11 Things To Do In Paris With Teens And Why They’ll Love It

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Are you planning a household journey to Paris with teenagers and questioning methods to preserve your youngsters engaged and excited?

Fear not, as a result of the Metropolis of Love and Lights has one thing for everybody, together with your teenagers. From the charming historical past and structure to the mouthwatering delicacies and vibrant road tradition, Paris is a perfect vacation spot for households with youngsters.

The information on this information are additionally relevant to the tween in your loved ones, because it was with ours.

On the time of visiting Paris (2023) our ladies had been 15 (Kalyra) and 11 (Savannah). Our youngest is mature and well-traveled so cherished all these Paris points of interest as nicely.

On this information, we’ll discover why teenagers would love the Metropolis of Gentle, share some particular ideas for a easy journey, and listing the highest issues to do in Paris with youngsters.

Why Teenagers Love Paris?

Teenagers aren’t too completely different from the adults within the household in relation to journey. I’m fairly certain you’re going to like Paris for all these causes too.

However in case you’re questioning why teenagers love Paris, these had been the explanations my daughters spoke about essentially the most.

Iconic Landmarks

Paris boasts among the world’s most well-known landmarks, together with the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Teenagers will take pleasure in exploring these iconic locations and taking selfies to share on social media.

One reminiscence of our journey to Paris that stands out to me is the ladies squealing at one another once they first glimpsed the Eiffel Tower from Montparnasse Tower.

That enamor with it continued all through our 4 days in Paris when it first appeared on our Seine River Cruise, from atop the Arc De Triomphe, and after we lastly visited.

Savannah had deliberate out her Eiffel Tower outfit for days and was very excited to take numerous photographs of the enduring Paris landmark. You possibly can wager their selfie photographs had been shared on social media.

Scrumptious Meals and Fairly Cafes

Clearly, any journey to Paris will contain a number of meals experiences. France wins for finest pastries on the earth definitely. And in case you organize them To Go, it’s so low cost.

Take pleasure in croissants and macarons, and style candy sizzling chocolate at cozy cafés. Your teenagers will respect the candy treats and relaxed environment. We pastry ate our method across the metropolis. Think about a meals tour of Paris or a cooking class.

Paris cafes are far too cute for teenagers to disregard. On our first day, we had deliberate to go to a café for lunch, till our teen spied the gorgeous Montparnasse Café subsequent door stuffed with an abundance of pink flowers.

Kalyra begged us to go there because it was simply so fairly and we had been in Paris, and that’s what our journey was for! She would by no means have seen that a couple of years in the past.

Artwork and Tradition

Teenagers desirous about artwork, historical past, and tradition will discover themselves in paradise. Museums just like the Louvre home masterpieces, whereas the Palace of Versailles gives a glimpse into France’s opulent previous.

Museums abound showcasing creative treasures from Picasso, Monet, Da Vinci, Van Gogh and extra.

Simply strolling across the metropolis will lead you previous palaces, beautiful structure, grand parks, and vibrancy on the streets.

A Lengthy Attention-grabbing Historical past

France has an extended, sophisticated, and interesting historical past, and lots of of its most well-known tales come from inside the boundaries of Paris.

Teenagers usually tend to know among the historical past and its historic figures already thanks to highschool curriculum, films, TV reveals and books.

They’re additionally extra capable of comprehend what their studying and see the way it matches in with their present views on life – or maybe assist form them. Seeing all of the opulence of the French palaces definitely had Kalyra understanding why there was a revolution!

Our ladies already knew fairly a bit concerning the Medieval interval and Maria Antoinette, in order that they loved varied points of interest that related to that. Discover out which historic durations or tales your teen is desirous about and guide these points of interest that inform that story extra in-depth.

Paris Vogue & Procuring

Paris is a trend mecca, with world-famous boutiques and department shops like Galeries Lafayette

Paris is understood to be a frontrunner of trend tendencies, so teenagers will love simply strolling across the streets seeing what Parisians are carrying and maybe displaying off their very own type.

Teenagers can store for distinctive trend objects and souvenirs, not simply within the big-name shops however hip idea shops, classic outlets, flea markets and artwork nouveau department shops.

Chances are you’ll even need to see if any Paris trend occasions are occurring throughout your go to (or plan round it) Kalyra was devastated that we missed the Paris Vogue Present by two weeks!

Finest Issues To Do in Paris With Youngsters

Here’s what assume are the very best issues to do in Paris with teenagers or tweens. That is primarily based on what our daughters loved essentially the most on our 4 days in Paris.

I’ve included a couple of different solutions I do know teenagers will love, however we didn’t get to do – both due to time or curiosity ranges.

