Off to Paris in October w/2 teenage boys, husband & my mother
Jun 7th, 2005, 09:50 AM
#21
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re. budget meals:
Don't discount the idea of eating in bars. Many have more of the feel of a coffee-shop here in the US and your teens would not be out of place at most of them. They offer many delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, pizzas, desserts, etc. for well under $10 person (possibly including beer or soda).
This is especially true before 10p.m.
Don't discount the idea of eating in bars. Many have more of the feel of a coffee-shop here in the US and your teens would not be out of place at most of them. They offer many delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, pizzas, desserts, etc. for well under $10 person (possibly including beer or soda).
This is especially true before 10p.m.
Jun 7th, 2005, 12:15 PM
#23
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You would do well to pick up a copy of Sandra Gustafson's "Great Eats," which used to be called Cheap Eats. Restaurant recommendations are laid out by arrondissement, making it easy to find one based on where you happen to be.
One fairly inexpensive restaurant that we like is Vesuvius, right across the Blvd. St-Germain from the church of the same name and nearby métro station. Besides pizza and pasta you can get a variety of French dishes, and it's a lively place with a regular student clientele.
One fairly inexpensive restaurant that we like is Vesuvius, right across the Blvd. St-Germain from the church of the same name and nearby métro station. Besides pizza and pasta you can get a variety of French dishes, and it's a lively place with a regular student clientele.
Jun 8th, 2005, 07:23 AM
#24
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Considering the size of your party, I think it would well be worth it to rent an apartment rather than going to a hotel, plus you wouldn't have to eat at restaurants all the time. American friends of mine are currently renting a great, centrally located apartment for 125 euros a night.
Jun 8th, 2005, 07:41 AM
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LuluG,
One of the useful things you will notice is that restuarants will post their menus and pricing outside, so you can decide whether it fits your budget or not, and your tastebuds too. Budget wise, I skip hotel breakfasts and go to a cafe for petit dejeuner (coffee, toast, juice), lunch is a sandwich, Croque Monsieur or crepe, along with a sweet: you will find many take-out places that are reasonable for these kinds of items.
Mike
One of the useful things you will notice is that restuarants will post their menus and pricing outside, so you can decide whether it fits your budget or not, and your tastebuds too. Budget wise, I skip hotel breakfasts and go to a cafe for petit dejeuner (coffee, toast, juice), lunch is a sandwich, Croque Monsieur or crepe, along with a sweet: you will find many take-out places that are reasonable for these kinds of items.
Mike
Jun 8th, 2005, 10:22 AM
#26
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I realize this question dates from March, but since it's been revived:
"<b>Budget-minded trip</b>. Would much appreciate advice/input.
Plan so far: Arriving on Continental into CDG @11am, Sunday, Oct 2. With group of 5, leaning toward taking a <b>shuttle (18E each)</b>..."
If economy is important, you might want to look at the possibility of taking the train to your hotel. The St-Germain Métro stop is right down the block, and the 5 of you can get to it for €36.35
Buy three adult RER tickets and two 5-zone <i>Tickets Jeunes</i>* for the boys. Ride the RER B to Châtelet (don't discard your tickets), then transfer to Métro Ligne 4 (Direction Porte d'Orleans). St-Germain is the 3rd stop.
This route will involve walking between train platforms and down the street to the hotel.** If the adults would rather not walk that far, they can ride to St-Michel Notre-Dame instead, and take a taxi from there. The fare shouldn't exceed €5.
* The <i>Jeunes</i> provide unlimited transport for the rest of the day. Look here for further transport advice:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34630342
** A map of transport in your hotel's neighborhood can be downloaded from
<b>http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_telech_quartiers.php</b>
Pull down the second list, select <i>Mabillon</i>, then click OK. The blue "M" boxes are Métro stations, and the colored boxes indicate the bus lines serving each stop. Your street is the block south of the Mabillon stop.
"<b>Budget-minded trip</b>. Would much appreciate advice/input.
Plan so far: Arriving on Continental into CDG @11am, Sunday, Oct 2. With group of 5, leaning toward taking a <b>shuttle (18E each)</b>..."
If economy is important, you might want to look at the possibility of taking the train to your hotel. The St-Germain Métro stop is right down the block, and the 5 of you can get to it for €36.35
Buy three adult RER tickets and two 5-zone <i>Tickets Jeunes</i>* for the boys. Ride the RER B to Châtelet (don't discard your tickets), then transfer to Métro Ligne 4 (Direction Porte d'Orleans). St-Germain is the 3rd stop.
