Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Paris for kids

15 replies

MumsThewordw02 · 12/03/2021 10:26

Firstly I know there is a travel topic but I am hoping that by putting this in chat there will be mroe replies. :)

I have become very excited at the thought that France might be a possibility later this year. I will have had both my jabs by then.

I woukd dearly love to take the DCs to Paris for a few days. But I know they will be underwhelmed by a relentless experience of galleries, bistros and the like. Can anyone recommend great things for children to do? i have two DSs - 9 and 11. Neither are sporty or into physical activities as such. I'd love some ideas. :) TIA!

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 12/03/2021 10:38

We had 4 days in Paris when the DDs would have been 15 and 9.

We planned itinerary very carefully to not overdo things.

  • a bateau mouche on the Seine
  • Jardin de Luxembourg
  • the Louvre but avoided queues by finding out best entrance and had a list of top items to see and only attempted to see them
  • got their portrait done at Mont Matre
  • lots of cafe breaks
  • Eiffel tower (you need to book in advance)
  • lovely cafe near the Pompidou centre where there were street performers (a bit like covent garden)
  • rode the metro to the end of the line once just for the fun of it
  • DD1 and I did the Monet place, while DH and DD2 chilled out outside.
  • there is another tower thing you can do where you get to then look across to the Eiffel tower. I forget its name but DD2 went up it with the school when she got to y7.
BiddyPop · 12/03/2021 10:38

She was a bit younger at the time (about 7), but DD really enjoyed spending quite a while in the Tuilleries Gardens watching the boats in the lake and people feeding the birds. Like a couple of hours one day, and back again after the Louvre was too boring the following day (we grabbed coffees, and a hot choc for her, the 2nd afternoon to enjoy on a bench).

She did enjoy the Eiffel Tower.

And walking up all the steps to Sacre Couer and looking out over the city.

At 9 in London and 13 in Amsterdam, she really enjoyed a boat trip along the river/canal. Both of those were tours with a guide explaining things. And last year in London, at 14, we just used the river taxi (a number of times) instead of a tour, but she really enjoyed that. The trip along the Seine is great to do (we didn't have DD with us when we did the boat trip in Paris).

Strangely, she also really enjoyed the graveyard (Pere de la Chaisse?) with all the famous people buried there - Jim Morrisson, various French and Irish writers, and some really ornate graves of people of importance locally. And also a very peaceful place generally, and a lovely walk to get to it.

BiddyPop · 12/03/2021 10:42

And at the end of the metro line that ran along the river (if I remember the right line), there was a big park with the "new" tower - you could walk up under the arch and look back along the snaking Seine from a height to see it quite a distance. (Whereas Sacre Couer looks at it from the side, this looked at it more "end on").

Original poster
MumsThewordw02 · 12/03/2021 10:43

Oh I am loving this thank you so much!

OP posts:
dancemom · 12/03/2021 10:47

J'ardin d'acclimation, dd loves it still as a teenager.

Yy to boat trip. Do the Eiffel Tower at night for the light show.

Barbeasty · 12/03/2021 12:27

If they like the macabre and won’t find it disturbing, my DC really liked the Catacombes.

Original poster
MumsThewordw02 · 12/03/2021 13:08

I was wondering exactly that Barbeasty. I know I was fascinated (and slightly distrubed) when I went. DS1 might find it a bit much, DS2 more likely to cope with it.

OP posts:
Pearlywunzel · 12/03/2021 13:40

My DS was 6 when we went to Paris, and he really liked going up Tour Montparnasse. You get to see the panorama of the city including the Eiffel Tower, whereas if you go up the Eiffel Tower it's harder to find obviously exciting landmarks to look at!

Aria11 · 12/03/2021 13:47

Would second jardin d'acclimatation, it's a great park for kids of all ages. The natural history museum in jardin des plantes and the zoo in the same park are excellent.

queenofarles · 12/03/2021 14:07

Yes to Jardin d'Acclimatation!
, specially after the renovations it looks like it’s modelled after a Tim Burton /turn of the February Movie, the place is just magical , there is a small farm and lovely selection of birds and lots of green space to walk around.
Musée D'orsay is always a big hit with Dcs too.

AndyBarbersIntern · 12/03/2021 14:14

My 9 year old DD is absolutely obsessed by the idea of Paris and we’ve promised a trip when things open up (we also have DD7). I’ve only been once on a very flying visit, many years ago, so these suggestions are great. Thank you.

SpringisSpinning · 12/03/2021 14:28

Yes to Jardin d'Acclimatation!

Yes I was coming onto say how wonderful this is - mine also loved the street performers by NOtre Damn, Berthilion Ice cream....the museum with the huge clock ...hanging out in the various parks - adore Jadin de Luxembourg and has fab play areas.....Versailles...

Also maybe they can watch - Meet me in Paris - a time traveling netflix series set in Paris around a ballet school.

TeenMinusTests · 12/03/2021 14:34

Tour Montparnasse - that's the 'other tower' I was thinking of.

A kids cartoon series set in Paris is 'Ladybug & Cat Noir' - 2 teens with later egos fighting crime.

Original poster
MumsThewordw02 · 12/03/2021 15:07

Oh wonderful suggestions and about the tv shows also!

DS1 takes a long time to warm up to new ideas and needs careful preparation before going outside his comfort zone so watching things beforehand will really help!

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 12/03/2021 15:08

Well in that case, Hunchback of Notre Dame might suit too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page