Hello - Traveling to Paris with my parents who are in their mid-70s and love history, art and architecture. They are in good shape, but not up for long or strenuous walks. I was thinking a river cruise might be fun..see the city from a different view. I usually avoid these types of things because they are cheesy and expensive. In this case, trying to think of something special for my parents that will be easy and enjoyable for them. Would love to hear others' thoughts. Or if you have other experiences in Paris with delightful (and older) parents that worked well for you.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11565 posts
It’s not clear if you mean a 1-hour boat ride through the city or the multi-day cruise between Paris and Normandy.
Posted by
139 posts
Hi Erica,
You don't say how long you will be in Paris, but here's a stab at answering your question.
A river cruise would be an excellent idea, especially on your first day. You can relax, take in the sights from the river and get a feel for the city. A good thing to do while waiting for your hotel room to be ready.
You could also do a hop-on-hop-off bus ride, again taking you around the city without the walking.
And....why not see Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle? They are a 5 minute walk from each other, iconic churches in Paris, and you all can sit and appreciate the splendor.
Musee D'Orsay is smallish and might work.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16501 posts
Well, I'm your parent's age or possibly older, hahaha so here are some things I like when I visit. I'm not big on the Seine Cruises but I know many enjoy them. Do you mind sharing the area where you'll be staying? There may be some cool things nearby we could steer them to.
I see they like history, art and architecture. When are you traveling? I'm asking because sometimes outdoor stuff is good, sometimes the weather interferes.
Would they enjoy a Paris Walks walk? Depending on the days of the week you are there, you might look at them taking the Right Bank Paris during the Occupation and Liberation Walk. Were any of your grandparents in WWII? IF in the European theater, this might be very interesting to them.
https://www.paris-walks.com/cariboost_files/2026_20MARCH_20WALKS.pdf
I'm feeling lazy today so here is a link to a previous post of mine with some links to a walk in the 7th of some of the fabulous Art Nouveau architecture.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/paris-architecture-tour
For myself I also figured out a DIY walk of Roman ruins in Paris if that era is of interest to your parents.
IF the weather is nice, I love the Luxembourg Gardens. There is so much there...a small copy of the Statue of Liberty as Auguste Bartholdi was, of course, French. There is a very cool fountain called the Medici Fountain.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medici_Fountain
AND if this is of interest, there are beehives in Luxembourg Gardens! Tended by urban beekeepers! It cracks me up that there are beehives all over Paris!
Are you doing any museums with them?
Posted by
Western Canada
4017 posts
I took one last Fall with Canauxrama.
It was about two hours, started at Canal St Martin, then out into the Seine along as far as the Eiffel Tower and back to the Pont des Arts, I believe it was.
I really liked it, it was very relaxing.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2792 posts
Erica,
The Vedettes de Pont Neuf one hour Seine cruises are about 17 euros per person. They are narrated by a live person, not a recording, and are a good way to get an overview of some of Paris, up to the Eiffel tower and back. We have taken them more than once, often to introduce Paris to family seeing Paris for the first time. I highly recommend it for arrival day. Do sit up top for the best views. And that will keep you from dozing off if you didn't sleep well on the plane and if jet lag attacks. Just wear an appropriate jacket for the right time of year. Do the day cruise if this is on your arrival day. This cruise (I can't answer for Bateaux Mouches or dinner or cocktauil cruises) is not cheesy in the least. It is fun and very enjoyable, akin to a walking tour in a way.
Hubby and I are 82 and 83. Long walks are not as enjoyable as they used to be. We enjoy the same things you say your parents do, so, here is a list of what we have done (sometimes more than once), that have made us happy and didn't wear us out (not too much anyway).
--Rodin Museum, especially the gardens for my favorite sculptures. There are benches for sitting and enjoying the gardens if needed. (The Burghers of Calais sculpture is awe-inspiring. Look up their story). 2-3 hours if you visit the inside also.
--The view of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero, Champs de Mar, almost anywhere.
--Cluny Museum, filled with medieval wonders In a beautiful setting. Also, more places to sit than many other museums. Good for contemplating the works of art and resting one's back. A small cafe within for a coffee and snack break. 3 hours for me, maybe 2 hours for others. (I eat this stuff up.)
--Opera Garnier, a rococo wonder. Take the tour if available or attend a performance. (Could be very pricy though.) Not far from...
--Galeries Lafayette, with its gorgeous ceiling. Also, go to the roof for a nice view of Paris all around.
--The bouquinistes along the Seine (Bookseller stalls that are quintessentially Parisian.) great for souvenier shopping
--The Invalides (Army Museum) for Napoleon's tomb and lots of history. My favorite things are the suits of armor, but SO much history here!
--Getting a crepe with confiture from a sidewalk seller and eating it right then.
--Many, many museums for art and history, too many to even begin listing them, from the well-known to the obscure. The choices I leave to you, but there are many that are less well-known but wonderful.
--St. Denis Basilica Cathedral where many many French kings and queens are interred. Beautiful church as well as historically interesting.
--Notre Dame, but of course! And lots of other beautiful churches
--Ste. Chappelle, no longer an actual house of worship, but the windows are magnificent. Go as early as possible as the crowds can be huge and the security line can be slow. Go upstairs first, then explore the lower floor afterward. A do not miss IMO.
--Strolling in various neighborhoods. And though I have never explored the Passages Couvertes, I want to do so on my next visit.
--Arc de Triomphe. I haven't ascended it, but it is so reminiscent of the end of WWII for me, seeing films of the soldiers marching from there along the Champs Elysees to the Place de la Concorde. I was a toddler when that happened, but as I grew the liberation of Paris was still a topic of "current" affairs as the post-war world was shaping up and the Marshall Plan's implementation was happening.
I consider all this as contemporaneous for me. My next visit to Paris, I hope, will entail visiting museums and sites about the occupation, resistance, and liberation of Paris and France....a period I have sadly neglected in my previous trips.
You have lots of choices to make. Each one can list their wants in order and correlate from there. Amusez-vous bien!