Last time I was in Paris...
 

I was a 19 year old student student studying at the Sorbonne, writing letters to my new boyfriend. I have the unique, last minute opportunity to visit Paris this Feb with that boyfriend, who is now my husband of 25 years! We will be accompanied by our youngest son who is 14. I feel like a first timer as it has been so long and I will have such a different perspective. I have been reading passionfruitdrink's thread for the past hour and have been totally charmed and inspired by all your thoughtful advice. I am hoping you can help me too. Our time is limited, 4 days not including travel days, during his winter break in Feb. Was looking at apts but think a hotel or even a B&B that could accommodate 3 people might be better. Would love a hotel in a charming area with cafes small shops etc. Our budget is about $200/night, but could be flexible for a really fab place. We don't really feel the need to hit everything. One or two museums one or two Cathedrals etc. We are happy to walk and soak everything in especially the first day. Was thinking about the Blue Bike tour the second day. It seems like a fun tour option especially for our teen. We are happy with picnics and simple cafes, but look forward to sampling lots that Paris is famous for. Am looking forward to any advice anyone could give us.

I don't know when February breaks are, but I can't think of any time in February that is picnic and biking weather in Paris. Or necessarily even walking around outside all day weather. Which is not to say you can't have a great time, but I think you need to investigate some indoor activities beyond museums and churches that will thrill your family.

The great thing about Paris is that it is full-fledged modern city with no end of venues specifically designed to hold the attention of a 14 year old. It gets easier to help you find them if we know more specifically what you are interested in. If you are very keen that your son have a great time in Paris, please include information about what he truly likes to do with his free time and what presently his quirky interests are. Paris probably has just the ticket, and of course it's also possible that he would be fascinated by the catacombs, or a sewer tour, or a tour of the opera, an historic bookstore or hospital, or the cinema museum or the fashion houses or taking a pastry making class. You get the picture.

Thank you, golden. Our son's winter break is Feb.18-22. Yes, I know it can be very cold. Was reading the Blue Bikes reviews on Tripadvisor and thought it might be fun (only if the temps are above 40 F!). When I say picnic, I just meant we are happy to buy bread, cheese and fruit and sit on a bench (of course if it's not too cold.) We aren't looking for high end dining. We were in Munich last Christmas and London the Christmas before so the cold doesn't worry us. Ha Ha! We'll be sure to pack appropriately.

Our son is a pretty average kiddo. He plays sports, he enjoys reading, he plays music. He absolutely loves to travel. I really like your suggestion of the catacombs or the sewer. He would totally be into that! I think he and my husband would also enjoy Les Invalides. The other suggestions not so much. I like the pastry making class idea. Would love suggestions for one that would be appropriate for all three of us that is reasonably priced.

I think he would like the catacombs....take a few little penlights with you. If the weather allows climb the towers at Notre Dame. He will enjoy the gargoyles and the view!

If he plays music it is really tempting to suggest a concert, of which there are so many in Paris at that time of year, of all types of music, so whatever music he is into, then you should be able to find something. You can look ahead using Time Out for Paris

http://www.timeout.fr/paris/en

Ecoles Lenotre offers classes for young people in English, but I think their pastry making class may only be for children under 12. For teens, they cook a full course meal. Some place you could check out is Cook 'n' Class, but I've some times gotten the impression their courses are popular because they serve a lot of wine (but maybe not at the pastry class!) But unless all of you are already motivated kitchen experimenters, it might not be the best way to spend 4 hours in Paris when you only have 4 days there.

You might enjoy ice skating in central Paris:

http://uk.eurostar.com/uk/travel-to-...e-ide-86318299

You could have sunny skies and warmish temps -- I didn't mean to make it sound like you were doomed to be indoors all day. I was just worried that everything you mentioned in your first post was really dependent on dry weather.

By the way, has your son seen Hugo (the film by Martin Scorcese?) If so, making Musee d'Orsay your one art museum visit might be the one most interesting to him. If he hasn't seen Hugo, I highly recommend it.

