Just returned from Paris---Magnifique!! Also a few pointers to other first time visitors...
 

Just returned from 10 days in Paris. This message site was a TREMENDOUS help. Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions and help!! I spent alot of time on this site and it was well worth it!
We took Airport Connection to/from the airport. Very efficient and convenient--especially since there was arail stike ending when we got there and traffic was horrendous--a cab would have been VERY expensive. The shuttle was $16E per person.
Ladies: remember to carry change(coins) for the toilets!! Also, carry hand sanitizer. Better yet--carry single use anti-bacterial Wet Ones. Most of the bathrooms have dryers for your hands and they blow very little air--also only one per bathroom so you have to wait!!
Some other highlights: Seine boat ride at night; TGV to Tours to tour the chateaus; Fashion show at Galeries Lafayette; French Open for tennis; wine , wine and more wine!!; eating all those yummy panini sandwiches; a baguette a day keeps the doctor away!
A few other tips: we packed plastic cups so we'd have them handy for wine in the park or along the river. You can pretty much drink it anywhere! Peter Caine walking tours are wonderful and very reasonably priced (10E per person for 2 hour tour).
Two of our favorite restaurants: Cote Seine (under 30E per person, includes wine--get the lamb!!), Chez Clement (great food, excellent presentation and value!), Volcan near rue Mouffatard. I can say, we were not disappointed anywhere we ate!!
Dress in layers and black is always fashionable. Sneakers are OK--most locals wear them but wear darker colors (red, black or blue tennis shoes are in--especially Pumas!). Jeans are Ok too--saw lots of locals wearing them.
All the Parisiens were very friendly--we had no problems. I learned just enough basic French (grettings, please, thank you, ordering in restaurants, asking direction, etc.) Most people do speak or at least understand English. WE had no probelms at all.
We also had no problems with pickpockets. We carried a backpack or large purse most of the time. Also used a waist belt for passport/cash, etc.
Hope someone found somthing useful in this post!!!

Hi - thanks for posting, sounds like you really enjoyed your trip! Where did you stay?

Good hint about the plastic cups . . when we lived there in the 70's, with no money we would walk over to park behind the tower with bread, cheese and a bottle of wine . . but of course living there, we took our own glasses.

We recreated "the good old times" a few years ago on a visit and sat down with the bread, cheese and wine . . only to relaise we had no glasses . . did not let it bother us . . just drank from the bottle, but it would have been more gentile to have had cups.

Rich

Linda, thanks for all the great tips! It sounds like you had a wondeful time. I am interested in attending a fashion show at Galleries Lafayette during my upcoming trip. Could you tell me approximately how many people attended, if any men were in attendance, and approximately how long the fashion show lasts? Also, how long did it take for your reservation to be confirmed? I sent a reservation request last week, via email, and I haven't heard back yet.

Thanks a bunch!

happy2travel, I went to the fashion show at GL with my daughter in February. I'm no good at estimating crowds, but there was a function hall filled with small tables. There were some men, not tons though. There was a mixed group of American high school students as well. The models moved all around the hall so you could have a good look at them. Snacks were served, I think it was cookies and drinks.

I think the show lasted about an hour. I don't remember how long it took to confirm my request by e-mail, but it wouldn't hurt to send another one and inquire.

Which boat trip down the Seine did you take? There seems to be several...and of course we want the Best!

For Wren, the smaller the boat the better. Head for the dock at Pont Neuf at the western tip of Ile de la Cite or Pont d'Iena opposite the Tour Eiffel, and look for "Bateaux" or "Vedettes" signs, rather than the huge Bateaux Mouches.

Thanks djk. I am assuming evening is the best time to go.