I am meeting my two teenager daughters (14 & 16) at the airport in Paris for a three day stay, in November. What am I in store for? Any suggestions, anyone as what to see or where to go. None of us have ever been to Europe before. Thanks Bill

Dear Bill, <BR> <BR>Staying at the airport for 3 days is not a great plan. Why not go into the city? <BR> <BR>If I were taking two teenaged girls, I would figure on splitting the time 3 ways: A. Important Sites, B. people-looking, and C. shopping. If your daughters are little more sophisticated than this, then you could focus more on "Important Sites," but here is what I'm guessing would make the most sense. <BR> <BR>1. For such a short time, consider a 1/2-day bus tour to get a sense of the city, esp. if it's cold and damp, as November may be. I'd probably insist they either see the Musee D'Orsay (more contemporary art more interesting to younger people, esp. Impressionists) or Louvre (has classics like Winged Victory, also great rotunda w/shops -- see C, shopping). Notre Dame is being worked on, but a quick stop at the Isle de Cite is nice and the small church of Ste. Chapelle there has such spectacular stained glass that it's a better "taste" of the glory of European churches. <BR> <BR>2. Spend at least 1/2 day on the Left Bank, just puttering, looking for restaurants, cafes, etc. Or even better stay there (hotels on Rt. Bank will cost more, be far from "action"). The student population will be of great interest to your girls. There's a cybercafe right near the Luxembourg gardens, and I'll bet they'd love to check in and write to friends if they are "wired" as you are. <BR> <BR>3. Let them shop at Printemps, FNAC (CDs, etc.), etc. near St. Lazare for a little while. Expect to lose francs on the deal, but Parisian clothes and music might be something they'd love to be bringing home. <BR> <BR>Wish my father'd been able to do this for me. Enjoy it -- let us know what you decide.

Dear Mr Draper, <BR> <BR>Clearly, you are the kind of father a girl likes to have. <BR> <BR>It's hard to say. If (as I fear is likely) they or you feel a duty to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and all that you should take a 3-hour bus tour on your first day, and get that duty over. Now Paris is your oyster. Take overcoats. Then coffee on the Boulevard St Germain, a stroll in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Sunday morning service in the American Church. And the girls' selection of museums and evening music. If you write now to the Tourist Information Ofice, City of Paris, 127 av. Champs-Elysees, Paris 8e, and ask for a plan of the city centre and a list of museum and gallery opening times (and a separate copy for the girls if they're not with you now) then you can plan a bit of what to see. I always avoid the so-called "must sees", unless I really want to see them. In Paris, for example, people queue to see the Mona Lisa. But if you enjoy the history of medicine or modern Islam the Curie Museum and the Institute of the Arab World are much to be preferred. You can find a list of museums on http://www.pariscope.fr, under "Ecxpis", and then "Musees". <BR>The city is good for music of every kind on Sunday afternoons and weekday evenings. You'll get an idea of the vast range on the same web site under "Scene", and then "Classique", "Musique du Monde" and "Jazz Rock", but will want to buy the paper copy of the magazine "Pariscope" at a kiosk in the airport when you arrive, for that week's plans. <BR> <BR>I found good lunches at moderate prices in the University area around the Pantheon, suppers at brasseries in various spots (including near the great railway stations) and North African suppers on side streets near the metro stop Strasbourg St Denis. I found rip-offs for tourists around St Michel Notre Dame. <BR> <BR>If the girls like the idea of haute couture (and not all do), the English language site <BR>http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/label_.../MODE/MOD.html <BR>will be useful. Less exalted window shopping is at the Galeries Lsafayette, in the Pariscope web page, under "Shopping", then "Grands Magazins" <BR> <BR>To get about you'll have the RATP daily ticket, sold in any metro station, that covers metro, RER high speed metro, and busses. In front of stations RATP have kiosks that give bus maps away, and outside the rush hour, if you can work out the map, you have more interesting travel by bus than by metro. <BR> <BR>After you see the web sites, please write if I can help further. If you do, I'd value any comment you may make upon what the girls like. Or, indeed, they could write to me themselves. <BR> <BR>Welcome to Europe <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

