Tips, etc.

The Paris Metro still doesn’t accept fare payment via ApplePay at the turnstiles, so you’ll have to buy a stack of paper tickets or passes at a kiosk in the metro station. But the metro will get you anywhere and it’s easy to figure out. The doors won’t open automatically at every stop – you need to press a button or lift a latch if a local doesn’t beat you to it. This sounds dumb but I’ve witnessed tourists miss their stop before. Also, the older trains don’t have AC so just keep that in mind…

Public restrooms are hard to find, so expect to have to stop for a snack or a glass of wine in order to use one.

Bring your passport whenever you’re shopping so you can have the stores fill out your tax exemption info. They don’t offer it up because it’s a pain for them to do, so you’ll have to ask, but it’s worth it for the refund. Make sure you have enough time at the airport before you leave the EU so they can process the refund.

Use TheFork.com and their app to make restaurant reservations, just like open table. A lot of places still rely on the old-fashioned phone call for reservations. Ask your hotel or Airbnb host to make the call for you.

Everyone speaks English in Paris. If they tell you they don’t, they’re either self-conscious about their English or they just don’t want to deal with you. Your best bet is to ALWAYS approach them with French first. They appreciate the effort and humility. So rather than just “Je ne parle pas francais”, try: “Je suis desole. Mon francais est tres mauvais. Parlez-vous anglais?” Or any combination of those three sentences.