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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Paris with 8 year old

39 replies

TedLasto · 06/06/2023 13:22

I was reading the Paris thread with interest as we are heading there for 3 nights in the summer with our 8 year old daughter. One day will be at Disney, she wants to see the Eiffel Tower…other than that does anyone have any recommendations for places to see/ eat (she is vegetarian and very fussy so I can see this being tricky in France)? She is happy to visit museums/ galleries but generally gets on better with those that have trails/ activities. Very grateful for expert advice!

OP posts:
Oriunda · 08/06/2023 19:40

HereComesYourMam · 08/06/2023 18:32

If you're not there for long, I wouldn't bother with the science place. It's quite a mix of good and not-so-good (or not working) - read the reviews on TripAdvisor - a real split! As we have some great hands-on science places in the UK and there are so many other amazing things to do in Paris, I'd stick with those.

Agree. I found a lot of the interactive bits were broken, and what was there was mostly in French. It’s a huge space, and not that central. My son enjoyed the submarine (which needs booking if still on) and, obviously, the gaming room.

WWGDD · 08/06/2023 20:13

I'd recommend Philharmonie des enfants | Philharmonie de Paris if your daughter likes music. You get about an hour and it has lots of hands on interactive experiences like conducting an orchestra.

Philharmonie des enfants

https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/fr/philharmoniedesenfants

Fakeairpodsfakeoodie · 08/06/2023 20:42

Definitely go on the open top bus to see the sights, get the option for the boat ride too.
Take some reading books for the Disney queues, as well as the travelling. You think it's a lot of doing but it's mainly a lot of queueing for your while trip from start to finish.

Fakeairpodsfakeoodie · 08/06/2023 20:43

*whole trip

BeccaBean · 09/06/2023 21:03

My 7 year's old favourite places were Jardin du Luxembourg (playground and sailing boats); waterfalls and paddling in the cascades at Parc Buttes Marchmont and Tour Montparnasse (although terrace wasn't open due to some lease dispute; she loved the 360 degree virtual "time travel" through Paris headsets). She also liked the sparkly lights on the Eiffel Tower but this time of year the tower doesn't light up until 10pm. We also went on a boat trip on the Seine, Montmartre and to see the impressionist paintings at Musee D'Orsay which she liked but not as much as the parks and Tour Montparnasse. Talked her out of the Eiffel Tower as we couldn't get lift tickets despite trying when they went on sale 60 days in advance of our trip! Didn't want to do the queues as knew we'd be queuing a lot at Disneyland in the second part of our trip. Paris and Disneyland were brilliant and we'd love to go back in a couple of years.

Whataretheodds · 09/06/2023 21:10

We were v pleasantly surprised by the Conciergerie (next to Ste Chapelle) where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. They has really good interactive exhibits.

We always do montparnasse rather than going up the Eiffel Tower, but a picnic in front of the tower watching the sun go down and the lights come on was v enjoyable.

Ivyhedera · 09/06/2023 21:19

www.jardindacclimatation.fr/en/billetterie?drawerOpen=false

Our kids preferred Jardin d'Acclimatation to Disney

FloorWipes · 09/06/2023 21:33

I know it's just 3 days you are there but I would consider Versailles

Original poster
TedLasto · 13/06/2023 17:51

BeccaBean · 09/06/2023 21:03

My 7 year's old favourite places were Jardin du Luxembourg (playground and sailing boats); waterfalls and paddling in the cascades at Parc Buttes Marchmont and Tour Montparnasse (although terrace wasn't open due to some lease dispute; she loved the 360 degree virtual "time travel" through Paris headsets). She also liked the sparkly lights on the Eiffel Tower but this time of year the tower doesn't light up until 10pm. We also went on a boat trip on the Seine, Montmartre and to see the impressionist paintings at Musee D'Orsay which she liked but not as much as the parks and Tour Montparnasse. Talked her out of the Eiffel Tower as we couldn't get lift tickets despite trying when they went on sale 60 days in advance of our trip! Didn't want to do the queues as knew we'd be queuing a lot at Disneyland in the second part of our trip. Paris and Disneyland were brilliant and we'd love to go back in a couple of years.

Waterfalls and paddling in cascades sound right up her alley (she loves the water fountains in London). Thanks again for all the tips. I'm going to try to persuade her to go for Montparnasse and going to see Eiffel tower at night and see how I get on, as that does sound better.

OP posts:
Makiwa · 13/06/2023 19:32

May I suggest Les Pavillons de Bercy - Musée des Arts Forains. Fairground museum which is great for all ages.

Original poster
TedLasto · 20/06/2023 16:32

Makiwa · 13/06/2023 19:32

May I suggest Les Pavillons de Bercy - Musée des Arts Forains. Fairground museum which is great for all ages.

Sounds amazing!

OP posts:
mikado1 · 20/06/2023 17:31

I've just realised our trip coincides with Bastille Day!! Don't know if that's good or bad, I see Mont Parnasse and the hop on hop off bus can't be done that day!!

Oriunda · 21/06/2023 14:17

It’s not great, tbh. French public holiday, and Paris will be rammed. Ensure you book things ahead as much as you can.

StillWantingADog · 21/06/2023 14:25

following (Sorry) as hoping to go soon with 10 and 8 yo.
I actually lived in Paris years ago but other than Disney am at a loss as to what my kids would like there

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