Although Larry and I have been to Paris several times, this will be the first time bringing the boys (13 and barely 16). (a in-ureto visit doesn't count, except for giving me the unique experience of seeking out every restroom in the inner arrondissements.) We're renting an apartment on the eastern edge of the Marais. We'll actually be going to sites Larry and I haven't been to in ages, which will be fun. We don't expect to hit everything in a week, just let the boys see what appeals to them at this point, and try to impart some of our love of Paris.
Plans at this point include a introductory sightseeing day with Michael Osman; the inevetiable slog up the Eiffel tower; typical touristy things like the Batobus, the major sites, and a segway tour; small doses of art museums (my older son is into photography, so the photography museums are a must-see for him, and the younger wants to see the Egypt collection at the Louvre); some market visits (my favorite, the Richard Lenoir); Chateau Vincennes (has the reconstruction been completed yet???); perhaps the Science museum at La Villette if we have a rainy day. We're also planning on a daytrip to Chantilly.
Huh. That does look like enough to fill a week, doesn't it? Oh, and feeding teen boys who love food and will eat almost anything not nailed down should be an adventure.
If anyone has any suggestions for things that might to appeal to teenage boys, I'd love to hear of them!
Do the boys like cars? Renault, Toyota & Peugot all have showrooms on the Champs Elysee which my "big boy" thoroughly enjoyed (& I was interesting enough for me too!).
Posts: 553 | Location: Adelaide, South Australia | Registered: 08 May 2005
I took my two to Paris when they were 13 and 11. The older one was a girl and the younger a boy. Yeah, my daughter had been there in utero as well. I do remember searching for restrooms. LOL.
We had a home exchange house in Montmorency, France, north of Paris. We visited Paris and sites around Paris as well. Visits to art museums were limited. They wanted to go to The Louvre to see Mona, so we went there until they had enough. We did see some Monet at the Marmottan after we visited Monet's Gardens. They especially enjoyed the gardens (I could not get them to leave) and a short visit to his paintings was successful because they were prepared.
We did go to the Eiffel Tower. My son decided he was scared of heights and only went to the first level (We ate at Jules Verne--lunch). While waiting for dessert, my daughter and a friend who was with us went to the second level. Too much queueing for the third level, so we bagged that.
We were there for 3 weeks, so we even went to the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show at Disney. It was a hoot. If you have ever seen anything funnier than French people yelling "yee haw" for their "team", you tell me. Also, watching the Europeans cope with corn on the cob was funny too.
Porte de la Vilette is often recommended for children. There is an IMAX theater and a science center. There are some huge slides there that made the day trip worthwhile (some are shaped like dragons) but personally the rest of it was nothing special. The IMAX films are the same ones you see in the US.
I know there is someone who does a Segway tour of Paris. I haven't done it, but I bet your boys would love it. You can probably reserve when you get there.
And, above all, have your boys look in the guidebooks and give you suggestions. We did a lot of trips outside of Paris because it was easy from where we were staying. Almost everything was successful--except when the kids ran off to swim in the English Channel on the island of Jersey. I tried to tell them about the water temperature. They came out fast.
I have to tell you that sometimes children do not really get what they are seeing. We did a 3-4 day trip where we went to Giverny, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Mont St. Michel, St. Malo and Jersey. OK, we see the Landing Beaches and the American Cemetery. Next year my son is studying World War II in school and he mentioned D-Day. I said, "You were there." He looked puzzled. He did not realize "The Landing Beaches" were the beaches from D-Day. I enlightened him and sent him to school with the photos from the trip. Too funny!
Posts: 282 | Location: McLean, VA | Registered: 14 August 2006
The Friday night through the streets rollerblade rally, with thousands of participants, is quite a sight. The site gives the itinerary, which changes weekly, and there's an English-language option:
I meant to do the first "tour" when I was in Paris last year but had forgotten it's not open on Fridays so missed out. I may try it this year. You can print the Thematic trails out in PDF format and use them to give some focus to your wanderings.
