TiaD, my granddaughter, will be in Paris with me for her first time next summer. We're staying in an apartment near the Jardins Luxembourg. What would you suggest for our days in that area? I know we'll be at the Louvre for the better part of a day, as well as lots of time spent exploring, walking, shopping and eating in cafes.
She's an easy-as-pie traveler, very open to anything and she is so excited about this trip! I want to have a few surprises tucked away in my travel journal for her, so all suggestions are welcome.
“No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris.” ~ Orville Wright Brenda
17 is a great age to be in Paris even with grandpa ... you can go to the VIllette, watch the GEODE, ,take the boat ride at the arsenal port de la Villette. so much to see its hard to even begin to tell you places to go.... bateaux parisien boat ride at the foot of the Eiffel tower. taking the funicular up to Montmartre and the sacre coeur.
the adventerous will take the train at gare saint lazare to Suresnes-mont valerien stop this is from ramp 1-4, when at Suresnes, take the exit Mount Valerien, go up the street until the platform plaza on top , you will be at a 162 meters level highest in Ile de France, overlooking all the great sights of Paris left to right la defense tomontparnasse passing by the Eiffel tower. there is a WWI II American cementary, immaculate kept, once inside you will be in the USA! (land given by the people of France in perpetuity). something different to go by in lovely France.
Were I 17 again -- a leap of imagination to be sure -- I still think I would swoon over the Monets at the Musee Marmottan and swoon over Ste. Chapelle.
I would also adore a ride on the Batobus at sunset. In fact, I would want to take the Batobus (and the Metro) all the time.
I suspect the Musee d'Orsay, with its great rooftop cafe and eclectic selection of French art, also appeals greatly to 17-year-old sensibilities.
After that, I think it depends on individual passions. If she likes fashion or cheap shopping or unusual perfumes, go for it. Music? There are clubs and concerts and CD stores. Special foods? Horses? Movies? History? Universities? Paris is an international urban capital, so she can find everything there.
I would also point out that 17 years old is old enough to peruse some guide books and take a big hand in planning the agenda, including a day when she surprises you with going someplace she believes you will like but keeps a secret until you are there
There's a museum of fashion she might like. Is she into cooking? L'atelier des Chefs offers great cooking classes with lunch included at the Galeries Lafayette. Be sure to take her up Montmartre and have her portrait drawn.
Thank you so much! I'm making notes fast, so I remember everything.
pedmar, Thank you for the information about taking the train to Suresnes-Mont Valerien. We are staying near the Jardins Luxembourg, and I am not sure how to get from our closest station, Gare Montparnasse, to other stations, like Gare Saint Lazare. Would you mind helping me with this?
italiasoon, Great advice! What is the difference between the Batobus and bateaux-mouches? I would love to spend a chunk of time riding on them. Musee D'Orsay is not that far from our apartment, so it is definitely on the menu. I love the idea of her planning a day as a surprise for me! I'll ask her about that. I have several guide books for her, so she can start planning!
Ethrush, A cooking class? Never thought of that...I'll put that idea in her mind and see what percolates out of it. I'd love that kind of day with her! I also want to rent and sail the small boats in the Jardins Luxembourg Grand Bassin, then stop for tea and tarte tatin afterwards.
Again, thanks so much for your help..I'm totally open to everything!
I am not sure how to get from our closest station, Gare Montparnasse, to other stations, like Gare Saint Lazare. Would you mind helping me with this?
It looks like the Metro line 14 will take you from Gare Montparnasse to Gare Saint-Lazare. You can always use the metro to get from one train station to another.
quote:
What is the difference between the Batobus and bateaux-mouches?
The Batobus is a bus, just a boat that travels between Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower and is part of the city Metro/bus system. The bateaux-mouches are tour boats that follow approximately the same route, with a guided narration.
My 16 you daughter and I spent 2 weeks in Paris last April -below is the trip report - even though it does say 2006 (my mistake!)
