To only consider Paris

[DrewBarryless]

DH wants to spend around 7-10 days in France next summer.... towards the south somewhere. We have two young children - 7 and 8. I think we should grab the opportunity and stay in Paris so we can see the sights and do a couple of days at Eurodisney. He is dead against it saying it should be time to relax as well, sooooooo... to compromise, I want to suggest somewhere that we can stay on the outskirts of Paris so we are in driving distance/train distance of Paris etc but still feel out of it enough to feel relaxed and in the country. Any suggestions? I know I am BU to only want to be close to Paris BUT I do want to make sure we are all happy and have the holiday we all want.

If you're going for 10 days why not do 3 days in Paris and the rest somewhere else relaxing?

I wouldn’t do that many days in Paris tbh

Fontainebleau

Massive chateau, beautiful forest, good restaurants in the area. Local towns are very nice

YABU. If you want to visit Paris then you're better off staying in Paris itself. Driving and parking is a nightmare and the trains are fine although you'd be wasting your time travelling in and out on what would likely be packed commuter trains. Either stay in Paris to see the city itself or just do Disney and stay near there.

Maybe Versailles? Have a look at the RER lines as they all serve Paris but the outermost towns are basically the countryside. Or maybe Tours would be better for your DH. Though tbh with the high speed trains you could even do a few days in Paris then a few days Bordeaux or Marseille.

I would not spend 7-20 days in Pari with an 8 year old I suggest 3-4 days near PAris if you have to go to Disney and a day or so in paris there are parts of paris kids will like eg the Eiffel tower but they are not going to want to see the Mona Lisa

I think your DH's idea of a week in the south relaxing in a farmhouse with pool etc maybe added on afterwards do Paris for 3 days then a week in the South for the sunshine, you will get lots of French culture near a small market town in the south

I'm not saying this to be a killjoy but just be aware that if it's a hot summer Paris will have a bit of a smell. Allegedly they put the sewers too close to the surface of the streets and that's why it gets a bit wiffy in high heat. I can confirm this having been there a few times. Spring is better.

I'm sure you'll still enjoy yourselves if you go in Summer, just thought it worth a mention. :)

Thanks all - lots to think about! We want to stay in one place rather than move from one place to another BUT I see what you’re saying about travelling in and out. May have to adapt our plans. Off to research some more! Thank you ☺️

Paris is hugely wank and over rated. Marseille Is much better.

YY to Fontainebleau

Please tell me how to relax on holiday with a 7 and 8 year old.

Francehas many beautiful places, especially in the south.

Paris however ok for a day, but vastly over rated! Paris isn’t anywhere near as great as the hype would have you believe

Stay near Chantily and get the train in to Paris. It was exciting and a great way to do it. We stayed in a place called Gouvieux. Kids loved it. I wouldn't stay in Paris for more than 2-3 days with young children. A taster is nice but it can start to become a slog.

Another vote for Marseille. Fascinating city, beautiful coastline, great parks and countryside nearby. Way more fun IME

Paris is not overrated but I wouldn't go there with kids who would be bored shitless.
You need to go there with just the partner.

Berny Riviere lac du vieux pont.
Look on Eurocamp.
Far enough outside of paris for the peace. Not too far from DisneyLand and Asterix Parc which is really good. And loads to do on site and nearby. Not too expensive if you book early also. Mixture of tents, safari tents, caravans and lodges. Would definitely recommend

There’s a centre parc near Disney land Paris - about 20 mins that apparently they run a bus service (I’ve been researching same for my DNs). Looks like a good option as all the usually activities you get there, near enough to Disney to easily do a few days and about 40 mins on the metro line into Paris. Plus you can get the Eurostar direct to Disney so an easy journey as well.

I would second Berny Riviere lac du vieux pont.

Quite a few campsite operators have that site eg:

Eurocamp
Canvas
Al Fresco holidays

We have stayed there a few times. They do a bus to euro disney and to Paris but TBH we would rather have driven ourselves.

Paris was fun with similar aged children. We did the big sights and had lunch on the left bank in a bistro.

You’d be mad to spend the whole 7-10 days in or around Paris. It’s lovely but very expensive, and hard to navigate in from the outskirts.

You would be much better off doing 3 days in Paris (one of them at Disney) then a week in the south somewhere. It would be a much more enjoyable holiday imo.

I think the children are possibly too young to appreciate all that Paris offers and would agree about somewhere south, where they could run round a beach, for example.

That is the worst idea ever. Firstly, Paris in summer is horrid. Secondly if you stay on the outskirts it will be shit and you will waste hours and hours trying to get anywhere.

Central Paris is a place for grownups/lovers but there’s plenty of places (e.g. Parc Asterix) thigh your DCs will love which are within striking distance.

Suggestion: Do three days at Disney and then a week in the warmer south. There’s plenty places in the south with activities for children.

If you’re lucky enough to afford and have a nanny, take him/her with you so you and your DP can do grownup stuff too.

Thigh?!?

That.

Have you been to Paris, OP?

I wouldn't go there with kids who would be bored shitless.

This. Paris would be better for a romantic mini-break with your DH. I'm with him on this one, the south is much better for a relaxing summer holiday.

I've lived in the south of France and I'm not much of a fan of Marseilles. Nice is lovely and has gorgeous nearby villages that can be explored. Surely you'd prefer a place with a nice refreshing beach than a stuffy, busy city with young kids?

I’m with your dh op. His holiday sounds much nicer.