Would you let your 16 year old travel through France on his own?

[choxanwine]

My 16 year old DS has been invited to stay in the southwest of France with his friend and friend's mother (they are French). However, they are already there and he needs to travel down on his own. He has flown on his own before (which I have been ok with) but this time the only option is by Eurostar (no - cheap - flights available). This would involve changing trains in Paris - ie travelling by Metro between stations for connection. I feel a little uncomfortable with this - although he is fairly confident and is practising asking for directions in French... Any feelings on this - am I being over-cautious?

Ds and a friend travelled to South Africa - taking three flights - a couple of weeks ago. They are 17. I was quite concerned, although I know they're capable. They did miss one flight due to a late arrival - at Johannesburg - and had to sort out things themselves, which wasn't easy. But they did it, and feel quite proud of themselves for coping.

I'm sure he'll be OK.

If it is Montparnasse I live a 10 min walk away and, if I'm feeling lazy and I get a taxi from GdN it can cost me anywhere between 15 and 50 EUR depending on the time of day, the traffic, how many bags/people there are in the taxi....

It cost me 10 EUR for the 3 minute taxi ride for me and 2 large suitcases at 6.45 the other morning. It can be pretty bad!

This is fine. I travelled across Europe on my own 30 years ago from the age of 13, changing trains etc. Paris is really easy to get around.

Remember that Parisian teens use the metro every day!

I travelled alone aged 16 using the French trains and metro in Paris.
Have you thought about the bus options? Once when I was poverty stricken I took a coach right down to Biarritz which took a very long time but it was direct - and it would have been great if it wasn't for the school group taking up half the coach and not sleeping or shutting up for the entire trip!

I would let a 16 year old do this.

I backpacked around Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden adn Denmark) when I was not much past 17 - did me the world of good!