What to do, see & shop in Paris, with a teenager?

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What to do, see & shop in Paris, with a teenager?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Dear YLFers,

I'm taking my 15 years old daughter to Paris for four days in the beginning of October! We are SO lucky to be able to do this. I've been to Paris a couple of times before, and of course I know about the Louvre, Centre Pompidou, all the landmarks and so on. We will see a lot of the more famous sights. This is already decided.

My daughter loves everything vintage, retro, charming and quirky. She knits, is very visual and adores everything pretty and simple. This is a trip for her, not for me, but I hope we will find places & activities that we both will love.

What are your best tips for a successful stay in Paris with a teenaged girl? I would love to hear your advice on everything from restaurants, shops, museums and places.

Thanks for reading!

13 years ago

Inspiration

13 replies

Latest reply was from merwoman

qpswan

Active Member

How wonderful!

My kids really enjoyed the catacombs. This may appeal to her quirky side.
http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm

My daughter and I enjoyed the Museum of Decorative Arts.
http://www.parispass.com/paris.....-Arts.html

We loved Musée Nissim de Camondo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.....de_Camondo

Bon voyage!

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I second the catacombs - that was a huge hit. Also be sure to take a boat tour around sunset. We wound up doing that twice. Youngest daughter is budding photographer and she took a zillion pics of bridges. It's also a nice way to rest your feet after a long day of walking.

Another tip: bring a messenger bag or backpack, and a lightweight blanket (such as an airline blanket). Every day we'd pick up bread, cheese, a bottle of wine, and other nibbles and then have an impromptu picnic somewhere (Eiffel Tower was particularly nice, as was Ponte Neuf) and just sit and people watch.

We also had a lot of fun exploring thrift/vintage/consignment shops. I wish I remembered what neighborhood we were in. I really should have bought that Chanel blazer. Sigh.

13 years ago

qpswan

Active Member

YES! Our friends lent us a insulated backpack that was a life saver. We stocked up at the Monoprix and saved money on food.

We also loved the Paris opera guided tour.

13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

Marche aux Puces if she is interested in vintage:
http://www.frommers.com/destin.....28602.html
Just using the metro is a fascinating adventure - however - seems like you can rent bicycles - wouldn't that be fun?
You'd want to take the street life in around the Latin Quarter as well.
What a wonderful opportunity for you both!

Watch out for pick pockets evrywhere - especially in crowded areas and on the metro.

13 years ago

geargirl

Active Member

Hi Ingunn-
I recommend walking around Ile St Louis-
It really has the "feel" of Paris. Old, tiny shops.
My favorite place for scarves is Diwali.
Ice cream at Berthillon-for sure. You can walk from Notre Dame.
http://gofrance.about.com/od/p.....tlouis.htm

Also, you don't mention Versailles...

13 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I took my daughter last year to celebrate her college graduation, the biggest hit with her was a Fat Tire Bike Tour of Versailles. Also, the Musee' d Orsay and the Printemps Department store. You will have the time of your life and what great memories you will share. Can't wait to hear all about it,

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

If she's a knitter, this is my favorite "cute' yarn store in Paris:

http://www.ladroguerie.com/

Also many of the department stores have yarn in the haberdashery department.

I have taken a bike tour of Versailles as well and it was not a hit with me, because you take the train to get there, we only had an hour to see Versailles itself and the guide is not allowed inside the chateau with you. Having been to Versailles twice on tours and once on my own, I definitely prefer getting there on my own. It is a *very* short walk from the train station.

There was a bike tour of Monet's gardens which in hindsight, I would have liked to have taken because that would have been hard to get to by myself.

Please eat lots of crepes. They are delicious!

13 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

How delightful! My daughter and I went last year and she wanted a longchamp bag (the fold up coloured ones). It ended up being a wonderful experience (we went to the store in Gallerie), we had to stand in line for nearly and hour behind the silk rope with many other teenage girls and their parents. We were duly let in a few at a time and finally got to purchase our bag... She uses it al the time for uni and has a great story to tell around it. I agree with Geargirl. there is a wonderful store we go to with bags scarves cute tops and a few pieces of jewellery near where she mentioned... you will see it along the central street as you come onto the ile de cite from Notre dame... Enjoy a special time!

13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

Another thought - Rodin's Museum. It's very small - more like a house, gorgeous collection of works.

13 years ago

Krista

Veteran

I second the votes on the Latin Quarter - we stayed there when we went to Paris and it's in walking distance of many things and has lots of nice restaurants/boutique to boot (although not the popular French department stores). We spent many hours just walking and looking around - there are so many things to see anywhere in Paris that you will have a great time anyway!

I also second the vote on walking to Versailles from the train (it's very short and a nice walk). The gardens in Versailles are amazing but I remember being disappointed in the tour - maybe it cost more than what you were actually able to see? I can't remember exactly what it was now!

Have tons of fun!

13 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all these interesting and valuable advice! A picnic is a brilliant idea, and thanks for links and all your great ideas. I forgot to tell you that we have rented a small apartment on Montmartre. It is on the same street where the wonderful movie Amelie á Montmartre was located!

What are the best department stores in Paris in your opinion? And the most interesting things to shop?

13 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I liked the Bon Marche on the Left Bank for actual shopping, but the Galeries Layfayette and Au Printemps are definitely worth checking out for the eye candy appeal. BHV was fun because it reminded me of French "Sears" where people shop for their homes, instead of for fashion. The department stores are also a great place to grab a bite in their food areas.

But, to be honest, my best shopping experiences have been in the smaller shops as long as I remembered my "Bonjour, madame" greeting whenever I entered. Maybe I was just lucky, but I never encountered a snooty response, only a helpful salesperson who was very patient with my awful accent.

As to what to buy-- scarves, definitely! And handbags, shoes, and all kinds of accessories. I still have fun remembering all my scarf-tying lessons from the sales staff and the careful way that they wrapped and be-ribboned my purchases. And don't forget to bring a shopping tote to hold all your goodies; many smaller stores don't stock plastic bags.

13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

Fantastic location - be sure to head up to the Sacre Coeur. You'll be able to overlook Paris.
Shopping - what everyone has mentioned are great choices - other things to pick up - stockings/panty hose and lingerie. The SAs will size you up and down in a glance.

13 years ago

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