How do you use the Navigo card in Paris?

Yes, there is a reader at the turnstiles as you enter the metro and next to the driver on the bus. It has been 2 years since I was in Paris. At that time you also tapped it when leaving the RER but, since the 'pay more' zones no longer exist, they may have done away with the tap out. It is very similar to the Orca card in Seattle if you have ever used that at home.

You just pass it over the reader, it has an embedded RFID chip that will open the turnstile to get into the Metro. In addition, you have to use it to exit an RER station. Bus, I've never used one, but I assume there is a reader by the driver when you enter.

Becky,

Yes, there is a purple reader to the right of the turnstiles on the Metro & the reader on the buses is located by the driver on a pole.
When you place your card near the reader, you will hear a chime sound.
We didn't take the RER.

Here is the website which shows photos of the readers & gives detailed information about the Navigo Découverte pass:
http://parisbytrain.com/tag/pass-navigo/

The ND Pass is great! We rode a lot of buses due to my bum knee, & I noticed some women didn't even take their pass out of their pocketbook, they just held it close to the reader and that was it!

Thank you all! I have trouble with stairs so will try to take buses and the RER as able. I hear the RER stations all have escalators or elevators, but unfortunately they don't go to many of the main sights.

No 14 Metro line also has elevators and escalators.

We used it last sept . You just tap or slide it over the purple machine as you go through the turnstiles going into and out of the subways and the rer .there is the same type for getting on the busses. Works great and saves money and time , not having to buy the tickets every other day

It's the same on the RER.

Becky,

I have trouble with stairs so will try to take buses and the RER as able.

We took the Metro the first couple of days we were in Paris, but then decided to take the buses because of my bad knee, so I'd suggest you download the RAPT app (on your phone) to help you plan your routes.

Here is the RAPT website: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

Enjoy Paris!

Just remember that the validity of the Navigo Découverte is Monday to Sunday.

Do be sure to read the page on the link that Priscilla provided. That is the site that really takes the time to explain everything!

Yes, you do still need to tap it to exit the RER (as well as when entering).

Again, thank you all for the great information. We planned our 7 day paris trip to arrive on a Monday so we can use the Navigo card to come into Paris from CDG.

I can't say enough good things about the Paris Transport system!
The Navigo card is just the best!
All the Paris buses have an automated board at the stop to tell you when the next bus is due, and great maps to make it easy to find out where you want to go.
On board the buses are also boards telling you what the next stop will be.
You can keep your Navigo pass and holder till your next trip, and just reactivate it.
If you bring your photo with you, (make sure you get the size exactly right) you can get the pass issued at the airport; and use it to ride the RER train into Paris, saving you about E10.
Do download the RATP app; it's wonderful for trip planning.

I forgot to say that even though some Metro stations do have escalators; a lot don't actually work!
Some stations have two exits up to the street, so ask someone if there may be a working escalator at another exit.
I never saw any elevators, except at Abbesses, which needs one as it's the deepest station in Paris.

Cite has 2 elevators as it is smack in the middle of the Seine where the No 4 dives to get under it. But it still doesn't go all the way to the surface. Also, the No 14 line has them as, being the most recent addition to the system, they used deep tunnels to avoid surface disruptions and the tangle of buried water, sewer, telephone, fiber-optic lines.

Cite has 2 elevators as it is smack in the middle of the Seine where the No 4 dives to get under it. But they still don't go all the way to the surface. Also, the No 14 line has them as, being the most recent addition to the system, they used deep tunnels to avoid surface disruptions and the tangle of buried water, sewer, telephone, fiber-optic lines.

I haven't been to Paris in over 5 years so there may have been changes. But when I was there, many RER lines had escalators up, but only stairs down. If you really can't handle long staircases down, stick to the bus, or confirm that the stations you need have working escalators or elevators.