Teenage Life in Paris: A Guide to What to See and Do
After living in Paris for just over a year I’ve had the distinct pleasure of watching my 16-year-old daughter transform from a tentative outsider to a confident Paris insider, bopping around this fabulous French capital with ease and curiosity, discovering new cafes, parks or neighborhoods every weekend. Armed with her annual Navigo pass — which is reimbursed by the city for minors — she navigates the city’s impressive metro system with ease, checks out budget-friendly restaurants or cafes with her friends, explores new neighborhoods, and chills out at the city’s many beautiful parks. What follows are a few of things she likes to do with friends.
WHAT TO DO
Lace up your sneakers and climb the two towers of Notre Dame Cathedral which were built in the Middle Ages. After the 2019 fire, the towers remained closed for six years until September 2025. Open from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. (except in the event of adverse weather conditions). Admission is free for under 18 and also for 18-25 EU nationals and non-European residents in France.
As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, grab your skateboard or simply take a walk along the Seine river. Be sure to pack a picnic, relax and take in the sunset.
Parc Monceau is a beautiful park on the borders of the 8th and 17th arrondissements perfect for families with small children or anyone seeking out a peaceful, chilled out morning or afternoon. Once the weather turns warm, my teen likes to have picnics with friends here and celebrated her birthday at the park last year.
Parc Monceau. Photo credit: William O’Such
During the spring and summer, loads of teenagers can be found strolling or sitting along the banks of Canal St. Martin, one of the most popular rendez-vous points for young people in the city. The canal stretches over five kilometers, or roughly three miles from the port in Bassin de la Villette in the north of Paris to the Port de L’Arsenal near Bastille where it joins the river Seine. Boat rides are also available.
Bassin de la Villette. Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons
Located between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries hosts its traditional Christmas market and ice rink, featuring 80 chalets selling crafts and gourmet specialties as well as rides for the whole family. For two months during summer vacation, the area is transformed into an amusement park with 60 attractions including a ferris wheel, bumper cars, a trampoline and big slide.
For the adventure-seekers, take a trip 20 meters, or 65 feet below the street and visit the Catacombs, an underground warren of bones and skulls of several million Parisians removed from overflowing cemeteries in the 18th century. The site was recently restored, and reopened on April 8th. Be sure to book in advance and arrive early as the queues can be quite long.
The Tuileries Garden looking towards the Louvre. Photo credit: dronepicr/ CC BY 2.0
Unlock the secrets of French baking at Maison Fleuret and make your own croissant, souffle or baguette. There are three locations throughout Paris.
Create your own signature scent at Maison Candora, an atelier de parfum, in the 4th arrondissement.
SHOPPING
The Rome-based clothing manufacturer, Subdued, offers reasonably priced clothing for teenage girls – similar to Brandy Melville with a more European flair – and has several shops in the city including the Marais and in the Passy neighborhood in the 16th.
The popular American chain Brandy Melville has two stores in Paris – in the sixth on Rue de Rennes and in the Passy section of the 16th, which also contains a small cafe inside the store.
Fleux is a concept store with a selection of highly curated home goods that’s popular with teenagers and young adults. There are several stores around the city.
The sprawling eclectic shop, Merci, is a must do for teens exploring the Marais. The beloved store carries trendy clothing and a range of adorable coffee mugs, tote bags and other eye-catching souvenirs.
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Liao & Filles is a popular store selling inexpensive jewelry and bubble tea, just around the corner from the Coopular Rue Montorgueil, a bustling old street located in both the 1st and 2nd arrondissements of Paris filled with cafes, traditional food markets and restaurants. The street links Chatelet Les Halles to Montmartre and is close to Le Marais.
Though it’s out of her budget, my daughter likes to pop into Galeries Lafayette mainly to look around and if the weather is nice, she heads to the store’s roof for the stunning views of the city. In the summer, you can often find a pop-up gelato stand and for two weeks in late May to June, you can watch live coverage of the Roland Garros tennis tournament on oversized screens. And if you’re feeling especially ambitious, take part in a macaron baking class and be sure to book in advance.
Smith and Sons is an independent English bookseller in Paris near the metro Concorde, selling a range of English-language books and Jellycats! They also have a nice cafe selling lunch, cakes and tea.