Bill, You have very lucky daughters, but <BR>unless your girls are into culture in a bit way I'd count on more shopping and less museums and skip the bus tours - teenagers are not big fans of that sort of thing from what I've seen, unless they are with a gang of their own friends, in which case they would not be concentrating on the sights anyway! <BR> <BR>Seriously, most American teenagers (I'm assuming you are American) we've seen traveling with their parents looked totally bored to death, or at least not having the time of their life, no matter what city it was. Ask the girls what interests them most - each one should pick one place/thing they want to see/do and since your time is limited do it - even if it seems stupid to you (like a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe)! It will made the 3 days more enjoyable for all concerned. <BR> <BR>They may enjoy going to the top of the Eiffel Tower (I talked with a couple of teenagers from Vermont when were were there this spring and they thought that it was "cool" .. but they hated the Louvre (boring you know), and while they thought sidewalk cafes were OK they liked the idea that Paris had McDonalds). <BR> <BR>Really, in order to avoid three days that are totally boring for them you'd best find out what interests them most and like I said - go for it. The weather will be chilly and it might rain so indoor activities should be considered. <BR> <BR>Plan on hitting Au Printemps and Galleries Lafayette for some shopping. They might enjoy the shops/arcades on the Champs Elysees as well. Buying clothes, etc. in Paris might be real fun for them (it always is for me and I'm no teenager!) <BR> <BR>I think a lot of what they will enjoy depends on their background & where they are from, just be fully prepared that their idea of a good time is most likely not going to be yours and it will work out fine. Spending "fun" time togther should be the issue here, not seeing every major sight in Paris, unless that is what they really want. I hope you all have a wonderful time (but take your woolies, it can be cold in Paris in Nov.)

Bill--our family was in Paris this summer with our 17 yr old daughter and 14 yr old son. Our daughter enjoyed the Picasso museum, Eiffel Tower at night. We went to Printemps--it was okay (actually it was an absolute zoo and my daughter left without a purchase because she didn't want to stand in one more line--this was akin to the chances of a snow storm in Phoenix in June)but my son was the one who had the most fun shopping (and he isn't really into shopping much in the states), he went to the Rue du Faubourg St-Honore (with his father) and found some great buys at Versace. It was in late June at the height of the sale season, so Printemps might not be so bad in the fall--it is huge and has floor after floor of clothing, etc.

How about swimming?many teenaagers like to play pool tag. <BR>

I'd recommend heading to Paristoric first thing. This is a fabulous multimedia presentation (giant screen, fabulous videos & slides, awesome music) covering the history, sights, museums, monuments, shopping, attractions. Having seen this, you and your daughters will know what you don't want to miss up close. It's located at 11 bis rue Scribe (around the corner from Opera Garnier and across from Hotel Scribe); shows start on the hour from 9-6 (until 9 in summer); reduced admission for students. Also highly recommend a boat tour down the Seine. We prefer the smaller boats you catch on either side of Pont d'Iena (by the Tour Eiffel) as opposed to the Bateaux Mouches. You may want to consider two day passes on the new L'Opentour bus, which goes to all the major sights and attractions and has commentary in English along the way.

L'Opentour website http://www.ratp.fr/index.eng.htmlis

Bill, <BR>Let me share our experiences with taking 15 and 11 yr old girls last year and 12 yr old again this year. The 16 yr old decided Paris was not "fun" enough to merit a free trip this year. You already get a hint... <BR> <BR>I am not sure Lori has kids, but her observation is pretty much right on as a general view. Diane's comment as a experienced parent sounds similar to mine. <BR> <BR>They have "cool" places and other places. Only "cool" places are worth going. What are they? For our girls, they were Eiffel Tower (twice for 12 yrd old, that much cool), Hard Rock cafe, Galeries Lafayette (they have cute things not available in states, according to them,) and sending email from Cafe Orbital. <BR> <BR>No museum earned "cool" mark. With exception of bread, neither were French food. <BR> <BR>I hope your daughters are outside typical American girls who share some interest with adults. As Lori said "teenagers are not big fans of that sort of thing from what I've seen, unless they are with a gang of their own friends." <BR> <BR>This year, we capitulated and hit what she consididered cool. Not experiencing enough French culture? yes. But we had better time together and that was most important as a family.

Bill, <BR>i don't think it's as bad as some have portrayed, but then, I'm only an aunt. I know my sister and her husband took their 17 year old daughter and 14 year old son to London and Paris last summer and had a great time (kids agree!!) <BR> <BR>I think you have to factor in it's not like traveling with just another adult. Their kids really enjoyed the Eifel tower at night, liked the 1/2 day bus tour ( gave then an idea of what was good and bad), even went to Versailles for a 1/2 day and liked it. Also wanted pizza and coca cola for supper!!!! But then my niece, 17, was the one who slowed them down in the Louvre by saying "If we have to be here can we at least take the time to enjoy it." I think I would plan a few things and go with the flow---or better yet talk to them well in advance about pecieved likes and dislikes-----this is a great opportunity and they are at a great age. Have a great time.

