Paris question
 

I am taking my 3 daugters and their friends to Paris this July....we will be there for 3 nights ...what are the "must to see and do" while in Paris the Louvre,Notre Dame,Versailles,Eiffel Tower....Am I missing any ?? Many Many Thanks

Are you missing any? Yep, a few dozen at least. I will start with the Musee d'Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, Ste. Chapelle.
But are those girls interested in art?
If not why go to the Louvre?

Others with young children will have to advise on what to do.

If they are interested in science, try to Science Museum in the Parc de la Villette.

Danny, click on the "Destinations" at the left hand top of page. Fodor's does a pretty good overview of Paris and it's all well organized. That will set you on the right track. Although I have to say you could probably spend three years, let alone three days, and still not see all the "must sees and does!"

ohh forgot to tell you ages of teh girls.. 14 to 19....thanks again....Bob,they love art !!!

I would suggest looking at the "destinations" tab at the top of this page and then clicking on Paris. They have put together a decent itenerary for Paris first timers. Also, go buy a good Paris guide book.

The best advice would be for you and the young ladies to start doing some research--on line, in guidebooks, etc.
If you can say, "what are the 'must see and do' while in Paris the Louvre, Notre Dame, Versailles, Eiffel Tower...Am I missing any?" sure indicates that you've not done much, if any, research!

Plan to buy a 2 day pass on one of the hop on/ hop off buses. You'll have ride to all the major sights.

Take a night tour with Fat Tire Bike Tour. Absolute blast - and you end the evening with a boat ride down the Seine.

You're not going to have enough time to take a trip out to Versailles. Plan to come back.

Dear Danny,
Delegate! Assign each girl and her friend part of a day to plan (i.e. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) That could include a museum visit, lunch and another site to visit--i.e. walking through the Tuilleries, Galleries Lafayette dept. store, etc. Such a plan would still give everyone some free time early in the morning (most teenagers like to sleep in) and also in the late afternoon, early evening. Parisians generally don't eat dinner before 8:00-9:00 p.m. That even leaves time for a nap or an aperitif at a sidewalk cafe.

Just make sure that the girls plans don't overlap--perhaps you could assign the teams different areas of the city, i.e. Ile de la Cite, Marais (right bank), Left Bank, and so forth. There is so much to see and do in Paris that you'll just get a taste in 3 nights.

Forget about hitting all the top tourist attractions--you'll spend too much time waiting in line. Much of the charm of the city is in the smaller attractions, neighborhood cafes, shops, parks and markets. Try some of the Fodor's or Michelin Guide walks around the city--you'll learn a lot of history and get some exercise.

If you do go to major museums, i.e. Musee d'Orsay, try to reserve timed tickets in advance so that you don't waste time. Ride the Metro--buy a few books of l0 Carnet (tickets). It's the fastest way around town. Have fun!

Thanks Jan for your help.....I don't understand Howard ??? It was a simple question...This will be probably be their only Paris trip so your recommendation is they don't go to the Louvre, Notre Dame, Versailles or Eiffel Tower ??

Dear dy,

>I don't understand Howard ...<

The intent was, I believe, that you ought to do a little research before asking such a general question.

We are not travel agents.

If you were to ask, "Is the Musee d'Orsay a better place to visit than the Louvre?" you would get a lot of responses.

((I))

<sure indicates that you've not done much, if any, research!>....ohhh well ..I will start doing research...thanks for the help everyone

Excellent idea.

If you have some specific questions, please ask.

What everyone says is true, check out websites such as fodors, frommers and rick steves to learn more about Paris. Everyone one of these sites lists itineraries for 1-5 days. This will give you a starting point. Find out what everyone is interested in and compile your own itinerary. I am going to Paris and Amsterdam for the first time in late May so I will post a trip report when I get back.

Not a "tourist attraction," but I bet the girls would enjoy a trip to a music store like Virgin records. I always find it fascinating to see what part of our culture has become part of their own but it allows me a chance to bring some of their culture back home with me that I can't find at my local Best Buy. I'm sure Edith Piaf is not going to be their cup of tea!

Also, with that age group, don't forget to plan some "shopping for clothing" time!

