Paris October 19th-28th

Do you have the Rick Steves' Paris guidebook? It will help you with some recommendations. You have a good long stay so you can see a lot. Rick's guides always include a list of "must sees" which can help you decide how to spend your time and organize your days.

"Best shopping and cafes" will depend on your style. Paris is big. Do you want to be near high-end designed shopping or a neighborhood where locals go to do their daily errands?

Top three sights to see in Paris?
I don't think anyone would dispute this one - Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame
But there is so much more to see, and you will have no trouble filling 9 days.

Paris hotels are expensive, especially the very good small ones. Some idea of your budget would be helpful.

About $500.00 per night.

With that kind of budget, Paris is at your command. Check Rick Steves' Paris guide for high-end recommendations and also Trip Advisor, Booking.com. Somewhere near Place de la Madeleine, Place de la Concorde, Place Vendôme might be your cup of tea.

We just got back from a trip and we stayed at Hotel Saint-Louis, http://www.saintlouisenlisle.com/

It's located on the island. It was on a great street for shops and cafes. And if we leaned out our window - we had a view of the water. :) I would stay there again.

Top sites? Besides the three already mentioned....D'Orsay Museum. I loved Napolean's tomb. Notre Dame. The Garnier Opera House. Pere Lachaise Cemetary. Be aware that the Rodin Museum is under vast renovation so for 2E you can do the garden portion. That's really a good deal - you just don't get to see anything inside.

And I made a point of going to Pierre Hermes for macarons. Ohhh my greatness! I regret not packing a tin of them to bring home.

Some ideas available for your imminent dates ,,,
http://www.grandhoteldupalaisroyal.com/
http://www.lamaisonfavart.com/
https://www.lesbains-paris.com/en/