abranz

i am taking my 16 year old daughter to paris for the 1st time for the first 10 days in april. it's is the only vaca time that works. i know weather can be yucky but i think it will still be fab just being in paris.
from reading the posts i understand that the 2nd,5th or 6th would be the best locations to stay
1. would you recommend a flat or a hotel? for not more than $200 p.nite
2. should we take some kind of tour or guide?
3. day trip or overnight to monet's garden in giverny?
4. any special recommendations for a 16 year old?
many many thanks.

nytraveler

We always do hotels - I think apartments are more important with small kids - when you must have a kitchen and want a place to put them to bed early. But you will certainly be there long enough for an apartment. And if you plan to do any meals in (you couldn;t pay me enough for that) it will work. But with a hotel you do have the concierge and someone to advise on walking tours, train schedules etc.

You definitely don;t need a guide - just some research and a good guidebook. I would look into local waking tours - which can be interesting.

When we took my step-daughters the second time (17 and 14) they loved shopping at some trendy places for teens (couldn't tell you where - we went to a museum instead) and went to a teen "club" one night with kids they met there.

But with only one - and if she's not used to big cities - you may not want to let her go out alone at night.

Other than that they loved the typical tourist sights - esp Cluny Museum, some cafe sitting on the left bank (looking as "French" as possible), and a fun movie festival we all liked. (There are always movie festivals in Paris - almost always with the movies shown in the original language with French subtitles). Also - the chance to practice their French and have wine legally with dinner.

likeswords

I'm more of a flat preferer - it's wonderful to be able to make a cup of tea and maybe a quick meal instead of relying on restaurants.

I haven't taken any tours; I find the various walks recommended on the Paris superthread here and in the guidebooks to be useful.

I think a day trip to Giverny would do the trick, but be sure to check that the flowers are blooming (I haven't been there myself, but my daughter has, only later in the season).

On a nice day, just get yourself to an attractive part of town (the Marais, or the Tuilleries, or wherever you find yourself drawn) and wander around, stopping for a cup of chocolate or a glass of wine and following your nose. We took off one day and just walked along the Seine and found the zoo this way on our last trip, and enjoyed it a great deal - just wish we'd had time for the botanical gardens as well.

Have a wonderful time.

tuscanlifeedit

abranz

I usually think first timers do best in a hotel because of the support of the front desk. However, since you will be together for 10 days, nonstop, maybe an apartment would be good. You could get a one bedroom and one of you could have the living area with foldout bed. Just a little time apart... We have rented from rentparis.com and been so happy that we just put money down with them for a stay this coming winter.

2. I don't like a tour or guide unless there is something that I really can't possibly figure out on my own, or for just a single venue. But you don't need a tour of the city or a guide for that; it is easy and there is too much information available out there. If you hit the library, you will see that there are more guidebooks about Paris than you could ever read.

3. I'm not sure Giverney would be at its best in early April. In any case, I would not go for an overnight. A day trip would be fine. There are lots of organized day trips to Giverny.

4. When we took our daughter she was a little older, but she loved shopping and loved the Marche aux Puces Clignacourt. She liked all the art museums, too, but she is an art fan.

tuscanlifeedit

I forgot to mention that the 2nd wouldn't necessarily be on my list. I prefer the 4th, very much like parts of the 7th that are nearer to the 6th, and would then pick the 5th or 6th.

Most people agree that nearly anything central is just fine.

Leburta

abranz,

Just be sure to take small umbrellas and some warm clothing to layer. It can be very chilly at that time of year. We were there for the Paris Marathon one year (first Sunday in April). It SNOWED the week after we left!

abranz

thanks so much for all the info. the only reason i would consider a flat v/s a hotel is for the space. my 16 year old is very messy!! she has been obsessed with monet since 7 yrs old so a visit to giverny is a must regardless of whether the flowers are blooming

pault14

I was there in april and it was chilly but a sweater took care of that.. If nothing else walk the entire Champs Eleysee with camera in hand. and then a boat ride down the river. paul

navgator

I would recommend a hotel as well. Not sure about a guide but if you obtain a good guide book, Paris is a nice city to stroll around on your own accord.
You could also use an open top bus initially to familiarise yourself with the city.

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/a...eing-buses.htm

With 10 days, I would also consider using the subway, the easiest way to get around.

Hope this helps

gard

Hi

I went to Paris in April a couple of years back. Maybe you can find some useful info in my trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Nikki

For ten days I would prefer an apartment. Much more space, and a hotel room feels pretty small after a couple of days for me.

You should check to see when the gardens at Giverny open. When I have gone to Paris in March, they have not been open for the season yet.

There is a free fashion show at Galeries Lafayette, which my daughter enjoyed when she was a teen.

opaldog

We prefer the 4th and 3rd. We also prefer to rent apartments. We have used rentparis.com, vacationinparis.com and a private party. My experiences were all good with the exception of my last apartment with vacationinparis. We were not satisfied with the quality of the studio that we stayed in. Having said that, it was one of the least expensive apartments they rent. You get what you pay for.

Reen

As an alternative to Giverny, you could consider an easy day trip to Auvers sur Oise. This is Van Gogh country (he is buried here with his brother, Theo). The town is very charming and many of the views Van Gogh painted are unchanged.
Best of all, you can visit The Impressionists museum in the chateau
http://www.chateau-auvers.fr

If you and your daughter are fans of impressionism, I highly recommend this museum (and it is indoors in case of April showers). This is a huge museum covering all the aspects of life during the time of the impressionists: the fashions of the time, cafe life, the music, the importance of train transportation (to get them out into the countryside)and more. Each room covers a different topic, very well presented.
The museum is really wonderful - you feel totally engulfed in this time period, and you get an audio headset to hear all of the descriptions in English.

cls2paris

Hi,
I've been to Giverny in April and there are flowers in bloom. The gardens open on April 1. I checked their website:
http://giverny.org/

and there is a calendar of what flowers are in bloom, for April it lists:
Tulips, pansies, forget-me-nots, narcissi, aubrietas, cherry and crab-apple blossom, fritillaries, daffodils, etc

It isn't as spectacular as when the wisteria and roses are in bloom, but still very lovely and well worth the trip. To stand on that Japanese bridge was such a thrill for me!

