teenagers in Paris

I have taken my 14 yr old son , and my hubby has taken our other son, when he too turned 14. No one asked for id for either of them , they were obviously under 18, but, I did take my sons school id card to Lourve just in case. No one asked to see it. If your grandchildren look old for their age then bring id, most schools in Canada issue a student id, or , photocopy their passports( I am of the leave PP in hotel safe type person, carry copies for sightseeing) I imagine most schools in States do too, obviously they are not legal id, but for just proving they are under 18 and students I am sure most museums would accept them and no worry about losing them . A DL is also good id.
I have been told kids skip lines with adults with passes. I have never used a pass so can't vouch from experience.

If you have the Paris Pass, then you and your grandchildren can skip the line (or go to the pass holder line). Sorry I don't know about Versailles or the student ID, but I'm not sure they need a specific student ID as long as they can prove their age with a driver's license or passport. I had my kids take their regular student ID's but they never used them.

Hi Maryann,

The only Student ID I've ever had was issued by UT Austin at the times I registered for classes.

... If I were a high school student and my school did not issue a photo ID, I think I might ask school administrators to write a letter (notarized)about my school enrollment, etc. to which is also attached a passport-size photo.

You might find this URL useful though it has nothing to do with a Student ID ...
http://troi.cc.rochester.edu/~tdip/tomsguidetoparis.htm
bon voyage! P

My kids just went in with us both in all the Paris museums and Versailles, skipping the lines right along with us. We never needed any kind of student IDs.

Maryann-your grandchildren will get in with the "under 18" rate so all you need to do is either say "they are 15 & 17 years old" or show their passports - no student id necessary. And yes, they come with you to the front of the line with your museum pass. I would suggest that the 17 year old leave the drivers license at home. He will not need it (as he will not be driving) since he has already has to carry his passport.

Of course some people like to leave passports in the safes in their hotels, in which case the 17 yr olds DL is good id for proving age and getting into museum. Also, few mention this but, to get the audio guide at the Lourve they wanted some " security" , I don't carry my passport, and I would not hand it over for something so minor, but many did, I though happily handed over my DL, which they accepted.

Also - at the places where there was an "under 18" discount they mostly didn't bother with age verification when we were all together. They just waved us through - husband & I with the passes, two kids (also 15 & 17 including son who is 6 foot+ and looks old) though they would sometimes ask "how old" and point to them and we would answer. When my daughter traveled alone with her 18 year old friends she did have to show her passport to prove that she was young enough for discount.

I would not want my teens to bring their DL with them as it is one more important item to keep up with. 17 year old friend took her wallet with her on a school trip and got it stolen. She must have had her passport at the hotel because she didn't lose that but it was a pain to get the DL replaced when she went home.

Have a great time. I can't wait to begin the family travel cycle all over again with my grandkids!