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paris with pre-schoolers....

10 replies

stump · 04/03/2011 14:35

Hi everyone,
We're planning to spend a few days staying just to the east of Paris (not far from eurodisney) with our almost 4 year old DD and DS who is 18months. Any tips on how to enjoy Paris with them? We have been many times but always on our own. We are staying close to an RER stop so easy access into town. Also my mum is keen to have a day at eurodisney - is it worth it at this age? DD is very into princesses!! Any recommendations?

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stump · 13/03/2011 15:22

anyone???

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Lizcat · 14/03/2011 15:40

There are lots of Carousels close to the main attractions that help with the bribery. So at 2.5 years DD loved the playground which is to the right of Notre Dame as you look at it from the square, The carousel at the base of the steps to the sacre coeur, if you climb the steps and head round to monmatre there is an ice cream shop there which is a useful bribe. The funiculaire along side the steps is also good. The carousel across the river from the Effiel tower is another very popular one with DD.
At 5 DD loved the sea life aquariam in Val d'europe shopping centre one stop on from Disney. At 3 and 4.5 DD did love disney try to go early in the week it's much quieter.
We have taken DD at every 6 months since she was 2.5 and she has loved Paris everytime even at 7 happiness is a ride on a carousel.

Bettyspencer · 14/03/2011 16:07

Don't know much about Paris with toddlers but definitely worth a day in Disney - it will be magical for both your children! I would recommend pre-booking a character lunch, so you're all guaranteed a) a sit down and b)some fun times and photos of the characters.

have a great time! (envious and nostalgic emotion)

kreecherlivesupstairs · 15/03/2011 08:09

We were in Paris last week with our 9.10 DD. She was hugely disappointed that the queue for the Eiful tower was about 5 hours long.
We have promised to take her back at Easter and I'll prebook the tickets.
Notre Dame has a small park beside it and between the obelisk and Notre Dame there is a park with a couple of ponds. One of which you can hire boats to sail.

stump · 15/03/2011 08:14

thanks all - this is really helpful. If we do go to Disney it will be earlier in the week since we are there sunday - wednesday. Am more coming round to the idea since it will be the last chance we get before school starts and then we will be limited to weekends/school holidays which I am assuming are a nightmare!! Carousels will go down a treat too so thanks for those tips. keep them coming if there are any more!!

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yonker · 15/03/2011 10:03

Hi, one of the best parks for, climbing frames, sand pits etc in the centre is at the opposite end of the Champ de Mars gardens from the Tour Eiffel, there are also a couple of smaller ones in the gardens. Also a small track with with little peddle go karts and push around bikes for the smaller children, and donkey rides (there late on in the afternoon if the weather is good). Nice to go and have a look at the Tower and then a play in the park.

The Tuileries gardens are good for them to run around in (although the play park in there is not that great), and they have trampolines in the park and donkey rides. If you are going in July and August there is a fair in the gardens with some rides suitable for young children. There are also ponds with toy sailing boats you can hire at the end of the park nearest the Louvre.

The Luxembourg gardens have a great park for children - all sorts of slides, climbing frames etc (with a small entrance fee), but you would probably spend at least half the day there which may not be a good use of your time if you are only there a couple of days.

If you are planning on visiting Montmartre the little tourist train that takes you up and down the hill from Place Blanche is good, less tiring for the little legs (and long ones!),www.promotrain.fr/gbaccueil.htm. Also the funicular as Lizcat has said.

Sounds really touristy but a boat trip along the Seine is usually enjoyed by children, and a good way to see a few of the sights without walking too far.

Your 4 year old may like a trip in the hot air balloon (tethered to the ground) in Parc Andre Citroen, but it is a bit out if the way and the balloon only goes up if the weather is good enough. The parc itself is a great, safe place for a run around and a picnic - but as I said maybe a bit out of the way if you are only there a couple of days.

A walk along a section of the river looking at the houseboats and waving at everyone on the tourist boats, nice to picnic on one of the pedestrian bridges or in the Square du vert Galant, the little park on the tip of the Ile de la Cite.

