paris and france with my teenage daughter
Apr 20th, 2017, 11:33 AM
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paris and france with my teenage daughter
Hi!
We have never been to Paris or France and would like to spend 4 days in each country. I have no idea where to stay (location to see the popular sites) or what I may need to book in advance for tickets etc! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The research and reviews on all of the sights are a little overwhelming to me. I would rather have a basic itinerary planned before we go
We have never been to Paris or France and would like to spend 4 days in each country. I have no idea where to stay (location to see the popular sites) or what I may need to book in advance for tickets etc! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The research and reviews on all of the sights are a little overwhelming to me. I would rather have a basic itinerary planned before we go
Apr 20th, 2017, 11:57 AM
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You want to spend 4 days in Paris, capital of France, and outside of Paris in France, right?
One suggestion - do one place outside of Paris only -like the tremendous Avignon area of Provence-take the bullet train (a thrill in itself) from Paris to Avignon- and I suggest rent a car to visit many nearby neat sights - for lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You do not need to rent a car there - can take trains to nearby cities like Arles and Nimes and buses or guided excursions to places like Les Baux-de-Provence, the Pont du Gard and the famous Camargue (can ride ponies into the vast natural area and see the iconic wild horses of the Camargue).
4 days is enough for most in Paris - the main must sights like the Eiffel Tower; Louvre Museum; Notre Dame cathedral and just strolling around. It is hard to orchestrate four days in Paris without knowing what you individual interests are but a day trip to Versailles is easy -30 minutes by train to the world's most famous palace (arguably).
Anyway need more info on your special interests to really give a list of places in Paris you may like - like street markets which abound.
One suggestion - do one place outside of Paris only -like the tremendous Avignon area of Provence-take the bullet train (a thrill in itself) from Paris to Avignon- and I suggest rent a car to visit many nearby neat sights - for lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You do not need to rent a car there - can take trains to nearby cities like Arles and Nimes and buses or guided excursions to places like Les Baux-de-Provence, the Pont du Gard and the famous Camargue (can ride ponies into the vast natural area and see the iconic wild horses of the Camargue).
4 days is enough for most in Paris - the main must sights like the Eiffel Tower; Louvre Museum; Notre Dame cathedral and just strolling around. It is hard to orchestrate four days in Paris without knowing what you individual interests are but a day trip to Versailles is easy -30 minutes by train to the world's most famous palace (arguably).
Anyway need more info on your special interests to really give a list of places in Paris you may like - like street markets which abound.
Apr 20th, 2017, 12:20 PM
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We recently got back from Paris with two tweens. We were glad to book the Louvre and Eiffel Tower before the trip. What we did not book and found an impossible line to enter were the Catacombs and the kids were a bit disappointed. We had toured them previously when there was no line--45 people are admitted at one time and the tour takes about an hour. We spent at least four hours in the Louvre and when the girls got restless we found the Angelina Tearoom for a perfect break.
Apr 20th, 2017, 05:51 PM
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Always a hit in clear weather, one of the few highrise buildings in Paris with an observation deck:
www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/
Nearby, on Rue du Montparnasse (northeast of the intersection with Boulevard du Montparnasse) is the always popular stretch of one Crêperie next to the other - sidewalk seating and inside seating, a yummy and typical Parisian way to spend time and recharge some calories.
Around the corner, at 18 rue Antoine Bourdelle, is the free and never really overrun museum in the former residence and studio (preserved as it was in his day) of sculptor Bourdelle - impressive and immense sculptures and an interesting artist's studio.
www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/
Nearby, on Rue du Montparnasse (northeast of the intersection with Boulevard du Montparnasse) is the always popular stretch of one Crêperie next to the other - sidewalk seating and inside seating, a yummy and typical Parisian way to spend time and recharge some calories.
Around the corner, at 18 rue Antoine Bourdelle, is the free and never really overrun museum in the former residence and studio (preserved as it was in his day) of sculptor Bourdelle - impressive and immense sculptures and an interesting artist's studio.
Apr 21st, 2017, 06:23 AM
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I think for you a travel agent is the good choice.
