LuluG

This will be my family's 1st trip to Paris + 1st trip to Europe for my husband and 2 teenage nephews (ages 15+20). 5 of us going = self, hubby, my mother (age65) + nephews. Budget-minded trip. Would much appreciate advice/input.

Plan so far: Arriving on Continental into CDG @11am, Sunday, Oct 2. With group of 5, leaning toward taking a shuttle (18E each) to Hotel Le Clement (117E double + 145E triple).

Been reading posts re ideas for open Sunday restaurants. Not sure really what to do once we arrive at the hotel, but expect to be pretty exhausted & excited at the same time. We'll probably reach our hotel at about 1-2pm? Just stroll around the area, get a feel for the area, 1st impressions of Paris? Maybe Eiffel Tower, Seine boat ride early evening?

Restaurant ideas which look interesting (for "hip?" teenage boys) & not too expensive while in Paris: Bouillon Racine, Fish, Chez Paul's, Le Bistrot du 7eme, Cafe Constant, Bistro du Septieme on La Tour Maubourg, Chez Germaine on r. Pierre Leroux.

Would love to be able to book a private tour w/Michael Osman while we're there, but I've received no response to 3 email attempts over past couple months.

Have lots of ideas copied/pasted, but could always use more

We'll be leaving through Orly airport (for 12:35pm EasyJet flight to Naples to begin our trip through Italy). From Hotel Clement, should the 5 of us take the Orly bus? Is that most convenient, reliable? I've learned it's only 5.70E/each. Shows the pickup at "Place Denfert-Rochereau." Is that close to Hotel Clement?

Thanks, fodorites! LOVE THIS FORUM!

elaine

Hi
when you say your trip is budget-minded, what did you have in mind for expenses for dinners?

Some of the places you mention for dinner are moderately-priced for Paris, but I wouldn't call them 'budget.'

LuluG

"Budget-minded," meaning maybe $10-$20 apiece, not including wine for the adults.

But would like to splurge a little bit on 1 night of our stay (maybe $20-$30 apiece).

elaine

There are a few places named Chez Paul, but none of the ones I've heard of would result in bills of $10-$20 pp. Most restaurants are not going to come in at that low price these days. Bouillon Racine has two prix fixe menus, the lesser one is 15.50 euro pp, so that's minimally $20. Cafe Constant will be more.

amwosu

Keep sending those emails to Michael. Its pretty typical of him to respond slowly. He wasn't available for my first day in Paris so he sent me out on the town with his friend Scott. WORTH the money and the next time I'd have him take me out for two days.

Scott helped us buy our carte orange for the metro and it was nice to have someone with us on the metro the first day just to remember how to use the various lines. My 14 yr old son is not big on art museums and Scott got us through the important parts of the Louvre without the hassle of getting lost in that vast buidling. I'll save the in depth version of the Louvre for a solo trip.

I suggest a visit to Musee de l'Armee and Napoleon's Tomb. The army museum has artifacts dating back to at least the 14th century. Guns, hand guns, sabres, suits of armor, Napoleon's dog and horse (pony, really he was so short) and that suit you always see him wearing in portraits. Lots of WWI and WWII stuff too, a portable motorcycle that fit in a suitcase and a tiny tank were memorable. The museum is also close to Rodin's house for a quick trip there. I also walked the market area of Rue Cler on the same day as it was nearby.

pumpkin

If you are coming in from the States to Paris jet lag may take you over. If that is the case, I would suggest that you not take a boat trip down the Seine. My husband did that once (when I arrived a week ahead of him) and he fell fast asleep. I know I would have, too, had it been my first day.

peggi

I want to echo the suggestion to keep trying to reach Michael; we had Scott, too, and my kids were willing to go to places they would never have gone with just me. Also, climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, especially as daylight fades and you can see the city light up, is a good thing for teens. Sainte Chappelle, which can be done fairly quickly, never fails to impress. Also, be sure to buy them crepes from a street vendor.

amwosu

peggi- I agree about Sainte-Chapelle... better than Notre Dame!

Christina

I don't think you are going to be able to have dinner for $10-20 at those places. There's hardly anywhere you could have dinner for $10 total (without wine), as that is only about 7 euro. I like Bouillon Racine but I know I spent more around 30 euro, which is around what I spend for dinner in moderate places. I didn't have the prix fixe, though, so if they have one at 16 euro, that sounds good.

I don't know where hip teens want to go but if they are as hip as my nephew (who is that age), he is embarrassed to be seen with me and my sister going out to dinner and pretends he's not with us. He just likes chain-type burger/pizza places. There seem to be lots of younger people in some of the restaurants around place St-Michel. I have an idea--there are some new, less traditional small restaurants in kind of a restaurant row extending along bd Edgar Quinet just east of the street that runs along the MOntparnasse tower. They are pretty moderately priced, also, and would be something with a young atmophere, I think they'd like them.

This isn't hip at all, but I think you might like the Chez Clement French chain (regular dinner restaurants) as they have a pretty extensive menu with something for everyone, are very pleasant and fun, and are quite reasonably priced. There is one just a block or so west of the intersection of bds Raspail and Montparnasse (near Vavin metro stop) and that is also a lively area, so I think that's a good idea to go up there and browse around. You don't need reservations there.

