Help for short city break in Paris with teens

[Duopingu]

I don't know where to start... I am a bit of an anxious traveller and haven't done much holidaying as a solo parent since divorce and then covid etc. Youngest desperate to go to France thanks to being obsessed with Duolingo and that seemed like a manageable idea for Easter maybe, a two or three day stay.

I'd prefer a package but then I wonder if I'm being wet! I am thinking of flying as we are up north and the long drive to a ferry or Eurostar would be crap. Also both boys love planes so that would be an exciting aspect.

And what to do when we are there? Eiffel tower and a few boulangeries? There must be some places especially cool for teens.

I'd welcome any tips on where to stay, travel companies to use, places to stay and visit... For a simple holiday it feels overwhelming at the moment!!! I'm not on a super tight budget but would want to keep it under a grand if at all feasible for the three of us (not counting spends). Decent /travel Inn style or quirky hotels not five star etc.

Where do I start?

Hopeful bump!

I haven't been to Paris for years but may possibly take DD this summer. We do lots of European city breaks and I usually spend time on booking com/Expedia/hotels.com/last minute and check out chains like holiday Inn, NH, Best Western, Accor etc- you know what you're getting. These I'd book direct, otherwise see if the sites above are cheaper- contrary to popular belief sometimes they are. Skyscanner is good for flights, though I usually end up with easyJet who are pretty hard to beat tbh.

Thanks, yes I'm happy with a dependable chain.

I fancied this one for when I take DD staygenerator.com/hostels/paris?utm_source=google-my-business&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=hostel-Paris

skyscanner, probably get a flight for about £120 each

www.skyscanner.net/transport/flights/man/pari/?adults=1&adultsv2=1&cabinclass=economy&children=0&childrenv2=&destinationentityid=27539733&inboundaltsenabled=false&infants=0&iym=2204&originentityid=27544856&outboundaltsenabled=false&oym=2204&preferdirects=false&ref=home&rtn=1&selectedoday=05&selectediday=08
Hot air ballon ride, surprisingly reasonable en.parisinfo.com/guided-tours/74324/Ballon-de-Paris-Generali

Steak and frites
relaisdevenise.com/menus/set-menu.php

Macarons.
www.laduree.fr/le-macaron-laduree-paris.html

the walk up to montmartre to sacre coeur is great, amazing views too

www.catacombes.paris.fr/en

This looks amazing www.molitorparis.com/en/

A boat trip down the Seine too

This looks cool, bit further out but near to The Metrowww.mobhotel.com/paris_en/?___from_store=paris

Or a package www.tui.co.uk/destinations/packages?airports%5B%5D=EMA%7CMAN&units%5B%5D=000108%3ADESTINATION&when=05-04-2022&flexibleDays=3&flexibility=true&noOfAdults=1&noOfChildren=2&childrenAge=14%2C15&duration=3115&searchRequestType=ins&searchType=search&sp=true&multiSelect=true&room=&isVilla=false#0a5bb3709e0a311f7cc38765aa63603c94c4ea23

@Doodar you are amazing thank you x

my kids highlights were climbing the eiffel tower at sunset, hop on off the river boat (not a cruise), travel on double decker underground train, pompidou centre and using the parkour equipment all along banks of the Seine. Their most memorable was watching the police chase the souvenier sellers around the Eiffel tower with their guns and each time they returned!!

That sounds perfect. My boys would love all that!

If you're happy with sharing a family room, a Novotel might be a good option - there's one at Gare de Lyon and another at Montparnasse that might be worth a look (haven't stayed at either so can't comment on that, but locations/transport would be good from either). Our dc enjoyed walking up the Eiffel Tower - you still have to pay but it's a lot cheaper than the lift and you get to see the structure close-up; walking around Montmartre (there's a vineyard there, believe it or not!); would suggest at least one museum - Musee d'Orsay well worth a visit. The Sainte Chapelle is stunning on a sunny day if that's something they would be interested in, but go first thing in the morning before the crowds build up. Catacombs or a trip up the Montparnasse Tower might appeal - you get the view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower, but would likely need to book lift tickets. Never been inside it, but have seen the Arc de Triomphe recommended as a place to visit - we've just been to the outside but apparently the view from the top is great.

I always book independently as I can get better deals. I have used the holiday inns a few times as they sleep up to 4 often. Depending on budget I recommend a museum or two - the military one is good. If weather is good get a picnic and go to the jardin de Luxembourg. Versailles is amazing but probably too much for a short trip as it's a full day

Boat trip with dinner was popular with mine and make sure you go onto the back streets looking for somewhere to eat, last year you could still get a 3 course meal for €15 there whereas it's 3 times that in the main roads

We were there recently with pre-teens and had a great time. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza at Place de la Republique, and found the location brilliant. Metro was right outside the door which made travelling round the city really easy, and it’s relatively non-touristy so the restaurants are really reasonably priced.
Highlights for us were the Eiffel Tower at dusk, George Pompidou Centre, and walking round Le Marais and by the Canal St Martin (both near the hotel). We also took the train to Disney for the day, which was a big hit, as they are starting to enjoy rollercoasters, etc. And of course all the patisseries.
I would love to go back, and would probably stay in the same location.

You could also get an Airbnb or apartment on booking. Com.

Means you don't have to eat every meal or cup of tea out.

Thank you all - really great tips x

@Duopingu
Don’t forget if you book a package and there’s an issue with the airline, for example, you get better recompense. DIY isn’t a package and has different rules if any part of it collapses.

I don't think it's been mentioned, but my young teens loved Musee du Moyen-Age (medieval museum). I suppose it's all about castles and knights in shining armour, but one of them loved the medieval herb garden and my arty-est one (she's now at Art School) sat for about 45 minutes totally transfixed by the tapestry sequence they have. It's actually the one they used for the walls of the gryffindor common room in Harry Potter. The lady and the unicorn.

Also Montmatre, just hanging out with the street artists and performers.

OP what did you decide?