Hi All - just wanted to share a few tips from a recent (my second) week-long visit to Paris with my two teenage daughters. I'll assume that most of you will read the Paris guidebook, so will try to avoid redundant information:
For transportation, the Passe Navigo Decourverte was a FAR better deal than the guidebook recommended carnet tickets. We did the 10 packs of carnets on the last trip and it was total pain. The transit card is not only a better deal economically (assuming you're there for a week and arrive over the weekend, and leave the city to visit Versailles at a minimum), it's just plain convenient to tap and go versus dig a ticket out of your pocket, hope it's not one you've already used, etc. Per the advice in the guidebook, bring a 2.5cm x 3cm photo (just scan your passport or drivers license picture) to save 5 Euro per pass.
Uber is the best alternative to Metro, and the best remedy for sore feet and complicated Metro routes with multiple connections. We had great success using it sparingly to save time and precious steps. Was also great to/from CDG as we were a party of three and weren't mentally ready for the Metro after a 10hr flight. You can book your Uber ride from your hotel to the airport several days ahead in the app, which is a nice stress reliever. Our Uber driver arrived 20 minutes before my requested pick-up time and was happy to wait until we were ready to go to the airport.
Hands-down best sightseeing advice I can give: grab an early dinner and visit the Louvre after 18:30 on Wed or Fri night, then take the Metro up to the Arc de Triomphe and stroll the Champs Elysees. You will have a wonderful, crowd-free experience and you've just freed up an entire day to see more of Paris! CAUTION: they closed the Louvre without warning on the evening we planned to visit it, so we adjusted and went Friday instead of Wednesday.
Google Maps is amazing - it even plots out your Metro trains and connections (which I think is fun to do, but sometimes you're just exhausted and it's nice to have something do it for you)
I ditched my larger backpack and used a 'sling' (mine is from Patagonia) for my day pack and it was great - held all my stuff and never once had to check it at any museum or attraction as it slips down easily into 'purse/handbag style'
Microsoft Translator app is great for taking a picture of a menu (for example) and having it quickly translated into English. This came in very handy at restaurants with no English menu and no English speakers (rare, but occurs off the beaten path)
Jet lag tip: We picked our arrival evening to visit the Eiffel Tower as it forced us to stay awake until our timed entry, and was a great way (combined with a stroll through the Trocadero) to make through to a local bedtime.
Tip for parents: We stayed on Rue Cler (Grand Hotel Leveque), which was a great neighborhood for my teenagers to explore by themselves without a worry in my mind. We practiced proper boutique store etiquette on our arrival day, and that empowered them to try it out on their own. They loved being able to visit the crepe stand by themselves, pop in and out of the multiple candy shops on Rue Cler, and fawn over all the cute dogs (French Bulldogs, of course) out walking their humans.
Tuesday advice: Tuesday is a tough day for sightseeing - no way around it. We hit the Orsay first thing, made a b-line for the impressionists, and were able to get through before it was mobbed. We then did the Army Museum/Napoleon's Tomb/Rodin Museum in the afternoon, and that worked really well. On my previous trip, we spent Tuesday in the Marais, and that was really fun.