The Travelling Kid: Destinations!

When I told my friends that I had plans to take (my then) thirteen year old stepson to Paris - they took bets. One pal planned to have a t-shirt printed for me that said: ‘Oo-la-la. I took a thirteen year old to Paris and survived.’

In fact, some of the trip was challenging. But thirteen year olds are going to roll their eyes whether you’re in the grocery store or in the Louvre. I’ll choose the Louvre over the frozen-foods aisle any day.

Our trip was actually wonderful for many reasons. Yes, we bonded. But more importantly, we showed each other things that we might not have seen if we were each flying solo in this grand and beautiful city. Without Noah, I doubt I would have discovered the joys of seeing an English-speaking movie at a Champs Élysées movie theatre. Because “Twister” (pronounced: TWEE-STER) was sub-titled in French we found ourselves laughing before the rest of the audience and marveled that many people were chattering through the whole movie because they weren’t necessarily listening. We still giggle about this theatre experience from time to time. We also wax nostalgic about the delicious Pizza we found at little restaurant on the Left Bank.

Noah and I have returned to Paris since then. On the most recent trip, he brought his lovely girlfriend and it filled my heart with joy to see him sharing the city he ‘knew’ so well.

So, what will a teen like in Paris? Lots of stuff! The teen ‘age’ is the WONDERFUL time in their (and our) lives where interests of all sorts bud and bloom and are SO ELECTRIFIED! You, as a parent will ‘know’ deep down which kinds of things will knock your teen out. You will also know which things they will roll-their-eyes-at-today-but-will-be-totally-glad-that-they-saw-it-tomorrow. (Okay. Maybe, not tomorrow. Perhaps, next year. But for sure: glad). For example, Noah rolled his eyes all through the Louvre as I ‘drug’ him from the Mona Lisa, to the Winged Victory to the Venus de Milo. BUT when we got home, I overheard him boasting to one of his pals, “Yea. I saw the Mona Lisa. She was cool.”

So, all anecdotes aside, here are some of my suggestions:

1.THE CATACOMBS: They are cool. Not doubt about it. Filled with skulls and all sorts of bones, these cool underground labyrinths were home to the French Resistance during World War II. I’ve never seen anything like it and it scored big with Noah, who thought it was one of the creepiest, coolest things he’d ever seen. (Les Catacombes: 1pl Denfert-Rochereau (14th) 01.43.22.47.63 http://triggur.org/cata/ Metro: Denfert-Rochereau)

2.PERE LACHAISE CEMETERY: This is ‘rock and roll’, creepy and beautiful all rolled into one. Jim Morrison, the lead singer of the Doors is buried here, along with a lot of other famous people.

(http://www.pere-lachaise.com/Metro: Pere Lachaise)

3.MUSEUMS: I have found that Museums are parts of the ‘recipe for fun’. My advice is that you should add and stir according to ‘taste’. Luckily, Paris is a Museum Mecca, with museums that appeal to every interest.

a.Noah LOVED the CLUNY MUSEUM on the Left Bank. This medieval museum is most famous for The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry but it is also FILLED with Medieval armor and swords and all sorts of stuff that fantasy-game-playing teens can only, well, fantasize about.

(www.musee-moyenage.fr Metro: Cluny)

b.Train buffs and dance fans might like the MUSEE D’ORSAY. The building is actually an old train station and the architecture is fabulous. Filled with Impressionist art (among other things) – dance fans will love the extensive Degas collection. (1 rue de la Legion d’Honneur (7th) www.musee-orsay.fr Metro: Solferino)

c.THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM is a fantastic collection of BIG animals and dinosaurs. Some teens I know are still fans of such things. (Daily: 9am-8pm, 36 rue Geoffroy St.-Hilaire (5th) www.mnhn.fr Metro: Gare d’Austerlitz)

d.THE LOUVRE. How can you go wrong? Even if your teen hates you for dragging them to see the Mona Lisa, it will at least give them bragging rights. Also, any budding archaeologist will love the creepy Egyptian stuff. (Rue de Rivoli (1st) www.louvre.fr. Metro: Palais Royale)

e.THE PICASSO MUSEUM in the Marais, might appeal to teens who love Picasso’s fabulous abstract stuff. (5 rue de Thorigny (3rd) www.musee-picasso.fr Metro: St-Sebastian-Froissart)

f.THE MUSEE DES ARTS ET METIERS was founded in 1793 and is a mecca for lovers of science and industry, as it houses more that 3,000 discoveries and inventions including Pascal’s original calculator and Foucault’s pendulum. (60 rue Reamur (3rd) http://www.arts-et-metiers.net