This route will involve walking between train platforms and down the street to the hotel.** If the adults would rather not walk that far, they can ride to St-Michel Notre-Dame instead, and take a taxi from there. The fare shouldn't exceed €5.
* The <i>Jeunes</i> provide unlimited transport for the rest of the day. Look here for further transport advice:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34630342
** A map of transport in your hotel's neighborhood can be downloaded from
<b>http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_telech_quartiers.php</b>
Pull down the second list, select <i>Mabillon</i>, then click OK. The blue "M" boxes are Métro stations, and the colored boxes indicate the bus lines serving each stop. Your street is the block south of the Mabillon stop.
Jun 8th, 2005, 12:43 PM
#27
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Everyone's input in <b>much</b> appreciated! I'll probably break the bank on this 20-day adventure (Paris+Italy) for the 5 of us, but for my family to be able to experience a trip like this for the very 1st time is simply priceless to me!
I've created a Word file, and have been copying these suggestions into it - then I'll finetune it before the trip, after processing all these wonderful gems of info.
bardo1: Do you happen to know the age limit for teenagers in bars? Mom, husband & I will probably stop somewhere nice for a cocktail. Would the boys be allowed to sit w/us if they want? Btw, what's the drinking age in France?
Underhill: I've picked up Sandra's Gustafson's book - Thanks! We'll ck out Vesuvius too.
Mucky: Yep, ages 15 & 20. Well, just turned 20, but still a teenager to me
Michel_Paris: Sounds like a plan!
Robespierre: I've copied all your directions down. <b>Very helpful</b>. Thank you!
And Art_Vandelay: I've considered an apartment (renting throughout Italy), but thought for this very 1st time in France, I'll go the hand-held route. Next trip, though! <u>Definitely!</u>
Thanks again, EVERYONE!
>
<
Lulu
I've created a Word file, and have been copying these suggestions into it - then I'll finetune it before the trip, after processing all these wonderful gems of info.
bardo1: Do you happen to know the age limit for teenagers in bars? Mom, husband & I will probably stop somewhere nice for a cocktail. Would the boys be allowed to sit w/us if they want? Btw, what's the drinking age in France?
Underhill: I've picked up Sandra's Gustafson's book - Thanks! We'll ck out Vesuvius too.
Mucky: Yep, ages 15 & 20. Well, just turned 20, but still a teenager to me
Michel_Paris: Sounds like a plan!
Robespierre: I've copied all your directions down. <b>Very helpful</b>. Thank you!
And Art_Vandelay: I've considered an apartment (renting throughout Italy), but thought for this very 1st time in France, I'll go the hand-held route. Next trip, though! <u>Definitely!</u>
Thanks again, EVERYONE!
>
<Lulu
Jun 8th, 2005, 02:51 PM
#28
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Lulu,
The legal drinking afe in France (and Italy) is 16. Those 15 and under MAY accompany their parets into bars (but cannot be served alcohol).
BTW, the US has the highest drinking age in the world (21) - no other country even ties.
http://www.icap.org/ICAP/policy_issu...ing_table.html
The legal drinking afe in France (and Italy) is 16. Those 15 and under MAY accompany their parets into bars (but cannot be served alcohol).
BTW, the US has the highest drinking age in the world (21) - no other country even ties.
http://www.icap.org/ICAP/policy_issu...ing_table.html
Jun 8th, 2005, 02:53 PM
#29
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That was a good argument for previewing - here it is again:
Lulu,
The legal drinking age in France (and Italy) is 16. Those 15 and under MAY accompany their parents into bars (but cannot be served alcohol).
BTW, the US has the highest drinking age in the world (21) - no other country even ties.
http://www.icap.org/ICAP/policy_issu...ing_table.html
Lulu,
The legal drinking age in France (and Italy) is 16. Those 15 and under MAY accompany their parents into bars (but cannot be served alcohol).
BTW, the US has the highest drinking age in the world (21) - no other country even ties.
http://www.icap.org/ICAP/policy_issu...ing_table.html
Jun 9th, 2005, 01:43 AM
#30
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Regarding drinking ages: I have never EVER seen a French waiter ask a teenager for an ID, so that's definitely not an issue. It might be because the Anglo-Saxon concept of "bar" (ie alcohol only, vs coffee shop) doesn't exist in France: there are cafés, where you can order alcohol, soft drinks, coffee, tea, etc.
