A day in Paris with a 2.5yo. What would you do?

[RamblingRosa]

I've been to Paris lots of times but in my previous life (ie. with inappropriate boyfriends or with my mates...shopping, drinking, flirting with French boys etc).
I'm going for the first time with DP and DD in July. We're just passing through on the way to the Loire but we're going to spend a day and a night in Paris at either end of the holiday.
What would you do with a day in Paris with a 2.5yo? I really want to show her the best bits and just focus on one or two good things rather than try and schlep around the whole city seeing every single tourist sight!
I was wondering about Pompidou centre. Is there a musee des enfants or did I imagine that? Are there any good playgrounds or parks for kids? What about eating out?
TIA!

How about a day at Disneyland? I'm sure your toddler would remember that more than a day looking around Paris . We're going end of June, again, because my two love it - found a good 1-day deal at helloparis Disneyland Paris tickets
you can get out to Disneyland in less than an hour from central paris.

France, IMHO, is very child friendly.

Disneyland is a def. possibility - it's not far by train, but I'd question how much a 2.5YO would get out of it (recently took my 2YO and his favorite part of the whole trip was the train )

Notredame is good fun, as is the river cruise / shuttle. The parks are great for running off a little extra energy. I like the art gallery (Louvre) but it can be hot / crowded for a little one - especially if he likes to walk.

Eating outside is always a good plan - no need to worry about the mess and the birds are a constant distraction (I hate them, personally, but DS loves the little blighters!!)

Paris is a wonderful city... you will have fun (as will your DS) just exploring. AFAIK, 2YO seem to LOVE cobbled streets! - that, in itself, is a treat!!!

Paris isn't the most toddler friendly city. I'd walk everywhere or rely on the bateaubus. You can buy an all day pass (hop on/hop off) which will take you to the major monuments (Louvre, Eiffel Tower)

Parks are not to play in, in general, but to walk in and look at. The big exception is the Jardin d'acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne. It has sprinklers, fun fair rides and other fun things for kids.

Not many child provisions in eating out. Just ask for child portions of something on the menu (or ask for an omelette).

Are we really thinking about the same place? Sofaqueen????

I think Paris is totally child friendly.

The parks are great - How much PLAYING does a 2YO do? Running about and following the paths is pretty much it. There are no need for balls or games as such.

The cafes and restaraunts are great - I've never had one that wouldn't russle up something for a child (I myself am an utter fussy eater, so never order off menu anyway!)

I've had my two (DS, just 2 and DD 10MO) on the underground and it's super helpful... much more so that London... and I wouldn't class that as bad

Jardins des Luxembourg! Excellent playgrounds/puppet shows/running around space plus a million places in St Germain for lunch. Also recommend the BateauBus. DD loved the Eifel Tower, but we booked dinner in the restaurant to save queuing. There were carousels the other side of the Seine and the Tower lit up at night. It was a fab evening!

It's the 'Interdit' notices on the grass that toddlers can't read that cause the problems in French parks, and the pursed, perectly lipsticked lips, that point in your direction the minute your toddler steps off the grass onto that big expanse of green.

And whereas they will happily bring an omlette for a child, make sure that it does not stand up, at all, even just to walk very close to the table to you, for fear of a cold-eyed waiter asking you to make your child sit down, while the lipsticked ladies who lunch make openly critical comments (while fondling their dogs in handbags on their laps).

I love Paris. And think the child-friendly suggestions are good ones.

Could you go to Versailles? A splendid day out

Thanks for all the tips. Not convinced DD will be that impressed by Disneyland. She doesn't know any Disney films or characters so she would just be a bit bemused/freaked out by the people dressed in giant mouse costumes I reckon!

Bois de Bologne is a good tip and I'm glad to hear there's lots of kids to do in Jardins de Luxembourg because that's walking distance from where we're staying.

We live in London so quite used to getting buggy on metro and along crowded streets so not so worried about that aspect.

Anyone been to the Paris plage?

The only thing I found difficult was getting dd's pram through the Metro turnstiles. Also from London so used to city living with a LO but found that a bit stressful.

DD's best day ever (aged 2) was in Paris along the canal with all the locks and people to wave at on the passing little boats. Nice relaxed restaurant along there too - La Marine. Looks a bit when you get off the metro but as you walk along it's lovely - lots of little shops, dog walkers, people pushing kids. I believe it is shut to cars too on a Sunday.

We went to EuroDisney in December for a friend's birthday and dd thought it was ok (I didn't) but far preferred running around the Pompidou Centre, stroking doggies by the canal, spotting the supermarket posters with a strawberry face and eggs for eyes .

Have a lovely time.

Thanks I didn't know about the canal. I'll check that out. I'd forgotten about the turnstiles on the metro. I can imagine that would be a bit stressful on the metro. So how did you manage? How do Parisian mums manage or do they just not go on the metro with buggies ?

There didn't seem to be that many of them on the metro though I am sure there are mums on MN who know a lot more about it than me.

I folded down dd's pram and lifted it above my head, insisting she held onto my leg, and handed it to my wonderful sister on the other side of the head high barrier. Take a small pram!

Canal definitely worth a visit and the restaurant I linked to is nice - relaxed, atmospheric, non touristy and good food. Not massive though they were oh so patient when I had to fold down the pram etc.

Have fun!

Thanks. After a day in central London with DD, battling hoards of tourists on the tube, I'm starting to think I should plan nice things to do that are walking distance from hotel (Notre Dame, Jardins de Luxembourg)

If you are close to Jardin Luxembourg I'd go there. There is a fabulous adventure playground where I used to take my dcs with a snack kiosk and loos (not always easy to find in Paris). Metro is a nightmare with a buggy - when we lived there I walked everywhere or took the bus, but if you are only there for a day I'd just go round where you are staying. If you are staying near Notre Dame there's a Pizza restaurant (basically Pizza Express, but called something else) overlooking the Seine (go upstairs for a great view).

Sorry, meant to say restaurant is in Place St Michel.

I took DD to Disneyland for the day when we were in Paris for a few days at the beginning of April - despite not knowing any disney characters she absolutely loved it so I would certainly urge you to consider it.

We also passed through on the way to the Loire and after the constant supervision of the trains it was nice to be somewhere that I felt I could relax a little!

If you want to go up something my favourite was always the Monparnasse Tower - walkable from the Jardin Luxembourg (or take the 58 bus). You go up in a lift, there's never a queue and once up you don't have to look at the ugliest building in Paris because you are standing on it!

Ooh, we're staying in Montparnasse (for convenience as we're going to catch a train to Loire the following day...not because I thought it would be a scenic place to stay ). I hadn't thought of going up the tower. Good thinking!

I'll look into Disneyland Ewe but I'm still not convinced!

LillianGish, I know this is stupid question but how do the bus tickets work in Paris? I'm used to getting the metro but I'm not sure I've ever got the bus in Paris. Can you use the metro tickets on the bus or do you pay the bus driver? Also, I assume little kids go free on metro/buses. Is that right?

Havnt read all if any of this but IMHO the only things she will appreciate are a nice comfotable buggy to sit in, Disneyworld, and the icecream !!!

Most parks have play areas- jardinière d'acclimation are fab(zoo play area rides) or the zoo that is down near jardins de Luxembourg .

There was a great article on a blog I read recently, about taking small children to Paris.

Here, found it for you.

Ooh, BertieBotts, that's my blog!

You might have known that it was written by a fellow Mumsnet member. We get everywhere!

I think you recommended Mumsnet to me ages ago erzibetta You'll probably work out who I am if you look at my profile.

Oh crikey, hello there!