Help for upcoming trip to Paris with 13 year old

In my opinion, 6pm for Sainte- Chapelle and 7pm ND Eternelle is not enough time in between. You aren't likely to get in right at 6pm, then you have a slow wait getting through security when your line is allowed to go in.

I like Rodin, and just went to Berlin for the Rodin exhibit there. But if I was a 13 year old boy (which you didn't specify) I'd vastly prefer the army museum at the Invalides. Which is where you see Napoleons Tomb.

After your (early) meal Wednesday, take a stroll on the path along the river towards Notre Dame.

Pass on L’Orangerie and go to d'Orsay. Even if it's only a couple hours.

In my opinion, 6pm for Sainte- Chapelle and 7pm ND Eternelle is not enough time in between

I agree.

Skipping L’Orangerie is a great suggestion and going to Musée D’Orsay makes the most sense, and is a much better idea - thank you. Yes, he’s a 13 yo boy and would absolutely prefer the Army Museum.
We’re planning on passing through the Fete des Tuileries after the Louvre or possibly after dinner, which I know might be too young but hoping adds some excitement and fun.

I’ve been concerned that St. Chapelle and ND Eternelle are too close in time. Is it possible to queue early before our 6:00 entry, do you think?

Catherine, regarding Sainte Chapelle, there isn’t A line; there are LINES. You get in the line for your designated time and they get your line going when they get your line going. Then you start the slow process of going through security. They definitely looked at the time on our tickets at one point in the line before security. So would getting in line earlier be quicker, I guess only in the sense that others with 6 pm tickets who arrive after you, are behind you not in front of you for going through security. But you’ve got everyone with earlier tickets going through security ahead of you. Not trying to discourage you from going but trying to portray reality. It’s quite spectacular!

KD, I appreciate this as I want to make the best attempt to see Sainte Chapelle.

Catherine,
I am with the others re time between Ste Chapelle and ND Eternelle. For me, Ste Chapelle would be best, but for the 13 year old, do the Eternelle. Try to book another time for Ste Chapelle. Maybe early on Thursday? Or switch the Eternelle to Thursday and work around that., but definitely take the teen to the Eternelle. I am thinking you could allocate about 3-4 hours total to Montmartre/Sacre Coeur, but that is me. You would then have a half-day for Ste. Chappelle or Eternelle, whichever you can change, and depending on reservation time, maybe fit in the catacombs. (I've never been to the Paris ones, but have been in Rome. I understand they are different from each other.) If not enough time, skip the catacombs.
Comments about going through the lines at Ste. Chappelle are right on point.
The rest of your schedule sounds good. Although I love Rodin, choose the army museum. There's lots of armor there, even for horses, and overall should be more interesting for the teen.
With time you could do both after the ET summit., especially if you forgo the 6:00 p.m. Ste Chapelle visit. We have often done a kind of loop...ET (from below), then Musee de l'Armee, then Rodin...all walkable from one to the other in the order I mentioned. I don't know how long your visit to the top will take. It's been way too many years since I ascended. Of course, you will have to find time for dinner somewhere that day.
Your teen will have a wonderful experience in Paris. We took our kids when they were 8 and 10, and 18 and 20, and they each went on their own after college. They still (in their mid-forties) cherish their visits there! Your teen will too!

"We’re not big art museum people, though I’d love to see Musee D’Orsay."
So why are you dragging a 13yoa boy through the Louvre and not just going to Musee D'Orsay?

Catherine, the Louvre is not all art and paintings and statues. Visit the lower level of the Sully Wing to see the original foundations of the Louvre from its days as a fortress and walk in the moat.

Thank you, Judy! I’m hoping he’ll have fond memories similar to your adult children.

As I have a two day museum pass, I needed to schedule museums during consecutive days which led to the tight schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday on my itinerary. The ND Eternelle was booked previously as I’m guessing my son will enjoy.

By explaining we aren’t big art museum people, I should add that we visit the MFA and the Met but not on a regular basis. European travel opens up a world of art, and I don’t regard visiting the Louvre as dragging my son there as much as giving him exposure to things he can’t experience here, as long as it’s not exhaustive.

Following Rick’s guides opened me up to a love of art throughout Europe, and I regret not visiting the Louvre on my first visit to Paris decades ago.

I took my then 13 yr old son to Paris - and later his 11 yr old sister . ( hubby took middle son when he turned 13 also , all our kids got one on one trips )

For all kids - the Catacombs and Invalids were favourites !
Also they all loved a bike tour . We did city one and one to Versailles .

One child much preferred Louvre over Orsay. One preferred Orsay
One hated Louvre lol

Catherine, I agree about opening up the world of art (of ALL kinds) to a young person. You never know what will connect with them. For our daughter, at the age of ten, we were visiting the Hospice de Beaune. Inside was a display of an altar polyptich of The Last Judgment. It is a beautiful piece of art. She became fascinated with the size, detail, story, materials and history of it. It was an eye-opener. Since then she has visited other art museums, churches, castles and palaces full of beautiful art. I credit the visit to the Hospice de Beaune with opening her eyes and mind and soul to art (no matter the genre and period). Our son also was "awakened" to what art can be while visiting Greek ruins in Marseille. Neither of our children are art geeks or specialists by any means, but they both have an appreciation of the art world, which complements the other aspects of their personalities. They make it a point to enjoy the art of wherever they go, be it modern, medieval, or ancient; painting, sculpture, architecture or pottery; craft works, needleworks or jewelry. Appreciation of all forms of creativity will be the best souvenir of all for your 13 year old! It will last a lifetime!
Enjoy!

Wholeheartedly agree, Judy!
Thanks everyone for your help. I am continually appreciative of this travel forum and all the travel wisdom here!

Travel with kids of any age goes better if they've helped to plan the itinerary. I believe 13-year olds can read online or in travel books about possible destinations and form an opinion about how interesting (or not) that site might be. By that age they might also express preferences about pace of travel and they may prove to be skilled in figuring out local transportation. They don't like to be treated like children and would respond well if made a travel partner.

Anita,
D'accord!

Absolutely agree with having kids help plan !

I had my kids pick three sites to see and research . Unfortunately the deal was no matter what I had to take them , and my son chose the Catacombs ! And I am claustrophobic- my kids loved seeing them but it was difficult for me lol