If you have picky eaters in the group, be sure to pick up a menu translator (paperback book available in travel or foreign language reference sections) before leaving.

Also, preach to them the keeping their money safe in a concealed money pouch. I've seen many teens do very stupid things while on vacation!

You guys are too sensitive - if you don't like the question, don't answer!

I went to Paris in college (when I was 22), so maybe I can give you some ideas. I was there for only 4 nights with some friends. First of all, I would go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa only. My friends I found a map, found the painting, and got the heck out of there. There's way too much to see in such a short time, but you can't go to Paris without seeing the Mona Lisa! If the girls like art, I would recommend the Musee d'Orsay - it has lots of works by artists they're probably familiar with, like Van Gough, Monet, and Degas. It was one of my favorite things in Paris.

The Eiffel Tour and Arc de Triomphe are musts - and yes, the climb to the top of the Arc is worth it! Notre Dame is beautiful, although we didn't take time for the full tour. I would recommend squeezing in an afternoon trip to Versailles. My friends and I enjoyed the park more than the palace, so I would spend more time outdoors. Also, if you're going to be in Paris over the weekend, head to Versailles on Sunday afternoon. The fountains in the park are turned on in succession and are set to classical music. We had fun following the map around the park trying to keep up with the fountains.

Back in Paris, take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées. There's a huge Sephora store I'm sure your group would love. In case you don't know, they sell cosmetics.

Some might tell you to visit Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre (that's where the Moulin Rouge is, too). We didn't think it was worth it, as it required switching trains at a creepy station. The basillica was pretty and there was a good view, but overall I would not recommend it (especially with your limited time).

I also recommend that you cruise the Seine on the Bateaux Mouches. Do this on the first day, before you've seen too much. You'll see Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and other landmarks for the first time.

A lot of people will tell you go off the beaten track and see the "real" Paris. But if these girls aren't likely to go back, you've got to see the main attractions. And that's my advice!

P.S. A guidebook like Fodor's will give you all the info you need to get around.

<<This will be probably be their only Paris >>

danny,

If you are sure of this, then is there any way to extend your stay to 7 nights?

This is the only way for your girls to see all the "must to see and do" while in Paris. Even 5 nights would be a huge help. Otherwise, what you are really asking is which "don't misses" to skip.

Your girls are 14 - 19 and you can say with a straight face that this may be their only trip to Paris!? If that can be even remotely true, take them to see Ste. Chapelle on a sunny day; have a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens or the Tuilleries; see the impressionists at Musee D'Orsay; see the Winged Victory at the Louvre (and swing by the Mona Lisa while you're there); take a Seine Cruise at dusk; go window shopping in St. Germaine; climb the Eiffel Tower and try to extend the trip to at least 5 days. Don't worry, they'll be back!

>Your girls are 14 - 19 and you can say with a straight face that this may be their only trip to Paris!?<

I agree. I bet that some time in the next 50 years they all go back.

((I))

What a brave and generous gentleman you must be!!! 6 teenage girls??

3 days? Is it part of a whole trip? Where else are you going?

Where are you staying?

I can't imagine wrangling 6 teenagers in Middletown Delaware, must less in Paris! <GRIN!!>

Brave spirit!

Hey All.....Thanks to the posters how really want to help and give advice rather than tell me to read a book (I do know that the book will help in some areas with my questions)....My girls and their friends may well decide to come back sometime...but doubtful with their father (this means a lot to me )...we don't have any extra time in Paris (wish that we did) ..After Paris we are headed up to St Andrews ,Scotland for The British Open (we own a house in St Andrews)...So I thought to give them a few days in Paris and then to St Andrews ...Not to mention easier to get FF tickets to CDG rather than EDI...You guy are great with your advice.....many many thanks from a father trying to make this Paris Trip special (although short) to his Daughters & Friends

And don't forget to window shop on the Avenue Montaigne! Ave Faubourg St Honore and Place Vendome too.