Bill, <BR>I just read some of the suggestions .. and to have to agree with Greg -- and Greg I don't have kids, but I work in a University and "experience" them first hand every working day, all day long. Listening to their likes/dislikes, what they think about what is "cool" and what is not gives me some insight as to what makes them tick. Granted the University students are a bit older than Bill's daughters, but many are "older teenagers" and their idea of a good time is definately not what I would think of as fun (or probably Bill or Greg!). <BR> <BR>I did think of another place that might be "fun" for them - the Montparnasse Tower - 57 (or is it 59???) floors high with some pretty impressive views of Paris - we've been up there a couple of times and if nothing else the express elevator ride is quite a jolt. There is also a restuarant up there. <BR> <BR>

Why does everyone assume that American teenagers will be bored with cultural sites, and that as girls, they will only want to shop? Talk about a double stereotype!

Don't worry, Dad, French boys are civilized (for the most part) and behave pretty much like American kids (Just a reassurance here so you can put your mind at ease). If the girls want to go off by themselves, they won't be sold into white slavery...so let them wander off if they want.. <BR>There are lots of museums of special interest which might interest the girls: fashion, decorating, Rodin, Picasso, mechanical toys, coins, the Notre Dame crypte, police, etc. What are their interests? At that age, I was into Napoleon big time, so Les Invalides would have been a treat (still am, still is). <BR>For shopping, the department stores can't be beat - but be sure to explore the Boul' Mich and Boulevard St Germaine for boutiques - as someone pointed out, it'll set you back a few francs, but the stuff is certainly French. <BR>The Place de Tertre behind Sacre Coeur is pretty entertaining (very touristy, but lots of activity). The street performers in front of the Beaubourg are crowd pleasers - check out the skateboarders at the Trocadero and near the front of Notre Dame. <BR>You just need to find out what the girls need/want to see - or like at home - and you'll find plenty in Paris to suit you all.

Hi, again, <BR> <BR>The reason I suggested splitting the time 3 ways in my first post was that I anticipated mixed "agendas" on this trip, thought you could mix-and-match and balance everyone's inclinations with a spoonful of exploration. <BR> <BR>I try not to assume that kids will be necessarily narrow-mindedly dedicated to the cool and that they are rational enough to accept give-and-take in trip planning. <BR> <BR>On the one hand, it's absolutely hopeless to try to force "cultchah" down the throats of unwilling offspring. But <BR>it bothers me to read between the lines that someone would take their kids to Paris and then sit back and let them try to force the entire experience into what they THINK it ought to be, based on peer-group ideas of coolness. <BR> <BR>It seems to me it's part of a parent's job and joy to introduce kids to the wider horizons than their high-school corridors and the mall -- and, double fun, it's YOUR first trip there, too, Dad -- so you can discover together. It's also part of the job of a parent of a teenager to endure a lot of negative static without caving or being drawn into a fight. <BR> <BR>No need to drag them to museum after museum, but how 'bout choosing ONE -- and won't you be surprised when they come home and put a poster of a favorite painting up on their wall, EVEN if you hear them say, "yeah, we did some dumb museum." <BR> <BR>And that would be only one half-day -- they should each get to choose something they want to do otherwise, even if it's pizza. <BR> <BR>And BTW the shopping comment wasn't based on their gender -- a nephew dropped a fortune at FNAC last May on Euro-rock CDs. <BR> <BR>Overall, Bill, if you are really enthusiastic about this trip, and see it as a chance for the 3 of you to explore together and introduce each other to "neat stuff," almost anything will go, and it will be memorable. <BR> <BR>Only one warning, which may be unnecessary if your daughters are more up-and-at-'em than is average. Agree ahead of time about whether everyone will get up for breakfasts and early departures. Nothing guarantees a grumpier teen more than not being able to sleep in if they want to! What you lose in time in the morning you'll gain in good will later in the day. <BR>

PS: Yes, I am a parent, now any empty-nester, but my "kid" now has a great taste for travel.

PS: Yes, I am a parent, now an empty-nester, but my "kid" now has a great taste for travel.

