I have been to Paris more times than I can count… I am going again on the 9th February and I need your help!<BR><BR>I first went when I was 11 with my family, then again when I was about 16 with my French exchange partner, and then I went nearly every weekend over a 6 month period when I an au pair many years ago, living an hour's train ride out of Paris. I introduced a schoolfriend to the city when we were just about to go off to university, and my boyfriend, now husband to it one summer when we were students. My last trip was a couple of years ago, just my sister and I. You'd think I would know Paris well enough by now, but I really have only scratched the surface, a lot of those trips were on very very tight budget, and many included the same sights again and again for different people. <BR><BR>But this upcoming trip is different. In a few weeks time (Feb 9th) my husband and I are taking our 13 year old niece to Paris for her very first visit, infact she has hardly been out of the UK at all, so it's a huge adventure. Her family don't travel abroad on family holidays and her only overseas experience so far has been a family exchange to France 2 years ago.<BR><BR>The way I travel means there are hundreds of sites in Paris I haven’t seen too, since I always do a low intensity, ambling kind of city break anyway. So I want to combine sites for the first time visitor with a couple of sites for me. We also want to spend a very relaxed few days, with lots of time for ambling, coffee stops, leisurely meals, and a little shopping.<BR><BR>So I am trying to put together a rough itinerary, for a really special visit. <BR><BR>All help and advice will be much appreciated.<BR><BR><BR>We get to Paris Saturday lunch time on the 9th February, having been fed a 3 course breakfast on the train... (1st class for 3 people, with some special offers I chased down through my job, ended up only &pound;23 more per person than standard class).<BR><BR>We have Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and are leaving at about 5 pm on Wednesday.<BR><BR>Rosie is not a typical British teen, she is a very young 13 in many ways, not rebellious, still full of affection and quite tactile and clingy, a little book work, only starting to get into clothes and makeup but not yet bound to brand names and trendy makes, witty and intelligent and a joy to be around. She isn't into loud music or boys or many of the things one thinks of as typical for a 13 year old today.<BR><BR>She was given a couple of books on Paris as well as the news about the trip on Christmas day, so we are expecting some input from her on this too.<BR><BR><BR>Things I think would be good to show to Rosie are:<BR><BR>Tour d'Eiffel - not going up - just going to the base...<BR><BR>Grande Arche de la defense (going up to the top - the queue, cost and views beat Eiffel hands down IMO) - we could also pop into the shopping centre while we are there (for Rosie not us as we're back in France a week and a bit later) - this means it can't be a Sunday. There is also a lovely restaurant in this area which my sister and I really enjoyed when we went for our joint birthday a couple of years ago.<BR><BR>Sacre Coeur and Artists corner, we might just get an inexpensive portrait done of her but not sure yet. We are trying to keep costs reasonable, not exactly rock bottom budget but pretty sensible.<BR><BR>CONT'D…<BR>

Centre Pompidou (probably just a quick visit)<BR><BR>Versailles - this is just a possibility, I am not so keen on it personally, so only if she mentions it herself as a priority.<BR><BR>Notre Dame - this hardly needs including in the itinerary (unless she wants to climb up) since it's so close to the hotel, we'll probably walk around the area in the evenings<BR><BR>Boat trip - can we combine this with La Cit&eacute; below? Is there something about some of the route being closed? Where would we get on and off? (Our hotel is Place de la Sorbonne).<BR><BR>La Cit&eacute; des Sciences et de l'Industrie (which I think Pete would enjoy too)<BR><BR>Neither Rosie nor my husband and I are museum people, we might take Rosie to the Pyramid and palais at the entrance to the Louvre but unlikely to go in. If we do hit a museum I was thinking of Orsay.<BR><BR><BR>Things I want to see myself:<BR><BR>La Chapelle<BR><BR>A food market (which is the best one - my mind has gone blank!)<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Also looking for suggestions on inexpensive eating near the Place de la Sorbonne, I know there are the restaurants on the Left Bank parallel with Notre Dame which are pretty cheap but a mixed bag in terms of quality, I am looking for other ideas…<BR><BR>Your input and comments on the suggestions above are requested, and any stabs at slotting this into an itinerary!<BR><BR>Thanks so much<BR>Kavey<BR><BR>

Some suggestions:<BR><BR>Tour d'Eiffel - BUT GO TO THE TOP!!<BR><BR>Ride the ferris wheel at Pl. de la Concorde (it's coming down before long). It's a big one!!!<BR><BR>Take a boat ride on the Seine - try the smaller boat at the end of Ile de la Cite. Do one in the day and at night, when they shine the lights on buildings.<BR><BR>Walk through Notre Dame (no crowds in the morning weekdays). Amd see the windows from inside St. Capelle on a sunny day.<BR><BR>Certainly see Centre Pompidou - and watch the entertainment in the courtyard at the rear. Forget going inside - the lines are long.<BR><BR>A walk along the bookstands by the Seine. And to La Sorbonne.<BR><BR>If you do d'Orsay, try the top floor - Impressionists.<BR><BR>A ride on the Metro - the outside portion, for the views.<BR><BR>Try some shopping on Rue de Rivoli near the Louvre - neat touristy things like t-shirts.<BR><BR>What about some ice cream places and pizza places - they're pretty good in the 5th and 6th each evening. Lots of students.<BR><BR>Have fun. Ciao, L

