Paris Le Meurice

PARIS LE MEURICE Two day itinerary: Teenagers Paris may be the favoured getaway for couples after a romantic break, but this is a city with plenty to offer travellers of all stripes. For younger visitors who are seeking an alternative adventure, the city’s unique medley of art, culture and food should prove enticing. From on-trend restaurants to football matches, the sights and activities on this two-day itinerary are fun and teenager-friendly. Day One Start the day in the Canal St-Martin district, 25 minutes from the hotel by taxi.

CANAL SAINT-MARTIN 75010 Paris A hotspot for strolling, shopping and people watching, Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement ranks among the city’s favourite public spaces. Well off the tourist trail, the canal area draws the city’s young and hip set with impromptu outdoor concerts, chic waterside cafés and trendy boutiques and restaurants, all within easy wandering distance. Continue the morning at Jardin des Plantes, 15 minutes from Canal Saint-Martin by taxi.

JARDIN DES PLANTES T: 01 40 79 56 01 | 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris A verdant haven hidden from the buzz of the fifth arrondissement, Jardin des Plantes is a beautifully maintained botanical garden that stretches across 28 hectares. Home to an impressive collection of plant and natural life, as well as an enormous rose garden, zoo, and exotic greenhouses, it makes for an idyllic setting for morning relaxation. From the Jardin des Plantes, Grévin Paris is 20 minutes away by taxi.

GRÉVIN PARIS T: 01 47 70 85 05 | 10 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris Grévin Paris has ranked as a favourite of young visitors since its founding in 1882. Home to several hundred lifelike waxworks, ranging from Napoleon to Cristiano Ronaldo, the museum also invites visitors to take the behind-the-scenes Discovery Tour and learn the secrets of creating the acclaimed wax models. Next, take a taxi for the 20-minute journey to Parc des Princes.

The Dorchester, London | 45 Park Lane, London | Coworth Park, Ascot | Le Meurice, Paris | Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan | Hotel Eden, Rome | The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills | Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles | Dubai (opening 2020) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN FOOTBALL MATCH T: 08 92 72 75 75 | Parc des Princes, 24 Rue du Commandant Guilbaud, 75016 Paris For young football fans, the chance to witness French giants Paris Saint-Germain F.C. play at their home stadium, Parc des Princes, is a thrilling opportunity. Visitors can join passionate local fans and experience the electric match day atmosphere, before finishing off with a drink at one of the area’s many surrounding cafés. Then, take a 15-minute taxi ride to Atelier Vivanda for dinner.

ATELIER VIVANDA T: 01 40 67 10 00 | 18 Rue Lauriston, 75116 Paris Parisian wonder chef Akrame Benallal, the man behind the Michelin-starred Akrame, has created a less gilded – but no less delicious – spin-off at Atelier Vivanda. The restaurant’s concept is simple: pitch-perfect meat dishes (the persillé black angus is particularly divine) are served alongside potatoes, from dauphin to gratin. For those over 18, the wine list is also worth perusing. From the restaurant, the hotel is 10 minutes away by taxi or 20 minutes on foot.

Day two Start the day with a bike tour of Paris with Fat Tire Tours. The tour departs from the exit of the Dupleix Métro station (line 6), 10 minutes from the hotel by taxi.

PARIS DAY BIKE TOUR T: 01 86 66 14 62 18 | Dupleix Metro, Boulevard de Grenelle, 75015 Paris Active visitors to the City of Light can do their exploring on two wheels, thanks to the guided cycle trips offered by Fat Tire Tours. The morning excursion starts at 10.30am and takes in some of the city’s tops sights in a unique way, like the Eiffel Tower and Napoléon’s Tomb. A coffee break at a lovely Tuileries Garden café is also included in the three-hour itinerary. Back at the Dupleix Métro station, take a 30-minute taxi ride to the Albert Camus Statue to begin your Street Art Paris tour.

STREET ART PARIS TOUR T: 09 50 75 19 92 | Albert Camus Statue, 10 Rue Albert Camus, Place Colonel Fabien, 75010 Paris Not all of the city’s art is confined to museums and galleries. A tour of the Paris street art and graffiti scene presents a grittier, thoroughly contemporary perspective on its cultural cred. Led by passionate guides with encyclopaedic knowledge of local street art sites, visitors are invited to explore some of the less-visited corners of Paris. Walks take place every Saturday and Sunday from 11am, or families can arrange a private group tour. Back at the tour’s starting point, it’s a 15-minute taxi ride or 30-minute walk to the Musée du Chocolat.

The Dorchester, London | 45 Park Lane, London | Coworth Park, Ascot | Le Meurice, Paris | Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan | Hotel Eden, Rome | The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills | Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles | Dubai (opening 2020) MUSÉE DU CHOCOLAT T: 01 42 29 68 60 | 28 Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle, 75010 Paris Inviting visitors to uncover some 4,000 years of cocoa history, the Musée du Chocolat is one of the city’s most eccentric – and certainly delectable – speciality museums. The Choco-Story Paris experience features chocolate-making workshops, chocolate sculpture exhibitions and chocolatier demonstrations. Enthusiasts can also sample different varieties of cocoa creations in special tasting sessions. Then, take a taxi for the 20-minute journey to Parc de la Villette.

PARC DE LA VILLETTE T: 01 40 03 75 75 | 211 Avenue Jean Jaurés, 75019 Paris One of the largest parks in Paris, Parc de la Villette is home to 55 hectares of cultural venues, green spaces and striking architecture. As well as several performance stages, the park is home to the vast Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, which has its own Planetarium. An open-air cinema is erected here during the summer months, while concert venues host music festivals and attract top international artists. Head back into central Paris, where your guide from 2CV Paris will pick you up for your tour.

2CV PARIS TOUR T: 078 16 95 925 | Pick up points vary A Gallic design icon, the classic Citroën 2CV has epitomised that insouciant, stylish Parisian attitude since its creation over 70 years ago. These nippy little cars are also ideal for upbeat, drive- by tours of the city’s most famous landmarks. For those with short attention spans, tours can be as brief as half an hour, but whichever tour you choose, the chauffeurs ensure that the retro ride is both comfortable and informative. After your Citroën 2CV tour, head back to the hotel or continue exploring the city on foot.

All journey times are approximate and subject to variation.