Bill--a few more thoughts. We were in London before we went to Paris and the kids were getting tired out. Don't try to do too much--but it is also a part of the experience to sit at a cafe, watch the people, have a bite to eat and get some energy to continue. It is a good idea to let them in on the decisions, though our kids had no interest in planning prior to leaving. If you can get them to read some fiction and/or literature that takes place in Paris (did they like Madeline as young girls? or Hemingway "A Moveable Feast; or Tale of Two Cities) that can be a help. Also, even though they might complain about visiting Versailles or some other "cultural" spot they will love it when later they can recognize something in a movie or on TV. Also, we refused to eat at McDonald's, Chilis, etc. The first evening in London, my daughter ate only bread, but by the end of our trip she was enjoying an entire French meal. We ordered wine with the meals, but they didn't care for it, but they did enjoy the champagne on our last night to toast our trip.

Hi <BR>These would be some of my suggestions for a short trip--some ideas have been previously mentioned. <BR> <BR> <BR>Lunch or snack on the terrace of the <BR>department store La Samaritaine. On the ninth floor, it offers a comprehensive view of the Seine and Paris. Pont Neuf and Louvre are the closest Metro stops. <BR> <BR>Walk to the western end of the Tuileries gardens near Place de la Concorde. Sit on one of the benches at dusk and look at the lights of Paris. The fountains, <BR>Hotel Crillon, Champs Elysees, Arc d'Triomphe, Les Invalides will all be <BR>illuminated. This is why Paris is called the city of lights. <BR> <BR>o has information on bus tours within Paris. <BR> <BR>Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau: 127 avenue des Champs Elysees <BR>75008. telephone 08 36 68 21 12, metro stop is Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile or George V. <BR>Open every day except May 1. Branch offices in the Gare de Lyon and the Eiffel Tower <BR>(open May through Sept). Recorded information in English about cultural events: <BR>call 01 49 52 53 56. You can buy your museum pass at this agency, for no additional fee. For your short trip the museum pass will not be cost-effective but it will be time-effective as it saves you from waiting in long lines at the Louvre and the Orsay museum. Passes are for 1, 3 or 5 consecutive days. <BR> <BR>Another useful note: The Louvre is open until 9:45 on Wednesday nights, the d'Orsay until 9:45 on Thursday nights. <BR> <BR>I'll bet your guidebook has suggestions for walks and itineraries that <BR>include the following, plus much more: <BR>Notre Dame, see inside and out. <BR>It's the Cite metro stop). Then walk a few minutes to <BR> Sainte Chapelle, a masterpiece of gothic architecture and stained glass. If possible go on a sunny day to see the glass in its glory. From there it's only a few steps to the Conciergerie where many prisoners of the Revolution were held before execution. You can see Marie Antoinette's last cell, a guillotine blade, etc. <BR>At this point you can if you wish, and with museum pass in hand, head for the Louvre, or else start your day there. It is beyond overwhelming, so do a little <BR>reading before hand and decide what you absolutely must see. <BR> <BR>Take a walk through the Tuileries Gardens and then head to Place de la Concorde. From Place de la Concorde you <BR>can walk up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe,or explore the gorgeous shops on rue du Faubourg St Honore. From the Arc if you’re not exhausted, you can push on to the Eiffel Tower, or save that for another day., <BR>On another day, explore the left bank. <BR> See the wonderful Musee D'Orsay if you are interested in 19th century art, especially the impressionists and Van Gogh. My strategy is to get there at opening time and start on the top floor of the museum where most of the impressionist paintings are--early in the day you can see them in relative peace. The Musee D’Orsay has a reasonably priced cafe. <BR>Walk the blvd St Germain, explore <BR>the charming side streets and cafes and shops. If you are interested, go to the <BR>Rodin Museum which has beautiful sculptures and a pretty garden. If you like include les Invalides where <BR>Napoleon's tomb is. You can also walk to the Eiffel Tower. <BR> <BR>Perhaps take a bateau mouche boat ride <BR>on the Seine. It's touristy but especially beautiful at night. You can get them at Place de L’Alma near the Eiffel Tower. They leave every half-hour in the summer and the ride is about an hour. <BR>There are dinner cruises on the Seine, but these are quite expensive and I have heard that the food is just adequate, not worth the price. Still I’m sure it can be a memorable experience. <BR> Half-day guided coach tours are run byCityrama or Parisvision. They are a bit pricey but can give <BR>you an overview and an orientation. <BR> <BR>On another morning or afternoon,take a walk to Ile St Louis (stop for outstanding icecream at <BR>Berthillon) cross another bridge and then wander through the Marias area, stopping for lunch or dinner along the <BR>way, or at Place des Vosges, the oldest and most beautiful square in Paris. <BR> <BR>Galeries Lafayette department store has fashion shows on Wednesday at 11:00am and on Friday at 2:30pm. Make reservations at <BR> http://www.galerieslafayette.com/ <BR>gbdefile.htm <BR> <BR>Also, Printemps has shows on Tuesday and Friday at 10:00am. Not sure about Samaritaine. <BR>Good luck. <BR> <BR>

