nytraveler

Doppio -

I assume the OP means that they live in a suburban or rural area and that the kids drive everywhere - like the average US teen that doesn't live in the center of a major city.

Here kids routinely get their licenses at 16 (even 15 in some states) and after that cannot be pried out of their cars.

Carleen

Thank you all for your replies. My teens- one girl, one boy-- are neither handicapped nor coddled and they have both been to Europe before and loved it, but this will be our first family trip.
Perhaps I should have clarified about the walking-- I meant not as my husband and I do, 8 hours plus a day when we travel. Also, as one person mentioned, I am sure they would not want to spend 2 weeks just looking at beautiful scenery in the countryside -- so a balance between country and city would be ideal. I like the idea of an apartment in Paris for a week. We have all been except my daughter and I am familiar enough with the city to get around quite easily.

Of course they are very familiar with the internet (but thanks for the tip). As my husband and I have traveled quite a bit I think it best to have an idea of what and where and then involve them in the specifics otherwise I cannot imagine 4 people easily being able to decide from so many enticing choices.

Landing in Marseille and leaving from Paris is a great idea because for one thing, it is more economical that way than going direct to Paris. Timing would be mid-June

South of France is our goal-- Provence, Cote d'Azur, Nice.. all viable options. They enjoy a variety of activities and biking is definitely an option. Museums, galleries, history, gardens and greenery, shopping... we love it all.

I really was looking for suggestions on what areas would be appealing since we've only ever been to Paris-- myself 2x.

Thanks again

kerouac

It is a relief that you cleared up that "not great walkers" statement. I think it left quite a few of us in a complete state of shock regarding people under the age of 70.

justineparis

Ha ha so true, I was imagining teenage couch potatoes,, walking on holiday is different then walking for excercise( does that make sense?).

Anyways I suggest you consider renting an apartment in Paris, your kids can come up with their wish list of sights, I took both my son and daughter with me on one on one trips when one was 11 and one was 14, and I made it a condition that each one had to come up with a list of three sites they wanted to see. I think your adult kids should at least do same as an 11 yr old. My teen son loved visiting the Catacombs, look them up, my daughter did not have that on her list, both kids loved the Invalids Army msueum. Both liked climbing up the Arc and Notre Dames Towers. My son and I climbed the stairs up the Eiffel Tower to avoid a long line, but nowadays you can prebook a time slot ticket, suggest you do for summer visits.
I would book in 4th 5th or 6th, lively fun areas, very central and kids can wander around happily in evening without you if they wish.

Then I would take train down to Nice. Cost us 40 euros last summer when I booked 4 months in advance( first class too)on the idTGV site..
Nice is perfect base as you can then take local bus( ONE euro each) and visit Monaco, Cannes, Eze etc .. as well as just flake out on beach one day.

In Paris look at Parisbestlodge apartments very relialble company. One advantage of them is that SOME of their apartments have a/c a must for me personally, you may or may not need it but when you need it you need it.

traveltipper

I am writing this post simply to agree(i also have teenage kids,a girl and boy) with Carleen's concerns about family of four travelling together because it is completely different than a group of four friends. Theoretically there is a long list of shoulds...kids should walk,should bike,should make a list,but in reality we are forgetting our teenage...how many shoulds we allowed to be applied on us or could handle. My son loves history and he enjoyed Rome whereas my daughter had to drag herself around. As a parent I couldn't tell her you opted for it and now you should bear it.... it wasn't a group of friends where you can make such statements,as a parent it was my concern to make her feel good, and I feel these are Carleen's apprehensions which she is trying to offset.
Good Luck Carleen,with your caring approach all of you would definitely enjoy your vacation.

Gretchen

Well, once again I will recommend Michael Osman. The OP says "she knows enough about Paris to say what they will do". For a family trip, therein may lie the dragons!! We took our 3 children to Europe for 3 weeks when they were teens--before the internet. My mantra was--we'll do some things YOU want to do and we'll doy some things WE want to do. It wasn't too long before the kids were dragging us down the street saying, "there's ANOTHER cathedral". We also probably saw every sporting goods store?!?
THEN when we took them back as adults with their spouses, for a week in Paris, I certainly "knew" enough from multiple trips to "guide" them, but there may be dragons there!! SO I hired Michael Osman for two days--one for a "tour" and one for the museums. That way I was not in charge and we had an incredibly good time not only seeing things and having them explained, but from a very personable guide and teacher. And our kids wanted him to come join us another day!!

Jinky

Gretchen, Michael Osman sounds great! What are his fees for the day? Sounds like something we'd love to do since we have a teen joining us. It would be nice to do something that would engage all of us, as opposed to her feeling like she is just tagging along with mom and dad.