From Gare du Nord to hotel

No, there are no fixed-rate taxis within Paris.

To take a taxi at Gare du Nord, follow the taxi signs and join the queue. Do NOT be tempted by anyone trying to approach you as you walk there with an offer of a taxi. When you get to the head of the line, they will wait to put you in a taxi until there is a taxi big enough for all six of you.

hey hey sally
yes there is a taxi stand outside of station, follow the signs like OP states. you do not want an uber. let them know how many of you and bags and wait until they have a taxi big enough for all of you. we always have our hotel info on a little card or paper with us.
by the way, read your other post about walks.
discoverwalks.com has tours in london and paris.
aladyinlondon.com is a blog about walks in and around london. scan down and on right side is popular posts and may have places that interest you.
enjoy and have fun
aloha

Sally remember there are no fixed rate taxis in Paris so if a driver tells you that he is trying to con you - if he does not immediately put on meter you tell him to stop and get out ! Most drivers are honest but there are a few dishonest ones who will try and tell you there are fixed rates in city , and there are not ! Taxi to that hotel will be between 15-20 euros depending on traffic - plus he can charge a few extra euros for more than 3 -4people in taxi plus one euro per suitcase

Gare du Nord is the epicenter of taxi fraud in Paris -- it is the one spot where people constantly report scams. For example, a cabbie who claims a fixed fee (because of the strike, or just 'because'). A fixed fee except at the airports is announcing you are being cheated.

The cab must run the meter from Nord -- so when you get close to the head of the taxi queue let the dispatcher know you are 6 and they will put you aside until they can get a van cab for you -- when you get in, the meter should be set to run with an additional 8 Euro as an added charge -- it is 4 Euro each for each person over the first 4. Give the cabbie a printed card with the address and postal code of your hotel or apartment so there is no confusion about where you are going.

Tips not necessary or expected unless exceptional service was provided (I once had a cabby come into the lobby of the apartment and get my luggage when I was traveling with a broken elbow in a cast.)

The local taxi app that many of us on the forum use is G7
https://www.g7.fr/

Quite reliable and can use the faster taxi lanes, while Uber cannot. Yes, definitely consider booking in advance for Gare du Nord pickup to avoid the taxi rank.

I agree with all the advice given and will add that a time or two I've seen them have a manager at the entry to the queue for the taxi and he's had the larger groups or families stand in a separate line just off to the left of the main line but lined up so the same taxi manager at the head of the line can get the larger vans for you. This is not always the case but it sometimes is.

I'll also say that you'll want to have yourselves together before you get off the train. Be pickpocket proof. Have your valuables stashed, have your purses/totes/day packs completely zipped so you don't have to fiddle with anything once you get out into the train station itself. I'm not saying this to make you paranoid. I'm saying it so you'll keep your stuff safe and be able to walk confidently to the right side of the station where the exit to the taxis is.

You are going to make a wonderful trip even better by getting advice from the forum!

Thanks for all your advices. We will
take the taxis in the queue and have cash ready. Is it safe to assume that the taxi we will be taking will be safe as in will do the meter instead of claiming a fixed rate in the middle of the ride? Thanks again.

You just watch to make sure he starts the meter as he pulls away. If he doesn't, point to it and say "Monsieur, Meter?". I have no idea what the French word is for "meter" but I'd assume he speaks enough English to know what you are asking.

Thanks Pam. I will make sure he puts the meter on when we get in the taxi.