I just read about a weekly activity in Paris. Every Friday night a huge group of local teens gets together and skates throughout Paris and a group. I will be there with 3 older daughters (17 and 20) and we are wondering if it would be appropriate for them. Their main concerns are: Is is mainly for younger teens? Would they feel like total outsiders (taggers) or would they "fit in" ? Also, does anyone know where you can rent skates? Thanks

I was under the impression it was all ages and probably a bit older than teen and open to anyone. I read somewhere you can rent skates prior and the slower less experienced skaters are in the back of the procession. Check it out on google as I know its and organised group. Let us know if you do it we want to try this on our next visit!

I watched one of these happen, but it was on a Sunday night, on St. Germain Blvd. All traffic is STOPPED, and there are roller-blading police along with the "pack"...and believe me, there were all ages, shapes and colors. I had to chuckle tho, wouldn't the cobble-stoned streets be, well, rough? I don't roller blade. But if I did, I thought this would be fun...and I'm waaaaaay older than 20, waaaay older.

Here's the official Web site:

http://www.pari-roller.com/?lang=en

I was in Paris this past May and the rollerblading was on Friday night. 15,000 rollerbladers skaked past my hotel on the Rue de Rivoli across from the Tuileries Garden It was a sight to behold. The streets were blocked off.

Any bike riders among the skaters, since the roads are closed off?

A good friend of mine lived in Paris for a year and used to do this (she's in her 50's).

It sounded like a lot of fun! She said they would be skating along, and the people up ahead would call out the warning &quot;<b>Pav&eacute;</b>!&quot; when they got to a cobblestone section.

She said that she did NOT skate on the cobblestoned parts! (But I guess some people do!)

The website makes it quite clear the Friday night ride is not for amateurs--if your teens are good rollerbladers, it should be great fun. It runs from about 10 p.m. to past midnight and is not for the timid. I watched also as they went past my hotel in April. I didn't see any bikes.

I didn't see any bikes either. I saw only 1 person fall down and he was up in a flash. You're right it's not for amateurs. It's amazing how fast they all were going. Once they opened the Rue de Rivoli to cars there were some rollerbladers skating amongst the cars which I didn't think was a smart thing to do.

Friday night is for the great (fast) skaters. Sunday is for the less accomplished. Either is fun to watch but I would think your teens would be more comfortable (and safe) on Sunday. Have a great time. CJ

http://us.franceguide.com/magazine/a....asp?idc=10523

A French Guide article about the Friday night rollerblading.