We arrived around 6:45am and the gendarmes told us that people usually started showing up at 7/7:30. (We parked right by the Embassy, btw, in the underground Vinci parking lot.)
After a short wait, Embassy security started checking our papers and such and told us to advance to the second waiting area, still outside. About 6 - 7 other people had arrived by then. After security checks inside, etc, we were sitting and waiting, kiosk ticket number in hand.
At 9am, they called us as we had been first in line for I-130s. We went to a window and the French employee there gave our papers a first run-through, correcting things as she went with a red pen, giving us back some copies that we'd made, etc. I wish I could have had a copy of the corrections - she was doing it so fast, we couldn't keep track...!
She asked to see a couple of our original documents and asked a few ?s about why we were going to the States, where we would be living... Nothing spectacular. Then, I was sent me off to pay at Window 20. After paying and showing the same employee our receipt, she told us to sit near Window 10. We were called shortly. Behind Window 10 was an American who, again, asked questions and finally told us our Petition was approved and explained that we'd be receiving something in the mail in 3-4 weeks.
All in all, a very efficient process. The Embassy personnel were all friendly, patient and helpful. In took exactly one hour - we were out of the Embassy by 10am.
Parking was 13 euros and change. Drink machines in the lobby, photomats, Chronopost machines, and even Internet are available. LOTS of chairs, and water fountains for those on a budget.
