Actually, one of those pocket kleenex packs is useful and easier to carry than a roll of TP.

I'm guessing you're a man, AJPeabody...

Those little packs take way more room than a number of folded squares :)

Following up on NYT's advice: keep valuables--particularly passport-- in your hotel safe and don't bring anything you won't need (e.g. fancy watch, jewelry).

Make a copy showing entry visa for France and carry the copy. Credit card and walking-around cash should be in a moneybelt. Don't carry a bag or purse. Don't keep anything you'd mind losing in a backpack, a jacket, or your pockets.

While en route with bags, always keep in physical contact with all of them. If flying into DeGaulle, probably worth the expensive of taking a cab from (and to) the airport as pickpockets ride the trains and a friend lost her passport on the train.


Recently saw a "horror video" with two young female thieves in Paris walking right up to a woman using an ATM and grabbing the cash after she took it out. Hope there's nothing to this, but I'm going to buy a fairly hefty walking stick after we get to Europe and I'll stand guard while my wife takes the cash out. This will also help shield the pin.

Things will go wrong, but keep them to the level of "missed the opening times for Louvre" or "Seine boat sold out" rather than having to make a trip to the embassy to get a new passport.

Don't stand on an escalator with your purse swung over your shoulder behind you. I made that mistake years ago and caught a woman trying to pickpocket me while her partner played the violin to distract everyone. Luckily Someone saw her doing it and caught her.

You can see great views of city from the Arc de Triomphe and lines are shorter than the Eiffel Tower.

Great photo shot of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero Place across the Seine.

Have a wonderful trip!

LOL AJPeabody. It was typo but actually sounds pretty good either way.

If going to the Louvre don't go through the Pyramid entrance. Use a side entrance or from underneath from the subway as its usually faster and don't go on a free Sunday.

I think the toilet paper tip is awesome.. always have some Kleenex or some tp in your bag.. always..

Three words..

smile

Slow down

dwd - I would be very careful about carrying around a 'hefty' walking stick with intent. If you hit somebody with it, even if you feel that this is justified, you could be in big trouble.

Slow down, be good, be careful, be polite...

A lot of useful advice above, out of which I picked the following basics:
- Don't carry around valuables. Have a photocopy of your passport and leave the original at the hotel. Don't put more money in your wallet than you reasonably think to spend until returning to your hotel. No mobiles phones and other stuff you don't need.
- Make a short list of things you really, really, really don't want to miss. It's a nuisance when you planned to do a museum and you're standing there on the usual Monday closing day. For the rest: don't be a slave of your own program. Places which you expected a lot from can be disappointing and the other way around.
Plus:
- Central Paris is much smaller than you think. From the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Bastille could be walked within an hour if there were not so many wonderful things along the way. (I find it actually the ideal introductory walk.)

OMG I'm so glad I asked this question I was not expecting all the knowledgeable responses thank you so much! I usually have tissue in my purse, and a toothbrush, and a mini apartment, but I will double up on the TP. I especially appreciate the Paris suggestions love those thank you again.

I'm struggling to decide on 2 more dinner restaurants if you could suggest with your amazing advice. There are so many to choose from online one can go hungry and crazy at the same time. This is so surreal am I really going to Paris? My husband thinks I'm funny. He's playing it cool but he broke down last night and finally did a very long Happy dance. Thank you please keep the advice coming. Gleaning a lot from your wisdom.

Hi Simone

What are your tastes for a restaurant, atmosphere, sights, food, veggie, when do you come (season), and waht budget would you find reasonable ?

Mvg.

wit--I don't intend to hit any one. I intend to look somewhat dangerous and warn any would-be thief off.

I hope the time hasn't come when one can't carry a walking stick in Paris! Or anywhere else in Europe.

Hi pariswat,

We are very open minded eaters so anything that is delicious we will try. We will most likely get some champagne, a bottle of wine then appetizers, main, dessert. Let's just say we'll go all out on some nights but we don't plan to eat that way every night. It might not be humanly possible! I also love a great lunch and don't often get to have lunches together at home so if you know of a more casual place in mind I'd love to hear that too or if the fabulous dinner restaurant is open for lunch, it could be a better value but ambience might be better at night so I guess it just all depends. Any budget we will consider so if you have a place in mind please let me know. Thank you! :)

Oh by the way, I read people dont tip unless the service was exceptional. Is that true? That feels a little weird. What if the service was just normal? It's refreshing to hear they don't have to rely on tips to make a liveable wage but need some clarification on this please so we don't act and look like shmucks in Paris. Thank you.

For most meals I just round up.. so if bill is 14.30 , I would leave 15 euros.Leaving just the change ( coins) is very normal.

I will leave a little something for a very nice meal.. if I felt service was extra special.. but that would top out at most around 5-10 %.. and frankly.. that's rare.

I have however heard in some very touristy places that some tourists have had waiters mention the gratuity is not included.. as a big hint to tip. If they did that to me I would be sure to take even the change.. because they are preying on tourists if they say that.. trust me, saying that to a local would not be done.

The "meal of the day" which is posted outside many restaurants M-F normally offers 3 or 4 courses for E12 to 14. I've had this in lots of European cities, in the country, in small villages and only once had a meal that was inedible (really don't ask), on every other meal I've eaten very well, had wine and water and tried something I normally would not eat with people who are friendly and welcoming, the local plumber/builder/doctor/lawyer in fact you should seek it out just to link, for just 30 minutes, with the local culture.

'It might not be humanly possible!'

I hear you - I've had my 13th restaurant on ... 13 days.
Tonight is my 14th. (fed up is literally how I feel...).


Anyway : here are therefore the restaurants I preferred (the ones I went to and totally subjectively gave a high note). Except Pergolèse (100+ per person) all were around 50 e per person, as defined by you (and applied by me : 2 paltes, wine, dessert).

Nom Adresse arr Metro
Italian : Far Niente (il) Paul Fort, 1 14e Porte Orléans
Pizza : Massara rue turbigo 70 3e temple
Michelin : Pergolèse rue pergolèse 16e Porte maillot
Brasserie : Philou Richerrand 10e Canal St Martin
Découverte : Pouic Pouic rue Lobineau 5e Odeon
Viande : Santa Carne 24 rue des Tournelles 11e Bastille
Viande : Sacrée Fleur, rue de Clignancourt, 18e, Chateau Rouge.

For the sight more than the food :
Zyriab Institut Monde Arabe 5e Jussieu

If you like cheses (fondues, raclettes)
Pain vin fromage 3 rue de Geoffroy l'Angevin 4e

Roadtrip advice:
If you drive on motorways in the Netherlands and on the autobahns in Germany, always carry some small change ie EUR0.50 because the bathroom facilities in the petrol stations are not free.