If you don't want to spend time preparing a trip, just go and ask somebody whose job is to do it. He/she will interact with you, because franlky I don't know how we could help.
What would you tell me if I asked 'It is my first time in US, I think I'd like to go to NYC, but maybe elsewhere, but I don't want to spend time on it, so please give me an itinerary ?'.
And subquestion : if you answered me, how sure would you be that this itinerary would be the one that pleases me ?
If you don't want to spend time preparing a trip, just go and ask somebody whose job is to do it. He/she will interact with you, because franlky I don't know how we could help.
What would you tell me if I asked 'It is my first time in US, I think I'd like to go to NYC, but maybe elsewhere, but I don't want to spend time on it, so please give me an itinerary ?'.
And subquestion : if you answered me, how sure would you be that this itinerary would be the one that pleases me ?
Apr 21st, 2017, 07:14 AM
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First, what month are you going in? Might make a bit of difference in suggestions.
I have two teenage daughters. I have been to Paris, but they have not.
The things I would take them to see, if we were going back with them would be; Eiffel Tower, and I would book the dinner in the restaurant there. Kind of touristy but we loved it!
The Paris Opera House. I know my daughters would go batty over this, and to see Box 5.
The Louvre and or the Orsay (there is a lovely little cafe in the top of the Orsay behind the famous clock, with the most delicious thick, dark, hot chocolate) Both are museums worth seeing. However, depending on the amount of time you have, you may choose one or the other. Louvre really needs at least three hours, while the Orsay can be done in two or less.
Shopping on the Champs de Elysse. And a stop at the Arc de Triomphe.
Versailles, do the bike ride around the grounds and Marie Antoinette's Hamlet
https://www.bluefox.travel/paris/versailles-bike-tour
Visit Sacre Coeur in the early evening for a fantastic view of the city at sunset.
A Seine river cruise, and a visit to Notre Dame.
Saint Germain is a great area of the city to stroll around, with cute little shops and eateries.
And if you are going for a fancy and fun dinner, the iconic Maxim's would make the trip extra special. Call well in advance for reservations!
Look into the Paris pass, if you are going to be visiting a fair amount of the sites that it includes, it may be worth it. The Paris pass also helps you skip the Que's (lines)
For the best crepes go to Josselin Creperie in Montparnasse.
Make full use of the fantastic subway and train systems, and the only taxi you may need would be from the airport, depending on where you are staying. But you could even take the RER B to get from the airport into the city.
Do your research, and make a rough plan at least, and you will have a splendid time!
I have two teenage daughters. I have been to Paris, but they have not.
The things I would take them to see, if we were going back with them would be; Eiffel Tower, and I would book the dinner in the restaurant there. Kind of touristy but we loved it!
The Paris Opera House. I know my daughters would go batty over this, and to see Box 5.
The Louvre and or the Orsay (there is a lovely little cafe in the top of the Orsay behind the famous clock, with the most delicious thick, dark, hot chocolate) Both are museums worth seeing. However, depending on the amount of time you have, you may choose one or the other. Louvre really needs at least three hours, while the Orsay can be done in two or less.
Shopping on the Champs de Elysse. And a stop at the Arc de Triomphe.
Versailles, do the bike ride around the grounds and Marie Antoinette's Hamlet
https://www.bluefox.travel/paris/versailles-bike-tour
Visit Sacre Coeur in the early evening for a fantastic view of the city at sunset.
A Seine river cruise, and a visit to Notre Dame.
Saint Germain is a great area of the city to stroll around, with cute little shops and eateries.
And if you are going for a fancy and fun dinner, the iconic Maxim's would make the trip extra special. Call well in advance for reservations!
Look into the Paris pass, if you are going to be visiting a fair amount of the sites that it includes, it may be worth it. The Paris pass also helps you skip the Que's (lines)
For the best crepes go to Josselin Creperie in Montparnasse.
Make full use of the fantastic subway and train systems, and the only taxi you may need would be from the airport, depending on where you are staying. But you could even take the RER B to get from the airport into the city.