Hi <BR>These would be some of my suggestions for a short trip--some ideas have been previously mentioned. <BR> <BR> <BR>Lunch or snack on the terrace of the <BR>department store La Samaritaine. On the ninth floor, it offers a comprehensive view of the Seine and Paris. Pont Neuf and Louvre are the closest Metro stops. <BR> <BR>Walk to the western end of the Tuileries gardens near Place de la Concorde. Sit on one of the benches at dusk and look at the lights of Paris. The fountains, <BR>Hotel Crillon, Champs Elysees, Arc d'Triomphe, Les Invalides will all be <BR>illuminated. This is why Paris is called the city of lights. <BR> <BR>o has information on bus tours within Paris. <BR> <BR>Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau: 127 avenue des Champs Elysees <BR>75008. telephone 08 36 68 21 12, metro stop is Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile or George V. <BR>Open every day except May 1. Branch offices in the Gare de Lyon and the Eiffel Tower <BR>(open May through Sept). Recorded information in English about cultural events: <BR>call 01 49 52 53 56. You can buy your museum pass at this agency, for no additional fee. For your short trip the museum pass will not be cost-effective but it will be time-effective as it saves you from waiting in long lines at the Louvre and the Orsay museum. Passes are for 1, 3 or 5 consecutive days. <BR> <BR>Another useful note: The Louvre is open until 9:45 on Wednesday nights, the d'Orsay until 9:45 on Thursday nights. <BR> <BR>I'll bet your guidebook has suggestions for walks and itineraries that <BR>include the following, plus much more: <BR>Notre Dame, see inside and out. <BR>It's the Cite metro stop). Then walk a few minutes to <BR> Sainte Chapelle, a masterpiece of gothic architecture and stained glass. If possible go on a sunny day to see the glass in its glory. From there it's only a few steps to the Conciergerie where many prisoners of the Revolution were held before execution. You can see Marie Antoinette's last cell, a guillotine blade, etc. <BR>At this point you can if you wish, and with museum pass in hand, head for the Louvre, or else start your day there. It is beyond overwhelming, so do a little <BR>reading before hand and decide what you absolutely must see. <BR> <BR>Take a walk through the Tuileries Gardens and then head to Place de la Concorde. From Place de la Concorde you <BR>can walk up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe,or explore the gorgeous shops on rue du Faubourg St Honore. From the Arc if you’re not exhausted, you can push on to the Eiffel Tower, or save that for another day., <BR>On another day, explore the left bank. <BR> See the wonderful Musee D'Orsay if you are interested in 19th century art, especially the impressionists and Van Gogh. My strategy is to get there at opening time and start on the top floor of the museum where most of the impressionist paintings are--early in the day you can see them in relative peace. The Musee D’Orsay has a reasonably priced cafe. <BR>Walk the blvd St Germain, explore <BR>the charming side streets and cafes and shops. If you are interested, go to the <BR>Rodin Museum which has beautiful sculptures and a pretty garden. If you like include les Invalides where <BR>Napoleon's tomb is. You can also walk to the Eiffel Tower. <BR> <BR>Perhaps take a bateau mouche boat ride <BR>on the Seine. It's touristy but especially beautiful at night. You can get them at Place de L’Alma near the Eiffel Tower. They leave every half-hour in the summer and the ride is about an hour. <BR>There are dinner cruises on the Seine, but these are quite expensive and I have heard that the food is just adequate, not worth the price. Still I’m sure it can be a memorable experience. <BR> Half-day guided coach tours are run byCityrama or Parisvision. They are a bit pricey but can give <BR>you an overview and an orientation. <BR> <BR>On another morning or afternoon,take a walk to Ile St Louis (stop for outstanding icecream at <BR>Berthillon) cross another bridge and then wander through the Marias area, stopping for lunch or dinner along the <BR>way, or at Place des Vosges, the oldest and most beautiful square in Paris. <BR> <BR>Galeries Lafayette department store has fashion shows on Wednesday at 11:00am and on Friday at 2:30pm. Make reservations at <BR> http://www.galerieslafayette.com/ <BR>gbdefile.htm <BR> <BR>Also, Printemps has shows on Tuesday and Friday at 10:00am. Not sure about Samaritaine. <BR>Good luck. <BR> <BR>

I hate duplicate postings.