surprise you with its scams.