Do your research, and make a rough plan at least, and you will have a splendid time!
Apr 21st, 2017, 07:56 AM
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Sorry, but that is bad advice. The Paris Pass is nothing more than a bunch of tickets you could easily buy on your own, plus a bunch of things hardly anyone would ever do in Paris, stuffed into an envelope and marked way up. If you really don't have the time or inclination to do any homework on your own, though, I suppose it could work.
My kids spent time in Paris (and elsewhere in France) every year from the time they were born until they were in their 20s, so I have boatloads of experience in visiting Paris with teenagers. Problem is, what my kids enjoyed might be totally anathema to yours, and you haven't given us any clues to work with. And there is the small issue of what's a country and what's a city that you need to sort out.
Sorry, but that is bad advice. The Paris Pass is nothing more than a bunch of tickets you could easily buy on your own, plus a bunch of things hardly anyone would ever do in Paris, stuffed into an envelope and marked way up. If you really don't have the time or inclination to do any homework on your own, though, I suppose it could work.
My kids spent time in Paris (and elsewhere in France) every year from the time they were born until they were in their 20s, so I have boatloads of experience in visiting Paris with teenagers. Problem is, what my kids enjoyed might be totally anathema to yours, and you haven't given us any clues to work with. And there is the small issue of what's a country and what's a city that you need to sort out.
Apr 21st, 2017, 08:20 AM
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I assume your first sentence contained a typo, and that you have about eight days to travel and plan to spend four in Paris and four elsewhere, in France?
If you want someone to plan for you, then a travel agent may be a good choice for you.
Alternatively, and even if you do get a travel agent, go to your nearest public library and have the staff help you get a big pile of guidebooks on Paris and France. Some of those guidebooks may have sample itineraries in them. All of those guidebooks will have good information. The more research you do ahead of time, the better trip you will have.
Otherwise, your question is vague and hard to answer. If I had eight days and I were going to Paris and had never been, I might just stay in Paris and do some day trips out of the city.
Without an idea of your interests, it's hard to make specific recommendations for things to see and do. That's where the guidebooks come in. A Paris guidebook will give you an overview of the city, which will help you begin to plan.
Good luck with your travel planning.
If you want someone to plan for you, then a travel agent may be a good choice for you.
Alternatively, and even if you do get a travel agent, go to your nearest public library and have the staff help you get a big pile of guidebooks on Paris and France. Some of those guidebooks may have sample itineraries in them. All of those guidebooks will have good information. The more research you do ahead of time, the better trip you will have.
Otherwise, your question is vague and hard to answer. If I had eight days and I were going to Paris and had never been, I might just stay in Paris and do some day trips out of the city.
Without an idea of your interests, it's hard to make specific recommendations for things to see and do. That's where the guidebooks come in. A Paris guidebook will give you an overview of the city, which will help you begin to plan.
Good luck with your travel planning.
Apr 21st, 2017, 08:58 AM
#11
I think we need some clarification from the OP. When I first saw this thread yesterday it was tagged for the UK and (I think some other countries but not France. Apparently the monitors changed the tag to 'France' based on the Paris bit.
So I am not entirely sure s/he actually means Paris + some other part of France.
It could be Paris + London, or Paris + who knows where . . .
So I am not entirely sure s/he actually means Paris + some other part of France.
It could be Paris + London, or Paris + who knows where . . .
Apr 21st, 2017, 09:36 AM
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yeah, it could be Paris and some other country, actually.
My advice is the must-sees in guidebooks (or top 10 sites, whatever) are what a first-timer should look at. The reviews aren't going to matter, you don't need a review to tell you whether you should go to the Louvre or not, or Notre Dame. You just have to know your own interests. And I think Frommers does a better job of this than Fodors, sorry to the host--the way they name their sections. I think they have sample itineraries, also, that are good (ie, if you have 3 days..., if you have 5 days....).
Without going into detail, the place to stay for any first-time tourist would be the city center, you can't go too far wrong if you do that.
