Every first-time traveller to Paris hears about the same bucket-list places: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles…

For me, the list of must-see-and-practise-French sights/sites was formed by passages in the French textbooks we used at school. Those stops were unavoidable—the stuff of dreams— but for other people, they turn into overrated, crowded, or disappointing experiences. I’m no expert, having been to Paris only five times, and I know travellers have different expectations and unique takeaways, but here’s a collection of things many travellers advise skipping or approaching differently, along with a few alternatives to consider and my thoughts.

1. Going Up the Eiffel Tower

Almost everyone agrees the Eiffel Tower is worth seeing but climbing it divides opinion. Twice now, I’ve booked packages that allowed me to be at the top of the Eiffel Tower for sunset (about 4pm in winter is the best to aim for). The Seine shining like a mirror, pink clouds and on one occasion, a rainbow appearing to begin directly over the golden roof of Les Invalides made it well worth the expense.

The main complaint is that once you’re up there, you can’t see the tower itself! For many, the view is not much different from other tall buildings worldwide. The long waits, high ticket prices, and crush of visitors also turn a lot of people off. The second floor is often considered better than the very top: the view is clearer, and it feels less distant.

Stairs to the second level offer an easier, cheaper, and more interesting climb with history panels along the way. If it’s the view you want, the Arc de Triomphe, the Montparnasse Tower, or even the rooftop of Le Printemps department store give a broader perspective that includes the Eiffel Tower in the skyline.

2. The Champs-Elysees

This long ‘posh’ street is described as overcrowded, filled with chain stores and luxury car dealerships, overpriced cafés, and an atmosphere that feels more like an outdoor mall than Paris. Around 90% of the pedestrians here are tourists, which changes the vibe entirely. Maybe I’m biased against it because my brother was pickpocketed on the Metro and realised as we stood at the top of The Champs- Élysées. Keep your wallet in your hands or against your body in a cross-body bag on the Metro. The Arc de Triomphe is a must-see/must-Instagram location.

 If you want a shopping stroll, Rue des Martyrs or Le Marais district are generally better options. Place Saint-Sulpice also has a quieter, more local feel. Avenue Montaigne is another alternative for high-end stores with a more pleasant and refined vibe. If you are a tad literary, another suggestion is the Boulevarde Saint-Michel. That’s my favourite street in Paris. I could spend the family fortune in Gibert Joseph bookshop there.

3. The Palace of Versailles

It gets mixed reviews. The main complaints are overcrowding, long transport times from Paris, and a surprisingly limited portion of the palace open to visitors. Rooms are jammed with tour groups, and in the summer it can feel unbearable. I went in winter on a bus which went through the tunnel where Princess Dianna’s accident occurred, and it wasn’t quite as crowded as the Sistine Chapel. Off-season visits are much calmer and well worth the hassle.

 The gardens are always to be praised if you visit on a fine day, especially if you bring a picnic or explore the further reaches such as Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet. Alternatives include Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, or châteaux in the Loire Valley, all of which offer grand architecture without the same crush of tourists.

My particular favourite is Vaux-le-Vicomte—beautiful around Christmas time, but equally as difficult to get to as Versailles. Quickest option is train then a bus.  For a shorter trip, the Hôtel de la Marine near Place de la Concorde shows similar style interiors with far fewer people.

4. The Louvre

The Louvre is one of the world’s great museums, and it contains one of the World’s most overrated paintings—The Mona Lisa. The room is packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people with  (when I went, it was people with iPads) pushing forward for a snap shot. The painting itself is tiny and the experience of ‘seeing it’ feels more like surviving a crowd than art appreciation.

There is a pay toilet in the Place de la Concorde. You pay your 50 centimes and go down the stairs and there’s the Mona Lisa!! We didn’t have to go to the Louvre at all – just to the loo. Much cheaper.

The Louvre itself can also feel overwhelming and exhausting, particularly if you aren’t passionate about art. It’s huge, maze-like and easy to get lost in. If museums are not your thing, I suggest getting a ‘gram’ shot in front of the pyramid in the courtyard, skipping the queues and then visiting a smaller one like the Picasso Museum or Musee des Artes Decoratifs. My personal favourite is Musée d’Orsay.

