What it actually costs
When to go
Parisians leave. Tourist-to-local ratio inverts. Many neighbourhood restaurants close for annual holiday. Hot.
Louvre on Wednesday/Friday evenings (open late) has 1/3 the crowd. Eiffel Tower at 9am has half-hour queues vs 3-hour at 2pm.
What locals know
Always say 'Bonjour' when entering ANY shop. Not saying it is genuinely considered rude.
Cafes charge less if you stand at the bar (comptoir) vs sitting at a table (terrasse). Same coffee, half the price.
The best croissants are at boulangeries with "Artisan Boulanger" on the sign — it means they bake on-site.
Waiters will never bring the bill unsolicited. You must ask: "L'addition, s'il vous plait."
The Seine quais (riverbanks) at sunset with a €5 bottle of wine is better than any €200 dinner cruise.
Honest warnings
Pickpockets are aggressive at Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, and Metro Line 1.
The 'gold ring' and 'petition' scams are still active near tourist spots. Say 'non' and walk away.
Avoid RER B late at night if alone.
Sunday: most shops closed. Monday: many museums closed. Plan around this.
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