Children

Must do:
Notre Dame – walk around it outside, around the back, the whole place is incredible
The Louvre - has a tour of its most famous pieces (2 hrs I believe), found this to be well worth it. You can try doing self-guided, but you may get lost or miss something. Beyond the Louvre are beautiful gardens (Jardin des Tuileries), a really nice stroll, as well as the main drag that has lots of shops. Walk out past the glass pyramid to the small arc, and beyond. If you walk through the gardens and go to the end you'll be at Place de la Concorde, here you can enter L'Orangerie, which houses Monet's Water lillies. A great stop if you have time.
Champs Elysees – The Arc of Triumph at one end and obelisque at the other. Beautiful (and huge) avenue! Stop at a café and people-watch! Maybe have lunch or a crepe!
Arc de Triomphe – Tomb of Unknown Soldier is beneath. You can take an elevator to the top for a view. DO NOT cross the street, it’s a crazy, dangerous circle; there are underground passages to take.
Eiffel tower - stroll down to the park in front of it, pack a lunch and have a picnic!
Seine river - walk along and check out the vendors (bouquinistes pronounced bookeeneests). The boat ride is very nice to do it’s called Bateux Mouche (pronounced Bat-oh Moosh)
Other things to do: St. Germain des Pres and Le Marais are nice districts to go for dinner/drinks, they are near Notre Dame; very bohemian/BOHO.
Rodin Museum - It is small, charming, and the sculptures are set in the garden. Go when weather is nice because the garden is beautiful – sculptures are awesome! In the garden you’ll see The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, plus other awesome sculptures. http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm. It’s in the 7th arrondissement and I remember being walking distance from Les Invalides (you’ll see this on map, this was the metro stop). Les Invalides is a military academy that I believe still houses (or at least used to) Napolean’s Tomb.
L’Opera – beautiful to see if you have time, not sure when it’s open to public
Galleries Lafayette – HUGE department store, beautiful ceiling – If you have time or are in the area stop in to shop &/or see the ceiling.
We stayed at Queens Hotel in the 16th arrondissement. It was 1 block from the metro which made it a terrific location and really liked the hotel. Definitely recommend it and prices were reasonable! METRO Ticket - If you take the metro, you will insert your ticket into the slot, it will validate and come out at the other end. Retrieve your ticket before going through the turnstyle and hold on to it until fully done using the metro at that time. Sometimes Metro police will ask you to show your ticket as proof you paid.
Train doors – if you’re approaching train and you hear the horn blow, this means the doors are going to close. Get on quick – close means CLOSE. They do not pop open if they close on you. If you don’t think you can get on, wait for the next train, they run every 10-15 minutes.
Beggars/Gypsies – just like everywhere else, just ignore them. They can approach you on metro or street. Sometimes someone will try to hand you a card with written info on it, DON’T TAKE IT. It’ll say something about a discount at a restaurant……. they may also place it on your lap or leave it on the seat next to you. Just leave it there and don’t touch it, they’ll come back for it. They also use children to give you a gift (mirror, ring, etc.), if you take it there will likely be an adult(s) waiting for you down the block who will accuse you of stealing and demand money. Just say no or ignore them.
Turnstyle Jumpers – Someone may quckly pass through the turnstyle w/ you as you go through to avoid paying for a ticket – it’s usually men to women but women do this as well. Just make sure you have your wallet/belongings Exit = sortie (sortee)
Connections = correspondant
Dining Out - Bakery = Boulangerie (boolahnjerr y) – stop here for croissants, ham sandwiches, baguette, etc. to go, otherwise go to a café to sit and eat. To eat on the go you can purchase a ham & cheese baguette, they give it to you in a skinny bag, and you walk & eat it right out of the bag.
Couple of places to go:

• Café Marly at the Louvre, if you have time. Sit outside overlooking the pyramid and the courtyard.
Le Grand Colbert for typical French dinner in a lovely setting (near the Louvre)
• Schmucks (make reservation or you wont get a table & there’s no bar for drinks – good food, great atmosphere - trendy)
• 29 (veignt-nuf – bar/lounge), reminiscent of an old speakeasy 
• Le Magnifique (bar/lounge)
• Paparazzi (restaurant) - good food, nice atmosphere

Shopping: If you want to shop for something other than souvenirs, rue de Passy in the 16th is loaded with shops (clothing, shoes, home goods, etc.) it's not cheap but not outlandish prices either. Souvenir stuff you can find pretty much anywhere.
If you stay at Queens Hotel, the neighborhood has great little shops around the hotel and down the street.