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For something different, drop by L’Eau et les Reves, or Water & Dreams, which is a charming floating bookstore and cafe in the 19th arrondissement.
L’Ecritoire is a charming shop in the 3rd arrondissement with stationary, pens, journals and even wax seals. The bookstore Shakespeare & Co located on the banks of the Seine opposite Notre Dame Cathedral has been a meeting place for anglophone writers and readers since 1951 and has become a Left Bank literary institution.
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DINING OUT
Rue de Gravilliers in the 3rd arrondissement in the Marais was recently voted one of the coolest streets in the world by Time Out for its mix of reasonable Asian restaurants such as Ai’s Bento, Yansai, or Chez Haki, as well as the hip Derrière and delicious Moroccan restaurant 404. With a wide variety of shops and small cafes, it’s a great area for teens to explore.
L’As du Fallafel on Rue Rosiers, also in the Marais, is a popular Middle Eastern eatery that serves falafel, shawarma and drinks in their small restaurant or to go through their take out menu. Lenny Kravitz is said to be a fan!
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In the 16th, on a side street opposite the Trocadero, my daughter loves to hang out with her friends at Mokus because of its cool young atmosphere and tasty burgers and pizza.
Pink Mamma is a touristy, four-story restaurant in Pigalle that’s very popular with young guests, drawn in by Tiktok or Instagram. The beautifully designed restaurant serves delicious burrata and truffle pasta at reasonable prices.
The colorful Chinese restaurant chain Trantranzai has several locations throughout Paris and serves handmade noodles and dumplings. My daughter prefers the bustling Chatelet location near Les Halles since there are a lot of shops nearby.
Also not far from Les Halles is Hakata Choten which is known for its ramen with tonkatsu, or pork cutlets. There are a couple other locations around the city.
NYC-style pizza is a rarity in Paris, but at Rori you can order just a slice or a whole pie. Located in the 11th arrondissement, the pizza joint allows you to dine in or take away.
Joe & the Juice is a Danish chain of juice bars and coffee shops around the world with nearly a dozen locations in Paris. The Victor Hugo location in the 16th has outdoor seating and is a hotspot for young people.
Miss Ko, close to the Champs-Élysées, is a special treat for on birthdays and for out-of-town guests. With its Asian fusion menu, an amazing ’80s sound track of pop music, and a unique hip industrial decor, this Philippe Starck-designed restaurant is a big hit with all ages.
The recently opened All’Antico Vinaio in the 5th, just steps from the Seine and Notre Dame Cathedral is a Florence-based chain of restaurants that serves up massive sandwiches loaded with cold cuts such as salami, mortadella or porchetta with fresh mozzarella with pesto or sun-dried tomatoes on fresh schiacciata bread, which is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. With limited seating, it’s best to get the sandwiches to go and enjoy them in the park.
SWEET TREATS
Angelina is a beloved Parisian institution on Rue Rivoli with exquisitely painted walls, chandeliers and beautiful china is known for its thick, rich hot chocolate. Created by a family of Austrian-Hungarian heritage, the opulent tearoom was built in 1903 is sure to delight any visitor.
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Situated on the lle de la Cité, the famous Berthillon is one of the most beloved ice cream parlors and tea rooms in the city. The family-owned business uses natural products such as eggs, heavy cream, and fruit, and has created a loyal following.
For matcha lovers, the Japanese bakery Aki Boulangerie in the 1st arrondissement is definitely worth a visit. A range of desserts including Japanese cakes and mochi are available as well as sandwiches, onigiri, and bento boxes.
Shodaia Uji Matcha is a great place for iced matcha or iced matcha bubble tea, cake or ice cream.
Unthaititled is a small and chill cafe in the Marais near the Temple metro that serves up a range of coffee drinks and delicious hot and cold Thai tea beverages.
Carette opened its first tea room in 1927 near the Trocadéro and still attracts a steady crowd of elegant Parisians and tourists who come for the hot chocolate and desserts. The beloved restaurant is on the pricey side, but worth the splurge especially if parents are treating.
Lead photo credit : Credit: Unsplash, norbuw
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