5. Moulin Rouge

I’ll be honest—my friend, Kerry, was keen to go to a show there and booked us in. Then she was sick and I would have had to go alone. It was raining and I hate crowds, noise and bright lights. I wouldn’t go to a cabaret alone in Australia, so was all dressed up and chickened out. I went next door to Bar á Bulles, had a drink and caught the Metro back to my writer’s garret accommodation. I asked Meta and it said complaints dismissed it as an overpriced tourist trap with bad champagne and that those expecting glamour were often disappointed. On my next trip to Paris, I went to the Ballet at the Palais Garnier and enjoyed the performance more.

6. Place du Tertre and Sacre Couer Basilica

This square in Montmartre, filled with street artists and café tables, used to be charming but can now only be described as a tourist circus. The crowds and aggressive hawking overwhelmed the experience last time I was there. If it’s the quintessential Bohemian Montmartre you seek, exploring smaller side streets nearby, such as the Rue Lepic is usually more pleasant. And you can take iconic photos of the exterior of Moulin Rouge.

If you’ve ever seen the movie Amélie, you might recognize the famous Café des 2 Moulins (windmills), which sits on this street and the windmills themselves are hard to miss. But it’s not just about history. There’s an energy to this street. Tiny shops with their doors flung open, the smell of fresh coffee drifting through the air. It twists and turns up the hill, winding past historic buildings, and spots that have barely changed since the days when Van Gogh and his brother, Theo, lived here. It’s got that real Parisian feel, the kind of place where you can slow down, grab a seat at a café, and just watch the world go by. You might also prefer the Latin Quarter or Le Marais for a more authentic old Paris feel.

What makes the Sacré-Coeur so special is not only the beautiful white basilica itself, but also its unique location on top of Montmartre Hill. From here you have one of the most beautiful views of Paris. The basilica is built of special limestone that turns even whiter when it rains, so the building always shines no matter what the weather is like.

However, the crowds take going inside to a whole new queuing level. If you are not a church aficionado, I recommend skipping the mosaics, the windows, the dome and the play of light. Most other churches in France are beautiful, free to enter and peacefully silent. After seeing it on television recently, I have added Saint-Chapelle, next to the Conciergerie to my bucket list. All that magnificent stained glass! And there’s still Notre Dame

7. The Catacombs

Opinions on the Catacombs split sharply. Detractors call them repetitive tunnels with piles of bones, expensive tickets, and long lines for something that feels more gimmick than history. The surrounding area doesn’t offer much else to pair with the visit, so it can feel like a half-day lost.

On the other hand, it is gothic, contemplative, and unique. If history, necropolises and human remains fascinate you, as they do me, it may be a highlight. If not a highlight, a visit to Père Lachaise Cemetery or the crypt of the Pantheon might be better alternatives.

8. Dinner Cruises on the Seine

Many visitors (and my old Year 10 textbook) rave about dinner cruises. Prices are high, food is mediocre, and the focus is on the meal rather than the view. A one-hour sightseeing cruise, especially at sunset, will offer the same views at a fraction of the cost. If you want a dining experience by the river, I suggest walking along the Seine and finding a restaurant nearby. Many restaurants close on two days a week (usually Sunday and Monday), so making a reservation is worthwhile. Here is a link to an article with more information: https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/travel/where-to-eat-in-paris-near-notre-dame-cathedral-top-restaurant-picks

9. Disneyland Paris

My friend, Brigitte, lived in the Disneyland area for many years and I’d catch the Euro Disney train or bus from CDG right to the ‘Disneyland’ station and the RER train from here into town, but I never felt much desire to actually go here. Disney fans may enjoy it, but many adult travellers find Disneyland Paris underwhelming: long lines, outdated rides, overcrowding, and even poor food hygiene. For families with young children or die-hard Disney fans, such as my son who took his bride there on their honeymoon, it can still be fun. But for others, it’s not worth devoting a Paris day to.

10. Shakespeare and Company  

The famous English-language bookstore is iconic, but I found it disappointing. The shop is often packed wall to wall, and it feels more like a photo stop than a place to browse books. Some visitors recommend peeking in quickly, then heading elsewhere for a quieter literary experience. Let’s face it though: how many books can you stuff in your suitcase? Galignani is an older English Bookshop and is larger and more elegant, with authentic antiques and accessories worthy of the best art collections.

Gibert Joseph in the Boulevarde Saint-Michel, as mentioned before, is also a favourite of mine.

Final Words: Overplanning and Long Lines are one common thread of reasons not to visit famous places. Meta’s advice is to skip any attraction where the line-up dominates your day, unless it’s something you truly care about.