Paris is a great city that can never disappoint. You can return again and again and there is always something fantastic to experience, something to see that you haven’t seen before and eat food you haven’t tried yet. However, the overwhelming amount of things on offer can be a real challenge for first-time visitors. That’s why every needs some practical tips for visiting Paris in order to avoid mistakes.
I’ve been to Paris on several occasions and studied in Paris as well, and let me tell you: each time was different. Despite spending a decent amount of time in Paris I still haven’t seen everything and I also made a few mistakes on the way. Now I’m confident to give you a few tips for visiting Paris that will help you avoid some unpleasant disaster.

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Paris Travel Tips (updated for 2017)

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Don’t go to Paris just for the weekend

When someone tells me that they’re going to spend just 3 days in Paris I feel like they’re most likely not going to love it. I mean, it’s possible to have a great time but if you do it right and prioritize what do you want to see. During such a short visit most tourists head to see the Eiffel Towel, Notre Dame, Louvre and some other tourist attractions, and therefore experience crowds, long lines and not the real local Paris.
Take your pick and spend some time to actually enjoy these things instead of rushing through everything. I’m not telling you not to see these famous landmarks, but in order to fully feel the Paris vibe you need stay in the city way longer.

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Eiffel Tower might be the most disappointing spot in Paris

Almost everyone is dreaming of getting to the top of the Eiffel Tower. But the moment you start approaching the tower you might realize that it’s not very romantic, as it’s surrounded by a ton of visitors and annoying vendors. The place is crowded, lines take forever no matter when you visit. It’s hard to find a romantic spot.
Again, you won’t like the Eiffel Tower if you just stand in the crowds. However, if you climb the stairs behind the Croatian Embassy you may be able to find a quiet spot overlooking the tower. The view is gorgeous and definitely worth it, especially at night!
Similar to the Empire State Building in NYC, going to the top of the tower is overpriced and not as worth it. I mean, you probably want to see a panorama of Paris with the actual Eiffel Tower in it, right? I recommend you to see the city from up high from the top of the Tour Montparnasse, Arc de Triomphe or even a carousel in Tuileries, and actually have the Eiffel Tower in your view.

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Paris isn’t as expensive as everyone thinks

Before going to Paris friends were warning me that the city was going to destroy my wallet and almost every person on any travel forum was telling me the same. But Paris does not necessarily have to be a city that sucks all the money out of pockets and bank accounts. Paris isn’t cheap, but it isn’t more expensive than other European cities. In fact, visiting London or Amsterdam will cost you way more money.

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Stay in central location

Pinning down the perfect place to stay depends on budget and location, but quite often the second one is way more important as you think. Paris is divided into 20 neighborhoods or arrondissements and everything is being referred to 12th, 18th, etc.
Before booking your hotel check whether the area is safe and close to the places you want to visit. If you’re in Paris for a very limited time don’t choose a place on the edge of town, as you definitely don’t want to spend hours on commuting in order to save a few bucks.
During my last visit I had a chance to stay at Le Roch Hotel & Spa and it was the best possible choice. The hotel was right next to the Louvre, 2 minutes walk from a pick-up point for many tours, and close to major metro stations. While Paris hotels are usually known for being cramped and tiny, my room was spacious and I even had a big bath tub.
The hotel was small which made the staff more attentive and helpful. Its decor made me feel like I’m in a chic apartment with a spa and not in an actual hotel. I actually had a chance to eat dinner there as well and I can’t recommend it enough.

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Don’t think that since Paris is a city for lovers you can’t visit it solo

While many romantic comedies portray Paris as the city for lovers, with boyfriends proposing in front of the Eiffel Tower and taking girls on romantic walks along the Seine, this image can often be very far away from reality. Paris is a great place to travel solo, as you can people watch and appreciate everything in a different way you would with your partner.
You can also easily meet people in Paris too as there are many solo travelers in the city! If you don’t believe me just check how many hostels are in town just to give you an idea.

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Don’t be afraid of using the metro

Metro in Paris is very easy to use. It might be slightly intimidating at first due to the huge amount of different lines, but once you figure it out you’ll use it all the time. Keep your Paris metro ticket until you’ve exited the metro system at your final destination because the police might be checking your tickets inside the station.
If you’re planning on using the metro you can buy a carnet (pack of 10 tickets) to save some money, though if you plan on staying for longer than a week, you may want to look into the longer-term passes (Navigo Pass).
On many Metro lines, the doors to the train do not open unless you press a button or lift a handle. Remember about it if you don’t want to miss your station or look funny.
My tip: While taxis in Paris are expensive, Uber is definitely affordable. I was actually quite surprised how cheap the Uber was, so don’t be afraid of using it. Just don’t try to take it to the airport as it would take longer than the RER train and cost you 5 times as much.

Know what to do in an emergency :

Familiarize yourself with emergency contact numbers, the most important of which is 112 (for hearing assistance dial 114). The operator will dispatch medical assistance (SAMU, 15), the police (gendarmerie, 17), or fire and accident (sapeurs pompiers, 18) depending on the situation. French firefighters are trained to deal with medical emergencies and are the most commonly dispatched unit.

