Paris with a toddler and a baby

Old Feb 27th, 2017, 10:15 AM
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Paris with a toddler and a baby

We are planning a family trip to Paris from May 27 to June 3 (including travel). We have two girls and they will be 2 1/2 and 10 months at that time. The last time I went to Paris was 16 years ago and my husband has never been. I was wondering if anyone had any tips and advice on navigating Paris with a toddler and a baby. Also I have the following specific questions:

1) Where should we stay? We plan on renting an apartment. My sister recommended St. Germaine because it is next to a park. But others have recommended Marais and somewhere in the 7th Arrondissement. If anyone has any specific rental companies that they could recommend that would be great. Or should we just go with airbnb?
2) Any tips for visiting the Louvre? Should we get the museum pass to skip the lines? Are there long lines to the bathrooms?
3) Any tips for arranging a day trip to Versaille? How long does it take to get there? Should we go with a company? And what's the bathroom situation there? (My 2 year old has recently been potty trained so that's why I'm asking)
4) How should we get around? People keep telling me that the metro is stroller friendly
5) Any recommendations for a car service company from the airport that could provide us with two carseats?
6) How child friendly are restaurants? By child friendly I don't mean whether they have kids menus but whether they are okay with bringing kids in general and whether they have highchairs/booster seats
7) Any recommendations for a baby equipment rental company where we can rent a travel crib?
8) Any double stroller tips? We don't have one currently and plan on purchasing one for the trip. Recommendations on which stroller to get would be great too.
9) We plan on taking the train to London afterwards. Should we buy our tickets in advance? Where should we sit and would you recommend splurging on business class seats?

Any other advice/tips would be most welcome! Especially when it comes to where to find bathrooms.

Thanks so much!
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Old Feb 27th, 2017, 10:47 AM
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Hi

1) anywhere is ok. US tourists tend to prefer 4-5-6-7
Or should we just go with airbnb?
Most apartments are illegal due to a new enforced law and a crack down is happening.

2) Any tips for visiting the Louvre? Should we get the museum pass to skip the lines? Are there long lines to the bathrooms? No idea - never ought a skip the line and never had long lines.


3) Any tips for arranging a day trip to Versaille? How long does it take to get there?
consider about a daytrip. Take RER C then walk 10 min. No metallic structure is allowed for kids. No stroler etc. pay attention

4) How should we get around? People keep telling me that the metro is stroller friendly. Yes.

5) Any recommendations for a car service company from the airport that could provide us with two carseats?
Taxi.
6) How child friendly are restaurants? By child friendly I don't mean whether they have kids menus but whether they are okay with bringing kids in general and whether they have highchairs/booster seats.
Not everywhere but if they are not happy, just leave you'll find another one more friendly.

7) Any recommendations for a baby equipment rental company where we can rent a travel crib?

8) Any double stroller tips? We don't have one currently and plan on purchasing one for the trip. Recommendations on which stroller to get would be great too.
Take a double with kids behind each other. A double in front will be a nightmare.

9) We plan on taking the train to London afterwards. Should we buy our tickets in advance? Where should we sit and would you recommend splurging on business class seats
Yes as long in advance for best prices.
I never take first class on such short trip. Your call.

Have a great stay!
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Old Feb 27th, 2017, 10:55 AM
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Thanks! By the way I meant to say that I heard that the metro isn't stroller friendly.
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Old Feb 27th, 2017, 11:11 AM
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As WoinParis said, there are on-going crackdowns on short-term rental apartments.
Since it's been so long that you were in Paris, I'd pay attention to the new laws. You don't want to risk a last-minute cancellation if the apartment is "disappeared" from the internet.
Many apartments are up long flights of stairs, might not have elevators, and are not so much fun, when going up several times a day. Most will not offer cribs.
Frankly, it's too much trouble to find out whether or not you will be in a legal apartment. What you need is a moderately-priced hotel.

You should look into legal apart'hotels, such as Citadines and Adagio. These have kitchens, elevators and 24/7 front desk service, which you will probably need. You can also ask for cribs, but must specify that you have 4 actual bodies in the room.

Try Citadines Richard Lenoir or Hotel Residence Henri IV. Both are in great neighborhoods, lots to do.

The Louvre and Versailles might be too long a day for your kids. Even with the Museum Pass, there are long lines for bathrooms in museums.
I'd skip both and go let them play on the antique merry-go-rounds and eat crepes, instead.