In Paris, you don't really NEED to book anything in advance except maybe the Eiffel Tower, I'd say. I'm not that interested in Picasso, and have been in that museum before, but I think I've read that one is hard to get in because it's newly reopened. I don't know, I wouldn't put that on my must-see list for first-timers, anyway. If one was a die=hard Picasso fan, they'd have that on their list anyway. Louvre and Orsay can be managed if you get there early, even without advance tickets. But if you absolutely know you want to go there, sure, buy one in advance.
I think Rick Steves also does a good job for neophytes, even though there are things about his books I dislike. But for total beginners, I think he does a good job of limiting your options (ie, of suggesting what to do, he only covers the basics) and guiding you through basic tasks (ie, how to take a train, etc).
Personally, I wouldn't list the BOurdelle museum as one of the top must-sees for someone with only a few days in Paris who has never been there before. I would call that a niche interest for those who are always asking others what they should do when they've seen all the top sights. All city-run Paris museums are free, I think the Petit Palais would be more of a must-see myself, for example, and has many different periods of art including some quite famous paintings (they even have Monet in there, for example, as well as Gauguin, Cezanne, Courbet and Corot). I would have recommended it actually for someone who didn't want to spend any money and didn't want to do the Louvre or Orsay and wasn't big on museums/galleries. I think the Montparnasse tower view is a good idea for those who do NOT intend to go to the Eiffel Tower.
My advice is the must-sees in guidebooks (or top 10 sites, whatever) are what a first-timer should look at. The reviews aren't going to matter, you don't need a review to tell you whether you should go to the Louvre or not, or Notre Dame. You just have to know your own interests. And I think Frommers does a better job of this than Fodors, sorry to the host--the way they name their sections. I think they have sample itineraries, also, that are good (ie, if you have 3 days..., if you have 5 days....).
Without going into detail, the place to stay for any first-time tourist would be the city center, you can't go too far wrong if you do that.
In Paris, you don't really NEED to book anything in advance except maybe the Eiffel Tower, I'd say. I'm not that interested in Picasso, and have been in that museum before, but I think I've read that one is hard to get in because it's newly reopened. I don't know, I wouldn't put that on my must-see list for first-timers, anyway. If one was a die=hard Picasso fan, they'd have that on their list anyway. Louvre and Orsay can be managed if you get there early, even without advance tickets. But if you absolutely know you want to go there, sure, buy one in advance.
I think Rick Steves also does a good job for neophytes, even though there are things about his books I dislike. But for total beginners, I think he does a good job of limiting your options (ie, of suggesting what to do, he only covers the basics) and guiding you through basic tasks (ie, how to take a train, etc).
Personally, I wouldn't list the BOurdelle museum as one of the top must-sees for someone with only a few days in Paris who has never been there before. I would call that a niche interest for those who are always asking others what they should do when they've seen all the top sights. All city-run Paris museums are free, I think the Petit Palais would be more of a must-see myself, for example, and has many different periods of art including some quite famous paintings (they even have Monet in there, for example, as well as Gauguin, Cezanne, Courbet and Corot). I would have recommended it actually for someone who didn't want to spend any money and didn't want to do the Louvre or Orsay and wasn't big on museums/galleries. I think the Montparnasse tower view is a good idea for those who do NOT intend to go to the Eiffel Tower.
Apr 24th, 2017, 08:05 AM
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When I went with my niece, she was 12 at the time, she really enjoyed the following in Paris:
Galleries Lafayette fashion show + shopping here
Seine cruise
Climbing the towers at Notre Dame
Shopping at the Bastille Market
Bike riding around the Grande Canal at Versailles
Segway tour
Napolean's apartments at the Louvre (it was she who insisted that we go to the Louvre so she could see the Mona Lisa, she did not know about the apartments until we got there)
Perfume making
Galleries Lafayette fashion show + shopping here
Seine cruise
Climbing the towers at Notre Dame
Shopping at the Bastille Market
Bike riding around the Grande Canal at Versailles
Segway tour
Napolean's apartments at the Louvre (it was she who insisted that we go to the Louvre so she could see the Mona Lisa, she did not know about the apartments until we got there)
Perfume making
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