Paris in a Day for 2 teenagers on the cheap

I'm not sure from your post if it is an option, but if I only had one day in Paris I would not spend it at Versailles. It takes time just getting to and from Versailles, and there is so much more to see and do in the city. Wednesday would be a great day for them to go to the Luxembourg Gardens for a picnic lunch. The only cost would be the price of a sandwich. And schools are closed in Paris on Wednesdays (I believe that is still true). So there would be lots of teenagers hanging out and picnicing. If your daughter and her friend are outgoing, it might be an opportunity to meet other young people. Most french students can speak english, on some level.

With all the tact I can muster: For Pete's sake, toss them fifty euros and turn them loose. They'll have a ball. They're not kids. They're regular people. They're old enough to go to war without your permission. I was running the steets of Paris alone when I was twelve. My shrimpy, youngest daughter got herself to Brittany (alone) for her junior year in high school. She was in Paris (alone) when she was seventeen starting four years at the Sorbonne. My only contribution was getting her to the airport - - and sending money. She came out okay - - for a brat with a doctorate that speaks three languages. You can't loose kids - - believe me, I tried.

I love your sense of humor and enjoy your posts Ed. Sounds like your daughter is a keeper! I went to Paris and lived there on my own for a year when I was 18. Got myself a job and went to school. Just walking around the Notre Dame area, the Latin Quarter, the Marais and along the river is fun. And Linda is right about the Luxembourg Gardens - a great place. I'd suggest they read a guide book or two and decide for themselves. Lonely Planet is geared to their age.

They can do the Batobus, hop-on/hop-off boat trip on the Seine, between Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower. The student ticket is 9 Euros.

It depends what they want to do, and how to get the most out of the limited time they have available. If it were my choice i would start at Notre dame and walk West- St Chapelle, Islands, latin Quarter, Seine, even as far as Eiffel Tower, window shopping along Champs Elysee and adjacent. Hang out in Tuileries gardens; Montmartre steps. Museums if they are so inclined etc etc etc (Some spending money would be a nice gesture). Perfume shopping?
So much to see!

Thanks for your tips. The girls did see Versailles today (despite advice to the contrary), the Chanel shop(again, not my recc) and lots of other places which they have not mentioned , yet. Thanks to the wonders of tehnology, they made several mobile postings about where they were on FB all day long.

Bike Tour! Not expensive and fun for everybody.

I agree with Brian for a nice basic look at (many of) the "must see" highlights. Alternatively (and thinking back to MY teen trips to Paris), chuck them 50 Euros (as someone else sensibly suggested) and turn them loose. With a good map, they can make their own decisions. As I teenager, I loved both the "high culture" of museums and cathedrals AND the Real Fun of meeting actual Parisiens going about their business. And at that age, just shopping in a Monoprix, or checking out a cheese shop, or nursing a mineral water and sandwich jambon at a cafe are thrilling, life-expanding experiences. And yes, totally agree that Versailles is right out. It takes the best part of a day, and with limited time, I recommend just hanging out in Paris.