I just booked three days at the end of March in Marais within Paris. I am traveling for the first time to Paris and taking my 17 year old daughter with me. We are definitely visiting the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arch de Triomphe and then hoping to wander the city, shop and take in all that we can. We would love any recommendations for shops, cafes, things to definitely not miss. I will be frank and state that we are not entering the Louvre as she does not want to see this on her visit. We contemplated doing a half day trip to Versaille…would love to read your recommendations. We have our hotel booked in both Paris and Munich. We have 3 days in Munich as well but have no idea what are the must sees their. Again, we love to walk, we love to shop, we love to wander and take it all in. Please make recommendations for both cities. They would be greatly appreciated.

No Louvre doesn't bother me, it is a huge museum with only certain periods so not necessarily what someone wants to do with their vacation time. I didn't go in it last time I was there.

But if you are interested in art museums/galleries, at all, you could go to a smaller one. I'd suggest the Petit Palais, actually, just off the Champs-Elysees as it is free and has a nice collection of art from various periods. Or, if you have an affection for impressionism, you could go to the Marmottan which has quite a few Monets, but it's not as convenient as the Petit Palais.

I'm not a big shopper and rarely do any as I hate shopping (other than browsing souvenir stalls or something), but it does depend what you have in mind regarding shopping. If you want major items, then the grand dept stores might be an experience. I'd want to go into Galeries Lafayette just to see the interior on the ground floor. If you want smaller, boutique shops, you could probably browse in the Marais or St Germain.

AS for cafes, it depends where you are staying as to what might be convenient.

Reco you look at the destinations section above and also a couple of good guide books. All you seem to mention is walking and shopping so not sure what your interests really are (history, architecture, castles, cathedrals, fine dining, music, natural scenery, clog dancing, archery??????)

While Munich is a nice city it's not that exciting and you might consider doing a day trip to the castles in southern bavaria - esp Linderhof or Herrenchiemsee - but not Neuschwanstein. Or you might just do Nyphemburg in the outskirts of Munich as well as the Residenz in town.

Also you D might want to look at the Let's Go student guides so she can see what kids her age reco and where they go to hang out.

@nytraveler: I am not familiar with the Let's Go student guides. Is it an actual guide purchased at book stores or a part of the Fodor's website?

I appreciate your suggestions for Munich. I think a day trip would be a great idea….After our 3 days there we meet up with my daughter's choir and travel to smaller cities in Germany…then Austria and the trip ends in Prague. Regarding our interests….they really are walking, exploring the city and shopping. Going down the side streets and finding out of the way places. We did Italy and had a blast doing that! Finding local little bistros, cafes, etc. I am sure we will pop in churches as they show up….we are going to climb the tower at notre dame…
And my daughter sings classical music and also is a songwriter. I am trying to find some great things that might interest her as far as that goes. No…not into clog dancing, archery….we want to experience Paris as a local. I know…we are crazy!

@Christina….thank you for the names of the smaller museums. The Petit Palais sounds perfect!

To you both….did any cafe or bistro stand out above the rest?

Hi
Great idea - traveling with a child is always special imo.

Paris : I'd recommend Les galeries Lafayette for your daughter (mine likes a lot the basement - only shoes).
I'd go to quai d'Orsay instead of Marmottan for impressionism.
A cruise on the Seine (Vedettes du Pont Neuf at ... Pont Neuf). I don't like eating on those, but it may have its charm. There are often some musicals - we went to a lot of those - check on http://www.offi.fr/ (there are other sites in english, must find these again).

Munich : I loved Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau (that close to each others ?). Yes, Neuschwanstein is quite Disneylike and totally artificial but I do remember it after . erm . years.
Dachau interests some people and is easy to visit as is BMW (or Porsche or Audi, never know which one is there and which one in Stuttgart) if you like cars (obviously I don't).
Definitely go to a Brauerei - will be touristy but it is a nice experience - you get seated on huge tables and interact with your neighbours. I have always wanted to go to the Muenchen Opera and never did. Must make reservation quite a LOT in advance.

With only three days.. forget Versailles.. its massive.. the palace and the grounds, and with such a short time in Paris it doesn't make sense to spend almost 2 hours on a train ( its about 45-50 minutes from Marais to Versailles on RER) to only spend 1/2 day. Also..end of March.. you could still encounter wet dreary weather.. and the best part of Versailles for many folks are the grounds ( Marie Antionettes Hamlet) which you won't enjoy in rain .

Actually if you want to get a taste of over the top palace décor then going in the Louvre to see Napoleons Apartments would certainly provide that with less time and travelling involved.

For Paris, you could buy the weekly pariscope (newsagents): it lists everything happening in Paris. I can imagine you would like a small chamber music concert in a church, or a lunchtime concert, or a weird event happening in a gallery.

or indeed its competitor

http://www.offi.fr/

There's loads happening, much of it is free, such as for instance

http://www.offi.fr/concerts/eglise-s...lo-956828.html

Let's Go student guides are in print and available form Amazon or Barnes & Noble - probably also available electronically - not sure. My DDs got tons of good info from them, both for sights - they loved the Cluny Museum of Middle Ages in paris and - and also for cafes and pubs for students.

As for cafes to visit - you should look for those on main streets with a lot of foot traffic - so sitting outside gives you a really good view of locals. We really enjoyed one on Boul Mich and also one near the Opera.

Sorry - we are not shoppers so the girls did that alone - to teen oriented places.

I'm not sure I'd recommend Let's Go guide books for the OP as they are travelling as mother/daughter. These guide books target a demographic - the budget student traveller - but their turnover of writers means their guide books lack consistency. I would rather read a guide book written by a combination of travellers and locals - as Lonely Planet does.

You can't get sample page previews before committing to the PDF versions either - and allowing consumers to try before you buy is just what a good marketplace does.

Read a range of guide books - DK Eyewitness, Rough Guide, Michelin - all have something to offer.

I'm not sure why Munich? What particularly interests you there - just curious.

I take it you have your TGV booked for Paris-Munich?

The 15:25 is direct, arriivng 21:36, centre to centre from €39 if you book at www.captaintrain.com - other departures mean a chnage in Stuttgart.

It's a 200mph double-decker with power sockets at all seats and cafe-bar - select an upstairs seat for the best views.

Since you'll be visiting Galeries Lafayette, you might walk just a couple of blocks towards the Opera Garnier on rue Scribe. Cafe de la Paix is right there, and though not known for its food, the interior is impressive (including the upstairs bathrooms) and you'd probably enjoy having a drink there. If you're hungry while shopping, I recommend visiting any of the several food areas in Lafayette Gourmet (across the street from GL).

If you're planning to climb the towers at Notre Dame, you definitely need to get in line before it opens, or you'll face a long wait.

I would also skip the Louvre and Versailles. If you want to see a beautiful interior, you might try to reserve a free guided tour of Hotel de Ville, which is in the Marais (click on the English version at top of page).
http://www.paris-friendly.fr/bon_pla...le.php?id=1482

Thanks everyone for all of the fantastic info.

@Blueeyedcod…Munich was not my first choice. WE are meeting her USA choir there to start off their European tour. I'd much rather be in Italy.