Wait in Paris between trains

[Janek]

We (me, dn - 11, dd1 - 11, dd2 - 8) are catching the train to Limoges on Wednesday, but due to Eurostar going on sale long before SNCF timetables are announced we have ended up with an extra hour in Paris - we arrive at Gare du Nord at 13:56, but don't depart Gare d'Austerlitz until 16:41.

Obviously we need to travel between stations, but that won't take 2h 45mins. Any suggestions for something to do near Gare d'Austerlitz on a Wednesday afternoon? Perhaps a park to play in? We will have our luggage with us, but it is rucksacks so easily transportable. TIA

[Janek]

BUMP!!!

[friskybivalves]

Yes!

Gare d'Austerlitz is slap bang next to the Jardin des Plantes - botanical gardens and a natural history museum and also a zoo for kids! And it's right next to the Seine. The Batobus, which is a ferry that follows a circular route up and down the river, stops at the jardin des plantes (but don't think you would have time to get up to louvre or anything). There is a carousel in the botanical garden bit so you don't have to pay to go into the zoo itself depending on how much time you have to kill.

To reach Gare d'Austerlitz you just need to cross a quite busy junction and go past a McDonalds on the corner which may or may not be of some use to you.

Its all v close to the hospital where Princess Di was taken .

[Janek]

That's great, thank you! I was considering Park de Bercy, because we have waited there when early for a train at Gare de Bercy, but google maps reckoned that was a mile away, which feels a little far when you have rucksacks and a train to catch...

[lifeisunjust]

Don't count on eurostar running to time. Nord terminal is at saturation point with a train every, 30 minutes peak times and added the extra schengen checks has meant delays more commonl since April. Ar least Wednesday is quietest day.