Paris - tips for a first timer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did you wish you knew about Paris that caught you off guard while you were there, and what would you do differently if going a second time?

From talking to a few people, this is what I noted down:

The subways smell of pee.
Lots of trash everywhere so be prepared for the sticker shock when going from US. Its not the oh so romantic vibe when you get on the subway.
Beware of pickpockets, train ticket scams, bracelet and flower scams in touristy areas and druggies, gangs near metro and avoid groups of men.
Gare du Nord is not a safe area to stay but inter city trains go from there including Eurostar.
Avoid arrondissement 10,18,19 and 20 - I think 19 was Montmartre and 10 is Gare du Nord
You need a metro pass just for sections 1 and 2 to cover the major city highlights.
Eiffel tower climb is not all that great. Better to climb Arc de Triomphe at night.
Or better yet the best view is from Montparnasse since you won't see the eye sore when you are on top of it.
You will need half a day for Louvre and half a day for Petit palais and grand palais.
Do Notre dame, Sistine Chapel together and club with River seine cruise.
Batobus is a scam with wait times so long you're better of on your own on the subway.
1 day for Versailles and book tickets in advance.
Club Layafayette galeries with Le Marais
Skip the Luxembourg gardens - its just a park
Skip Sacra Couer unless you absolutely need to feel old Paris - too touristy and unsafe neighborhoods now.

Anything else?

It would be pretty tough to do Notre Dame and the Sistine Chapel in one day...

[Anonymous]

We have been many times (and are going again this week) - it's a fantastic city and this list kind of shocked me. Orient yourself to the city and many of the sites by taking a cruise on Bateaux Mouches, which you board right near the base of the Eiffel Tower. Spend at least half a day in the Marais, shopping and eating, but avoid Friday night and Saturday when many things will be closed for the Sabbath. Walk around St. Germain and go to Le Bon Marche and its food store, Le Grand Epicerie - this is a much nicer experience than Galeries Lafayette IMO. I love Jardin Luxembourg, it's a great place to stroll, eat bread and cheese and people watch. Musee D'Orsay is much more manageable than the Louvre and impressionist works are worth seeing in person. Definitely explore Montmartre and go to Sacre Couer, just go during the day and enjoy a crepe while you walk around. Versailles is worth the trip, but if you want to see something similar in the city go to Hotel de la Marine at Place de la Concorde and do the excellent audio tour. Get hot (drinking) chocolate with a bowl of whip cream at Carette at Places de Vosges. Try crossaints at several different bakeries and enjoy your stay!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t speak French- When you walk into a store or restaurant, greet the person with “bonjour” before asking if they speak English. Goes a long way. We got this advice before our first Paris trip a few years ago and never encountered any rude service.

This is a good one! I started with Bonjour, and then parlez-vous anglais? (par lay voo ong lay). And if it was a no, then you can pull out your phone or play charades.

Having a cute kid helps with friendly service. Especially strollers! You get to skip the lines.

Pickpocketing is a thing but not too crazy. I did get pickpocketed once in the lobby of the Louvre. So just pay attention in crowds.