Travelling with a 15 yr old and will be in Paris over Thanksgiving. Have heard mention of Friday night roller-blading. Can anyone provide information on this? Also will be in Monaco and would like suggestions for a one night trip to Italy, by train. Thank you. Cathie

Two years ago we stayed at the Hotel du Lourve (1st e) in Paris. It's very close to the Lourve Museum. Right next to the hotel was an open area with a large blacktop square. One day there was what appeared to be a loosely organized contest for roller bladers. Lots of teenagers were involved in demonstrating their skills. We were fascinated and impressed. I'm sure your son would enjoy it. I don't recall what day of the week it occurred but was fun for everyone....Paul J

I remember seeing something about this on the travel channel, so I went searching for you. I found a site that might be helpful: <BR>http://members.tripod.com/~artid/Paris/rollerphoto.html <BR>Good luck.

Cathie, <BR>Yes, there is roller-blading every Friday night and every Sunday afternoon. Thousands upon thousands of people with a police escort roller-blade through the streets of Paris. All skill levels are welcome. The most experienced seem to keep a fast pace towards the front and those just learning are towards the back of this enormous line of roller-bladers. I know on Friday nights they meet at Place D'Italie and I am not sure about Sundays. Your concierge at your hotel should be able to get all the information that you need. Have fun. (See you there, I will be in Paris over Thanksgiving as well!)

Cathie: <BR> <BR>I just returned from Paris where we had a car and driver (not as expensive as one might expect). His name is Frederic Fourgous and he orgainizes roller blade and skate board exhibitions all over France. He was wonderful (not bad looking either as we thought he looked like Rob Lowe). <BR> <BR>If you would like to email him, his addres is [email protected] <BR> <BR>I am sure he could tell you where roller blading is permited. We were staying near the Place du Quebec in the 6th and there is a modern sculpure there. He said he and his friends enjoyed flying over the sculpture on their roller blades when they were younger. <BR> <BR>If you email him, say hello from Jill and her Mother from California.

<BR>AFAIK, the friday night meeting (from place d'Italie)is intended for experimented roller-bladers, while the sunday meeting (place de la Bastille) is intended for beginners.

Cathie - My husband and I were in Paris this summer and were fascinated by all the people rollerblading. Saw a contest right in front of Notre Dame. Wished we had known about Friday night's skating but now I do recall seeing it on Lonely Planet - thousands were participating.

Cathie, <BR> <BR>Here's the official website for info on Le Friday Night Fever and the Sunday skate: <BR>http://www.pari-roller.com/ <BR> <BR>It starts at 10pm, ends at 1am, and might not be ideal for a non-French speaking 15 year-old on his own. But the Sunday afternoon skate alongside the north side of the Seine would be great! (They close off the road . . . so pretty to just glide along . . .) <BR> <BR>And Paul J . . . was that you on a balcony of the Hotel du Louvre, with your wife, in white bathrobes (would've been Oct. '98)? If so, we *did* notice you!!! <BR> <BR>Have fun in Paris -- bail on Monaco, it's too far away and you'll never discover all of Paris' riches. <BR T

The Sunday skate sounds like fun - I assume you can rent skates somewhere?

Tracy.... Re: Hotel du Lourve Oct '98. <BR>No, we weren't wearing white robes. It was a warm day. I was in my shorts and my wife's hair was in curlers.&lt;smile&gt;....Paul J