Husband Taking His Mom to Paris--Where to Go

There is a section of Paris, I think it was called Rue 19 that is classic Paris. French poodles, French bread, Paris. That is a super way to spend a day. They have outdoor markets where you can buy fruit, French bread, wine etc. All the components for a great Parisian lunch.

I don't know how old your mom is, but I will tell you that it's not that easy to get around Paris. Cabs will NOT stop for you. You have to go to a cab stand, catch a cab at your hotel, or have someone call a cab for you. The subway is nice, but you have to be able to walk to it and that can be quite a walk, depending on where you are. So tell your husband to try to figure this part out before going.

Make sure mom wears a small tourist bag that goes over her shoulder and stays at her chest, rather than carrying a purse of any sort. Groups of pickpockets work together to steal from you. One person gets your attention and another picks your pocket. They'll pass your wallet or purse off to others so fast that even if you saw the person who took it, in a flash, they won't have it anymore. ANYONE who tries to get your attention, hold onto the wallet. Your husband should have his wallet hidden in a jacket he wears with a zippered pocket INSIDE. The zipper is important so that a hand can't just slip in there...

Tourist stuff is worth seeing, I have to say. Taking tours is excellent - you learn the history of the place you are. The Bastille, the Concergerie, excellent places to take a tour. You hear "the scoop" and enjoy yourself.

Tickets in advance to the Louvre are SO important. You can't imagine the lines for getting tickets. And the Louve is wonderful. Honest to goodness.

Going to Versailles is so worthwhile. I did it on a bike tour, but unless his mom can handle that, I can't advise you on how to do that. The outside of Versailles was wonderful - we ate around the reflecting pool, went around the grounds on our bikes, etc. We used the Fat Tire Company. They were wonderful. The inside of the house was great, but very crowded. (Not as crowded as the Vatican...) Still, wonderful to go to.

You need reservations to eat at nice French restaurants. They basically save the table for you all evening, so it's really hard to get in without a reservation.

Others will give you more ideas. I'd worry about getting tickets and reservations in advance, and working out transportation.

You and your husband are awesome. I hope you both enjoy yourselves. This is something his Mom will cherish forever God bless you all.

Our two favorite day trips were Versailles and the US Memorial at Normandy. Both were beautiful and interesting in very different ways. And for sure they should spend a full morning or afternoon (or whole day if they love art) at the Louvre. Montmartre is touristy but worth it for the incredible views of the city. We also loved walking around the old cemeteries and neighborhood markets.
What a lovely trip for them, I would love to travel with my son someday!

I studied in Paris for three months and it is one of my favorite places in the world! How wonderful for your husband to share the experience with his mom. I hope I have a daughter in law like you some day!
I love Musee D'Orsay and agree that it is a better choice unless you have several days for the Louvre. Versailles is amazing. The Rodin museum is lovely and has a great courtyard full of sculpture. Rodin is one of my favorite artists, so I may be biased!
Pere Lachaise is a huge cemetery, you can visit the graves of Moliere, Balzac, Chopin, etc etc, and the art is just incredible.
I have tons of suggestions, feel free to PM or post their specific interests!! Music, art, history, religion, architecture, etc...

We haven't done this for Paris, though we have for other European cities: Get to the library and check out the Paris guide by Rick Steves. He also does a travel TV show on PBS and you can get episodes of that show through the library or Netflix (not streaming, but on DVD). He does a good job of hitting both the basic super-famous spots as well as off-the-beaten-track spots. He also is very useful on food -- we would have been darned hungry in one city if not for his guide leading us to the only place in town with vegetables and not just meat and salad!....Also have your husband check the guides by the companies DK (Dorling Kindersley), Fodor's and Lonely Planet. The last one can be a bit funky if mom's going, but Fodor's guides are fine.

Rick Steves is a specialist in European travel and updates his guides very frequently so I'd start with his guides and videos.

We took a fabulous tour of Notre Dame, spent a day at the Louve (I could have spent three days there, it was so amazing), did an afternoon of shopping with a rest on the steps of the old opera house.

I loved Paris. I found the people to be friendlier than I expected and I would go back in a heartbeat.

I do agree with Doris Day's advice about getting tickets in advance for the Louve. We were stuck in that line!!

We took the Chunnel from London- if they want to take a day trip, this is a good way to go.

Just so your MIL understands, there is a lot of walking in Paris. A pair of comfortable shoes is a must. I hope they have a wonderful time! You are an awesome wife!

Ah,one of the few "exotic" places I've traveled too!

It should be on your bucket list. But I totally see why you are preferring to do your own side of the family thing in this case.