Oh, for pizza - supposedly the best in Paris per Access (we thought the food was very nice - there 12/29!): Le Golfe de Naples, just off St. Germain near Metro Mabillon - 5, rue de Montfaucon (at rue Clement). Tiny place where you dine thigh to thigh with others, but totally charming, and great service. A real Parisian experience for few bucks (or Euros). Ciao, L

You and Leone seemed to have it covered! But I would just like to request to be brought along <BR>I have a friend who goes to Paris once a year with just her oldest daughter who is about 14-15 now, so I will see if she has any good input..oh to have an aunt like you~

Kavey: Don't skip the Centre Pompidou.<BR>Yes, the lines can be long, but this is because of the security checks. Try to be there either by 11 am or go in the evening. Once inside, no problem. Just returned from Paris and definitely enjoyed all the special exhibitions there, especially Jean Dubuffet on the top floor and Nan Goldin, photographer.<BR>PS: Lines were as long at the Mus&eacute;e d'Orsay, this just by the way.

Oh, Leone, when does the Ferris Wheel come down? Also, a great idea on the ride for the Metro! Which lines are those?<BR><BR>Kavita, DAHling, Bertillon is THE ice cream place in Paris, there are several throughout the city, but try the one on the Ile St. Louis. Plus, it's so pretty there you could just stroll. Also, I've been wanting to go to Le Monde des Chimeres restaurant (The World of Dreams) on that island. Maybe you could try there?

MaryC has the idea - Bertillon on Ile St. Louis - a friend visited it several days ago, and of course, loved their ice cream. Regarding the ferris wheel: I believe an article in Le Figaro last Saturday mentioned a date in late January or February - cannot recall. That's a shame - because 83% of Parisians favor keeping it up. A small vocal group demands this historical degradation be removed from the Pl. de la Concorde (afterall, it will make more room for the crazy cars and taxis!). I am not certain how much of the metro is above ground, but this past weekend, late one afternoon, we were coming across the Seine on line 6, and suddenly we were above ground as we came into Bir-Hakeim station, and the Tour d'Eiffel to the left was spectacular. I've looked at all my metro maps, and just cannot fathom the over/under question. May I suggest purchasing the Virgin Guide to Paris that has both a day and a night map - the use of colors and symbols helps you spot the places with all types of activities - this might be useful for picking out things to do on the streets you happen to be on. Access www.virginbooks.com for more information. I agree, C, and I'm hoping to be adopted by Kavey in time for the trip. BTW, all this talk about Paris spurred me on, so I signed up for my next french course a few minutes ago - hard to believe, but the USDA (yep, Agriculture) has this fab evening school offering a full range of courses, including practically every language you've heard of - and for not much money. They have an excellent french staff (all born in France). No, I refuse to divulge my grade in March, don't ask. Have a good weekend - and ciao, L

Sorry I can't adopt you all!!!<BR>I'll try and report back when I return...<BR><BR>We aren't going up the Eiffel as we are going up the Grande Arche and cheaper options instead, besides which the Arche always has an Art expo on the top so it's two in one!<BR><BR>I am really appreciating all the suggestions and will try and put them into an itinerary soon.<BR><BR>THANKS!<BR><BR>(More! More!)

Kavey, <BR>I really like Rue Mouffetard in the 5th for a food market. Also Rue Buci for amazing pasterie shops!!<BR>Just was up in the Arc Defense and the art exhibit right now is a pop art/lesbian theme with funny double intendre's. Very interesting and enjoyable to me but I'm not sure about your niece! haha! Also if there is haze at all the view can be disrupted but otherwise it's fun!<BR>I would also suggest Berthilon, having had the ice cream it is yummy! Angelina's for the amazing hot chocolate and the gorgeous interior may be fun for her too. The Bateaux Mouches boat ride takes of from Pont d'Alma every half hour and I think it's the best! Have you thought about touring one of the cemetaries? I know it sounds weird but they are beautiful!!!<BR>You may just want to take your niece in to the main part of Galleries Lafayette. Not to shop but to glimpse the amazing interior and dome!!<BR>If you go to the Orsay head to the top floor right away and grab a cafe/soda at the top floor cafe- amazing views of the whole city!!! And it's right behind the glass clock face!!

Thanks Wendy!<BR><BR>Yeah I have visited some of the cemeteries myself in past visits. Might do Pere Lachaise if it's not too cold but probably won't have time...<BR><BR>I like the Bateaux Mouches but was wondering if there are any other boat services?<BR><BR>The lesbian theme is OK, she's 13 and the UK seems more open on sexual matters than the US.<BR><BR>I base this on many private conversations i have had with american friends.<BR><BR>For example, I was describing this card I found in a card shop, regular Clintons Hallmark type shop, which had an elephant on the front in sexy underwear and said inside You tickle my fanny (remember fanny is NOT bottom here). My friend said you would NOT see that for sale in the US incase the kids saw it! LOL<BR><BR>Thanks for all these wonderful suggestions folks.<BR><BR>Am working on a friends CV (must remember to call it resume as he is American) but once I am done on that will be working on an itinerary!<BR><BR>Merci!

I just realised, thanks to the wonderful Mimi, that I also have the copy of Patricia Wells Food Lover's Guide to Paris which I picked up in an outlet shop last year for &pound;3.99 so I am going to get reading.<BR><BR>Bought the Eyewitness Paris guide this afternoon, (dont actually have any guidebooks and having one is useful I think even if I know my way round, for maps, metro stops, addresses, opening times etc.<BR><BR>Kavey