After a long (real long) discussion with my mom, I decided to take her to Paris to celebrate her 70th birthday. I plan to spend the week of Thanksgiving in Paris.

I have a few questions to ask you guys, especially senior travelers:

a. Weather
Would the weather in Paris be very cold in late November? Last time I went there was early October and it was quite pleasant. I don't much care about the weather but I am a bit concerned for my mom.

b. What to Do
Since my mom is into shopping and enjoys walking around gardens (not much into museums), are there any interesting places that you could recommend for us to visit? In 2002 when I went to Paris, all I did was visiting art museums. I certainly don't think my mom would like that.

c. Where to Stay
I stayed near Rue Cler before, but I wasn't sure whether that would be still a good area to stay considering my mom's interest in shopping for antiques and other goodies. I certainly don't want her to walk too long to get to Metro or Bus stop. Any recommendation in the area and hotels? FYI, my budget is 100 to 140 euro per day.

I gathered so many great advices from this forum when I planned my last trip to Paris. I would appreciate your inputs so that I can make my mom's first visit to Paris great. Thanks!!!

For antique shops you should stay in St. Germain. Alot of hotel suggestions here for St. Germain hotels. My personal favorite is Hotel Le Verneuil at 8 rue de Verneuil. Get a deluxe double. It'll be worth it. Standard doubles are too small-but good for one person only.

It's only a block and a half to rue Jacob where there are antique shops. Anyway, all the streets in the area have antique shops more or less.

Sorry, the Verneuil will be over your budget. Try the Hotel Danube on rue Jacob. The best thing about it other than location is the reasonable rates for the area.

Don't forget to go to the Vanves market on Saturday or Sunday morning for antiquing. There's not much to be done about the weather--just take layers as always and never leave your room without an umbrella. I don't think it will be very cold.
We are taking all our children and spouses to Paris the end of October to celebrate husband's 70th.

Sorry, had a glitch and didn't finish. We usually stay in the 7th at the Muguet. It is a block and a half from 2 metro stops and on 5 bus lines, squeaky clean. Do consider using the bus some for transportation--less walking and stair climbing and more scenic. I think your mother would enjoy the 7th--lots of nice restaurants. Nothing is very far in Paris, after all.

While gardens should be pretty well dead at that time of year, you still might take her for a walk along the Jardins de Plantee (sp?) that is elevated over the Rue Daumesnil. It would give her a feel for how the city developed an urban garden/walk. You could walk in the elevated garden area for one direction and then on the street level on the return and take in the interesting shops of the Viaduct des Artistes (sp?)

The weather could be dicey but nothing too bad. It is the time of year when it changes. We were there about 3 weeks after thanksgiving and it was cool but we are from seattle and a long sleeve shirt and a fleece top should did do the trick. It did rain but not for long. Bring a light rain top which will help if the wind kicks up also. We stayed at the excelsior in the 5th (wwwexcelsiorlatin.com) but it looks as if you have the accomodations pretty much under control. The christmas markets may also be up and running but i am not sure. They were all over the city and very fun. The city of Paris web site would also provide when these are open. Have a blast.

I was in Paris the first few days of December 2003. The weather was a dreary, overcast with sprinkles occasionally. Into the low 40's at night up to the high 50's during the day.

Since you mention shopping as a major focus I recommend the Marais area. It's right bank in the 4th. There's a huge BHV department store, not far way in the 1st is the huge Samarataine flagship store. There are lots of funky shops and little boutiques. The Carousel shopping concourse under the Louvre is in the 1st too.

If it's a rainy day head to the bottom of the 9th/top of the 2nd and explore the covered shopping passages of Panorama, Verdeau, Jouffrey, etc. The Metro stop Grand Boulevards will pop you up within a couple of hundred feet. Fun little shops under cover with a belle epoque feel. See this excellent thread brought to you compliments of Degas:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34455833

By the way, my then 66 year old Dad walked from Passage Jouffroy all the way down to the Louvre with me as we followed the passages in the Spring of '03. It really isn't very far.

Also in this area are the two flagship department stores for Galeries Lafayette & Printemps. Your Mom should be able to spend hours wandering them. See about the fashion show at Galeries Lafayette. I think they have one weekly.

