In July, my cousin and I will be going to Europe for the first time. We are both 18 and will have just graduated high school. Most of our time will be spent in Germany, where our Aunt has lived for around 30 years, but I am in charge of planning a side-trip to Paris. Our Aunt has never been to Paris, so it will be new for her, too.

So my questions are: When should we go? I’m thinking that it’d be best to go before the Tour gets there to avoid the crowds, but suggestions are welcome as to whether it’s best to arrive on a weekday or the weekend. Where should we go and how much can we do in a day? My cousin is taking an Art History class and has expressed interest in museums, and I’ve taken French for the last 6 years and am somewhat familiar with what I’d like to see, but again any advice would be appreciated. It would be nice to include a variety of sights I think, spanning the more historical to more modern. Also, would day trips to Versailles and Giverny be possible if we are only there for about a week, or should we save them for another trip?

Any other advice is more than welcome. Thanks in advance.

I can't comment on the Tour question, but if you search the forums you may find some posts specifically from people who were trying to either avoid, or catch up with, the Tour. At that time of year I'm not sure it will make a huge difference to arrive on a weekend or weekday; there will be gazillions of tourists either way (not that there's anything wrong with that; I'm just saying you won't avoid them by arriving on a Tuesday). You might get some good suggestions on things to see if you post a list of places/sights you are already interested in and ask for suggestions to add to that list. There are so many museums, for example, that it's hard to suggest something (other than the obvious Louvre) without having some idea of whether you'd rather look at a Monet or a Picasso. As for your day trip question, I think one or two day trips are perfectly feasible if you're there for a full week. Again, do a quick search on the forums for Versailles and/or Giverny and you will find suggestions for those particular day trips. (Or search for day trips and Paris and you will get other suggestions as well.) Both of them are very easy to do by train.

My recommendations are to stay in the 7th Arr, my favorite hotels in this area are the Duquesne Eiffel Hotel and Hotel Muguet. It's a great area of Paris where you'll get the feel of what it's really like to live in Paris. Make sure to take a stroll down the nearby rue Cler. A second choice area for me would be the 5th Arr, and there I've used and like the Hotel Elysa Luxembourg.

Since you are interested in art, naturally the Musée du Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay are requisite visits. I'd also get a 3 or 5 day museum pass that you can easily buy at your hotel. Must see in the Louvre is the Grand Gallery with all the Italian master paintings, and in the Orsay go straight to "Salle 35" which is were all the Van Gogh paintings are. I'd also suggest going up to Montmarte and to the Place du Tertre to see today's painters at work for the tourists. You also get the best view of Paris from right below the Sacré-Coeur basilica.

You can spend a lifetime exploring all the wonders of Paris but with a week there you can easily day trip to Versailles by taking an RER train from Paris. In Versailles I'd plan to spend an entire day there visiting the chateau and it's gardens. However, beware that Versailles is always crowded with ton's of tourists and there really is no escaping that. I'd do the chateau first since it's where you'll really notice the worst over-crowding and then go out to the see the beautiful gardens and fountains. For a real treat go to Versailles on a day they have "The Grandes Eaux" show (their website says that they now do this on the weekends). This show is when they actually turn all the water fountains on, and believe me the fountains are much grander when they are on.

To get to Giverny from Paris you can take a train bound to Rouen from Gare Saint Lazare and get off at Vernon. The train costs about €22-€25 round-trip, takes about 45 minutes one-way. However, Monet's house is about 4 miles from the train station and so you probably should take the bus to Giverny or use a taxi.

Have a great time in Paris,
Bill Fleites
www.gatortravels.com

I went on my own to Paris during college many years ago and what an opportunity this is for you. As mentioned above, there are so many museums. Besides the Louvre and the D'Orsay, I can really picture the unicorn tapestries at the Cluny very vividly even still.

When I was in college the popular guidebooks for students were the Let's Go Guides, researched by students from Harvard. Lonely Planet also seems to appeal to a similar demographic. Their chat boards might also be of help to you in making decisions. Or perhaps there is a new travel website for your age group I don't know about.

Not sure if they're open in the summer, but I ate meals in the cafeteria at the Sorbonne and it was great to meet other students....

As you travel in Paris, use your French to read the little notices and circulars as you go places. Perhaps you'll find word of a concert or other event that will get you off the beaten path.

I would definitely pick a day trip or two, but am not the expert as to which is the best choice. I did like Chartres.

Hi Z,

I suggest thta you start with Paris under "Destinations".

