Paris for 6 hours

[frazzled74]

We are visiting Venice at Easter and the plan is to go by train, we will have 6 hours to get from gare du nord to gare du Lyon and explore, with 3 dcs, 2,8 and 11, can anyone tell me how best to spend this time? Eiffel Tower ? Anywhere cheap and cheerful for a family dinner?

Hi
I live in Paris, so can give a few pointers.

All kids love the Eiffel Tower, but beware, queues are huge! You should definitely book tickets in advance.

www.tour-eiffel.fr/en/preparing-your-visit/buying-your-tickets.html

The Eiffel Tower is south-west, and not direct from the Gare du Nord. It might be quicker to take a cab rather than negotiate the public transport. Here's a link to the metro system, i think it should be around 10 /15 euros. www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?fm=pdf&loc=reseaux&nompdf=metro

As a family, i would definitely recommend the Jardins de Luxembourg, which are south of the river and just lovely for kids, or Le Jardin des Plantes, which is within walking distance of the Gare de Lyon (cross the river, get a fab view of Paris). These latter gardens are just gorgeous, not too big, and there's a small zoo (the oldest in the world apparently) and the Natural History Museum in the grounds. There is a cafe in the grounds as well I think. I'd avoid eating anything in the direct vicinity of the Eiffel Tower as the prices will be horrendous.

One great place to go instead of the Eiffel Tower for a view of the city is the top of Montparnasse, a skyscraper in the south of the city, which is direct from the Gare du Nord (line 4, going south). This is near the 5th and 6th arrondissements, which is packed full of bars, cafes, restaurants etc. A bit priecy, but lovely.

hth

Thanks, having had a look online I'm thinking I should keep it simple, maybe get to gare de Lyon and put luggage in lockers, then somewhere within walking distance and an early dinner, knowing my luck and sense of direction we will miss our train to Venice if I stray too far!

Sorry to hijack, but can you recommend any good restaurants to go to with a 6 year old?

It is ages since I have been to France and childless I obviously didn't look too closely for childfriendly-ness.

We go in May and stay near Les Halles.

Hi
All restaus are child-friendly! Don't expect a special menu, les enfants eat the same as we do most of the time.

Personally, I love Chez Paul on rue de Charonne (www.chezpaul.com/), always a winner, but you'd have to get a metro from Chatelet/Les Halles. It's authentic French and has just about everything on the menu.

There is also a FAB little burger place (don't knock it!) near Les halles, you'd have to reserve as it gets choc-a-block, but it's very trendy. Its just off the rue Montorgueil, which in itself is great, lots of great little shops and eateries, a very, very trendy part of the city, there's tons do do in this part of Paris. But beware, Les Halles is being refurbished at the moment, so cranes everywhere.
Restau: Big Fernand, 32 rue Saint Saveur, Paris. There are 2, a take-away or a sit-down restaurant.

hth