It is easy to get there by train. Go to Gare St. Lazare and get a ticket for Vernon. There are quite a few trains, but check the schedule, some make more stops so it takes longer. The "fast" train is about 50 minutes. It seems to me that in May this year the trip was about 45 euros. When you arrive in Vernon, walk out of the station and stay on the right, about a block or 2 down the road is the bus to Giverny. They time the bus to coincide when the trains will arrive. On the website above, you'll find info on the train and bus.

Have a fun trip! Paris in the spring is lovely - even if it rains a little.

Weadles

I think since it's your first time, I'd vote in favor of a hotel, too. It can be invaluable to have a front desk to assist you, and you won't have to deal with any potential apartment glitches or quirks.

Hopefully, you won't be in your room that much anyway, since it is your first visit.

My kids, both teens, have visited quite a few times, and some of their favorite Parisian experiences are:

Visiting the Musee D'Orsay, and the Picasso Museum, sculpture garden of Musee Auguste Rodin.

Nighttime cruise of the Seine, when the buildings along the Seine are illuminated

Shopping: In the Marais along rue Francois Bourgeois, which runs just in back of the beautiful Places des Vosges. There are lots of young artists and cool electronic/houseware designers who have opened shops in that area.

MONO PRIX, French version of Target.

Final shopping recommendation- along rue Andres des Artes in the 6th, which is home to lots of trendy and ethnic boutiques, many of them very reasonably priced. We are particularly fond of the amazing jewelry store int he corner of rue dauphine and rue andres des artes- lots of silver and intricately designed earrings from India, Nepal, and Bali.

Eating kebabs, then gelato or nutella crepes for dessert in the Latin Quarter.

I'm sure there's much more, but this is what immediately comes to mind. Have fun!

Seamus

Another vote for a flat/apartment. Ten days can seem an eternity in a hotel room, especially with a messy teen. You should be able to find something within your budget, perhaps even a two bedroom. For our recent trip we used and were pleased with http://tinyurl.com/5e3jbk.

There is a polarity of opinions on the "best" area in which to stay, but in all honesty the features of the flat itself (size, amenities) and immediate environment around (convenient to public transport, not noisy) are just as important. I have come to really like the 4th, 11th and 12th. 10th is getting press about gentrification but parts are still pretty seedy. Some prefer the 14th around Montparnasse, comfortable enough but I still prefer a more central arrondissement.

Tour guides - never had a lot of use for them, especially in a place as tourist friendly as Paris. There are loads of guide books and online resources. It might be fun to do a half day orientation bus tour your first day, just to get the lay of the land. We enjoyed using "City Walks - Paris" http://tinyurl.com/36nslg which is a set of pocket sized cards with a map and directions for walking in various parts of the city.

Giverny would be a day trip at most. It may be a bit early for the plants but if your daughter likes Monet it is worth it. Seeing that bridge in real life is an amazing experience for a devotee. Musee Marmottan and L'Orangerie are also must-do's for Monet fans.

abranz

so many great ideas!
i will check them all out and let you know. the debate continues in my mind - flat v/s hotel. both have their own advantages.
would you know if any of the flats offer daily maid service? most of the sites i looked at only had the service every 10 days or so. having a fresh bed made for you daily is such a treat on vacation!

hmmm

Abranz:

If your daughter loves Monet you two must see the Musee Marmottan (2 rue Louis Boilly, Paris 75016; La Muette Metro station, Line 9; closed Mondays), as Seamus (above) suggested.

Fabulous collection of Impressionist works, featuring a huge assemblage of Monet, including the painting that gave rise to the name of the movement, "Impression Soleil Levant," and many Nympheas, Rouen Cathedrals and London works.

Your daughter (and you) might enjoy staying in the 4th, which includes the Marais, a forward neighborhood with a distinctive artistic bent, and the Ile St-Louis, a refined island/village in the middle of the River.

Paris can be chilly in April, and the moisture coming off the River makes it feel chillier.

Our family (parents, 3 girls 11-13)prefers the space and privacy we get when we rent apartments. Many feature optional housekeeping, though it may get quite expensive to have someone make your bed on that schedule. I have seen an website for a 3* hotel, Relais Bosquet, in the 7th, home of the Eiffel Tower, that rents an apartment with hotel amenities, which may include daily housekeeping.

Have a terrific trip.

abranz

i just read about the bed and breakfast alternative to a hotel or a flat.
www.bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com seems to have some wonderful options and i wonder if anyone has experienced this service?????

elsiejune

If you can manage to contact Michael Osman (just do a search for his name in this forum and you'll get his website and contact info.), he'll do a wonderful job introducing you and your daughter to Paris. He's a real treat and quite reasonable. Try to schedule him early in your trip. "Paris Walks" can fill in any holes that Michael leaves out, or that you can't handle on your own. Paris is very tourist-friendly. Additionally, be sure to include a Seine boat trip (day or night). I usually recommend a hotel for first-time visitors, but 10 days can be a long time in a small room. If you or your daughter have any knowledge of French, it can be quite fun to rent an apt. and play at being Parisians. Of course, you're in charge of breakfast and making your own bed, just like at home. Enjoy your planning, EJ