Metro: Arts et Metier)

g.Young ladies might like to take tea at the MUSEE JACQUEMART ANDRE, which is a charming museum in the 8th, housed in a Second Empire mansion, and after you see their Botticellis and Fragonards, you can have a lovely tea in the downstairs salon. (Daily 10-6; 158 bld. Haussmann (8th) www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com. Metro: Miromesnil)

h.CENTRE GEORGE POMPIDOU – if your teen is not a modern art fan, you don’t have to go into the museums. Just go check out the crazy architecture of this fabulous ‘inside-out’ building and ride the escalators. (pl. Georges Pompidou (4th) www.centre-pompidou.fr. Metro: Chatelet)

4. RENT BIKES or SKATES! Weekends in August - the city closes the major road along the Seine on the Left Bank so that people can cycle or skate their way through the city. Riding bikes all the way to the

Marne River and then into the Marais, was one of my most favorite Paris memories. ( http://www.rouelibre.fr) Also, Friday nights there is a giant ‘skating’ party. (http://www.sfpix.com/dees/pariroller/index.html )

Again, roads are closed and THOUSANDS of people skate through the city.

5. DANCING/CLUBBING: Teens love dancing and going to clubs. Paris is FILLED with them. THE BUDDHA BAR is world famous. There are also places like FAVELA CHIC. Look to local listings. Stick to the well-known, established ones and the whole family will enjoy it.

6.THE BATEAUX MOUCHE: You can catch these boats that cruise the Seine every hour from Pont D’ Alma in the 8th. It’s great to sit and see the sights.

7. FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!!! What teen doesn’t like to eat? The way to my teen’s heart was definitely through his stomach. You’re in luck. Paris has lots of delicious food: go to a crepe stand, try Berthillon Ice Cream, or pop in almost anywhere for steak frites (because what teen doesn’t like fries?).

8. Teen girls will revel in the many shopping opportunities. Window-shop till you drop! You don’t have to re-finance your house to find fun things to buy. Go to MONOPRIX…the French answer to Target. They have LOTS of great make-up and cheap accessories and fun things to buy. They have cute little camisoles and flip flops, etc. There are several Monoprix stores throughout Paris. The one in the Marais on Rue St. Antoine is the nicest and has the best selection. www.monoprix.fr

9. MUSIC - Paris is home to all sorts of amazing music. Pop into any of the FNAC stores (there is a big one on the Champs Élysées) and check out availability and buy tickets.

10. FILM: Go see a movie. If you are looking for English, just look for movie that was originally in English with the designation: VO (version originale) and it will be in English. There are many theatres around Paris, but the main cluster of theatres is on the Champs Élysées)

11. TEA AND CHOCOLATE: For teen girls. Most love chocolate and almost all love elegant, girly, get dressed up, ‘just be fabulous’ activities. I suggest going to lobby bar at THE PLAZA ATHENEE HOTEL on Ave. Montaigne in the 8th for tea and/or hot chocolate. You will thank me for this. Silver pitchers, delicate china, ladies with small dogs and impeccable service in an elegant setting.

(http://www.plaza-athenee-paris.com )

12. JUST WALK: Do as the Parisians do and just walk and talk and enjoy one another. Sites such as the Eiffel Tower are wonderful and evocative and you will feel as if you are in a groovy foreign film.

I would wish a trip to Paris on any parent of a travelling teen. You will never find a better tour guide in your life.

See Google map below for Paris Live!

PARIS for Teens!

everyone loves paris...even if they roll their eyes atcha