Get insured

For EU travelers, make sure to apply for or renew your EHIC, which will guarantee you access to state-provided healthcare. Regardless of your home country, travel insurance is a must when visiting Paris, for accidents and damage, loss, or theft of your belongings. If you fall ill during your stay, use Doctolib to find an English-speaking doctor for a non-emergency. Our guide to Parisian pharmacies explains their peculiarities.

Beware of pickpockets

Be cautious on the metro – keep your bag in your hands or tucked into your body, not hanging on the crook of your arm or on your back – and near tourist attractions. One popular ‘scam’ to be conscious of is when someone (usually a young person) asks you to sign a petition and then demands money.  Homelessness and begging are also commonplace in Paris and while the people are mostly harmless you won’t be able to help everyone without going broke.

Stick to public transport

The easiest, most cost-effective way to travel is on the metro or buses. A single journey costs €1.90 and a book of 10 tickets is only €14.50. There are also a variety of short-term passes. If you are staying for a week or more, consider investing in a Navigo. Private taxis are extortionate and to be avoided unless you have money to burn. Uber has a large (and controversial) presence but the service sometimes suffers from strikes.

Download the RATP app

Once you’ve made the very wise decision to rely on the public transport system during your trip, the next step is to download the Next Stop Paris app. It works offline and so won’t rack up crazy roaming charges and provides all the network’s maps, a helpful route planner, live updates, and a whole load of other useful tools. If you’re feeling ambitious, try the standard RATP app that no Parisian lives without.

Bring sensible shoes

As good as the public transport is, you’ll still want to walk around and see the city, especially during the warmer months. Learn the lesson of millions of tourists who come, walk miles more than they’re used to, and end up soothing their blisters in the public fountains: pack comfortable footwear. The French are also notoriously bad at cleaning up after their dogs so mind your step.

Beware of dodgy drivers

Wherever you are walking, pay attention to what’s happening on the roads. The rules for French motorists and other road users might be different to what you’re used to – being allowed to turn right at red traffic lights or cycle straight through them – or they may just not be respected at all. Zebra crossings are particularly treacherous, with drivers slamming on the brakes at the last second or speeding straight through them.

Make an effort with the language

You don’t have to master French to enjoy a long weekend in Paris but knowing the absolute basics will at least ingratiate you with the locals, even if all you can remember is bonjour, s’il vous plaît, and merci. When it comes to manners, formality not familiarity is a good rule of thumb. If your French isn’t up to scratch, the best way to demonstrate this is simply by adding monsieur or madame to the three phrases above.

Don’t expect restaurants to stay open all day

Unless you stick to the touristy areas, you’ll find that restaurants operate two strict services per day, one for lunch between midday and 2PM and at dinner between 7:30PM and midnight. Of course, there is some variation on these times so check online first. Shops also regularly close for part of the day, usually during the lunch break, and may operate irregular opening and closing times depending on the day of the week.

Only tip if you really want to

Tipping in Paris isn’t mandatory. Wait staff earn a living wage, about the same as they would working in a store or bakery, and the service charge is already included in the bill. That’s not to say that you mustn’t tip but only do so if you’ve received good or exceptional service. In either case, 5% or 10% of the bill should suffice.

Expect Sunday closures

Sunday shopping is a contentious issue in Paris and national laws banning it were only relaxed in 2015. Today, there are 12 international tourist zones in the capital, including Les Halles and the Champs-Élysées, which enjoy longer opening hours. Local politicians have moved to add 12 extra shopping days to the calendar but this has yet to be confirmed. Most cultural attractions stay open at the weekend and take Monday or Tuesday as a day off instead.

Bring your student ID

If you’re lucky enough to still be a student, don’t forget your ID as it will guarantee you free or reduced entry into most attractions. The same is also true if you are under 26 and have another form of ID. Otherwise, the best time to visit the priciest museums, which include the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou, is on the first Sunday of the month between October and March when they have open doors. Alternatively, go to one of the City of Paris museums, which are just as good and always free.

Be careful around protests

The French don’t hold back when expressing their political dissatisfaction. In the past two years alone, there have been large-scale demonstrations by taxi drivers, trade unionists, and anti-police protestors. None of these compare to the intensity of the 2005 riots but it can often feel like a burning vehicle is just around the corner. With the presidential elections approaching, more demonstrations are likely on the cards. The streets might also become a little overwhelming after major sporting events and during the Bastille Day and Fête de la Musique celebrations.

Check the weather forecast

The seasons in Paris are reasonably stable and distinct with mild, wet winters and autumns and dry, warm springs and summers but this is Western Europe and a sudden downpour is never completely out of the question. While extremely cold temperatures are rare, it can become exceedingly hot, with the thermostat going above 40 degrees Celsius for days on end. The best thing to do is keep up to date with a local weather report.