Visiting Paris

[Catnuzzle]

I and DD(12) are visiting Paris next week, any hints or tips as I've never been before?
I've prebooked lots of activities but any good restaurants/cafes or shopping area recommendations would be gratefully received.
Anything we should be aware of culturally?
Merci bien!

Make sure you say 'bonjour' to the staff when you walk into a shop. It's considered horrifically rude not to.

What have you booked, just out of interest? Going in a few weeks with kids and haven't booked anything!

Agree with the PP about saying bonjour and merci even if you don't know any other French words.

For the best view in Paris, go to the top of the Tour Montparnasse.

The Musée Carnavalet is good if you like museums, it's about the history of Paris. If art is your thing, the Musée D'Orsay is great and more of a manageable size than the Louvre.

Carette on Place des Vosges in the Marais is a nice place to go for a hot drink and a cake or macarons in the afternoon. Victor Hugo's house is also there, and nice to visit. The Marais is a nice area for shops as well.

Make sure and Google to check if their are other "greve" strike days planned. There is a lot of manifestations and protests at the moment, a big one planned tomorrow, 28th March.
Paris is heavily affected, there are protesters all over

Oops posted too soon, the strikes are against Marcon's pension reforms.

Protesters are currently blocking the entrance to the Louvre.

Google strike news France

Pack a hard hat and a gas mask.

my friends were there this weekend and didn't experience any disruption aside from some train delays and more rubbish on the streets than usual.

And there's been a bin emptying strike in Paris for the last 2 weeks

-Sacre Coeur is gorgeous, free entry and great views over the city
-Second the Tour Montparnasse recommendation; there is a 360 degree observation deck at the top with stunning views over Paris and of course the Eiffel Tower (don’t bother with the Ciel de Paris restaurant on the floor beneath as it is frankly bizarre and mediocre all in one)
-Don’t bother with Angelina’s (near the Louvre/Tuileries) for hot chocolate unless you love queueing with international tourists for hours
-The Bateau Bus gets you along the Seine at a decent price
-Go to a lovely pharmacie and pick up some La Roche Posay etc for often a little cheaper than home
-Enjoy!

Don’t go there! It’s on fire.

Thank you all! I'm slightly nervous about the demonstrations but maybe it will add to our trip!
I've booked:
The Conciergerie
Moulin Rouge
Paris Aquarium
The Louvre
Natural History Museum and a boat cruise (2 day access hop on and off).
Would have loved to have done Versailles but it's a bit far out with the time we have.
Plan on also visiting/walking by Arc de Triomphe, statue of liberty, Eiffel tour and notre dame. And eating a lot of crepes!

Parisians are notoriously rude and po faced about life in general. Don't take offence, they can't help it, it's just how they're made.

Shopping wise, my dds like the 'grands magasins' for shopping on Boulevard Haussman - gorgeous old-fashioned department stores and you can get drinks on the roof with a fab view of the city. Expensive though!

There's a good outlet 'shopping village' a stop before Eurodisney on the RER, a bit like Bicester Village or Cheshire Oaks or whatever but more French.

Re strikes I know two people there atm who say most areas are fine, there is rubbish on the streets and some public transport delays but other than that business is as usual for the most part.

All the Parisians I've had dealing with have been fine/lovely incidentally.

calm down

I'm slightly nervous about the demonstrations but maybe it will add to our trip!

OP that's the spirit! You'll fit right in. Your list sounds amazing.

The view from the Sacré Cœur is amazing, and you'll love tte show at Moulin Rouge.

Be prepared to walk a lot. It's a beautiful city best seen from the streets.

I was there during summer riots a few years ago. There was an agreed time for rioters to stop, vendors wheeled out street food, packed up, riots continued. No one does rioting quite like the French!

If you remember to say bonjour, merci, and never sit down in a restaurant or bar until the waiter has indicated you may do so, you will be fine. You will also need to ask for the bill (l’addition svp) as it won’t automatically be brought over to you.

Have a lovely time. I am very envious!

Make sure you aware of the risks of pickpockets and scams at the most famous areas. I know all cities have a risk, but there are some areas that are particularly notorious.

It’s currently literally on fire so don’t wear flammable clothes!

is it tho?

You’re taking a 12 year old to the Moulin Rouge?

Do you have a link for this?

If the whole of Paris was literally on fire I would have expected to see something on the news.

There were fires in Bordeaux at the weekend, but that's a long way from Paris.

I live in France BTW.

I live in France too and am thoroughly bored with the UK media sensationalising every protest and implying that the fabric of society has completely broken down in France. It's utter nonsense.