The Metro system is full of long stairways, long corridors, very few escalators and getting through the turnstyles is difficult.
Try taking the bus or taxis.

Arrange with G7 Taxis online for carseats. There is a flat fee from the airport, 50 or 55 EU depending on location.

Public "sanisettes" are located on the sidewalk. Most are open 24 hrs.
Cafes and restaurants usually have bathrooms upstairs or downstairs and are tiny. Most do not have changing tables. You are expected to purchase something before using the toilet. Only some chain restaurants like Hippopotamus will have booster seats.

This website explains everything you need to know about travelling by Eurostar:
http://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-travel.htm
Business class is not worth the money for a 2h20 minute trip. You'll have plenty of room in 2nd class seats.
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Old Feb 27th, 2017, 04:10 PM
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I'll be taking a 15 month old next month. I'll report back. In my experience, buses are not difficult with strollers. I don't know about metro but I'd guess not.

We are renting an apartment. I have lost my moral compass. Oh well.
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Old Feb 28th, 2017, 05:11 AM
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Thank you! This is all super helpful. If anyone has more recommendations for legitimate apartment hotels please let me know.
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Old Feb 28th, 2017, 05:53 AM
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Don't rent an apartment. Get a hotel or rent from a company like Citadines.

Get a museum pass if you are planning to visit a lot of museums, and take note of the dates and times it is good for (national museums are closed on Sundays; municipal museums are closed Mondays). There are no lines for bathrooms at the Louvre, IME. Be aware that "skip the line" tickets are a marketing ploy - NOBODY gets to skip the security checks.


Versailles is an easy 1/2-hour train trip from Paris. Go to the Versailles website and you'll find out everything you need to know about how to get there. They have bathrooms, of course. There can be lines. You don't need a tour, but presumably you'll know the historical significance of Versailles and what you are seeing, yes? To go there in a mental vacuum would be a waste of time.

The métro and buses are reasonably child-friendly.

You don't need or want a "car service" from the airport into Paris. Just take a Taxi Parisien, as everyone else does. Nobody's going to give you carseats for the kids unless you arrange in advance with, say, Taxis G7.


Re: child-friendly restaurants, you have Hippopotamus and Flunch, but really, any normal place in Paris can deal with kids. Don't expect high-chairs, though. Not that common. Deal with it and keep the kids on your lap on in the stroller.

No idea about your equipment needs, sorry. We always took a very lightweight stroller with us when we were traveling with young ones.

Yes, you should buy your tickets for the Eurostar well in advance(120 days) to get the best prices. No need for business class unless you're picky. Sit wherever. It's a short train ride , and for 20 minutes you're in a tunnel with nothing to see -you don't need pampering.
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Old Feb 28th, 2017, 07:13 AM
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Hi,, well aren't you ambitious.. lol

First, Versailles is a no.. unless one of you chooses to stay in gardens with kids while other does grounds and outer buildings. The palace is a nightmare for small kids.. heck, my 11 yr old found it a crush, you can not bring a stroller in so you will each carry a child.. the two yr old will not be happy being carried for an hour or hour and half.. and if you put him on ground he will be surrounded by legs.. !

Louvre can be much better, there are areas that are not so croweded, however , you are allowed strollers there.. but no baby backpacks. And.. they often let people with babies in strollers SKIP THE LINES!! Same with many places..

Buses are far more stroller friendly than the metro, as said, metros often have long passaways and stairs stairs stairs. Buses have sections in the middle that are stroller areas.

Never get those side by side strollers.. they are a curse to humanity (I had three kids under 6 at one point so I get how important strollers are) .. they are too wide you should get the front and back in a row type.

We always brought our own carseat for the babies, how are you going to fly without a carseat for the infant ? They are just projectiles without one. Save money by skipping first class on Eurostar ( no one needs that , second is fine ) and invest in a seat for the 10 month old on the plane. ( yeah, I know its costy.. but as I said.. you will want it and otherwise kid is just a projectile during turbulence too ) .

Book Eurostar as soon as possible.. and bring a picnic onboard, entirely permissible including drinks /liquids. Makes the trip fun too.


Many restaurants don't open for dinner till 7 or 730.. so you will likely find yourself at casual all day eateries.. Nicer restaurants in Paris are not child friendly. Dinners can take hours and they wont have highchairs.

Family type places do exist thought.. finding highchairs is just not easy though.. even at those.. I have no idea why.