Go together with your teen’s persona and allow them to show you how to plan for the final word Paris journey, incorporating actions and points of interest they need to do.

1. Climb the Eiffel Tower

There is just one technique to expertise the Eiffel Tower and that’s up. It’s considered one of Paris’ most well-known monuments for a purpose.

You possibly can take an elevator to the primary, second and third flooring to take pleasure in these breathtaking panoramic views of the town, however we extremely suggest climbing the steps to the primary and second stage stairs as a substitute.

It turns a go to to the Eiffel Tower into extra of an journey. Our tween particularly cherished climbing up the steps – extra alternatives for selfies.

Teenagers and tweens may also love the ice cream cease on the primary flooring with attractive views all spherical. Don’t overlook to get your photographs on the backside of the tower as nicely.

2. Go to Montmartre (Together with a Meals Tour)

Go to the creative neighborhood of Montmartre, the place teenagers can take pleasure in road artwork, go to the beautiful Sacré-Coeur Basilica, and discover charming cafés. Montmartre is so fairly with its slim cobblestone streets lined with colourful buildings, quaint outlets and bistros, and artwork galleries.

We visited on our first day in Paris, stopping first for a chocolate croissant and low earlier than meandering by the Artist’s Sq.. Kalyra whipped her telephone out straight to seize its fairy-tale appeal. That continued all the best way to the steps of the basilica and its Paris views.

Certainly one of our favourite issues to do in Paris was a meals tour of Montmartre – native type (examine availability right here). We realized a lot about Paris tradition on this stylish neighborhood and tried scrumptious meals from baguettes and cheese to omelets and croissants.

We additionally suggest climbing up the dome of the Basilica – one other Paris attraction our older youngsters cherished. It is a little much less touristy and offers a distinct perspective of the basilica and unbelievable views.

3. Climb Arc de Triomphe

After I requested my ladies their favourite Paris points of interest, I wasn’t shocked that Arc De Triomphe was of their high 5 listing. 

It landed in mine as nicely and I wasn’t anticipating it. The truth is, this was my third go to to Paris, and the primary time I went up it. 

Standing tall on the western finish of the Champs-Élysées, this iconic monument permits guests to not solely be taught concerning the nation’s army historical past, however gives panoramic views from the commentary deck, that are merely breathtaking.

Arc De Triomphe and Montparnasse Tower had been my favourite views in Paris. Examine availability and worth for rooftop tickets right here.

4. Discover the Louvre Museum

Talking concerning the third journey to Paris, I nonetheless haven’t visited the Louvre!! So, we missed this one on our Paris journey, however I do know for certain that teenagers who love artwork will love exploring the world-famous Louvre Museum, house to the Mona Lisa and numerous different masterpieces.

I requested the ladies a number of instances in the event that they wished to go to the Louvre, however they’d no real interest in all of it. We’ve been to so many museums and artwork galleries around the globe, they’re very uninterested in it. So drained that even the Louvre – arguably the world’s finest artwork museum and residential of Mona Lisa – couldn’t entice them.

I’d moderately spend all these hours you want seeing the Louvre sitting in a Parisian café watching the world go by.

We did, nevertheless, take pleasure in seeing the Louvre from the skin. And the ladies cherished studying all about Leonardo Da Vinci on the Chateau du Clos Luce within the Loire Valley the place he spent the final three years of his life. That’s how the Mona Lisa got here to be in France (be taught extra on this Loire Valley put up)

Teenagers who love fashionable artwork could need to go to Centre Pompidou, Europe’s largest fashionable and modern artwork museum. It has fairly a cool architectural design.

Teen artists will most likely additionally need to go to Musee d’Orsay, which has essentially the most in depth assortment of Impressionism art work. Kalyra truly likes this sort of artwork, and had we extra time in our schedule, we might have visited right here.

I did my perfect to make it work, however since we flew over on the purple eye and had been like Zombies, I needed to drop a couple of points of interest in favor for slower, mind-numbing actions.

5. Be Wowed by the Gorgeous Sainte-Chapelle Cathedrale

It is a Paris attraction that doesn’t require a whole lot of time – which your teen will love much more – however it packs a punch with its wow issue. 

The Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral in Conciergerie is legendary for its lovely stained-glass home windows, which depict scenes from the Bible and canopy nearly the whole thing of the partitions and attain as much as 40 meters in top.

The sunshine that streams by the home windows casts lovely colours all through the cathedral, making it a really magical place.

It is among the most lovely locations in Paris, so don’t be sure you have it in your Paris itinerary! It was considered one of our tween’s favorites. 

Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic cathedral situated on the Île de la Cité, which is among the two remaining pure islands in Paris.

You possibly can see it in your technique to the Latin District. Discover ticket availability right here.

6. Calm down in Paris Gardens

Teenagers want relaxation in your each day explorations. There is no such thing as a higher place to try this in Paris than in considered one of their many pleasant gardens. You will discover shady spots to relaxation, and odds are there’ll be a palace or two to have a look at.

Our favorites had been the Luxembourg Gardens with views of Luxembourg Palace and the gorgeous and luxurious Tuileries Backyard (Jardin des Tuileries) with views of the Louvre.

Parc de la Villette can also be a beautiful backyard to discover and have a picnic in.

7. Discover Stylish Neighborhoods

Whereas we didn’t make Le Marais on this journey, I’ve heard from quite a few folks that this stylish Paris district is understood for its boutiques, road artwork, homosexual and Jewish communities, medieval structure, and classy youth tradition. I’ve additionally heard it has a terrific meals and café scene.

Not removed from right here we walked by the Les Passages Couverts, or Coated Passages of Paris, among the best locations in Paris for Procuring. It is a procuring arcade stuffed with a number of beautiful passages which might be architecturally lovely.

We discovered them a bit underwhelming. In case you have extra time and finances for procuring, I feel the teenager in your loved ones will adore it.

In case your youngsters are into artwork, then they could take pleasure in strolling across the Belleville district which is legendary for its road artwork murals. You possibly can even take pleasure in a street-art tour of Belleville with a neighborhood artists, which is an effective way to introduce your teenagers to the creative neighborhood in Paris.

Our ladies cherished the Latin District – as did I. I actually want we had stayed right here – so take that as an insider’s Paris tip from me. It’s the coed space, so count on a full of life environment amongst its slim streets stuffed with eating places, cafes, museums, and church buildings.

Kalyra particularly cherished Shakespeare and Firm, an unbiased, English-language bookshop situated on the banks of the Seine within the Latin District. It’s been a gathering place for well-known writers and readers since 1951 and makes the very best bookstores on the earth listing!

 It’s extremely doubtless there might be a line, however it strikes shortly. We misplaced Kalyra there for some time as she explored all of the guide nooks and crannies and purchased one other guide for her pile. Her suitcase for our Europe journey was largely books!!!!

I additionally had Canal St Martin on our listing to discover. Its quaint canal setting lures artists and college students, so look forward to finding artwork collectives, classic boutiques and quirky cafes.

8. Take a Seine River Cruise

Get pleasure from a calming boat journey alongside the Seine River, Paris’ most lovely Boulevard. It flows by the center of the town and is flanked by a few of Pari’s most lovely buildings and iconic buildings.

It’s an effective way to get an summary of the town and a extra romantic perspective, particularly in case you do a night cruise to see Paris lit up. Why not do each?

We extremely suggest one with narration so you may be taught a bit bit about Paris and France as you float down the Seine River!

In case you’re touring within the excessive season, be sure you get your tickets forward of time, and ensure your departure level, as a result of every firm’s boats go away from completely different wharves.

9. Freak your self out on the Paris Catacombs

We didn’t get to go to the Paris Catacombs and Kalyra was aggravated. The opening instances had been unusual, and we couldn’t get it to align with our itinerary so added it to our Paris bucket listing for subsequent go to.

I definitely don’t need your teen to get aggravated as exploring The Catacombs is among the most unusual issues to do in Paris. Teenagers will adore it because it’s extra of a coronary heart racing exercise (particularly in case you’ve seen the horror film, As Above, So Beneath).

The catacombs are a collection of underground ossuaries that maintain the stays of greater than six million folks. Every of their graves is positioned within the rock partitions contained in the tunnel community.

The catacombs had been constructed to cope with the overflowing cemetery downside within the late 1700s.

Within the nineteenth century, unusually, the catacombs turned a venue for occasions and concert events. In the present day, it serves as a museum.

It’s finest to take a guided tour or at least an audioguide, so you may be taught all about its creation and makes use of, in addition to to seek out your method round this underground maze! Some of the iconic sights contained in the Catacombs is the wall created from skulls and bones – creepy!

10. Stroll the Champs-Élysées

Okay. It’s Paris. A high factor to do is stroll down the well-known Champs-Élysées. It’s a fairly tree-lined with eating places cafés, and large luxurious model identify shops.

On Champs Elysee you’ll discover lengthy strains exterior Laduree Bakery and Tearoom for his or her well-known macarons. Until you’re a religious fan, get your macarons elsewhere – you have got a great deal of alternative. WE discovered scrumptious ones at Pierre Hermé in Paris St Germain with no strains.

