PalenQ

shorts are worn in France by many locals when it is warm enough -the younger the person the more likely.

Paris Visite is overpriced for what you get.

historytraveler

Both Paris and London are major cities and while locals may well wear shorts when on holiday it is usually only tourists that wear them in the cities.

dwdvagamundo

Perkie--as to what things are "must see", what things are not: you must decide that for yourself.

The attractions in London have been addressed very well above

Much of what you have flagged for Paris are "walkbys" or "walk ons" or "walk throughs"--i.e. Eiffel Tower (unless you waste time trying to get to the top), Champs Elysees,
Arc de Triomphe, Alexander Bridge, Jardin de Luxembourg.

I would also add strolling along the Seine or along any area of Paris--about the top thing to do in Paris, in my opinion.

Don't prebuy passes. As indicated, all the above are free, and there are plenty of boats for the Seine River Cruises--just walk up. Notre Dame Cathedral is free, too. There will be crowds at Notre Dame and at the Louvre. So if you're not all that much into medieval churches or art, then don't go in--just look at the outside. Also, if you've bought a pass, then you may feel rushed to have to get there.

And if you're into medieval art, try Musee de Cluny-the National Museum of the Middle Ages. Not nearly as crowded as the Louvre.

For Paris, get a carnet of tickets--ten tix--the first time you are about to enter the Metro. That's just as convenient and inexpensive as any other means of paying for transportation.

You'll have to get RER tickets to go to Versailles, however. And if you're going to Versailles, do get tickets in advance as the lines are very very long. I personally would not given the amount of time you have.

In London, Oyster Cards. Buy them when you get there.

And I would wear whatever you're comfortable wearing. Parisians no longer look fashionable--they dress like Americans. So if you're comfortable in shorts, where them. This may keep you out of some churches and some restaurants, but you don't indicate that those are big priorities for you.

Bon voyage!

PalenQ

Both Paris and London are major cities and while locals may well wear shorts when on holiday it is usually only tourists that wear them in the cities.>

Not my impression about Paris at all. Now folks will not wear shorts to work but folks do around home or in the park or shopping, etc exactly the same as in US in my observations -my French son wore shorts just like his peer group did in the US -IF the weather got hot enough.

London I don't know.

Point is wear shorts in either place if you wish -there will be others with them on - especially as historytravler says other Europeans on holiday.

fuzzbucket

If it's hot enough in Paris, everybody and their mama will be wearing shorts - even locals, if they're not going to work!
Nobody has ever been denied access to a church in Paris because they were wearing shorts. Certain high-class restaurants will deny entrance, though.

You need to purchase the Paris Museum Pass, not the Visite Pass.
You can either buy it at the tourist kiosk at the airport or in the first museum you want to visit. Make sure to date it and have it validated when you enter each museum. You might want to check admission prices and see if the PMP makes sense for your budget.

The PMP will only allow you to skip the admission lines. There are signs pointing to special entrances for Pass Holders. Everybody must go through Security lines, however. If you plan on bringing backpacks or large tote bags to the museums, you might want to leave them at home to speed up the process.

Carnets of 10 tickets are good for anyone to use on Metro or Bus. Make sure you keep your validated tickets until you exit the system on street level, or you risk a fine. Do not sit in the seats reserved for the handicapped - marked with a person with a cane - that's just rude.

You should read up on how to use the Bus system, if you plan to use it - there are some restrictions on the use of tickets.
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

laurie_ann

I think with kids it might not be what you do but how you do it. For example many of the London museums are free, have activity packets for kids and/or have short docent guided tours on themes kids like (at the British Museum we have enjoyed Ancient Egypt and Roman Britain). You can stop in just for a hour or two and then leave if kids have had enough. Check out their websites in advance for what might appeal to your family. Also in London, the walking tour company kids (under 15) are free. www.walks.com Some are history walks but others are not (example London tube walk or Harry Potter walk). Enjoy planning your trip!

BigRuss

You need to go to daysoutguide.co.uk and determine if and what tourist destinations in London will be covered by the 2for1 program(me). If the Tower, or St Paul's or Eye or whatever, is exempt, then maybe do Oystercards.

If the Tower is covered (this is worth it) then use the website's vouchers and get SEVEN-DAY TRAVELCARDS for you and the other half when you get to London (they cost about 4.5 single-day fees so you break even) and NOT Oyster cards. The kid is a different story - her fares are discounted.

janisj

>>Re: shorts, People don't wear them because it's not hot enough or because it's frowned upon? <<

PRAY it is warm enough (and dry enough) in London to wear shorts -- and pray your hotel has its heat on and it hasn't been turned off for the season. There is no fashion police/rule that prohibits shorts.

I traveled to Edinburgh and London for a week this past August w/ a friend. he was ONLY going to bring shorts. I convinced him to take at least one pair of long pants . . . and he had to wear them every single day. The 2 pair of shorts never left the suitcase

fuzzbucket

Though I wouldn't bring heavy pairs of jeans, a couple of light to medium-weight pairs of long pants would be useful. One pair of shorts ought to do it, it if gets too hot. A light waterproof jacket with a hood would be a good idea - umbrellas are often useless, due to wind.
There are weather systems that blow through Great Britain and France at a moment's notice - the weathermen are wrong about the forecast, and have to update it frequently during the day.

PalenQ

layering is great -when those "sunny spells" pop out in London the temps go up several degrees- then the sun goes under and perhaps a wind whips up -layering you can take on and off -like sweaters.

WoinParis

Parisians still don't put on the same clothes as Americans thank god.

As for shorts I never wear those in Paris simply because I work but a pair of nice shorts is clearly ok.

I prefer them on women maybe because I am not attracted by men.

Also depends if you are dressing for show or for comfort. When a tourist I dress for comfort. To the limit that I will not wear flip flop with a tank top over baggy shorts and a cap.

dwdvagamundo

Have to contradict fuzzbucket on the Paris Museum Pass--given your interests, I don't think it would make economic sense for you. Most of what you want to do in Paris is free anyway.

PalenQ

As per the Paris Museum Pass -check entry fees for the sights covered - Louvre, Arc Triomphe and Versailles and others covered and IF you can marshall them into two days it may be worthwhile - especially in that it gives you priority entry skipping ticket lines.

But generally probably not feasible