Firstly, I just want to thank this forum for such amazing advice. Our trip was magical. It is truly a fantastic city with amazing food, people, art, architecture and we can't wait to go back!
General notes, tips, tricks and whatnot:
Dress/Packing: As a female, I'd say this is what I had struggled with the most before going. I can now confidently say that water proof shoes are a non-negotiable in February (for rain and dog poop). Most of the female frenchies where wearing dark tones. Lots of black Chelsea boots, heavy button down coats, black tights. Anything bright stuck out and the tourists were obvious. For the men it varied with streetwear and formal business attire.
Paris in February is wonderful. We have pictures with the Mona Lisa and pictures at Versailles with zero people in our pictures. We were alone and had private tours for group tour prices because no one else was signed up for the tours we had booked. I know that COVID is a major factor in this but traveling in February is just the off-est of off season there is. I'd say we did miss out a bit on enjoying the gardens to the fullest because it was raining but we definitely had a few days of sunshine that we were able to plan around getting our vitamin D.
Rats: Yes, Paris has rats. Just think of it as a Ratatouille spotting and move on.
Dog poop: Yup, there is doggie poop everywhere so don't wear white shoes
Flights: We flew Icelandair, absolutely amazing and I can't recommend their Saga Premium business class enough. We picked up round trip Seattle- Paris for $650.00 (I shop the deals babyyyy). Worth it 1000000%. We did use the BinexNow proctored home test for the flight back home which was accepted with no problem. We did pay for the rapid antigen before we left because we didn't want to risk not getting on the flight. That was stupid expensive and I regret paying such a stupid amount. Flying through Iceland was so great. The airport is small and we flew at night so we were able to see the northern lights for hours from the airplane windows.
Food (my favorite): We are big foodies so we planned our trip for eating and taking baking/cooking classes. La Cuisine is a fantastic cooking school with good prices for classes. We did their croissant class and their chicken class, both were excellent.
Restaurants of note: Mumi, Les Antiquaires, Treize Au Jardin, Poni, Bistrot Instinct, Taing Song-Heng, Seb'on
Food Streets: Rue Des Rosiers, Rue Des Martyrs, Rue Monorgueil
Stay: we stayed in an apartment in the 9th about 1 block from Rue Des Martyrs and I can confidently say that everyone looking for the Parisian experience should stay as close to this street as possible. The little cheese shops, the meat shops, the fish monger, the boulangeries and patisseries. You will swoon and die of happiness. We also stayed in Le Marais and it was also a great and I would highly recommend it. Safe, fun, lots of food and little shops. Both were equally wonderful.
Getting around: metro, metro metro. Watch a youtube video (I like Les Frenchies channel) and you will become a quick expert to a very easy way to zip around the city. It is a functioning, working city. You will commute with the locals and feel like one too!
COVID/Health Pass: Very easy! Just walk into the pharmacy (this link shows all health pass pharmacies: https://www.sante.fr/recherche/trouver/health%20pass) and you can have your pass on your phone in less than 10 minutes. Everyone wore masks and the health pass was asked for at just about every restaurant and museum.
Language: I had heard so much about the "rude French." I experienced only the nicest people. We did learn a bit of French for a few months on how to say hello and order food which will get you everything that you need. The best service at restaurants and the best food at the shops are just a "Bonjour" away!
Happy to help if you have questions planning!