Another activity might be one of the hop-on/hop-off bus tours for the day like L'Open Tour. (Where was L'Académie française when THAT was named? ) You can see the amazing city from the comfort of a bus.

www.paris-opentour.com/index_eng.htm

Hi echo,

Nov can be chilly and rainy, but not icy cold.

We stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 rue Bonaparte in the 6th. About 120E dbl w/bkfst.

There are antique shops along Rue Bonaparte as you walk north to Seine.

The Luxembourg Gardens are about 2 blks South.

The Bon Marche dept store is not far.

You can also walk through the Tuileries, the Jardin des Plantes and the Parc Monceau, although there won't be much in bloom.

a. weather is uncertain - last year Thanksgiving weekend was a mix of drizzle and somewhat sunny days, temperatures from cool but not cold to pleasantly warm. As usual your best bet is to plan to wear layers, espcially things that you can put on for walking outdoors and remove when inside. A small umbrella is quite helpful to have.
b. You've had lots of good advice on antiquing and shopping. Everything from flea markets to upscale department stores are available. If you go to the famous weekend flea market at Clignancourt, be aware that there are a large number of merchants hawking fairly shoddy stuff along the street, but this is not the actual market, which is situated behind this street scene. The Tuileries gardens, even at that time of year, is always a nice stroll. If the weather permits, a jaunt to Versailles would also be nice. Especially enjoyable is the "Hammeau de la Reine" in the Petit Trianon. It is a beautifully constructed and landscaped village replete with thatched roof buildings, pond, swans, etc. You can get there most easily by taking the little train from the chateau. It is not necessary to pay admission to the chateau itself to take the train. If you do go to Versailles, the local "downtown" merchant area (not the touristy places between the train station and the chateau) is quite charming and worth a visit. We found some nice gifts there, at prices less than in the city.
c. The St. Germain area is fine. Everyone seems to have a favorite hotel. Your mother may not be acccustomed to the generally smaller scale of European hotels, so you might want to warn her about this in advance. Another option would be to book an apartment, since you will be there for a week. We recently rented a nice place from an American owner. It is on Rue Mornay, in a modern building with easy access to two metro stops (Sully Morland and Bastille) with good connections as well as bus stops. (We've come to enjoy riding the bus as well as the Metro. It provides a nice way to see more of Paris.) We especially liked having a good sized bathroom and kitchen for morning coffee and evening snacks. The same owner also offers a place on Ile St. Louis but we didn't see that one. Info at www.paris-vacation-rental.com.
I treasure the memories of visiting Paris with my own mother when she was about the same age as yours. While the pace was perhaps a bit slower than when I am on my own, it was a wonderful experience. Bon voyage!

Wow, I got a lot more inputs than I thought I would get!!! Thank you all for great advices. I realized that I might have to increase my budget for the hotel since she's picky on the place to stay. Let me know if you guys have any other recommendations for the hotel. I am still debating whether I should go for the hotels in St. Germain which usually cost more than other areas.

Look forward to getting some more inputs!

One concentrated area of antiques that isn't much discussed is the Village Suisse which is practically bordering the park Champ de Mars where the Eiffel Tower is located. Another is called Le Carré, an association of over a hundred antique stores in the square formed by Quai Voltaire, r. Sts. Peres, University and rue du Bac. Both of these areas are on the opposite boundaries of the 7th. Another place for viewing fine antiques but the prices are exorbitant is the Louvres des Antiquaires,just across the street from the Louvre Museum with 3 or 4 floors of treasures. Have fun.

If you want to stay in St. Germain, think about the Hotel Clement. It's about 126 euros for a double. We stay at la Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter across the street from the university and it's only 80 euros double. It's clean and the staff is wonderful. There are three Metro stations nearby and the Luxembourg Gardens are a block and a half away. You can find these via the hotel search button on http://www.france.com

The Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens are fine in November. As mentioned, there won't be much, if anything, in bloom but it's still beautiful and it's fun to watch the people.

I'll second the trip to Versailles too. We loved the little hameau and the train makes it so easy. In autumn you don't have to pay for the gardens. Be warned that many statues and some topiaries will be covered and not viewable.

You could also take her on a boat ride on the Seine. That's fun no matter what the weather. If it's raining, take a glass covered boat.

Don't worry too much about the weather. It will rain occasionally but Paris is beautiful in the rain. Keep in mind those autumn leaves can be slippery when wet and offer an arm to Mom and you'll be okay.