Will you take them to the Museum of Jewish Art and History? Not sure if they would appreciate it or not but I thought it was cool seeing some of the artifacts and being able to read the Hebrew in 700 year-old siddurs.
well my boys are 13,13(twins) and 15; we live here;and it is often difficult to go to Paris with them. All they want to do is read play and touch everything at FNAC or Virgin (champs elysées) stores. The kicking the ball around at jardin de Tuileries or Parc Monceau and the kart racing at the jardin d'acclimatation (take the train from porte maillot into the jardin).
I rather go alone but ; I understand sometimes I have to come with them. Well now they are getting like true French into drinking wine at dinner with me; so that is hopeful!!! lol! Girls are beginning to wait for them in school and go in together so thats another matter. Paris has its distractions too
they would have a blast; at their ages they will really enjoy the visit.
Amy, I'm really glad you are touring around with Michael. He has such a nice way of making things interesting for the kids. We did a lot of art museums with him but stayed only as long as the kids wanted to stay-surprisingly long in some places.
They really liked the Rodin Museum and wandering around outside.
We brought a small ball with us and when we ate our picnics in the parks the boys would throw the ball around while we drank our wine.
We started each day a bit later than we would normally do-they really appreciated that we were thinking of them and their sleep!
See you saturday-Brenda
Posts: 469 | Location: suburb west of Boston | Registered: 27 May 2005
Amy, first of all, you've already done something great by booking Michael for a tour. Just add me to the chorus that sing his praises. Your trip will be greatly enriched by spending time with him.
Since you're staying in the Marais, perhaps a visit to the nearby (and free) Musee Carnavalet? If they like history, that should be a hit. Oh, almost forgot the perennial "boy favorite" - The Catacombes.
When are you going? I'm leaving on Friday with my daughter, grandson (14) and granddaughter (12). We've rented an aprtment in the 7eme, one block from the Eiffel Tower. Here's what I've planned and I hope the kids won't feel overloaded.
Saturday: Settle in, shop for food, etc; boat ride on the Seine, Eiffel Tower.
Sunday: Segway tour of the city
Monday and Tuesday: Tour with Michael Osman. Everyone says he's great with kids in the museums. We also plan to do the sewers and catacombs with him.
Wednesday: RER to Versailles
Thursday: Daughter and grandson will do the DaVinci Code Tour (both have read the book). I'll take granddaughter shopping for clothes.
Friday: A free day to see what we've missed and pack, etc for our departure on Satuday morning.
I'd love feedback from anyone who's been to Paris with kids.
Linda
Posts: 242 | Location: Brevard, NC, USA | Registered: 21 January 2003
Linda when you are in Versailles on wednesday dont missed the market at place du marché notre dame;head out from ave de paris front of chateau until ave d'Europe turn left and go straight into the marché;its easy 10 minutes walk. The marché sits at the place of the domaine de Clagny 1665.
Some great ideas - I am leaving next Friday with my 16 yo daughter - we are in Paris for 2 weeks and have already planned a lot of the suggestions- Pedmar I am interested to know the best time for the market - do the market first or after the Versailles tour ?
Posts: 90 | Location: nsw australia | Registered: 23 August 2006
One more litle thing I've plugged in is a late afternoon behind-the-scenes tour at Gérard Mulot, a pastry and chocolate maker through Meeting the French. Chocolate and my boys are a sure thing. You can book tours with all kinds of small companies and artisans--bakers, jewelers, art restorers, theatre companies...they also do more expensive foodie walking tours.
And for the grownups, we're taking a wine tasting session with O-Chateau (Olivier Magny) one evening.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Amy,
Amy - we did the wine tasting with Olivier last June. I found it pretty interesting and definitely feel less intimidated by French wines (still intimidated a bit - just less ).
Pedmar I am interested to know the best time for the market - do the market first or after the Versailles tour
well it depends how much you are going to end up buying at the market it could be a lot...wednesdays is the big one food, clothes, veggies, you name it. The earlier is better for the selection, the late is better for the prices.
I think the tour of the sewers would be great fun.
A trip to La Defense to see the fabulous modern architecture and the gi-normous Grand Arch would appeal to boys.