Here's a hotel I love. It meets all your criteria - lots of shops, near a market street (rue Mouffetard), just across the street from Hemingway's first apartment in Paris. Although it will be too cold to sit outside, there is a lovely garden. In the nice weather people take breakfast outside or bring back food for a picnic lunch or dinner.

Try to get a room in the building across from reception as the rooms are larger.

For a late night wine or hot chocolate, there's a square with cafes very close.

http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/

You could take a chocolate tour or any number of other walking tours.

http://www.paris-walks.com/

There's a Sunday afternoon skate (weather permitting). There's also a Friday night skate but it's more adventurous.

If you go to the Invalides then take a short walk to the Rodin Museum. You can buy a ticket to the garden only (about E1 or E2) and see a sample of his famous works such as The Thinker or the Burghers of Calais. There's a lovely garden and cafe behind the museum. It won't take much time to see some sculpture in the garden and your son will get some exposure to a museum.

Also see Ste-Chapelle (near Notre Dame). It's an exquisite chapel (actually 2 chapels - lower and upper) with amazing stained glass windows. This is one sight I highly recommend. There is a security line to get in but don't be put off by the line as most people are not going to the chapel.

The reason there is a security line to get to the Sainte Chapelle is because the main building complex is the central Paris courthouse.

If he has a February vacation, he must live in New England. Other areas of the country don't ordinarily have February vacations.

Therefore, all this talk about how cold Paris would be at the end of February may well be moot. It is more likely to be and to feel milder than New England at the same time. London can be positively spring-like then, Paris likely to be less so but better than Boston.

While I would love to take a cooking class, my husband and son kind of shrugged and said, "that might be nice." With such limited time I think I will have to tuck that away for next time. The skating sounds lovely. That's a favorite activity of ours (by ours I mean our family not me!) when we travel.

Adrienne, the hotel looks PERFECT! Just what I had in mind. Just out of curiosity, this is where my husband's company puts their employees when they layover in Paris. http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-3546...el/index.shtml I imagine he get's a big discount with them. But unless, someone says that's a super place, stay there, I'm leaning toward's Adrienne's suggestion.

My husband mentioned Versailles, but not sure we want to mess with all the lines and people.

Golden, I didn't understand the connection between Hugo and Musee d'Orsay. I didn't realize it used to be a train stain. Yes, we've seen the movie and loved it. I think for that reason alone, I would choose D'Orsay over the Louvre, so as not to overwhelm the teen! I think the Rodin sounds perfect. That was my favorite when I was a student. Ste-Chapelle looks lovely.

Ackislander, actually we live in the Atlanta area. Not that cold, but we have traveled when it's been frigid and have the correct clothes. I guess I need to be prepared for very cold with layers in case we shed our winter coats.

For our short time there, would one carnet be the way to go?

Better get more than 1 carnet for 3 people you;d use 3 of the 10 tickets just getting there!And 3 to get back to your hotel. Boys might like Invalides Museum war museum

I've been to a business meeting at that Novotel, let's just say it was all right for a meeting and leave it at that.

My current favorite Paris hotel Le Clement has large-ish triples, you might check its availability, www.hotelclementparis.com Great location in the 6th. I've heard great things about the Grands Ecoles as well.

Teenager or not, the catacombs would not be on my list for such a short stay, if ever.

Batobus is a fun way to get to many of the major sights and be on the river. www.batobus.com Not sure what current fares are, I think an all-day ticket is 12€, runs about every 15 minutes.

My husband mentioned Versailles, but not sure we want to mess with all the lines and people.>>

not such a problem in February - we went last March and when we got there [at about 11am] there were no queues at all.

but you wouldn't have to decide til you got there, anyway.

things our kids liked in paris [they were about 14 and 11 when we went with them]:

the Eiffel Tower, l'Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the Pyramide, the food...and that was just in one day. you really can't go wrong.

I did the Fat Tires (sorry such a weird way of spelling things) Segway tour in Feb a few years back and it was freezing, but dress correctly and it will be no problem. FT also do a bike tour.