I think your first day plans sound fine, and the bus to Orly from Denfert is also a good idea. That isn't super-close to the Clement hotel -- probably about one to 1.5 miles. It is pretty easy to get to from St-Germain, however, as one of the main metro lines that runs through St-Germain (line no. 4--stops at Odeon and St-Germain) goes right there.

Christina

I checked Bouillon Racine's menu, and the prix fixe is 26 euro (the 16 euro is lunch M-F).

Chez Clement says to count on around 28 euro for dinner total, and that's probably about right. Here's their web site:
http://www.chez-clement.com/

This is pretty cheap, but the food is okay, although it's not elegant -- restaurant Chartier up in the 9th arrondisement. I bet your nephews might like that as it's a Paris institution and very noisy and busy. Now I don't actually like the place because it's too hectic and the food isn't that great, but in your case, it might work. They are at www.restaurant-chartier.com
YOu could eat there for around 20 euro for dinner and that place is one of the cheapest. I think they do have a prix fixe menu that might be less than that.

LuluG

Thanks for everyone's great tips/advice on places to go, and I'll keep trying to get ahold of Michael Osman.

I have to admit, I'm suffering from Paris meal sticker shock! What's up with some of these prices? Is it really that difficult to find somewhere to eat for $20pp? I've copied the restaurant suggestions, though, thank you! And I think it's a great idea to just let the boys go off on their own & grab whatever looks good & convenient for them.

Real quick, on the issue of Paris restaurant prices... We live in a somewhat upscale area of Los Angeles, and I've never seen prices like what I'm seeing in Paris. I have a friend who stayed at the Plaza Athenee once, and I just discovered that it'll cost you 320 euro pp for dinner there. So that's about, what, $420 for a meal and maybe a glass of tap water?

Boy, do I feel like a country bumpkin

LVSue

There's a nice little Italian restaurant just around the corner from Clement, very popular and pretty reasonable considering the euro. Restaurant des Beaux Arts, 11 rue Bonaparte, is across from the school of the same name, and is relatively budget, frequented by students. Polidor , 41 Monsieur-le-Prince, is also budget, some booths, some long tables. Get there early (7:00). It dates from 1900s, and is quite popular, too. Both are in your area.

We also got a pretty decent meal at Brasserie (Cafe?) de l'Odeon, also near Clement., across St. Germain corner of l'Ancienne Comedie.

Going to Orly by cab is cheaper than CDG, and if you could get a minivan cab, I think that would be the best way to go for your group. I'd check with the desk at Clement. We often stayed in that area and found the hardest thing about taking the Orlybus was getting to Denfert-Rochereau. With nephews to help with luggage, taking the Metro to Denfert might not be too bad, but it still seems like a hassle.

Gretchen

I agree with others that most of your restaurants will cost more than 10-20E. I do not really understand your feeling that Paris restaurant prices are expensive. These are 3 course menus, tax and tip included for 20-30E. I cannot eat in our city (not as large as LA, of course) for this amount in a nice restaurant.
On your list, Bistrot du 7eme will fill your "under 20E" stipulation. Another is Auberge du Jarente in the Marais on rue Jarente--19E. It is very good food.
A strategy you may have to employ is to eat your main meal in the middle of the day when the nice restaurants are cheaper than dinner and then have a soup and salad at a cafe for dinner. Or picnic for lunch in a park--bread, cheese,bottle of wine, bottle of water.
I find it better to budget for the day for food--per person. Breakfast in Paris can be quite expensive for what it is. You need to find a cafe near your hotel--have coffee, chocolate and baguette for b'fast. May be in the neighborhood of 4E each. Since you were trying to eat for 20E for dinner, I might project that your daily amount you were shooting for was 50E each or less. That is possible but you will have to plan carefully.
AND your boys may NOT order cokes--they are 7-10E in cafes. They are 2E out of a dispenser in a bakery we frequented.
There are many "delis" that sell sandwiches. In the 6th there are streets with cheap meals or good Greek sandwiches. Rue de Huchette or Harpe.

ira

Hi lulu,

From your hotel go West to Rue Mabillon. Go South to Rue Guisard.
There are many,many reasonably priced restaurants on Guisard, Princesse and Cannettes.

If you go North to Boul St Germain and the West you will find Vesuvio (wood fired pizza oven) on your left, just opposite the St. Germain des Pres church. Right in front of the church is the best cree stand in Paris.

Moules et frites at Leon Bruxelles on Bld St Germaine was a pleasant experience – 14E for the menu, with a Belgian waffle for dessert.

>I have a friend who stayed at the Plaza Athenee once, and I just discovered that it'll cost you 320 euro pp for dinner there.<

That's a 3* restaurant.

starrsville

There are very different travel styles, but this is what I would do if I were traveling with hubby, 2 teenage boys and mom.

On arrival, I would get out of the hotel and walk around a little bit to get my bearings and to see what restaurants, etc. are nearby. I'd stop in a sidewalk cafe and have a snack or a meal. Then, walk (stroll) toward the Seine and just soak in Paris. I was amazed how close everything was. (This will help you decide on meeting places for later in the trip).

