Are you interested in teen activities in Paris? I might have a few ideas for you. We just came back from a 5 week Europe trip. Our oldest, J. and I were born in the Netherlands and my husband spent several years in Europe, so we decided to stay in the Netherlands for 2 weeks and travel 3 weeks to explore a good part of Europe, including Italy and France. And France means Paris, so what do teens need to see and do in Paris?
Planning ahead for your trip to Paris
Yes, right, planning with teenagers was not working. That word does not exist in their vocabulary. Planning FOR teens is a different thing! Still, I wanted their input in what they wanted to see and do. Want to know what I got as an answer? One said:” Okay, I need to eat a baguette…just one….all for myself!” The other one said:” I guess I want to see the Eiffel Tower?”
“Thanks guys, but we’re not going back if you find out AFTER the visit you HAVE to see or do something in Paris!”
Our 8 year old (and wanna-be-a-teenager) said: ” Wait, where is Paris? Is that where Ratatouille and the Aristocats live?”
Planning tools for traveling with teens
That just left my husband and I to think of something else. After drawing a map of part of Europe where we were thinking of traveling on a big piece of paper, I hung it up in our living room for everyone to see. You can tape the paper over a tv (or computer) screen and pull up the map of Europe. Trace the countries and map out your potential route with mileage and time.
A few years ago we decided that some day, we wanted to make a world trip. The idea was to show the kids part of the world, learn about other cultures and see with their own eyes what is going on, meet new people and appreciate everything around you. Instead of us buying them materialistic stuff, like computers, iPads and phones or anything like that, we want to make memories with them….before they take of to go to college!
I started to do some research and read blogs of families who did this for a few months to a year or so. We “only” had 5 weeks. It would be crazy to just visit a place for just a few days.
Then the COVID pandemic hit and traveling wasn’t (and still isn’t as of the day that I’m writing this) easy. We had to change our plans. Not only did we move the trip for another year, but we also kept the flying part to just one destination and did a roadtrip in Europe instead.
This year it was my parents 50th anniversary (Congratulations mama en papa!!!) and my mom loves the Tuscany, so my brother and I planned to stay a week in the Tuscany. The 2 weeks before we would meet in the Tuscany, we traveled from the Netherlands to France. First stop: Paris! But what to do in Paris with teens?
Transportation
My husbands first suggestion was traveling by train. Pro’s are, that, at the moment it could be cheaper than a car, It’s fast and we can relax with the kids during the trips and play games, read books etc. Con’s are that you have to know what the train schedules are, your place wont be next to every train station, meaning we have to walk a lot with all of our luggage or get other transportation to get to our B&B, hotel or wherever we’re staying.
We ended up using my parents old car, which was small, but fit the 5 of us and our luggage (we re-packed our suitcases into sports bags, so they would fit more easily into the car, than hard shell, bulky suitcases).
Other transportation we used were subway trains, and Ted used a Lyft taxi once in Paris. Want to see more of Paris, but above ground? You can take the hop-on-hop-off-bus or “Tootbus”.
Where to stay
If you know someone in or near Paris and they want to host you, that would be a great option. We had that option when we went to the South of France, where we stayed at the apartment of Ted’s cousin.
We didn’t plan so many places to stay way ahead of time, because we didn’t know what our exact plan was and how everyone was feeling. If you are a planner, you could get good deals for Airbnb’s or B&B’s. These usually are the best if you want to stay at a place for a longer time.
We just booked our hotel a week in advance. We didn’t want to drive in Paris itself, because…you know…crazy traffic. We’re not used to smaller streets and lots of cars, zipping around you, because they KNOW where they’re going!
Our hotel was close to one of the first metro stations going into Paris. We parked at the closest parking lot and got into the metro station. We bought day passes for all of us, which was easy and cheaper than driving into Paris, find a parking space, pay for a whole day and try to walk everywhere.
A single-trip ticket costs 1.90 EURO. If you want to stay and explore Paris for more days, then the Paris Visite Travel pass works for you. 5 day pass costs 38,35 EURO. These passes are valid for 1,2,3 or 5 consecutive days and can even be used for metro, tramway, bus, RER and SNCF Transilien networks to the airports, DisneyLand Paris and within Paris of course!
What to see in Paris
We decided to take it easy and just show the kids the main attractions. We thought that would be one of the things you need to do with teenagers in Paris. First, because it was really hot those days and second because we only had a little over 2 days.
Here are the things we did see and do. Below I added more ideas.
Metro:
Just getting in the metro is an experience by itself. We tried to pronounce the names of the destinations, and watching people. Sorry, we’re no city people, but our kids are brought up in Iowa, I hope that explains this point, lol!
“Gare du Nord”:
The North station. This is a place where not only several metro connections are but the main train station. Seen in many movies, nice shops and art.
“Sacre Coeur”:
NOT the most favorite place to go to, according to my 8-year. She doesn’t like to walk, especially not in the heat and the many steps it takes you to get up there. The teenagers liked the back streets (didn’t pass Moulin Rouge, though. That’s up to you to explore that area. I remember walking with a friend there, during our senior class field trip).
But when they saw the Sacre Coeur, they were amazed (for opening hours click here.) It is a beautiful Roman Catholic Church. In front of the Basilica you’ll get a beautiful panorama view from the city and there are usually people who sell souvenirs.
A weird tradition, and not welcomed by locals, is the fence with locks. People think it might damage the structures. Locks are also being hung from bridges as well.
