If you’ve ever heard someone say “Paris queues aren’t that bad”, they were either lying, delusional, or secretly trying to sabotage your trip.
Because here’s the truth: Paris queues are VERY real, and they don’t care if you’re on a honeymoon, traveling with kids, or only have 48 hours in the city. If you don’t have a plan, you will spend a good chunk of your time standing in lines, slowly questioning every decision that led you there.
Still think you can just wing it? Let’s break down what actually happens when you show up unprepared.
The Eiffel Tower Reality Check
There’s something magical about seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time—until you realize that getting to the top requires Olympic-level patience.
People who don’t plan ahead? They’re the ones standing in line for up to three hours, slowly realizing they could have already been sipping champagne at the summit if they had just booked a fast-track ticket from Eiffel Fast Tickets instead of playing themselves.
What’s worse? There’s two lines—one for buying the ticket and another for the elevators. That’s right, even after waiting an eternity just to get the ticket, you still have to wait again to go up.
Meanwhile, people with skip-the-line access? They’re already at the top, taking selfies, and living their best Parisian lives.
The Louvre Is a Test of Endurance
Ah yes, the Louvre—home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and 30,000 other artworks you’ll probably rush past because you spent most of your time outside in a queue.
What first-time visitors don’t realize?
- That long line outside? It’s just for security.
- Once you get through that, you still need to get in and navigate the museum.
- Oh, and if you thought seeing the Mona Lisa up close would be easy? Cute. You’ll need to push through a sea of tourists to even get a glimpse.
Smart travelers? They book priority entry through Allejo.fr and waltz right in while the unprepared ones are outside, sweating in the sun and regretting everything.
Versailles: The Kingdom of Long Lines
You know what’s not fun? Waking up early, taking a 45-minute train ride to Versailles, only to spend another two hours in line just to get inside.
What’s even worse?
- Security checks alone can take an hour.
- Timed-entry tickets sell out fast, so if you didn’t book in advance, good luck.
- The Hall of Mirrors isn’t even enjoyable if you’re too exhausted from waiting all morning.
The people who planned ahead? They’re already inside, taking royal-worthy Instagram shots while the line outside just keeps getting longer. Want to be one of them? Wonder Meets and Tours offers fast-track access so you can skip the drama and enjoy the palace.
Arc de Triomphe: Small Monument, Big Queues
It may not be as famous as the Eiffel Tower, but trust me—the Arc de Triomphe lines can still ruin your day if you don’t have a plan.
What people don’t expect:
- There’s no elevator—you have to climb 284 steps to the top.
- Sunset views? Good luck, because that’s when the lines are at their worst.
- Buying a ticket at the entrance? Big mistake. The queue can take 45 minutes or more.
So what do the smart ones do? They pre-book their priority entry through Allejo.fr and skip the mess.
“I’ll Just Go Early” Is a Lie
Some travelers think they’ve found the loophole—just arrive super early and beat the crowds!
Spoiler alert: That doesn’t always work.
- You think you’re the only one with that plan? Everyone else read the same travel blog.
- Even early in the morning, security lines are unavoidable at major sites.
- Some places, like the Catacombs of Paris, only allow a limited number of visitors at a time, so even being early doesn’t guarantee fast entry.
Instead of playing the guessing game, just get a fast-access pass and save yourself the trouble.