My son's going to France

[martyh]

An opportunity has arisen for my 14yr old son to go to france for a week with his aunty and her partner and a foster child ,i have agreed to let him go but am unsure as to how much spending money to give him not having been abroad myself i am unfamiliar with prices and cost .
The trip is for a week which will include 2 days at disney land paris already paid for ,the rest of the week will be spent sightseeing paris and camping ,so any help/suggestions regarding spending money would be appreciated from the more travelled members

[Wayfair]

Is everything already included like food and drinks, and I assume he will always have an adult with him so no running off and buying tat.

I think £25 a day is plenty, my daughter went for a week earlier this year and this is the figure she said is do-able, 'they were required to pay for their own evening meal twice, away from the adults but still under supervision to get a grown up stuff experience, and to budget'

How much is the other child taking? you may need to ask as it helps to be equal.

[Hom3r]

Is his aunt your Sister, or Sister In-law?

£25 a day should be more than enough.

In a couple of years I'll take my sister kids (9 & 6) with me when I go on holiday when the youngest is about 9.

When we go away we always get a larger caravan (4 - 6 berth), even though there are only 3 of us going, as it allows for others to turn up.

So I won't take cash off her for the caravan, but I would only take a minimum for food and trips out. (As a uncle I can spoil them, can't I?).

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Wayfair

Is everything already included like food and drinks, and I assume he will always have an adult with him so no running off and buying tat.

I think £25 a day is plenty, my daughter went for a week earlier this year and this is the figure she said is do-able, 'they were required to pay for their own evening meal twice, away from the adults but still under supervision to get a grown up stuff experience, and to budget'

How much is the other child taking? you may need to ask as it helps to be equal.

Thanks for the reply Wayfair ,essentially the holiday is selfcatering in the chalet on the campsite (i will find out the name of the campsite from my sister in law)so the adults will be incharge of buying food and i daresay there will be some eating out .my wife and i thought about £35 a day given to my sister in law to keep and give him as needed .Yes the adults will be present most of the time but will allow a few hours where the 2 kids can go off on their own (not too far of course)to give them a good experience

[DocDutch]

about 30 euros a day would be more then plenty, he's too young to drink (saying that the french dont care about that) not allowed to smoke. so what other then food and gifts is he going to spend money on?

[martyh]

thanks for all your help guys we seem to be decided on between £25-30 per day ,he is quite sensible with money and takes after his mother for bargain hunting so he should be alright ,it should be a good first trip abroard for him ,wish i had the chance when i was young

He will however insist on everybody speaking English as he hates french lessons at school

[Rob]

Originally Posted by martyh

He will however insist on everybody speaking English as he hates french lessons at school

Proper Queens English or "Pigeon I'm shouting 'cos that'll make this foreigner understand me English"

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Rob

Proper Queens English or "Pigeon I'm shouting 'cos that'll make this foreigner understand me English"

oh definately "shouty chav speak" mixed with a blank stare

[Chris]

That's pretty much guaranteed to ensure nobody wants to help him out. If he tries his best with the language, the locals will generally be a little more co-operative. Even in France.

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Chris

That's pretty much guaranteed to ensure nobody wants to help him out. If he tries his best with the language, the locals will generally be a little more co-operative. Even in France.

seriously though i suspect he would find using the language in its natural way rather than a classroom once a week much more interesting and possibly more educating ,which is part of the reason why i allowed him to go

[Chris]

He certainly will, and he will find that when he really has to do it, he knows a fair bit more than he thinks. I dropped French after two years of studying it, considering myself to be utterly hopeless, but even I can get around Paris without too much hassle.

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Chris

He certainly will, and he will find that when he really has to do it, he knows a fair bit more than he thinks. I dropped French after two years of studying it, considering myself to be utterly hopeless, but even I can get around Paris without too much hassle.

thats reasuring to know Chris

[Hom3r]

To be honest my attempting to say the plesentaries (Good Morning/afternoon/evening, hello, please, thank you, goodbye etc) you cannot go wrong.

In Holland I was told, it is better to speak English, rather than Dutch or Flemish as if you are in the wrong region and speak the other I was told they would appear not to understand.

[nffc]

Originally Posted by Chris

That's pretty much guaranteed to ensure nobody wants to help him out. If he tries his best with the language, the locals will generally be a little more co-operative. Even in France.

Im almost fluent in French so it's not a major problem but if you make the effort with the language the locals are way more likely to be amenable if they can - especially in France. Most of them reluctantly speak English.

[DocDutch]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

To be honest my attempting to say the plesentaries (Good Morning/afternoon/evening, hello, please, thank you, goodbye etc) you cannot go wrong.

In Holland I was told, it is better to speak English, rather than Dutch or Flemish as if you are in the wrong region and speak the other I was told they would appear not to understand.

Thats odd as its the same language