On the stroll you will see different colored double-decker buses. Stop to pick up the map and brochure off the boards or driver and plan when you are going to buy the ticket. If there is enough time in the first day, buy 2 day tickets and hop on and ride around the city. Get off at the Eiffel Tower and just be amazed that you are REALLY standing under the ET!

After that, I would play it by ear. I WOULD NOT plan dinners at particular places, etc. There was so much to see and do we were amazed when we looked at watches that it was already such and such a time. We stopped at a sidewalk cafe and ate when we were hungry.

Plan a splurge meal and schedule around that. For us, it was lunch at Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower. If you think the kids would not appreciate it, then just take your mom or perhaps your mom and hubby.

MAKE SURE YOUR BOYS go on the Fat Tire Bike tour of Paris - even if they don't want to. My suggestion would be to find a place mom would be comfortable for a few hours (she probably would say a nap in the room) and the four of you go on the evening tour. The bike tour is an absolute blast. I'd go on the evening tour...you get an amazing perspective of the ciy, take a boat ride on the Seine and it is amazing to ride under the ET late at night!

I've not done this, but I'd check into the roller blading through the city for the boys...I think it's on Friday nights.

I love food but am not a Foodie. One of my favorite parts of the trip was stopping at cafes we knew nothing about and enjoying the food. If the boys aren't happy or are still hungry, then stop by McDonald's or Quick Burger. As trite as it sounds, it is nice to discover Starbucks in Paris and have a familiar favorite.

Please consider breaking the group of 5 into smaller groups for excursions and then meeting up later. I've not enjoyed the fashion shows at the department stores, but there's a lot of info on this board. We enjoyed just wandering in and out of a few stores - a big department store, a H&M and a couple of boutiques. We aren't shoppers either. One of my souviners was from Pier Imports (not Pier 1, but same family).

Don't overschedule but allow time for serendipity - and to let everyone have a voice (at least once) as to what to do.

I'm one of those few that doesn't use the metro or RER. I walk everywhere, use the double decker buses and grab a taxi when I'm tired. It works for me. I don't want to go underground in Paris (and don't do a lot of it in NYC or London either.

mamc

Your plans so far sound good. The best thing to do on your first day is to keep walking - a visit to the Eiffel Tower will keep you moving, the Seine boat trip, though a great idea for later in your trip, will have you nodding off.
I agree that most of your restaurants will probably exceed your target and will be more like 20-30 Euros than $20-30. Bistro du 7eme (the same restaurant as Bistro du Septieme, by the way) and Leon Bruxelle might work. Try to look for restaurants where you can order ala carte and have just one or two courses rather than prix fixe where you are likely to find menus for 25-30 Euro. You have plenty of time for planning and for searching the Fodor's forum.

LuluG

ALL of these responses are gems! >< I can't thank you all enough. It's certainly not EZ to plan a 1st-timers trip to Paris for myself & husband, but then when adding the layers/levels of concern (mom & teenage nephews' 1st impressions of Europe travel), it can seem a bit overwhelming at times. The Paris portion of our trip will carry alot of weight as far as setting the tone/mood for all the rest of our journey together, and with everyone's input, I'm feeling much more confident that this'll turn out just fine and will wind up being an Amazing experience for all.

Re restaurant cost, I haven't had any experience in prix fixe meals, so that explains everything! As dumb as it sounds, I never realized that both tax & tip were included in the cost for that 3-course meal. Thanks for everyone's patience with me in that regard.

But these inexpensive cafe/restaurant ideas and insights are Wonderful, and I've been copying each & every one!

So, I think we'll just "cab it" from CDG to Orly airport. Seems like probably much less hassle overall for this group.

One other quick question: Does anyone have any experience with walkie-talkies or budget cellphones (for France+Italy) to use to easily communicate with each other, especially since I'd love to just provide the nephews some great ideas and then let them adventure on their own together a good portion of the time.

starrsville

I almost mentioned walkie-talkies because they work so well at ski resorts, amusement parks, beach vacations, etc. BUT I remembered a recent thread about problems using US W-T in Europe.

Search the board for the thread, but evidently (if I remember correctly) the US versions aren't allowed in Europe (frequencies interfere with emergency channels, etc.)

One option is to buy them once you get over there.

As someone said earlier today in a post, you can buy virtually everything you need once you get there - so don't stress about leaving anything, as long as you have your passport, debit card and credit card!

Travelnut

Yes, American walkie-talkies happen to use the European emergency frequency. It is illegal to use them. You can buy European radios for use while traveling -if you never want them again, I imagine you could resell on e-Bay.
Here, I found a post:
Author: Alec
Date: 03/03/2005, 07:16 am
American FRS walkie-talkies are illegal anywhere in Europe. Europe has its own standard called PMR446, which is legal throughout EU and EEA, plus a few others. This website gives an overview of different systems and their legality: http://www.walkie-talkie-radio.co.uk...nal-issues.htm

Guenmai

I agree with Ira on the food places. Happy Travels!