Rent from a legal place with an elevator.. as said.. many apartments have horrible stairs, windy and narrow. Plus the whole legality thing. Legal Aparthotels give you all the same advantages ( small kitchnettes etc ) with more services . Look at Citidines.
There are parks all over PAris.. your friend was likely thinking of Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th, which does have a lovely play area for kids, but there are pocket parks everywhere . Most first timers find staying closer to river and in the 4th, 5th , or 6th just as convenient.


Don't plan on cramming in a lot.. impossible with two tots.

Bathrooms, are a pain, those without bathroom issues wont get this, as of course there ARE bathrooms around, but not in stores like here, and in cafes you must buy stuff, and as said,, often up or down narrow steps.
One good reason for a musueum pass is the ability to pop into any museum whenever you want JUST to use the bathrooms ( museum bathrooms generally clean and always free)
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Old Feb 28th, 2017, 07:45 AM
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Though Citadines and Adagio won't give you much charm for your money, you'll be well taken care of and will have what you need. There are many locations that will give you all the charm you can handle when you walk out the front door - so don't discount this important aspect on the basis of someone else's suggestion to stay at an illegal apartment.

I suggested Citadines Richard Lenoir and Hotel Residence Henri IV, both are legal apart'hotels in great neighborhoods.

Here are some other choices, all legal apart'hotels:
Le Roi de Sicile (in the Marais)
Citadines Saint Germain des Pres (across the river from Louvre)
Adagio (many locations)
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Old Feb 28th, 2017, 08:03 AM
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PS Do google for this website ( I don't know how to post a link , I am useless that way, lol )

Shelly Rivolis Travel with Baby..

Great interesting fun website on .. yes, travels with baby/toddler . Good tips.
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Old Jan 4th, 2018, 07:54 AM
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My husband and I have been to Paris once before and are planning a trip there with our 3-year old in May.

1) We are staying in the Montparnasse area. As others mentioned, I would avoid apartment rentals due to the legality issues. I recently did a lot of research on family friendly hotels in Paris in preparation for our trip. We wanted to have two completely separate rooms (with door) for when our daughter takes a nap and goes to bed before us, which I imagine you will want to. I'm happy to email you my Excel file with notes if you would like. We ended up booking the Hotel Aiglon family suite (1862 euros for 6 nights, breakfast included). I also liked the Excelsior, Villa Daubenton, Hotel Eiffel Seine, Hotel de Sevres, and Hotel du Palais Bourbon. All had either apartments or connecting rooms. Several others were booked for our dates, but might work for you. The website www.4ineurope.com/paris/html was a great resource for locating family rooms. The other benefit of a hotel is that they will give you a crib rather than having to rent one from a separate agency.

2) Definitely get a museum pass so that you can go into museums without worrying about seeing everything to "get your money's worth." Also, use the group entrance for the Louvre (which you can do if you have a museum pass), not the main entrance -- much shorter line if you get there first thing in the morning. Also, prepare for your toddler getting bored; I'd prioritize what you want to see and take plenty of breaks. You can always pop back in for an hour at the end of a random day when crowds are dying down.

3) If going to Versailles, I would skip the palace and just do the gardens. My husband and I went to Versailles before we had kids and it was so so crowded that I did not enjoy it. The gardens, however, were beautiful. Your toddler would have plenty of freedom to roam. I'm excited to take our own toddler there on our upcoming trip. I don't remember the bathroom situation. Honestly, if you are worried about it, you might want to consider a portable toddler potty seat (like the Potette potty). It folds us super small and uses disposable bags. We take one with us here in the states when we go to the park, just in case there isn't a bathroom available. Depending on how consistent your child is with potty training, you might have them wear a pull-up when traveling to places where bathrooms might be scarce (like Versailles), just for peace of mind.

8) I would skip the double stroller altogether and travel with a single, compact stroller and a baby carrier (such as Ergo, Tula, etc.). A double stroller will be very difficult to navigate in tight spaces and will be heavy and cumbersome. We bought a Pockit stroller (https://www.amazon.com/GB-616230013-.../dp/B01DQ2B8UY) for our upcoming trip to Paris with our 3-year old. It folds up super tiny and is very lightweight so that you can easily collapse it when using the Metro or popping into a cafe. The combination of a baby carrier and single stroller will allow you to be much more mobile and maneuver more easily in crowded spaces.
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