Paris, three days with three children--suggestions?

colmomto2
Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:21:53 +0000

I took my kids to Paris when they were 14 (S) and 12(D). D, now 15, recommends:

1) Eiffel Tower - “Go all the way to the top. It’s hot waiting in line, but it’s worth it.” (D)
2) Arc de Triomphe - “My mom didn’t know about the underground path when she went to college in Paris. She ran across the street to get there!” (D) (We took the underground passage this time )
3) Ile St. Louis - get some ice cream on this little island located just behind Notre Dame.
4) Visit many patisseries - “Get the chocolate.” (D)
5) Walk the Champs Elysees - “It’s really cool.” (D) We stopped at a cafe to wet our whistles and people watch. Please note that my D is not a fashionista in any way. She doesn’t even own a dress. She just loved the Champs Elysees.
6) Musee Cluny - Middle Ages museum that houses the Unicorn Tapestry.
7) Napoleon’s Tomb - Come on, you have to take the kids to see the Little Emperor.
8) “Just walk around Paris.” (D) - Check out the Middle Ages house on Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg (runs alongside Les Invalides/Napoleon’s Tomb) just a few doors down from rue Chevert. Other, more modern, buildings were built right next to it, but there it is - a house front from the Middle Ages. “Cool.” (D) Also check out cathedrals and chapels you run across. Most are much quieter than Notre Dame, and you can just sit and look at the architecture and stained glass windows. “Nice.” (D)
9) Versailles - We went on a rainy day and still had a great time. The Hall of Mirrors was under repair, so D was a little disappointed b/c that was what she wanted to see most. Still, she recommends it for your D’s.
10) Le Hameau - we walked there from Versailles. (The rain had stopped by then.) Kids and I both loved it.
11) The Louvre - “It’ was alot bigger than I thought it would be. Isn’t that the one with Hammurabi’s Code in it? They have to see the Louvre.” (D)

I also took my kids to see Giverny, Honfleur, The American Cemetary and Memorial, and Mont St.-Michel (We got there around 5:30 on a stormy day. S and I had to literally hang on to D so she wouldn’t blow away. Went to Vespers - it was the only way the nun would let us use the restroom - smart woman - all candlelit and stormy with a capella singing in Middle Ages/Baroque hybrid style. “Cool.” (D) We had the whole town to ourselves. AMAZING. Something everyone should see. “Very, very, very cool, even the church service” (D) and we’re not Catholic!) I realize you won’t be able to do this tour on this trip, but keep it in mind for your next visit to France.

We did lots of other things in Paris, but I provided this list with the hope that hearing my D’s favorite things to do in Paris might give you ideas about what your teenager girls might like to do in Paris. :)