Some of the highlights for her were the tour and demonstration at Le Cordon Bleu , the chocolate and macroon factory, her favourite for art was Musee De Orsay and for eating out she really enjoyed Chartier.
Gare Montparnasse, to other stations, like Gare Saint Lazare. Would you mind helping me with this?
Line 14 and is automated so no problem with strikes ever!! also line 12, metro montparnasse bienvenue to Gare SL Line 13, same as above normal time is about 20 minutes. you can also take but 95 at gare montparnasse just outside facing blvd montparnasse, take it says direction montmartre just to Gare Saint lazare in about the same time.
you can navigate this site is fairly easy www.RATP.FR click the English flag above right for English
Chris, pedmar, This helps a lot...I've stayed in Montmartre before, so that area is familiar to me. The bus from Lamarck Caulaincourt area is the one we took daily...#95, I think. I didn't know that the metro runs concurrent with the trains...thinking about it now, I should have known that!
pedmar, I appreciate the link for the metro system. What about the ParisVisite pass? The Carte L'Orange? Are either of these a good idea?
I'm comfortable using the bus system and the metro, so the pass might not be of value to us. Any advice?
kayjay, I'll make a cup of tea and sit down to read your trip report! Thanks so much for sharing that with me. I was looking for a trip report like yours to share with TiaD, and now I have one.
I truly hope against hope that she doesn't want to go to Disneyland! How's that for my being biased against the wonderful entertainment world of Walt?
"If you can dream it, you can do it." ~ Walt Disney Brenda
Paris Visite is a combination transportation,museum admission pass;for for certain days, Carte Orange is only transportation for week at a time. depending on your lenght of time in Paris. You might look into the paris visite and the 10 carnet metro tickets. the SNCF site can give you more info here is the train site http://www.transilien.com/web/site/accueil/guide-du-voy...Paris-Visite/lang/en
Walking along the Seine and looking through all the vendor's stalls. Look around though - we bought a painting (copy of something) but just down the street the same thing was less than half the price I had just paid. Oh well.
I was 17 once for a year but never a girl but I think I would liked to have had some time by myself to explore. There is no experience like having to rely on your own wits to do something, like buy a sandwich or take the Metro.
pedmar, Thank you for the clarification. I think I know what the Carte Orange is, but I had not heard of the Paris Visite before. I'm a little hesitant to purchase any card, because I find I don't use them enough to warrant buying them. I'm more likely to find places along the way while walking, rather than planning my day around the use of a prepaid card.
Tom, I agree with you...the reason I've chosen the rental we are staying in is so that the darling child can take off on her own, with loads of places and shops to see in the area. We have a fantastic bakery across the street from the apartment, so she can shop for freshly baked breakfast goodies to bring back for us every morning! I'm sure there will be scads of delights for her when we are settled in and start exploring the city, but I like to have a good idea of what we can look for in the area, before we get there.
Merci beaucoup, merci!
"There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even...the French air clears up the brain and does good, a world of good." ~ Vincent Van Gogh Brenda
Is she into flea markets? Porte de Vanves is great, unassuming and an easy Sat. morning.
There's some funky stuff over by the Pompidou Center; or maybe a spa or hair salon...who wouldn't want to go back to school w/a chic cut and be able to answer "I had it done in Paris"???
I'm a girl, I'd love to see Printemps with my grandma and maybe even have a glass of champagne (special treat) with her at the champagne bar there (if appropriate for the two of you).
If there's a special concert in town, GO! Let her search the performing arts going on at that time, she may find her favorite artist performing in Paris.
Being treated as a (young) adult! I would have loved to have free time, to have been part of the planning, to have a (one!) glass of champagne...
Ooh la la! What fun! Laura
Posts: 571 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 01 April 2006
Thanks for the link, italiasoon...it's safely stowed in my favorites.
