Paris Dos and Don'ts

Allow plenty time for arguing with French taxi drivers who won't take you where you want to go!

There is a great campsite between Paris and Versaille. It is called Huttopia and is on the metro. We camped out two man tent there for about 4-5 nights. The town of Porchfontaine has a great little patisserie and there is a local market twice a week. http://www.huttopia.com/en/Versailles_The-site

Learn the language when you travel I have found over the years that when I travel outside of the country learning a little bit of the language of that country truly enhances the travel experience. Talk to most anyone that has traveled to Paris and most will say, it is amazing the difference of how you are treated when you at least make an attempt to speak the language. My advice? Watch Amelie 10 times in the month before visiting. Not only will the movie inspire you to tears, it will help you pick up the subtle sayings the French are so fabulously famous for. avoir confidence en moi!

learn common phrases to get you around the city - the locals are friendlier if you make an effort to speak french (even if your accent is horrible!)

Even if you speak no French, pick up a short translator's guide and learn how to speak a few phrases that will allow the natives to at least see you're trying. Always say "Bonjour" (or "Bonsoir" depending on the time of day) when you enter a store, and always say "Au revoir, merci" or something similar when you leave.