It is among the most well-known streets on the earth, and in case you are visiting the Arc de Triomphe it’s a straightforward addition to our Paris itinerary. One of the best view of it’s from up there.

However, on the bottom, I discover it underwhelming. Fairly to have a look at however no actual attention-grabbing tales there I didn’t like Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles both. All these costly model identify shops are simply not my type.

I’d a lot moderately the charming cobblestone streets stuffed with French folks strolling, zipping round on bikes and motorbikes, and buzzing bars and cafes in St Germain, Latin Quarter and Montmartre.

However this can be a Paris with teenagers put up? Yep, which is why I put it on our Paris itinerary. I assumed the ladies would LOVE it, however it was a ho hum for them.

I feel many different teenagers would take pleasure in strolling on Chams Elysee although. We had a terrific craft espresso simply off Champs Elysee at Azur Cafe simply off the Champs Elysée. They’d different drinks that teenagers are certain to like like smoothies and ice coffees. All the things they serve right here (together with meals) could be very fairly and Instagrammable – capturing the center of most teenagers.

11. Day Journey to the Palace of Versailles

Take a day journey to the opulent Palace of Versailles and discover the grandeur of French historical past. Our teen, Kalyra was very desirous to be taught extra about Marie Antoinette on this journey, as she’d seen, and cherished the film.

We made certain to spend time her house within the Palace of Versailles – Kalyra obtained her selfie in her bed room.

We biked out to the Petit Trianon -her second palace – and the Queen’s Hamlet, which was her farm village she created to flee and overlook she was the Queen.

You possibly can learn our full information on methods to spend a day in Versailles with a great deal of important ideas. It’s a very huge day so plan nicely!

Particular Ideas for Teenagers touring to Paris

Earlier than you go, listed below are some ideas for visiting Paris with youngsters to make the expertise easy and memorable for all of the household…

• Encourage your teenagers to be taught fundamental French phrases. It not solely helps in navigating the town but additionally provides an academic component to the journey. Plus, it’s an effective way to hook up with native Parisians and it’s a whole lot of enjoyable!
• Train your youngsters methods to use the environment friendly Parisian public transport system. The metro is the quickest technique to transfer across the metropolis, and youngsters typically take pleasure in mastering it.
• Paris is a metropolis the place expertise could be fairly helpful. Make the most of translation apps, navigation instruments, and ride-sharing companies to make the journey smoother.
• Y’all know teenagers like to sleep. So, plan for lots of breaks in between points of interest – Paris parks are perfect for this. We suggest staying nearer to the center of Paris to keep away from commuting exhaustion. Even the glamor of Paris can go unseen with a drained teen.
• Though your little one is older, in Paris, they’ll nonetheless get free entry to many museums and points of interest. Many give free admission to vacationers beneath 25!! Examine every attraction and be sure you have ID available as they’ll need proof.
• Keep away from Disneyland Paris, except your teen is a die-hard Disney fan. It’s crowded and overrated, there are higher issues to do in Paris than go to the theme parks!
• In case you have artsy teenagers, take them to The Centre Pompidou artwork gallery, which is free on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm-6pm.

The place to Keep in Paris

We stayed on the Novotel Gare Montparnasse, solely a five-minute stroll to one of many largest practice and metro stations. We might simply get round and had been solely a 15-minute practice journey to Versailles and will stroll to Luxembourg Gardens in 20 minutes and the Eiffel Tower in half-hour.

HOWEVER, Craig and I each agreed we wished we stayed both in St Germain or the Latin Quarter as each neighborhoods had been near the river and essentially the most central a part of Paris. I’ve additionally heard Le Marais is a good place to remain. All three can be excellent for youngsters.

And in the event that they’re drained at evening and simply need to crash within the resort room and message their mates, it’s simpler for folks to only duck out into the bustling streets of those districts for dinner or a drink.

Ultimate Ideas on Visiting Paris with Teenagers

Paris is a metropolis that by no means fails to captivate and encourage, making it a superb alternative for a household trip with youngsters.

And as dad and mom of teenagers, how good is it to maneuver away from playgrounds to extra adult-type actions you can have mature conversations about together with your youngsters. It’s a beautiful new age of journey we now discover ourselves in.

With the precise planning and a mixture of tradition, historical past, and fashionable points of interest, your teenagers are certain to have a memorable and pleasant time within the Metropolis of Lights, or also referred to as the Metropolis of Love.

When planning your journey to Paris remember to take a look at all our recommendations on important issues to know earlier than visiting, the very best issues to do in Paris, and what first-time guests don’t need to miss.