Also see
Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34519236

100 Great Things to Do in Paris
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...=2&tid=1277898

Degas’s Paris Walks
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34712768

Kerouac’s Ethnic Walk
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=35095155

Jacquemart-Andre’ Museum http://tinyurl.com/p9pol

With only 1 week, I suggest only 1 daytrip. Giverny would fit better with your cousin's interest in art history.

There are some interesting Art Nouveau buildngs near the Musee Marmottan, which has some first-class Monet’s.

"After sating ourselves at the Museum, we walked down to the Castel Beranger. Certainly an interesting building,

We found another Guimard building on rue Fontaine near rue Ribera (now owned by the Education Ministry) and two buildings by Bouissard on Ribera near the Metro stop. Very interesting architecture in this neighborhood".

Have a nice visit.

For reference, the 2009 version of the Tour ends in Paris on 26 July.

I think the 7th would be a bit too staid for teenagers; I'd recommend the 5th or the edge of the 6th.

You should note that the museum pass is now 2, 4 or 6 days. It includes admission to Versailles.

I suggest the 4th, around the Marais or Bastille, or the 5th, around the Sorbonne, arrondissements for lodging. Younger and edgier crowds and entertainment sites than in the 7th or other locales.

Enjoy your trip. My first trip to europe on my own was the best.

We've been in Paris during the conclusion of the Tour, and even though my husband is an avid cyclist and occasionally enjoys watching the sport, we decided to avoid the crowds since we had two small children with us and went to Versailles on that day.

July is such a busy travel month in the area, you will encounter crowds everywhere, but on the day of the conclusion of the Tour, we were advised to avoid the Champs Elysees/Arc area if we didn't want to get entangled in the happening.

Versailles and Giverny both are very doable as day trips.

How exciting for you both to go out to visit your Aunt and also to be spending some post-hs graduation time traveling. Best wishes!

I have been to Paris several times but took my parents on their first trip. We found that mixing a day a few different kinds of things was best. For example a museum, a landmark and a market, all in the same general area. So, for example in the 7th, the Musee D'Orsay, the Eiffel tower and the rue Cler market. Or in the 4th the Musee Carnavalet, the Places de Vosges and the little boutique shops.

And a museum I just found on my last visit last year and am recommending to everyone as few seem to know about it, the Museum of Decorative Arts. It's right next to the Louvre and shows through very good and recently done displays art and furniture through all the ages of France in chronological order. Not too big, very well done, and not too crowded. Don't miss getting the audio guide. Here's the link: http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/english-439/

Thanks for all the advice everyone, and once we start to finalize our list of places to visit I'll surely post that for more input. I'm glad to hear that Giverny is doable, as I fell in love with Monet and Giverny in the children's book Linnea in Monet's Garden. Since we are both young and active, I though we might be able to bike the few miles from the train station to Giverny, weather permitting of course.

I'll also be sure to check out all of the other Paris threads, though I've found that some of that information is focused towards a more 'mature' audience, if that;s the appropriate word.

As to lodging, it's great to hear about particular arrondissements. We had originally looked into staying in a hostel since we are on a budget, but with the Aunt coming along we are looking more at apartments just for the convenience and security. Any opinions on this matter or affordable suggestions? (would it be easier for me to just read through the Paris apartments thread)

Also, any opinions on the Pompidou Center? All our French textbooks seem to rave about it but is it worth our time? It's touted to be THE place for younger people.

Anyways, thanks to all of you who've been so helpful, I'll be sure to post more as I know it. It's rather slow planning a trip across three states and the Atlantic, though.

Hi Z,

>any opinions on the Pompidou Center?<

If you like that sort of thing, it is the sort of thing that you will like.

Also, check out the Thorntreen Forum at www.lonelyplanet.com. It is frequented by more younger folks than you will find here.

If you are a big fan of Monet and cannot make the journey to Giverny you can view a lot of his work (including Impression Sunrise-which gave its name to the movement) at the Musee Marmottan (not part of the museum pass group) in the 16th. Also a sizeable display (particularly water lilies) at the l'Orangerie just east of the Place de la Concorde (sw corner of the Tuileries), abutting the quai. It is covered by the museum pass.

Pompidou is not my cup of tea, though the area surrounding it is thick with young people.

Again, enjoy your trip.