Musee D'orsay (I preferred this to the louvre, much more manageable)
Jardin du luxembourg
Rodin Museum (easy 1 -2 hours)
Ste Chapelle
Notre Dame (I am Catholic and was impressed with pretty much any old church, but obviously Notre Dame is the biggie and the Ile De Cite is cool in general)
Boat tour on the Seine
Versailles (take a train there, 1/2 day at least, rich history)
Eiffel tower is cool but you can just view it from afar and get a nice shot from the background ;) Actually going up in it has amazing views of the city.
I forget where it is but in one of the more modern sections there is a funky long escalator thing on the outside of a building that is worth checking out and another good view at the top.

honestly it is cool just walking around and soaking up the Parisienne vibe in the different arondissements. The Metro is very convenient but you see so much more staying above ground.

Lucky MIL!

ETA I was in paris in the summer and it was not hot at all. Actually at night it was quite cold. I don't think it gets very hot there. Unless Global Warming has changed things, I was there over 10 years ago.

If Paris is on your mom-in-law's bucket list, she knows exactly where she wants to go. Her ability to walk and her endurance becomes part of the equation, but then dropping into a cafe will take care of that.

haven't (yet) had the pleasure, just wanted to chime in and say how awesome it is that your husband is going to take his mom, and that you are encouraging it. i would LOVE to see paris with one of my boys, and hope my future DILs will be as generous as you!
:) khairete
S.

Musee d' Orsay was my personal favorite. Much smaller than the Louve and would not require all day (Manet, Monet, Van Gogh , Degas….)

http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html

The Louve is huge and amazing. Its an all day thing.

We got off track on the metro and ended up walking down the red light district by accident. So I'd find things your MIL can do close to the hotel during the day if husband in meetings, unless she's a savvy traveler.

You and your husband need to start with asking Mom what she has wanted to see. Maybe she already has a list!

Paris is a HUGE area.
Where or what hotel exactly, are they staying at?

There are many sections in Paris. Called "Arrondissements." There are about, 20, arrondissements in Paris. For example.

My Husband is from there. And no, French men are not all wonderful like in the movies.
We have been there.
Many things to see, of which it is touristy.
AND there are, MANY pickpockets there.

It is a nice place.
A person can have a nice time, simply by, walking around and seeing the sights that way. MANY small cafes/shops/restaurants are discovered that way. Many of which are not even listed in "tourist" books.
You do not HAVE to have a reservation, to eat at the many restaurants or cafes there. Many times, we just walked into one. And got a table.

Take a French dictionary with you. Unless they speak French.
Also know...that in Europe they are very multi-lingual. MANY of the French, do speak English. I went around France by myself and did fine. Anyone I encountered, DID speak English. Just be polite and respectful. It is a different culture.

Beware, that in Europe, people walk everywhere or take the trains/metro etc.
I hope, your Mother In Law, is mobile, able bodied, and healthy and can walk???? For long periods???
Paris also has bad smog. The air quality, depending on the weather, is pretty bad.

The city is not all handicap equipped. Sidewalks are not real wide. Many small and narrow streets made of uneven little stones. However, they have the best paved modern roads/highways and signage. Depends on the areas, that they go to.

Where in Paris are they going?
Where in Paris are they staying?
Does he want to use the metro or a taxi?

Sainte Chappell is BEAUTIFUL....a few blocks from the Louvre
The Louvre
Pont Neuf.
Notre Dame
Eiffel Tower
Champs Elysees
Arc Du Triumph
Sacre Coeur
Montmartre

SAFETY:
Make sure you have copies of their passports (leave them in the hotel safe)

Use a cross body purse..NOT a backpack or shoulder purse...
Have your husband keep his wallet in his FRONT pocket and if he can get one with a "leash" all the better.

Copies of front and back of ANY credit cards so IF you are pick-pocketed, you can call the number and get them canceled immediately.

Other questions:
How much money is your husband going to want to spend? THERE are GREAT restaurants that are EXPENSIVE. So it's hard to answer that one... and it's been a while since I've been to Paris... and in the summer??? Sorry... it HOT!!!

I'd rent a car and head to Belgium - Brussels is beautiful as well...

There's much to do!! If his company is sending him? I would ask if they are booking through a travel agent and if so, ask the travel agent for specifics around the hotel they are staying!

Hope your family vacation is a great one!
Hope your husband and Mother In Law enjoy Paris!

I love that your husband is taking his mother!

What a great gift you are giving! Kudos to you for being so generous. I've not been to Paris but wanted to suggest the site www.tripadvisor.com. I use it when traveling and have never been steered wrong. They have hotels, things to do and restaurants listed there.

Blessings!
L.

Buying tickets for a Big Bus or L'Open Bus Tour would be a good way to go in this case. Son had never been to Paris so on a trip in March we chose the L'Open tour which gave a great overview with earphones giving descriptions and history. We got off and roamed or ate and then back on at designated stops. These tours can be checked out online. I had been to Paris several times and enjoyed this touring as well. We also took a boat tour of the Seine and I never tire of looking at these lovely sights.