Laura, I love your thoughts about what to do! She's definitely part of the planning process, and we'll be talking soon about some ideas that we've generated over the last few weeks. I really love your suggestion of a funky new cut for her. I'd actually join her in the salon. As an ex-stylist, I'd be in like Flynn! Printemps is already on my wish list. I had no idea there's a champagne bar in the store...where is it located? The terrace looks lovely! Do you have any advice about how I can find out what concerts are booked and where in Paris they are held in July next year? I've googled and found a few...Iron Maiden, Beyonce, Celine Dion.
I don't want to plan so much that we have no time for wandering, window shopping, real shopping, sitting and watching the world going by...
“Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping.” ~ Bo Derek Brenda
I know you can pick up a Pariscope when you get there for "what's going on". But in advance, maybe Americana en Parigi, David Korn or Pedmar can give you better direction. They'll probably know exactly where the champagne bar is, too. I remember seeing it just right near one of the railings!
There is also a website called Secrets of Paris that might prove helpful www.secretsofparis.com/
My mom and I actually had our hair done in Paris and it was great! Cheaper by far than at home, fun and it was a good cut/color.
I agree with not booking up every day. Much of my enjoyment comes from sitting and watching. One of my favorite places is to have a (expensive) coffee in the Tuileries. OH! I don't know if you're walkers/runners, but there is nothing quite like getting to the Tuileries as it opens (7am I think) and walking alone in the beautiful QUIET gardens, which in a matter of a few short hours will be packed with tourists.
OH! Do NOT miss Angelique's! It is a 100+ year old tea room, elegantly appointed, with hot chocolate to die for, even in the heat of summer, and even for the most critical chocolate lovers! Go early for breakfast one day, it will be special for sure.
Laura
Posts: 571 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 01 April 2006
I suspect you're referring to Angelina, at 226 rue de Rivoli.
For what it's worth, it's a legendary place, but I find Angelina's way to frou-frou and fancy, and the chocolat chaud far too rich, inedibly so, and I gorge on dark chocolate. It's melted dark chocolate bars, served with cream to cut the intensity, and people wishing to try it I think are well-advised to split an order.
Other cafes in Paris serve a chocolat chaud "ancienne" that I find more palatable than Angelina's.
I am speaking of Angelina's - thank you for the correction...and I agree, the chocolat chaud is, indeed, incredibly rich. Sharing is a great idea! As a teenager I might have just loved every frou-frou, fancy bit about it. Actually, I still do!
Posts: 571 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 01 April 2006
Patrick, Thanks for the link for Musée de la Mode! I saw, to my sorrow, that the Lacroix show will be long gone by next summer, but I'm sure there will be many other wonderful shows, so I'll keep checking.
Laura, YUM! Sounds like a place that I'd love. I've bookmarked the Secrets of Paris link...very cool! I totally agree with you...a pot of tea and a tarte tatin in the Tuileries is still one of my favorite memories from my last trip. Sitting outside, watching the people passing by and the children playing in the area...lovely!
italiasoon, would you mind sharing the places that you like in place of Angelina's?
I'm getting together with TiaD over the Christmas holidays and we'll be checking out a lot of the ideas and thoughtful postings here and making lists!
We'll likely spend a good part of a day at the Louvre or the Musee d'Orsay. That means stopping for a couple of breaks, for lunch and also for a small tea break with a dessert or other lovely snack. Any ideas of places that might be good for us to look for, either in the building or in the nearby area?
The last time I was in the Louvre, we walked across the street to a small sidewalk cafe for lunch because the cafeteria in the Louvre building was absolutely packed tight. It wasn't particularly stellar, but at least it wasn't so incredibly busy.
“The Louvre is a morgue; you go there to identify your friends.” ~ Jean Cocteau Brenda
Brenda - you might want to consider getting tickets on the Open Bus in Paris for your first day. I realize that it sometimes seems too touristy, but we tend to do it on our first day at a new city as it helps to "anchor" us as to where all the sights are that we want to walk to later. I believe the cost was 25E for a one day pass and 28E for a two day pass. There are 4 different routes, so we did the two day pass and jumped on and off as we pleased.
BC Brenda
Posts: 322 | Location: Vancouver Island, BC | Registered: 26 December 2006
