Help me plan a 1st visit to Paris for my mom's 80th
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Anonymous
| I would make sure your hotel has a normal sized elevator. Some do and some don't. |
Anonymous
| You need to rent or buy a wheelchair for this vacation. Even if she can walk, get the chair. It’s a lifesaver. |
Anonymous
Another alternative, if your mom is still fairly mobile, is to get one of those combination cane/seats. Portable, easy to walk with but opens up to a seat when needed. Second option might be to get a rollader - which is also portable and provides a seat. It's a little more unwieldy but still collapsible. Also has a storage space. |
Anonymous
You're insane! Why not just buy her a coffin instead of a bed? If she can walk, she should walk. It will preserve her mobility and keep her alive longer. Just go slow and take breaks whenever she wants. |
Anonymous
| She will have crippling jet lag and need to sleep for a few days. Your plan is nuts. |
Anonymous
Use a tour group for ET— much easier. |
Anonymous
If you get there early and wait in a long line. |
Anonymous
This restaurant is $250-$300 per person. Did you catch that there are limited funds for this? OP, the key here is going to be the planning. Figure out the must do sites for her and sketch out your days in advance. I think you should plan on Uber-ing door to door from your hotel to the attractions to save her energy for walking around the sites themselves. Note that Paris ubers don’t allow more than three passengers typically. Instead of eating expensive meals, I’d put any extra money into tours. A driving tour of the city, a seine cruise—things where she can see a lot while not having to walk miles. You can also book tours from Paris to Normandy. Also, is she picky/difficult about eating? It might be good to stay in a familiar chain hotel that serves a more “American style” breakfast and has a restaurant with familiar items for lunch and dinner. |
Anonymous
l was going to suggest this too. The grounds are the best part, it would be so fun in a golf cart - l want to do it with my tween. Another great thing for people of all ages is a Seine River cruise at sunset. I thought it would be cheesy but the city lights on the water are so pretty at night. OP you’re so great to do this for your mom! |
Anonymous
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I think she is too old for this, OP. Especially the part where she’s doing touristy stuff in Paris? I’m sorry. I think the only thing I would do is maybe one of those Seine river cruises where you chill on the cruise and have set stops. My parents are in their 80s and there is no way they could do what you propose. I would save some money for a cruise.
If you do go, I guess get a nice hotel in Paris and pre book a cruise that takes you around Paris at night. Then hang out in Paris for a few days, no walking. Just ambiance or car/boat tours Sorry |
Anonymous
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No no no no no. No way would I be traveling with an 80 year old. I get it, and I think it's so nice of you to think of this, but the reality of traveling with elderly people is not fun. This will NOT be a vacation for you.
There's a reason why those Viking River Cruises exist in Europe. Take her on one of those if you insist on doing this. I mean, I took my mom on a road trip throughout California, Arizona and Nevada and she was wiped from THAT time change. Not to mention, we couldn't do much of anything except get out of the car at scenic pullouts. And she's in her early 70s. Plus the fussing about the food, wanting naps in the middle of the day, wanting to relax at the hotel longer -- it was too much. I can't imagine taking an 80 year old to Paris (unless you do a river cruise) |
Anonymous
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100% you have to lengthen the trip. Normandy is hours away from Paris. And yes, and older person is probably going to need a day of rest/acclimation after the trip and due to the jetlag.
A good thing to do in Paris for someone who cannot walk a lot is a boat tour on the Seine (such as the Bateaux Mouches, but there are many options). There may be one that leaves from the neighborhood of your hotel. In Normandy, if you have downtime, you can also visit the Tapestry of Bayeaux (if she likes history of that era). But the beaches and cemetery are certainly stirring and sufficient if that is her primary interest. I agree that Mont St. Michel is MAGICAL at night, when the crowds are gone. But it is basically a (small) mountain island...so inquire as to how possible it will be for her to get around. And during the day, the crowds and hills will make pushing a wheelchair difficult. https://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/en/discover/visit-the-mont-saint-michel/visit-the-mont-saint-michel/tourism-for-all/mount-accessibility-prepare-your-visit-to-mont-saint-michel/ https://www.littlemissturtle.com/wheelchair-accessibility-of-mont-saint-michel/ Start googling normandy day tours. Some are wheelchair accessible. Trip Advisor will have reviews. Inquire carefully before you book your hotel. France is much older than the US and many accommodations would not pass our modern ADA standards . I also took my Mom to France. She was younger, but it gave us priceless memories. |
Anonymous
| Agree with the advice to explore your Mom's fantasies. My Mom had a fascination with Marie Antoinette. She was blown away when she saw where she had been imprisoned (the Conciergerie in Paris), and the cup she drank out of before being executed. |
Anonymous
You could use your experience base to be helpful instead if critical. What a jack*ss you must be! |
Anonymous
Trust she knows her mom's capabilities better than you do, though I know you mean well. When motivated to see something you thought you might die without seeing, people can rally. |