Jun 9th, 2005, 03:53 AM
#31
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I see in one of your posts you mention "stopping for a cocktail". YOu might want to develop a love of wine and beer in Europe--mixed drinks are very expensive. And the kids need to develop a love of anything but Coke--REAL sticker shock there--6-8E each, no fooling.
Jun 9th, 2005, 04:06 AM
#32
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Excellent point and so true.
It's very odd (to many Americans) that a glass of beer or wine in Paris is generally about half the price of a glass of soda pop.
I'm glad you were warned - maybe this could be an opportunity to develop your teens' palate for good wines.
It's very odd (to many Americans) that a glass of beer or wine in Paris is generally about half the price of a glass of soda pop.
I'm glad you were warned - maybe this could be an opportunity to develop your teens' palate for good wines.
Jun 9th, 2005, 06:04 AM
#34
There are lots of inexpensive ethnic restaurants in the Latin Quarter, an area worth exploring. I saw a variety of Chinese, Vietnamese, Lebanese, and Turkish restaurants in the area between rue des Ecoles and the Pantheon. Less sticker shock.
Jun 9th, 2005, 12:00 PM
#36
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bardo1 & Art_Vandelay: Very interesting facts re bars/drinking in Europe vs US. Had no idea until I asked. Thanks!
Mucky: LOL ...So right! I'll be sure to 'suggest' a return of the favor in the not-too-distant future at the end of this trip!!
Gretchen: Wow! So glad to learn that <b>now</b>!
Nikki: Thank you for that info.
Guenmai: I've scanned through your other posting, and need to now take a bit of time to digest it all. You are <b>SO VERY COOL</b> for helping me out like this! And, btw, I picked up the Paris Walks book/cards on ebay! That seems like such a Perfect thing to have on this trip! I'll write you soon on the other post.
Lulu
Mucky: LOL ...So right! I'll be sure to 'suggest' a return of the favor in the not-too-distant future at the end of this trip!!
Gretchen: Wow! So glad to learn that <b>now</b>!
Nikki: Thank you for that info.
Guenmai: I've scanned through your other posting, and need to now take a bit of time to digest it all. You are <b>SO VERY COOL</b> for helping me out like this! And, btw, I picked up the Paris Walks book/cards on ebay! That seems like such a Perfect thing to have on this trip! I'll write you soon on the other post.
Lulu
Jun 23rd, 2005, 07:07 AM
#38
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I'm enjoying this thread and all the great advice you are getting for a first trip to Paris.
Just yesterday my now 15 yr old son mentioned our July 04 trip to Paris and Normandy. He would love to go back tomorrow for the crepes in Paris alone! He lived on those things morning to night which was great because they are cheap! You can always go that route with your teens to save money for a few really special meals.
When the two of us dined in restaurants I always ordered a bottle of wine and without fail the waiter brought two glasses and poured wine for my son who didn't look any older than his 14 years.
His favorite sights in Paris were the Musee de l'Armee and the cute zoo at the Jardin de Plantes. He never wants to go to another art museum as long as he lives!
Just yesterday my now 15 yr old son mentioned our July 04 trip to Paris and Normandy. He would love to go back tomorrow for the crepes in Paris alone! He lived on those things morning to night which was great because they are cheap! You can always go that route with your teens to save money for a few really special meals.
When the two of us dined in restaurants I always ordered a bottle of wine and without fail the waiter brought two glasses and poured wine for my son who didn't look any older than his 14 years.
His favorite sights in Paris were the Musee de l'Armee and the cute zoo at the Jardin de Plantes. He never wants to go to another art museum as long as he lives!
Jun 30th, 2005, 01:04 PM
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I contacted Michael via e-mail and received an immediate reply. We used his services for 3 days in June for our group of 7. And should have used his services a couple of more days. Even the teens loved him. We provided lunch and a generous tip each day as we spent about 10 hours with him. He was as flexible as we were, therefore we saw much more than normal tourist things. His quick tour of the Louvre and DOrsay helped orient the group for their followup tour. It didn't seem so overwhelming. We would have enjoyed a more in-depth tour. I contacted him via: [email protected]. Tuesday is his off day.