Cath, am comparing Hotel Le Clement and Les Grands Ecoles. Thank you. And thank you for your input re: the Novotel. That's what I thought. Can you tell me why you said that about catacombs. Just curious. Is it because it's too creepy, not respectful, not worth the time or effort? I think the Batobus is a great idea as opposed to a cruise with a meal.

the Eiffel Tower, l'Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the Pyramide, the food...and that was just in one day. you really can't go wrong.>> ann, all of that is what our son mentioned! Was thinking that Feb would be a better time regarding lines, but know it can be a possibility. Luckily we are very flexible.

bilbo, I did research Fat Tire tours and I think they are too big (20 people) where the Blue Bike takes much smaller groups (10 max) Plus the guides are recommended on BB.

GAJayHawks, lucky you going to Paris with DH and your 14 year old son. Have you seen the Woody Allen flick MIDNIGHT IN PARIS? Really entertaining.

It might be fun to watch it together and then try to identify several of the locations as you scoot around Paris. To name a few: Notre Dame, Church of Saint Etienne du Mont (where Gil’s adventure begins), flea markets along the Seine, Glass Pyramid at the Louvre, Rodin Museum, Place de la Concorde, Orangerie (Monet’s waterlilies),Versailles, Shakespeare & Co, and the magnificent Pont Alexandre III where the film ends. (They are all listed on line.)

Have a great time…

GA,

Your sentence starting, "Is it because...." pretty much sums it up!

Jayhawk? I'm from the other side of the border wars!

GA - the one place that I would book in advance is the Eiffel Tower. We didn't but that was 10 years ago [i know, i don't look old enough, thank you for saying so!]

here's the official website where you can buy tickets in advance:

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/

[beware imitations!]

you will be just outside the period when they say they are not selling on-line tickets, which ends on Feb 15th.

you might also consider a museum pass for part of your time, if you want to visit the Louvre and/or the Musee D'Orsay, where the queues can be really bad, even in feb. the dates that you are travelling fall within the UK half-term holiday, so there might be quite a few british families around, looking to see exactly the same things as you!

you can get them for 2,4, and 6 days i think:

http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

and it covers Versailles!

February is the least crowded month to visit Paris. Many sites than can be a nightmare to visit in mid-summer are a snap in February. Yes, I admit, the weather may not be ideal at places like the Eiffel Tower.

I think you all might like to climb the steps up to the base of the towers of Notre Dame. Facing Notre Dame, the staircase is on the left hand side. My grandson and his friend stood in line for almost 45 minutes in November, 2011, to do that around noontime, so I would recommend getting there earlier in the day. They loved the experience as I had a couple of decades previously, coming face to face with the gargoyles.

We've stayed many times at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles and like the location and management very much. It's rather old-fashioned in decor. Madame LeFlock, the owner, may have retired by now. A few years ago, in her early 80's, she was still managing it.

She will forever remain in my heart because, a couple of decades ago, we arrived in Paris with a reservation for a hotel a few blocks away which was a minor disaster. The next morning, I went in search of a replacement and found the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles. They had space available and I said I would take it. When we returned, I worried that I hadn't even left my name. She told me she not to worry because she remembered my face and came around from her desk and hugged me.

late, I loved Midnight in Paris. Have to watch again with hubby and son, they haven't seen it.

Cath, are you a tiger or a wildcat? The catacombs are closed until further notice, so that's a moot point!

Idyll, I'm glad to hear your review of the Hotel Grandes Ecoles. Was reading the reviews on tripadvisor. I like to read the good and the bad. The poor and terrible reviews were very descriptive and scare me a little.

February is the least crowded month to visit Paris.>> Good to hear, kerouac. The way we have to travel usually ensure us there are lighter crowds. Hubby is an airline employee so we travel standby. The best way to travel standby is going when and where most people choose not to. That being said, there is always a chance this planning could go up in smoke if we can't get on a flight. Hence, I make NO non-refundable reservations. Historically, flying to Europe in this time frame is easiest. While it can be nerve wracking, it is splendid when it all works. I adore the planning process, that is definitely part of the fun.