Pre-Hotel Check in Activities (with students), Near E.Tower

It's going to be hot by mid-day. Watching people in a cow pasture gets old fast for kids. Walk them over to the Sewer Museum (left bank foot of the Ponte de l'Alma - - ten minute stroll).

Teenagers don't stroll particularly well. You'd better have a plan to have breakfast, see some sights, know how to use the metro, have a chip and pin card to buy carnets of metro tickets.

Will you drop your luggage at the hotel before starting your diversion activities? :) It's worth a shot to ask if the rooms are ready when you get to the hotel. My sister and I arrived at our hotel in Paris at 9:30 am and asked about our room. The staff was very nice and got the room ready in about 30 minutes.

I agree with Sarah, don't assume you can't get your rooms earlier than you think... although having many rooms ready is less likely than just one.

I recommend the Army museum at Invalides, and Napoleon's Tomb in the same location. Also, the Rodin museum (and beautiful garden)... is a block away from Invalides. You can easily walk to Invalides from the ET area.

You could also just walk along the river from the ET area... beautiful sights to see.

The Sewer Museum is a good sight to see, especially for a bunch of punchy teens, a great start to learning something about Paris, how things work, and how they clean the streets. Food first is probably a good plan, too.

Ditch the bags first at the hotel, for sure. Even if you can get into some of the rooms, try to resist the temptation to take a nap if you can. Most people adjust faster to the time change if they keep going that first day, maybe have an early dinner, then crash and try to sleep through the first night. The teens and grandpa will likely handle it differently.

Adrenaline can keep you going if you keep moving and stay outside. You could take a Seine cruise, starting near the Eiffel Tower. The link here is to a company that offers one-hour cruises every half hour. There are others also, probably also leaving from near the ET. This would keep them outside and awake, and give them a memorable orientation to the city.

Or you can try to get up the tower if you can stand waiting in line. The kids might make it on foot to the first or second level, which provide great views with much less wait time than using the elevators. Again, memorable orientation.

I'd avoid museums, even the Invalides which might appeal to teens, that first day. Too tiring. I've never taken the sewer tour. The question I'd ask is whether the smell and "gross" factor will keep them awake even though they're in a dark confined space for awhile. Only trying it will tell! ;)

There's no smell and the only sewage is in the enclosed pipes. What you're doing is walking around tunnels that contain nothing but storm water run off and such. It's not confined, you could drive cars around down there.

I don't know 'bout you guys... but I don't go to Paris to walk through underground sewer tunnels... but that's just me... ; )

Hi Jonelle, drop your luggage off at the hotel and get something to eat. Agree with Susan about visiting Napoleon's Tomb and the military museum. You should be able to check in by then and freshen up. Walk through Rue Cler and over to the Eiffel Tower. Walk over the bridge and past the fountains to take some photos. If you can hang around until 10, the Eiffel Tower will light up and twinkle for 5 minutes. Perfect first day in Paris! PS - I've never done the Sewer Tour but that might be nice for the teens (it's just not on my list...).

Totally recommend the Invalid Army Museum.. both my boys ( 13 and 14 at the time) loved it .. and even my 11 yr old daughter and I enjoyed it.. never crowded.. cool and relaxing.. but interesting. Battle axes, swords.. samurai suits .. horse armour.. and FREE for kids under 18.. Free is a great price for clean washrooms and being out of the heat!!

For most of the Sewer Museum there's lots of room to move, for other parts it can get a little snug. I like that they have street signs down there though.

Great pictures, Dave. And thanks Ed, I didn't realize it was just the storm sewer. Still not my idea of an introduction to Paris, even for kids, maybe better after a few days aboveground. Another one not to do the first day would be the Catacombs, maybe later.

Thanks, All, for the ideas. I definitely had Feed 'em and Keep 'em Awake on my list. I really like the Invalides / Army museum idea. Unfortunately, the Rodin museum will be closed on Monday. My goal is to keep them walking and tire them out for that night's sleep since we have a full day following. We will likely be expected to meet the rest of our group in the afternoon, so I didn't want to stray too far. A lot of your good ideas are on our itinerary for our multi-school group the next day, so I know we'll eventually get to them.

Thanks! From Tower to Army museum it is. :) (and with more time---we'll take a longer-river view way back to the hotel. :) )