Our go-to guide for traveling with teens.
Take in the Sun on the Seine
Voie Georges Pompidou, 75004
Metro: Pont Neuf (line 7)
Paris Plage is one of many reasons to make a beeline from the airport to the Seine. Every summer, the river banks are transformed into an urban beach — with lawn chairs, umbrellas, water mists, and ice cream. Your teen on instagram will enjoy photos ops on the river’s many bridges, especially Pont des Arts, where you can see Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the (top of the) Eiffel Tower just by turning in circles.
Tip — The mayor of Paris just kicked cars to the curb to make the Seine even more walkable. Now you can enjoy picnicking on the water’s edge year-round. Give your teens the very French opportunity to people watch, since this is a favorite activity for young Parisians too. And while you’re strolling along the river…
Check out the Bouquinistes (Vintage Book-Sellers)
Metro: Saint-Michel (line 4) or Pont Neuf (line 7)
Green kiosks (Bouquinistes) line both sides of the Seine between the Louvre and Notre Dame. These pop-up shops are great for teens looking for vintage Paris posters or unusual postcards. Budding collectors can get their start here, with easy-to-pack souvenirs. The kiosks and their colorful sellers come with a storied Paris history, dating back to the 1500s, when they catered to students from the nearby Sorbonne University.
Tip — Bouquinistes are open between sunrise and sunset, but the well-lit banks of the Seine are especially charming in the evening hours.
Get Your Fashion Fix at Dior, and More
Metro: Alma-Marceau (line 9) or Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9)
For teenagers serious about fashion, forget the Champs-Élysées: Avenue Montaigne is the place to be. It’s the epicenter of haute couture in the city that invented it. This is where your young fashionista will find Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Armani, Prada, and Ralph Lauren, just to name a few. They’re just as much fun for window-shopping, even if your budget can’t cover a seriously splurge.
Tip: Don’t miss the nearby Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris (City of Paris Fashion Museum). It’s open only during special exhibitions so be sure to check their site here.
Do Art and History Right on a Teen Tour with Paris Muse
Art, history, and architecture have never been this much fun. Our Paris Muse teen tours — designed for ages 12 and up — offer an experience you’ll remember long after the plane ride home.
Louvre Quest: This epic quest takes teens on an adventure through the Louvre to visit four of the world’s major civilizations: Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, and the French and Italian Renaissance. This is one of our most popular tours, so book in advance when possible. (3-hour tour, €510 flat rate for groups of 6 or fewer). Book here.
The French Revolution: A Murder Mystery Tour: Solve a real murder at the center of the French Revolution, all the while mastering the history essentials. Our walking tour was featured in The New York Times as a fun, new way to experience Paris. (2.5-hour tour, €230-€705 depending on size of group, up to 10 people). Book here.
Historic Heart of Paris Walk for Teens: From the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame to the trendy Latin Quarter, you’ll navigate the highlights of the historic center of Paris while teens put their powers of observation to the test. (2.5-hour tour, €425 for families of 10 or fewer). Book here.
Tip — Take our Louvre tour in the evening on Wednesdays and Fridays (when the Louvre is open late) and experience the less-crowded magic of the galleries at night.
Brave the Paris Catacombs
1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014
Metro: Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4 and 6)
The city of lights has a darker claim to fame: just below the city streets, the remains of six million Parisians line medieval stone quarries. Not for the faint of heart, l’empire de la mort (“the empire of the dead,” as its underground entrance reads) can be especially fun for teens. But be prepared for stairs and tight quarters! The Catacombs are closed on Mondays.
Tip — This is a very popular attraction — skip the line and book timed tickets here.
Get Lost in Père Lachaise Cemetery
16 Rue du Repos, 75020
Metro: Père Lachaise (lines 2 and 3)
Paris is a city to get lost in. This is especially true at Père Lachaise Cemetery, a verdant maze of graves and fascinating mausoleums. Your music or art-loving teen will have fun looking for the final resting place of greats like: Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Molière, Frédéric Chopin, Amedeo Modigliani, Eugène Delacroix, Abelard and Heloise. Entrance is free, and the cemetery is open 7 days a week.
Tip — To locate specific graves, pick up a map at the gates or download one in advance here.