The L'Orangerie with Monet's Water Lilies - even for small children is great to look at the paintings with all the different colours changing as you look around the rooms.

If the queues for the Tour Eiffel are too long to go high up you can go up the Montparnasse Tower. Usually no queue at all and a great view of Paris (with the advantage that you can see the Tour Eiffel as well). It is easy to get to but there is not much else around the area, especially for children.

If the weather is good the self service restaurant on top of Printemps store is reasonably priced, and you can sit outside on the roof and look at the sights whilst eating (or good even for a coffee stop).

Finally the children may like to go around on the open top buses if the weather is nice - not sure about the costs though but a nice way to see some of Paris and usually enjoyed by the kids

Just realised you have been to Paris many times before so apologies if these are things you already know about, but hope some of it is useful

stump · 15/03/2011 16:39

Wow thanks yonker for the helpful message!! Had thought about a seine trip but no the open bus so thats definitely worth looking into. Also you jogged my memory about the little train at Montmartre which we have seen many times although never been on - would be great for the kids am sure!!
Any other tips on child friendly restaurants/cafes in paris would be much appreciated - its never struck me as a particularly child friendly city in that respect, but maybe thats just because we've only ever been there as a couple!!

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yonker · 16/03/2011 21:02

Hi stump, glad it was of some use. My son was born in Paris and we lived there until he was 4 and a half so just had a think back to what he liked to do Smile.

As for restaurants, no particular ones in the centre (unless you happen to be staying near where I lived) but any restaurant we went in was always very, very welcoming to children - both staff and other diners. However, most are not really well equipped for children. If you still use a high chair you may be lucky to find one, (or they will be so antiquated that you won't want DS sitting in them), we bought a folding plastic strap on seat and that was great as we could use it anywhere. There is also not much room for high chairs as the tables are so close together. The other thing is the length of time waiting for food. Not complaining, it's normal in France and great if it is adults only but sometimes not so good with hungry kids. We always took something for DS to play with - playdough often, or just paper and pens. We also always used to sit outside if the weather permits - one of us could then take him for a little walk easily when waiting, there was more to look at outside and if he did start getting a bit noisy waiting it didn't seem so obvious and disturbing to others.

Other stuff - wouldn't use the metro if you have to, even with two adults it is still a pain (presuming you are two adults, if you are going alone even worse), I would use buses or just walk. Places to change nappies are few and far between (toilets at Champs Elysee end of Tuileries have one, and Printemps and Galleries Lafayette have baby rooms to feed and change), but that is all I know of. Usually for us it was lying on a towel in the park (and you can find a bit of green space on nearly every street corner), or lied out in a reclined pushchair.

Although there are a few things like that which are not geared to small children Paris in general is a great city for kids, even very young ones. Lovely parks everywhere, nice wide streets to walk along, things even the youngest enjoy seeing and doing. I loved living there with a small child, and sure you will have a great time with them. If your four year old is interested enough try and teach her a few French words - just the bonjour Madame, merci Madame stuff, and perhaps je m'appelle xxxx - the French will like that.

stump · 17/03/2011 12:40

Thanks Yonker thats all really useful. We will be 4 adults so I guess that might make it a bit easier :-) We actually staying a little bit out of Paris in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés its on an RER stop and on the sunday we are all going to the Hippodrome d'Auteuil for the horse racing (its DH's birthday). Then we will have a few days to do as we please so I think we will spend at least one of those in Paris and maybe the other at Disneyland. My mum and dad live in Burgundy so my 4 year old already knows a couple of words as you say and I'm going to encourage her to use them - she loves things like that. All your tips have made me feel quite excited about the trip now so thank you. Its the first time we'll have taken them to a big city!!
I'm a bit jealous of your time living in Paris - I've often thought that would be fun but its never really happened for us.

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kktpj · 22/03/2011 13:49

we are taking our 3 month old to paris at easter.
any advice anyone, especially about travelling by plane to cdg airport?

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