Taking my 16-year-old to Paris for the weekend...?

Question

We are going in June 2007. We've both wanted to go and are just making a weekend of it to say we've been there. We don't have tons of money so what can anyone recommend for a REALLY quick weekend getaway? Hotels? A little bistro that has great pastries and coffee. We aren't getting a car so I need things we can walk to.

Although I'd love to see the Louvre I know we won't have the time. Any other suggestions?

Also, any travel agencies that put together cheap packages?
Please, seasoned travelers answer only.

Answer 1

You should see if a local or nearby university is taking a group to Paris during Spring Break...that's how I got hooked on Paris. Here, it's around $1400/person for 10 days (airfare, hotel, museum pass, metro pass). What's great is that anyone can go, not just university students.

When are you leaving for Paris and returning home? There is so much to see and experience Paris. Are you arriving on Saturday?

I would suggest taking an introductory bus tour of Paris with Cityrama or Paris Vision. They offer historical commentary via headphones and it's a great way to see the city. There is also a tour that includes the bus tour and a boat ride along the Seine. If you're short on time, I'd recommend that. You can see a lot of the main sites.

You can get a museum pass (the 2-day museum pass) and you could go see the Louvre without standing in line. Enter through the Metro (Palais Royale: Musee du Louvre) or the Louvre shopping center (Carrousel du Louvre, I think) and you won't have to stand in line at the Pyramid. You can also visit nearby Musee d'Orsay with your museum pass. The Rodin Museum and nearby Invalides and Napoleon's Tomb are nice, not crowded. The Museum pass will gain you entrance to all of those sites.

The Eiffel Tower is free (best site for photos: Trocadero) unless you go up, as stated previously. But get there early or you'll be standing in line for a while. Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe are great. The museum pass allows you free access of the Arc. Notre Dame is free and so beautiful.

There are some really nice restaurants in the Notre Dame area. I believe we ate at Cafe Esmerelda and the Quasimodo Cafe were relatively inexpensive. And the Louvre food court is affordable and offers many options.

You can get a carnet of metro tickets (un carnet du dix) for each of you. It's cheaper than purchasing them separately and will cost about 11 Euros/each. The Metro is fast and easy.

As for hotels, I've only stayed at the Republique Hotel. It's not too far from Pere Lachaise Cemetery (Jim Morrison, Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein and countless others are buried here) and has some really nice restaurants in the area (The Maya is my favorite). It's a nice hotel, the staff (most) speak English. Great breakfast.

I suggest getting a Rick Steves' Paris book...he gives you a quick tour of the Louvre so you can see the main sites. Or check out his web site and download the tour to your iPod.

When you eat out, check the prices of the beverages. Pop can cost you a pretty penny. If you want water, order "un carafe d'eau" and you'll get a nice cold pitcher of free tap water. If you just order water, you'll get a 3 or 4 Euro bottle. Restaurants post their menu outside so you can peruse the menu before entering.

Best souvenirs are found on Rue de Rivoli, across from the Louvre. I've found mini Eiffel Towers for 1 Euro and 15 postcards for 1 Euro. But you have to do some searching...don't buy at the first shop. The souvenir shops near Notre-Dame are nice, too.

Answer 2

I went to Paris at age 16. It is an amazing city. I stayed at the Libertel Touraine Hotel. It was inexpensive and relatively nice. Also, it is right next to a Metro Station and that is the best way to get around Paris. Not only that but it is also near to the Sacre Cour which is beautiful and worth the walk (or Metro ride). The Moulin Rouge is nearby as well which is always cool to say you've seen.
The Eiffel Tower is an obvious tourist attraction but I recommend going at night. The crepe stand next to the Eiffel Tower has the most amazing crepes in all of Paris. I recommend the crepe au sucre. Or, you can take a Bateau Mouche (boat tour) on the Seine. It is the best way to see the city. I also recommend this at night because the Eiffel Tower is beautiful. Don't forget to go to the top of the Tower to see the entire city from the sky.
And don't say you don't have time for the Louvre. It is open crazy hours that allow anyone to go. And you have to see the Winged Victory, Venus De Milo, and of course the Mona Lisa. You can't go to Paris and not see the Mona Lisa. The Mussee D'Orsay is great too.
The best shopping in Paris is on Rue De Rivoli. I recommend at least browsing.

Answer 3

Reasonable accomodations can be found at several chains owned by accor hotels.

http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/reservation/liste_hotels.shtml

The arc de triomphe and the eiffel tower are both free unless you go up. Notre Dame is a MUST see and is free. The Louvre is expensive and the line to get in will take half a day so you're right to avoid it. The Place des Invalides is excellent. Napoleon's tomb is there and also the French Military Museum.

The subway system is fairly cheap and very effective. You can buy a family pass for unlimited rides fr x amount of days usually.

Food is pricey everywhere. Bakeries and little food statnds are best. Restaurants are usually brutal.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Paris is a very affordable city. Pay no attention to people who tell you to stay on the outskirts.

My favorite little hotel is the St. Andre des Artes at number 66 on the street of the same name in the 6th arrondisment. A double room with ensuite shower and toilet will cost you 85 euros a night and includes breakfast in the morning. (coffee or hot chocolate and some bread and jam). I've been staying there on my annual trips to France for the last 35 years.

Thge hotel is a five minute walk from Notre Dame and a 10-15 minute walk to the Louvre. At the corner the Cafe Conti is friendly and serves pleasant food at modest prices. There are literally scores of eating places, sandwich shops, pastry shops and such within a block of the front door.

Email for a hotel reservation to [e-mail] They are VERY popular and always full in the summer. The Odeon metro stop is just one street over.

Answer 5

You can save money by staying on the outskirts. The metro (subway) in paris is extemely safe, user friendly and can get you anywhere you want to go cheaply. You can buy a several day pass and will really save a ton of money by staying in the burbs. You can also buy a several day pass that will let you get in several museums and points of interest very cost effectively. When you buy the pass you can look through things quickly without feeling like you need to get your moneys worth. We went through the louvre in 3 hours and felt like we saw all we wanted to see of it. The number one thing you need to do though is take a night river cruise on the siene. I think it cost about 15 dollars per person and the view of the old buildings along the river and the eiffel tower lit up at night is priceless.

Answer 6

if u need a get away go to disney land, i can't afford to go to disney land but if ur thinkin of goin to paris i would go to disney land