Mont Martre
Behind the Sacre Coeur, you’ll find a few small streets and squares full of places to sit and eat. Mont Martre is a place where you’ll find a lot of artists too. This was especially fun for our art loving oldest of the teens. One of the artists started talking to us and wanted, of course, draw us as a family, he said ”in a fun way”. A caricature of us? Hmmm, before I could say anything, dad already agreed. The kids were okay with it and I could manage to have only the kids drawn (they just got an ice cream, so that would an interesting drawing!)
TIP: It is fun to do something like this, but be sure to ask for examples, because I personally wasn’t so impressed with the drawing.
Then the steps down were a lot easier than up!
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, standing at the western end of the Champs-Elysees. This arch is the center of a star shape with twelve avenues. The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Under its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War.
If it wasn’t so hot, I would also shown the kids this beautiful and famous street. I remember when I was there in 2004 with my then boyfriend, now husband, we strolled down parallel streets of the Champs Elysees and found amazing restaurants and shops. Think salads, crepes and chocolate croissants! Cannot go wrong with teenagers! Another great thing to do with teenagers in Paris!
Eiffel Tower
After a short subway trip, we finally came to the place which represents Paris: the Eiffel Tower!
We walked a bit around and thought there would be a long line to get at least under the Eiffel Tower. They placed security booths right before you go under the Eiffel Tower. The kids thought the tower looked way bigger than they thought it would be.
Next time we go up the Tower. Now we were getting tired, hungry and too hot.
Boat tour over the Seine
The next idea was to take a boat ride on the Seine. But again, the kids were too tired, hot and hungry. It turned out, we found out the next day, that the boat rides were only going from the Eiffel Tower to other stops.
If it wouldn’t be this hot and so busy, we would definitely go one of those boat trips.
Now it was time to get some food and see if we can grant another wish: buy a whole baguette!
Notre Dame
The next day we went back to downtown Paris and saw the Notre Dame. At the moment, the Notre Dame is not open for visits. The renovation of the 2019 fire, is still ongoing. Well, at least we saw the outside!
And then we were done! I bet the kids had a good experience to see these famous attractions. They can always come back…not in the summer… and explore more of Paris. At least they’ve been there and saw these incredible buildings!
What else do teenagers need to see in Paris?
Here are a few more ideas, in case the kids didn’t get enough and you have enough time.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is located 32 kilometers east of Paris. You can download the app or click here for more information.
We did not go, because of the time (it takes a whole day of course). And because we went to Disneyland in Florida a few years ago. We wanted to explore the French Paris and not the American Paris, if you know what I mean!
Louvre Museum
This one will definitely be on our list for our next visit. The Louvre Museum is located on the Seine near the famous Pont Neuf bridge.
Kids under the age of 18 are free of admission and the museum is closed every Tuesday.
They offer guided tours, practical workshops and storytelling sessions. And video’s like this which can be watched before or after the visit.
Catacombs
This might be a little scary. The Catacombs of Paris are located south of the Louvre Museum in the 14th arrondissement, south of the Luxembourg Gardens.
This visit takes about an hour. There are 131 steps down and 112 going up. It’s literally a bone chilling experience, but if your teens are into it and want to know why all these skulls and bones are so nicely piled up and down in those caves? This might be an event for you!
Segway Tours through Paris
If your teens are over 14, they can zoom through Paris and see the city’s most famous sites on a Segway. There is a life tour guide and there are several duration options available. Helmet is included. Be sure not to wear high heels, sandals or flip flops. Do wear comfortable shoes, sunglasses and a sun hat.
The Cat Cafe (Le Cafe des Chats)
I know this is more like a Japanese thing, but Paris has cat cafe’s as well. If you have cat loving teens, this could be a nice break in the sight-seeing adventure.
Shakespeare and Company
One of our kids is a book loving child and it doesn’t matter what language it is. This bookstore looks like it could be located in Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. It’ll be fun to check that out!
Where to eat in Paris?
One of the things I miss in the USA are bakeries. During our Euro-trip we went to a lot of bakeries. Tried focaccia in Italy, Kaiserbroetchen in Germany, and baguettes in France.
North and east of the Quartier Latin you’ll find the best bakeries in Paris. Try not only the baguettes, but the brioche, which is a soft, sweet bread and macarons in the most amazing flavors.
And the most amazing thing is that you can buy chocolate croissants in the most simple gas stations along the way when you drive through France. We were in heaven!!!
Another quick lunch idea you have to try is the Crêpe (sweet) or Galette (savory). A little south west of the Sacre Coeur, you’ll find an amazing creperie (Creperie Broceliande) , where they serve sweet and savory crepes.
Near the Eiffel Tower we ate our lunch on a terrace at a cafe called ”Cafe Gustave”. Nice waiters and good food. Little frying baskets for the fries, yummy Crème brûlée, salads and more.
Please let me know if you have more awesome ideas for your teens in Paris and I hope you’ll have a trip planned soon!!!
To make this trip unforgettable, I started to make a Travel Journal. Interested in making one? Click here…
And this will be a fun activity to do for teens as well, especially when they made beautiful pictures!
Hello everyone,
Welcome to my Crafty Dutch Girl blog! Grab a cup of “koffie” and browse through fun blog posts about our Dutch family expat life in the USA, Dutch history, Dutch recipes, Dutch things to do in the USA and all kinds of crafts and activities. Don’t forget to connect with me for new ideas! “Groetjes en tot ziens”.