Parisians know the métro ("comme leur poche" - literally 'like their pocket' - or like the back of their hand). It's fast, cheap, and goes everywhere. Here's what they know that the guidebooks don't tell you.

In the station

On the escalator

Stand on the right, walk on the left. Stopping on the left can cost a commuter an hour — they may be catching a suburban train with long gaps between services.

At the turnstile

Have your ticket ready before you reach the barrier. Hold on to it for the whole journey — inspectors do board trains and check tickets in the metro corridors. On the RER suburban trains (if you're going to Versailles for example) you'll need it to exit the turnstiles when you arrive.

Boarding the train

Stand to the side as the doors open and let people off first, always. There's no formal queue to board, but a general sense of order prevails — don't push past those who were there before you.

Getting off the train

Don't stop the moment you step off — you'll cause a pile-up. Move to the side by the wall if you need to check a map or get your bearings.

Once you're on board

Near the doors

If you're standing near the doors at a busy stop, step out onto the platform to let people off — otherwise they're trapped behind you.

Phone by the doors - watch out

A known trick: as the doors buzz to close, someone on the platform or exiting the train snatches a phone from a passenger standing near the doors — and the train pulls away before you can do anything. Keep your phone in your bag or your inside pocket when you're near the doors. It happens.

Noise

Keep your voice down, skip the FaceTime, and if you're listening to music make sure it stays inside your headphones. The métro is a shared space — treat it that way.

The folding seats

Those fold-down seats near the doors are great when the train is quiet. When it fills up, fold yours away and stand — it's the done thing.

Give up your seat

For pregnant passengers, anyone with mobility difficulties, and the elderly. It's not a rule — it's just what you do.

Your bag

Wearing a backpack? Swing it off your shoulders and hold it by your legs once you board. You'll be amazed how much space that frees up — and how many other passengers you'll avoid annoying!

Spreading out

Don't manspread, and don't put your bag on the seat next to you if someone needs to stand. Parisians do this too — it's still rude.

Feet on the seats

Don't do it — it's considered disrespectful and you can actually be fined for it. Keep your feet on the floor where they belong.

A couple of extras worth knowing

If you have flexibility, avoid the rush hour crush: 8:00–9:30 and 18:00–20:00 are peak times. If you can't avoid them, lean into it — watching Parisians commute is a slice of daily life in itself.

And while you're riding, look up. Station designers have had some fun over the years. Montparnasse traces the history of the métro itself; Saint-Germain-des-Prés is lined with books; Louvre-Rivoli has replica statuary. At Bastille, you can see actual foundations of the prison. At Vincennes, archaeological remains of the château.

Before you even get underground — look at the entrance. The métro's street-level entrances are an art form in themselves, and hugely varied. The most famous are the sinuous art nouveau ironwork canopies designed by Hector Guimard at the turn of the last century — a handful survive, and they're worth seeking out. But across the network you'll find everything from bold modernist lettering to understated neighbourhood kiosks. We have a soft spot for some of the lesser-known ones, and we'll be sharing our favourites right here on the blog — along with photos — so watch this space.

In the meantime, Abbesses station in Montmartre is a classic starting point: at 52 metres deep it's one of the network's deepest, and it has one of the original Guimard canopies still intact above ground. Worth a look even if you're just passing through.

We hope that helps your journey go "comme une lettre à la poste" — smoothly and without a hitch. See you out there!

If you're looking for tips about how to purchase tickets and navigate your way around, check out our comprehensive guide in our blog post which will teach you everything you need to know!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog! We are a small Paris-based tour company that prioritises a boutique personal experience where we can share our passion for our heritage and community with every individual that joins us. If you'd like to take a tour then head over to our website for an unforgettable trip to the city of lights. Also, check out our social media @memories.france for everything you could need to know for coming to Paris: from how to use the metro to coffee shops closest to each major monument, there is something for everyone!

Angelissa, Siobhan & the Memories France Family

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