Two half days in Paris with 6 year old

[Suz145]

We will be in Paris next weekend on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. On Saturday afternoon we plan to do a boat ride and see the Eiffel tower though probably not climb it. I expect we will have time on Saturday for something else prossibly the champ Elysees or Notre dame but I am wondering if this is worth it for a 6 year old? As far as I remember the champs Elysees was just a long shopping street, is there anything interesting for children there? Norte Dame the same, apart from a quick look and a photo is there anything to do there?

We need something to do on Sunday morning but unsure what to go for. We need to stay reasonably central or more towards the north of the city of anyone has some suggestions of something that can be done in a couple of hours. Not interested in art. I was thinking jardines Luxemburg if the weather is nice. Maybe we could do the sacre cour bit not sure how my son would get on with the steps. He is not a fan of walking.

I have been to Paris a lot previously so nothing I have as a must do but it is my son's first trip.

Does anyone have any opinion on Sant Denis? We will probably have to use a bus station there but I have it in memory that is it a bit of a rough area. Is that right? Should we look for an alternative?

How about the funicular up to Sacre Coeur and the the park to the east of it?

Thank you. I did not know about the fernicular or the park.

Sacre Coeur has lovely views and you can wander round to Place du Tertre, which is very pretty, but I would keep your wits about you in the park next to the funicular - lots of petty crime and hawkers.

If he wants to go up something tall for the views, Tour Montparnasse is easier to get tickets for than the Eiffel Tower and means you get the views with the Eiffel Tower in. The Arc de Triomphe is another option if being near the Champs Élysées works for you logistically.

The Jardins de Luxembourg might be a good option if the weather is nice - I think it has a playground - and is near Tour Montparnasse but both are on the south side of the city centre.

Jardin de Luxembourg has the toy boats you can sail around in the pond. That's fun.

The basilica at St Denis is beautiful. All the French kings and Queens are buried there with huge monuments. The area immediately around the cathedral is nice but beyond that it's quite rough. I was there by myself though and didn't have any trouble. It's right on the outskirts of the city, near the Stade de France, I would only go if you're particularly interested in cathedrals or long-dead French royalty. Nice

Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie might be good for you. It would be great for a 6 year old, with lots of interactive stuff, a submarine visit and special activities for children (Cite des Enfants - you’ll need to add that onto the ticket. It’s to the north east of the centre.

The Jardin d' Acclimatation, or the Jardins du Luxembourg. DS at that age adored sailing boats on the pond, the playground, the pony rides and the old carousel where children catch hoops on a stick (this was no longer in use last time I passed through, but may have been repaired?)

Neither the Champs Elysées nor Notre Dame are likely to be of the smallest interest to a six year old.

Definitely the Jardin d’Acclimatation. Six is the perfect age. We used to live in Paris when mine were small and they loved it. It’s very gentle and fun.

It’s an easy journey on the metro and would be perfect for Sunday morning.

Look up the Batobus, it a boat that goes past all the major sights so you can hop on and off.

This was the park I was thinking of, not the area next to the funicular

We walked around lots of the gardens mentioned. Also went to the aquarium. This was a few years back

Some nice ideas here. Thanks everyone.