1. Eiffel Tower Tickets: Skip-the-Line Only!
The queues at the tower are huge. Save 3-4 hours by buying "Skip-the-Line" tickets online in advance. The best option is the official website (2-3 months ahead). If tickets are sold out, check GetYourGuide or Viator. Get a ticket to the very top (the summit) and book it for an hour before sunset—you'll see the city in daylight, at sunset, and lit up at night.
2. Transportation
For short trips, buy a "carnet" (a pack of 10 discounted tickets). If you're in Paris for a week (from Monday to Sunday), the Navigo Découverte pass is the best value. It covers all transport, including travel to the airports and Versailles. You will need a small photo for the card.
3. Food
Avoid tourist-trap restaurants. At lunchtime, look for the "Formule Déjeuner" (set lunch menu) in bistros. Have a picnic: buy a baguette, cheese, and wine and enjoy the view from the Champ de Mars. In cafés, always ask for a carafe of water ("une carafe d'eau")—it's free.
4. The Magic Word: "Bonjour"
Always say "Bonjour" (hello) when you enter a shop, café, or bakery, and "Merci, au revoir" (thank you, goodbye) when you leave. It's a basic rule of politeness that will change how people respond to you.
5. Museums & Comfort
If you plan to visit 3-4 museums, buy the Paris Museum Pass to save time. Wear only your most comfortable shoes—you will be walking a lot.
6. Safety
Watch out for pickpockets on the metro and near major attractions. Keep your bag and valuables in front of you.
7. The Main Advice
Don't rush to see everything. Leave time to simply sit in a café and watch city life go by. Paris is a city to be felt, not just seen.