Places to visit/eat in Paris with kids?

[paristips]

Going to Paris next week for the first time in years, and never been with kids. Looking for recommendations for places to go. We're hoping to do a sort of cultural but not too cultural introduction to the city. We've booked the Louvre and Sainte Chapelle, and we're planning to wander round Montmartre and Ile de la Cite. Probably intending to look at the Eiffel Tower and Seine rather than go up/on them (one child scared of heights, and I remember being very underwhelmed by a Paris boat trip as a kid). Zero interest in Disney.

I guess what I'm looking for is recommendations of places/activities I might not have thought of, which will appeal to kids (14 and 12). Could be less well known museums, or parks, or streets, or just interesting/fun/quirky things?

Also, very interested in restaurant recommendations. We're staying in the Marais, so ideally near there. Would like to do a bit of traditional French food but also open to more laid back/fun/modern places that won't cost the earth (ambitious in Paris, I know!). Kids will eat anything, so all cuisines considered.

Thank you!

[DoubleTweenQueen]

Their used to be a TimeOut Paris which was great for restaurants and events. Online resource: www.timeout.com/paris/en

[ohleboulot]

www.canauxrama.com/fr/croisieres/croisiere-combinee-canal-st-Martin-et-seine.html?prov=focus

This will take you from canal Saint Martin to the seine - through the locks and the underground water tunnels.

[southlondoner02]

You can get great views from Tour Montparnasse- tallest building in Paris. It has a terrace at the top where you can get a drink

[InvincibleInvisibility]

Dont discount the batobus - its way cheaper than the tour boats. And its basically a hop on hop off of the major sights but by boat instead of the bus.

[Worldgonecrazy]

Depending on age /level of gore, the rat trap shop from Ratatouille is worth a walk past. The Musee du Chase was also well received.

DD loves the boat trips though we went when the Seine was very high and fast and you could almost touch the bridges.

[paristips]

Thank you so much, I will check out all of these!

[PatriciaHolm]

The museum of magic always entertained mine at about that age -

www.museedelamagie.com

[Saisong]

We're there next week too, first time with kids (12 & 15). We're doing the Eiffel as I've never actually been to the top before, plus the Rodin Museum and maybe the D'Orsay if they feel up to it. Second day the Arc de Triomphe - the view is great towards La Defense, then the Louvre and Orangerie museum for the Monet waterlillies. Third day Picasso museum and Arts at Metiers, also Pere Lachaise. Finally day walk through Monmartre to Sacre Coeur.

Other things we may try if time are the botanical gardens & grand mosque (has the most amazing tea garden), catacombs (but DS a little squeamish), Pompidou & modern art gallery.

DH has made a list of Paris film locations such he wants to pick out along the way (he and DS are watching Mission Impossible Fallout right now in anticipation!)

Week watch this thread with interest for food ideas (we are all veggie so it takes a bit of searching around in paris)

[fyn]

If you are walking past Notre Dame there is a wonderful bookshop called the Shakespeare Book Company right next to it. It’s an English bookshop and absolutely amazing inside!

[Bobbybobbins]

We did a tour of the underground tunnels - it was fascinating.

[LordEmsworth]

Well obviously you'll be queuing for L'As du Falafel on Rue des Rosiers. They have a sit-in service but it's more fun to get from the hole in the wall.

If you can manage a train trip to Versailles then this was the highlight of my trip last year: en.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/programmation/the-night-fountains-show_e2569 . I mean, the grounds at Versailles - and the Petit Trianon in particular - are amazing in themselves but this was truly stunning.

Second highlight: Eating at La Coupole.

Berthillon on the Ile de la Cite has the best ice creams.

I don't know if the terror trial is still on, but Sainte Chappelle is right next to the Palais de Justice - so you'll need to show your passport at the security cordon. It's the law that you need to have ID on you and show it, if asked.

The Hardware Societe in Montmartre for brunch (N.B there will be a queue outside)

There are various Breton pancake places so I'd look out for one of them, as well.

[Leggingslife]

Sacre c'oeur .. great views

[COL1N]

I always recommend Chartier restaurant, its fun, casual & feels very French!