Aside from the fact that it is a bit more staid than someone your age may prefer, if you are looking for an apartment on a budget I would not advise the 7th. Do look around the Marais/Bastille area. Montmartre tends to have cheaper apartments but it is not as well located for getting around as much as you are likely to want to do on your first visit. Also have a look at the map of the metro at www.ratp.fr so you can estimate how conveniently located apartments are. In general, direct or only one connection is best.
Check out http://tinyurl.com/d6c86t for info on renting in Paris and a list of some agencies. Another site with good Paris listings is www.homeaway.com
July is prime tourist season so you should start to look for you place soon.

With one week, and your age and vitality, you can certainly visit both Giverny and Versailles. I would hate for you to miss Versailles. Again, you are receiving advice from people much older than yourself who may or may not remember being your age. (No offense to those who have posted!!! I am certainly over 18 myself. Teens don't seem to do the slow travel style.)

It looks like you are planning a wonderful trip, and I'm certain you will have a great time. Keep us posted!

I have one aunt I can envision sleeping in a hostel but she is also someone who goes on safaris. I had almost suggested a hostel to you. Is your aunt a good sport? How reliant is she upon her creature comforts?

What you would gain from staying in a hostel is the casual chatting time with many other travelers, usually your age. I remember making friends with a lot of Australians--they were always the life of the party.

Just to update everyone on the planning process, we have booked our hotel. We are staying in the 20th in a hotel, choice made primarily on price and proximity to a metro stop, about 100m from Porte de Vincennes. We'll be there from the 20th to 25th, so just barely missing the tour. Berlin will be just before that. We haven't made specific plans for each day, but it looks like my cousin and I will be splitting up with our aunt often, because our paces and interests differ. My aunt is stateside for Easter break, so she has been able to contribute to the decisions and I've guided her through the Google Maps streetview of the hotel and surrounding neighborhood; I like it more than she does I think. What's most charming is the McDo around the corner.

So I guess there aren't any questions here, just an update if any of you were interested in how the planning is going. I've certainly learned more about Paris during my research than what's in the French textbooks! And I now truly appreciate Google Maps, if they had smellovision it might be almost as good as visiting yourself!

ZAL - I hope you come back to post more about your planning and then a trip report. I'm searching for advice on taking an 18 y/o or two to somewhere in Europe (yet to be determined). Would like to hear your experience and advice. You sound like a natural traveler and writer. Keep it up!

pdx- I definitely hope to write up a trip report, but as I have a long week of volunteering as soon as I come back and then head straight to college, it might not be very prompt. But I did just get my 'travel journal' today, just one more step in the planning process. Good luck on planning your trip. I've noticed that there is plenty of information for traveling for adults and young families, but not much for older teens. Just some personal insight, but with teenagers we tend to want some control, well, lots of control, so if you let them help plan and give some free time and spending money it will probably work out well. I just went on a road trip with three friends to an amusement park and we planned it all on our own. Our parents were worried about us going on our own but it went quite well.

An update on planning as requested:
-my aunt has booked our hotel for three days in Berlin; my next step is to research the city more to decide what I must see on this trip
-I am working on figuring out packing. I'm only allowed one bag carry-on, not a suitcase and a personal bag, so I'm pretty sure I'll need to check a bag. I'm not too worried about it though as it's a direct flight and I'll be staying in the area. Since I'll be staying at my aunt's and returning there after Berlin and Paris, it's probably a good thing to have two bags anyways, the larger one can stay at her place and I can pack the smaller bag for the shorter trips.
- as for clothing, I figure that since I'm younger I can probably get away with more casual clothes than most of the others here. Sundresses, nice shorts or skinny jeans with t-shirts and tanks, and my PF Flyers will probably make up the majority of my wardrobe. That's what I wear here anyways.

-I just opened a checking account, mainly for this trip. I'm already at Bank of America, and luckily they have partnerships with Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas so I'll be able to use their ATMs without extra fees. Also, they can put your photo on the card for extra security.

I think that's all of the update I have for now, but as always any input is welcome.

we did the segway tour of Paris which cost about euro75 but the fat tyre bike company also do bike tours that would be a bit of fun.

The streets of paris are filled twice a week with roller bladers, have you thought of joining in?

You should find that you can use your card with other bank ATMs as well. If the ATM is attached to a bank you should not be hit by charges at the european end (if in a store or petrol station there may be a problem.

Both Berlin ad Paris have great train systems so worth getting to know these. Berlin is a pretty large city and don't try to walk it. Paris a bit smaller but even so...

Clothes no worries you will blend in.

Knowing the language helps but you need to follow the local courtesies a bit (so if you go into a small shop in Paris say hello to everyone) (search these thread if you need ot know more)

Only need to coverup will be if you pop into a church.