I would hire Michael Osman for all three days and let him take you to the sights, museums AND shopping. It would be the biggest bargain of your life and the best spent money for all of you. Write him at [email protected]

Gretchen...I have contacted Micheal and I am in contact !!! many many thanks

Danny, I think you only missed the Musee d'Orsay from your list. It is a must see, it's basically a greatest hits museum of impressionist art. The girls will love it. For the Louvre set a strict time limit. It is so massive with such an incredibly large collection that you need to choose a portion of it to see, rather than running around what used to be Europe's largest palace. Count on Versailles taking up the better part of a day, though it will be a day you won't forget. It really is impressive. Notre Dame and the other large cathedrals are very accessible and can be easily wandered into while strolling in the city. Remember that they don't want people to be too scantily dressed in the churches.

In order for them have a realistic memory of what makes Paris special you need to spend some time wandering around the city. Paris is the best large city in the world in which to just 'hang out'. The girls will love to stop in cafes and patisseries, to visit some of the hundreds of public squares (Pompidou Centre is great), to window shop in the expensive areas or to shop in the large department stores (Galleries Lafayette, Samaritaine), to sit on the banks of the Seine on Ile St. Louis eating a crepe, to explore the narrow streets of St. Michel (a funky student area), to stroll the Champs Elysees and just to soak up what Paris is all about.

Personally I would see all of the items you listed. I would see Versailles one day, the Louvre and the musee D'Orsay another and then see the others on a day reserved for exploring the cityscape.

Have fun. I took my fiancee there in September and showed her the city. I used to live there so I made sure she saw the highlights and also spent time relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere. I really think you will enjoy your time with them best if you somewhat limit the museum time in order experience the beauty of Paris in the summer.

dannyyoung: We were in Paris about 2 weeks ago with our 18 yr. old son and also spent time with 2 friends of his (girls, 18) who were in Paris at the same time. They are all HS seniors.

They were enchanted with the city and particularly enjoyed the Eiffel Tower and Seine boat tour (Vedettes): go at sun set and watch the city magically light up around you. Montmartre was also a favorite, as was climbing the Arc de T. and watching the (daily) 6:30 ceremony to light the remembrance flame.

My experience has been that teens like activity and are very visual. Just walking around, observing fashion, ads, bird/food markets, even the touristy Latin Quarter,etc. will provide a memorable experience.

Obviously, a lot depends on your daughters, their interests, and maybe where you're from. My son loved roaming the Moffetard market and buying baked goods, candy, even a beer, but had no interest in seeing the Virgin Megastore since that's something he can do locally.

L'as du Falaffel in the Marais with a visit to the Picasso and Pompidou Museums were more his style than the Louvre and Orsay, with lunch in the Orsay dining room, which your girls might prefer.

We saw the classics-Notre Dame, Ste. Chapelle, Rodin, Les Invalides but skipped Versailles. The girls didn't enjoy Versailles yet when I was 16, it was one of my favorite sites.

The kids found the metro and city easy to navigate. We took a compass and used it several times to quickly re-orient ourselves. The museum passes were a God send to by-pass lines and save time.

Even with a short visit, if well coordinated and taking advantage of the metro, you can cover a lot of territory without feeling rushed.

Good luck! How wonderful for you to provide this experience for them.

Hi

How 'bout the Paris Flea Market. Don't know much about it but here's the link - http://www.parispuces.com.

Have a wonderful time.

Oh yeah I forgot. What about Disneyland -http://www.disneylandparis.com/uk/introduction.htm

Hide your wallet - more shopping see -http://www.paris.world-guides.com/shopping.html

See ya

Do NOT do Disneyland--waste of time and $$$. I highly recommend the tours from Fat Tire/Mike's, either via bicycle, or, even cooler, via Segway. Also, they ewill enjoy shopping in Monoprix stores for french lipsticks and cosmetics, esp the lower priced Chanel line--it begins with a B, can't remember the name. In the late afternoon there are young men who do acrobatic rollerskating on the small bridge next to Notre Dame--good foreign guywatching. If your girls are dog lovers, bring a bag of small dog biscuits, and take photos of the local 'chiens'--after getting their owners' permission, of course. To save $$$, each girl should be responsible for choosing the makings for a picnic lunch from the Franprix or local markets--and they should learn some basic French before they depart. Enjoy!