All eight days in Paris? AT LEAST eight days in Paris!!

About Nice I have no idea...but in Paris, just use the public transport...the quickest and cheapest way to get around, but don´t forget to get back to your hotel in time, there is no metro after midnight or 1 am... but yes 8 days!

Nice is a long way to go, and a extra upheaval for your son.

>>what's the best way to get around the city?<<

The metro has a lot of stairs, and long corridors at interchanges, and especially at rush hours could be a bit daunting with a toddler - come to think of it, young children and all their impedimenta seem to me to be much less common there than in London. So you'll probably get used to the buses:

http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/tourists/

http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=bus_paris_geo&fm=gif

Here's a video to give you an idea of what the metro's like to travel on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDbhBLAcFuw

I'd second staying in Paris. We were there for 8 or 9 days, and there is so much to see and do. And it's a good length of time to really get to know the city. When are you making the trip? A day trip to Reims or Giverny is also a possibility. But I'd save Nice for another trip.

There's so much to do in Paris that 8 days will fly by. If you are flying in from the US then you will probably be jetlagged so allow for that. Also, I would imagine that with a toddler you will need to slow things down a bit? There is another post on the Europe thread just now where people are listing their favourite 10 things to see in Paris. If you read that you will start to get an idea of the scope of things that are available.

Especially with a toddler I think you will love 8 days in Paris. Having them with you will 'force' you in a good way to slow down and become familiar with smaller details of the cities - parks, streets etc. I would strongly suggest looking at getting an apartment so you have a 'home' to go back to during the day. When we went with our two boys although we really enjoyed the 'sights' my strongest memories are of Paris becoming familiar and feeling like I was living there for a week. There are too many 'sights' to run out of in 8 days and it will give you enough time to have a day or two that you can just chill, and for your son to get into some sort of routine (kind of)
Enjoy!

I concur with all of the posters - stay all 8 days in Paris! Even though Nice is a lovely place, it is about a 6 to 6 1/2 hour trip by train, I think.

You will have so much to do in Paris that 8 days won't cover it.

Enjoy Paris.

TR

Hi Ann,


>We're debating if we should stay in Paris for all 8 days or squeeze in a 3-day trip to Nice.

This will be our first trip to France with our 18 months old son. Take that into consideration....<

I think that you have answered your question.

I vote for 8 days in Paris!! I was there for the 4th time last spring for only 7 days and I found it way too short. You will always find stuff to do!

I always take the metro but as others have said, there can be a lot of walking and stairs. I've never taken the bus but in your case it seems better

Thanks all for the insights. Very helpful! We'll be staying in Paris for 8 days in late April. Now I just need to start scoping out what we'll do/go see.

Stay in Paris...you can never see it all and you will want to spend some time sipping coffee, wine or whatever and people watch. I love the cafes in Paris! I think with a small child, if you go to Nice you will just lose time in the travel and wear yourself (and your child) out.
I'd rather burn time in line at Bertillon for the best ice cream anywhere!

Spend all eight days in Paris.

Ann, take a look at the parks (Luxembour, Tuilieries, others) and seek out the puppet shows and carousels for a lovely afternoon with your toddler. They will be beautiful at the end of April.

Think about visiting other outdoor spots where a stroller works well, such as the Musees Rodin or Bourdellle, which have wonderful sculpture gardens.