A personal favourite, the Abbey of St Denis with all its sarcophagi of French kings and queens and its wonderful stained glass windows.
And for sheer emotion, the Memorial of the Martyrs of the Deportation on the Isle St Louis - a very moving monument dedicated to the memory of the 200,000 Jews and others deported from France to the German concentration camps in WW 2
Not far from Fontainebleau, the Vaux le Vicomte castle sells a game (a "riddle book") - not expensive, if I remember correctly - along with the admission, where children must look around for answers in all the rooms of the visit and add up the points. It keeps - and heightens - a child's interest during the entire visit. See http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/visites-chateau.php under "children's paradise" or "riddle books" And the children - and adults - are always delighted to find that Vaux le Vicomte was the location used in many movies. http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/films.php I was there on separate occasions with children aged 12-15, who loved it and wanted to see more museums.
There are some great suggestions in this thread. I'm not sure that anyone has mentioned the Musée de l'Armée at the Invalides. I think most teenagers would enjoy it though the 17th and 18th century (mostly Napoleonic) section is closed for renovation until some tiime next year. There is still plenty left.
The Musée des Arts et Métiers is a personal favourite. It and a number of other places are mentioned in the current Science Museums in Paris topic.
I think a ride on a TGV would be a thrill for any teenager not raised riding trains, but I'm not sure how you would fit it in. If you are going to be in Paris after June 10 the new TGV Est line will be operating. Perhaps instead of going to Chantilly you could take a 45 minute trip to Reims to see the cathedral — and have a glass of champagne? Or maybe not...
Posts: 80 | Location: Ohio, USA | Registered: 10 March 2005
Not quite the TGV, but the automated No. 14 Paris Metro line is pretty cool, too. Sit in the front of the front car, where you can watch the tracks rushing at you. There is no driver.
Amy, hope you're having fun! We just booked a gastronomie walking tour with Meeting the French, after looking at your post above. Will let all know how it was when we get back!
Amy, Happy travels! Enjoy Paris with the kids-I know they'll love it. You have escaped some pretty nasty weather here and I hope Paris welcomes you with sunny skies. Enjoy! Brenda
Posts: 469 | Location: suburb west of Boston | Registered: 27 May 2005
automated No. 14 Paris Metro line is pretty cool, too. Sit in the front of the front car, where you can watch the tracks rushing at you. There is no driver.
yes it can be cool for adults too Dave. I was there yesterday with a bunch of kids from Spain visiting Paris and they had a blast!
And for sheer emotion, the Memorial of the Martyrs of the Deportation on the Isle St Louis - a very moving monument dedicated to the memory of the 200,000 Jews and others deported from France to the German concentration camps in WW 2
I made a point of going there my first trip to Paris, and it was... I'm not sure 'high point' is the right term, but I was very glad I made the time for it.
Posts: 10 | Location: NYC | Registered: 21 December 2006
Documentary title: "Chowderheads do Paris". Or is it more like a reality show? On Wedneday I'd love to play hookie and come say hello to Laura Anne, Amy et co., but do not want to m'imposer considering Amy's short trip with her family.
Teenage boys are like newborn babies. They need to eat every two hours, demand excessive amounts of sleep at all the wrong times, wake up cranky, and stare at breasts
When we came back from our summer 2005 trip with our teenage boys and were sorted through all the photos from the trip we discovered an interesting addition to the pictures of beautiful sights.
There were so many pictures of lovely "behinds" in the assortment. I am not talking about a few either! There were dozens and dozens of different ones, taken all over the place.
My son, the photographer had enjoyed himself.
Brenda
Posts: 469 | Location: suburb west of Boston | Registered: 27 May 2005
Where exactly is the sculpture garden along the Seine that Amy wrote about? This is the second time I've read about it and thought it would be nice to walk through next week!
Topic Closed
You can book tours with all kinds of small companies and artisans--bakers, jewelers, art restorers, theatre companies...they also do more expensive foodie walking tours.
it could be a lot...wednesdays is the big one food, clothes, veggies, you name it. The earlier is better for the selection, the late is better for the prices.
