Robotinette

Hi,

I am planning a trip of 2 weeks in France in August with my 3 kids (1 boy: 13 years old and 2 girls: 10 and 11 years old). I would like to stay in Paris for 5 days and visit some parts of France. Any suggestions???

Thanks

francophile03

Are you seeking hotel suggestions as well as an itinerary for your 8 non-Paris days?

Have you any ideas where you want to visit? Maybe if you give some hint of places you wish to visit then others here may be able to advise you better.

4totravel

Go south to the med to the beach. Tour the coastal villages - eat great seafood.
Go Southwest to the Atlantic to the beach.
Go North to London...

rex

This all boils down to what is it YOU are seeking when you say you want to visit "some parts of France". It's almost like saying "some parts of the US". In August, in particular, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Alps, but if you have the beach on your agenda, it's pointless of me to project what I would like to do on you.

I would get yourself and your family to yon local library, to find the big picture-filled - - ideally coffee-table-sized - - books on France, and see what gets your mouth watering the most.

I think, that at ages 10-13, the extent to which attractions are "world-famous" (Mont St Michel, Chartres, Giverny, Chambord, Chamonix, etc) is rather meaningless. It will all be eye-popping (or dreadfully boring - - hard to predict with kids) in direct proportion to how much they WANT (or don't want!) to go on this trip and experience this or that. What they will take away the most is that they speak FRENCH in France. Kids are naturally inquisitive, and they inquire by talking and reading. In general, they will NOT be doing that in English.

The entire family can probably learn five words a day. You have about 90 days. Today would be a good day to start.

Best wishes,

Rex

cmeyer54

We took our two teens to paris and normandy last august. they chose normandy without hestitation. i'd have the teens do some research and decide what they would like to see. one or two castles is about as much as most kids can take so we didn't consider the loire region. south of france will be packed.

Robotinette

Thanks for all your answers. I was looking for hints on itinary that would pleased my teenagers. I have been France some time ago. I have visited most of the regions except Normandie. So, I would have liked to go in Normandie, see some castles (I took note that 2 is probably the max for children!), I would have liked to stopped at Carcasonne and the Alps. Is this too much travelling? A step at the beach would probably be niced for the children... (Cote d'Azur)...

Thanks for your input.

P.S.: As for French speaking, this is not an issue since we are French Canadians!

cmeyer54

We flew into CDG, met up with my husband who was already there and drove to Bayeux. Spent 5 days in Bayeux at Lion D'Or hotel in a family suite. We toured the tapestry, cathedral, market, drove to St Mere Eglise, St Lo,Mont St Michel and Utah Beach. Took a 1.5 day tour of the cemeteries, longues battery, pointe du hoc, omaha beach, etc. with a guide. Stopped at the Peace Museum in Caen on the way back to Paris and also stopped at Giverney. Spent another 5 days in paris - all the normal sites but added Roland Garos since my son loves tennis; also took a Segway Tour with Mike's Bikes which was the highlight of our time in Paris.

cmeyer54

Just as an FYI - the landing beaches are now public beaches with lots of kids, dogs, etc sunning and playing. A bit disconcerting to see that now knowing the huge sacrifices made there 60 years ago. However, if you're looking for beach time for the kids, this would be an option. France is roughly the size of Texas - paris and one other region - loire, normandy, etc would be the max to see in 2 weeks - just my opinion.

StCirq

Why not give the kids a couple of guidebooks and let THEM come up with some ideas? I've certainly found that the more the kids are involved in the planning, the better the trip for everyone.

amwosu

I had a similar decision to make for my upcoming trip with my 14 yr old son. I originally wanted to take him to as many places as possible during our 18 day stay.

While researching various areas I found lots of advice to do just a couple of areas well rather than a quick lap around the country. Of all the areas in France I got the most suggestions to take my son to Normandy as other teens and children have enjoyed the area so much.

We are staying in Paris for 10 days (divided between the Marais & Latin Quarter)with several day trips out of the city. We are then wandering the Normandy area- Honfleur, Deauville, Caen, Bayeaux, The Beaches, Crepon, Arromanches- for seven days. I really wanted to take him to the south of France but felt that trying to go to opposite ends of the country in one trip would be hectic rather than fun. Much luck in your planning and travels.

KathrynT

Before our trip, I rented some Rick Steves' videos from the library and showed them to my kids. I took special note of what seemed to interest them and, when we did visit those sites, they were excited to recognize them.