anuta_n

Hello,
We'll be spending 5 days over Xmas in Paris. This will not our first time in Paris but the first time bringing our son who'll be 2.5 along. So instead of staying in the hotel we're looking to rent a flat and instead of eating out all the time we'll probably be eating at home on at least some days. Prevously we've always stayed at St.Germaine but for this trip we're thinking to stay in Le Marais. I found a 1 bdrm flat in the heart of Le Marais and a 2 bdrm flat in Arrondiosment (sp?)11, close to 3 on the map for the same price. Of course, 2 bdrm offers more space but I wonder if its location is too remote http://www.centreparis.com/location-...e-71.html#null. Can anyone advise, please? Another question is what migth be open on Xmas day? Lastly, any recommendations for places, parks, activities to do w/young kids will be highly appreciated. Our son spent the 1st year of his life in NYC, and we've lived in London for more than a year now so he's very much a city kid but the one who like any kid needs to release his energy and run around in the park a couple of times a day. Aside from Jardin du Luxumbourg I don't know any parks so if anyone can recommend some around central parts of Paris, it'd be great help to us. Many thanks.

JulieVikmanis

If you choose to stay in the 4th, you can cross the Seine to the 5th and visit the Jardins des Plantes which also has a zoo. Although the 11th is not as fashionable, I almost think you would be better off there with a small child. You'd be within walking distance of Bastille and Pere La Chaise and depending upon your ability to walk a ways pushing a stroller, you could even scoot over to Bercy Village and the Promenade Plante. Of course, you could also do that and probably easier from the 4th. Other places to see with a child would be Parc de La Villette and the beautiful Buttes Chaumont, both in the 19th , but probably requiring a metro ride. Oh, and Bois de Vincennes, would also be about equally accessible from the 4th or the 11th and has acres of park space for a child to run about in. Richard Lenoir has a street market a couple of times a week which would be very interesting to a child I would think. Lots of color and other children in strollers with their parents. Enjoy.

JulieVikmanis

Forgot to mention the Place des Voges where lots of children run about in the park in the middle.

The area around Place des Innocents in the 1st at Les Halles has a Christmas market that you should try to take in. It's very festive. Nothing like the German markets but fun, nonetheless. enjoy

Momliz

your son might enjoy the Cite des Sciences in La Villette- ours LOVED it:

http://www.cite-sciences.fr/english/indexFLASH.php

Sally30

I am heading to Paris next week with a 21 month old. We rented this apartment http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_148.htm. I picked it because it is big (for Paris), good location (right across from Luxembourg Parc,), and price (about $200/night). Happy to report back on the apartment and any other questions when I return.

Underhill

Besure to take your son to see the windows of the Big 3 department stores: Galeries Lafayette, Au Printemps, and Le Bon Marché. They are always beautifully done and enticing for kids of all ages. The Nain Bleu toy shop would also appeal to him.

anuta_n

Thank you all very much for answering. In the end, we've invited a friend to come along with us, and her coworker offered us her very inexpensive 3 bdrm flat in Arr.15 which is already set up with a crib and a high chair and even toys and books (her kids') so we jumped at the offer. She said she'd put a list of things in the neighborhood such as markets, restaurants, playgrounds, etc but if anyone has any information on the area, we would really appreciate it.

Christina

well, that's one of my favorite arr. to stay in, and it is very popular with famlies, also (I was just reading Paris real estate advice about apts and they mentioned that). But you didn't say exactly where the apt. is, or did I miss it? I have some favorite places to eat and shop, and parks, but no use in mentioning them if they are far away from where your apt is. Perhaps you don't realize how large Paris arrondisements are, they are much bigger than a few blocks. The Convention metro area, say rue Morrillon or Branchion where I would not want to be, is completely different than being around Charles Michel metro or St Lambert square, for example. It is a little problem with public transportation down in the bottom where metro stops are farther apart.

travelbunny

..just remember at Christmas time Paris can be really cold..I think it is the dampness. Be sure he is bundled up well or the parks will not be an option.

anuta_n

Christina,
Felix Faure would be the closest metro station to the apartment. It's located on Rue Charles Lecocq.

many thanks,
Anna

anuta_n

As our trip rapidly approaches (leaving next Tuesday) I've realized that aside from booking the train tkts and the flat I haven't done much else in preparation. We'll be going with our 2.5 yo son but will have some flexibility as our nanny is coming with us. This means that while most days we'll be pushing the buggy around Paris during daytime, we'll have evenings and an occassional half day child free. If anyone can help with the following questions, we'll be most grateful:
1. Which Xmas market(s) not to
#miss? Which ones provide the best entertainment for a little child (i.e. carousels, etc)?
2. Whis sights/places to skip if with child, i.e. not child friendly? Also, which ones are the best to explore/visit w/child?
3. Ideas for what to do on Xmas day (walk around Le Marais?)
4. Does anyone thinks it's a good idea to go to Euro Disney?
5. Best food markets?

Many thanks!

Sally30

have fun. I've been writing (need to finish) a trip report of our adventures with a 22 mo. old and talked about child friendly places. If you search under my name you can find it.

MomDDTravel

anuta - hope you have a great time! We will also be in Paris during the same time period with our children - but they are older (11, 15,18 and 18 year old friend)...

tod

anuta_n, besides the Luxembourg Gardens which may or may not still have the donkey rides, there is a playground in Parc Monceau, a beautifully equipped playground near Jardin de Reuilly which is at the end of the Promenade Plantee if walking along it from Bastille.
(Any good recent map has it marked).

I think any toddler would love to ride a good number of carrousels.
Immediately to mind are:

the one in Luxembourg Gardens, one at Eiffel Tower, one at Parc Monceau, and one of the oldest and best at the bottom of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.
Of course you are bound to stumble on dozens more all over Paris.

Open on Xmas day for nourishment is bound to be the Batifol chain of restaurants - very family friendly.
There is a branch at 78 Avenue des Champs Elysees - Tel:01 45 62 64 93.
And Blvd. St-Germain, Tel:01 43 54 49 05. I'm not sure reservations are necessary or even if they take them.

kerouac

The Batifol chain folded years ago, to my great regret. Actually, it was bought by Buffalo Grill and most of the resturants were converted to that. Others were sold off. For example,the Champs Elysées Batifol is now a Starbucks.

JulieVikmanis

The Tuilleries has a caroussel but the best carroussel (sp?) is in the Jardins de Ranleigh across from the Musee de Marmaton with its Monet connections in the 16th. The carrousel there is a very old-fashioned one complete with the brass rings that children are given sticks to spear as they fly by on their ponies.

kerouac

During Christmas season, every arrondissement in Paris has a <b>free</b> carousel for children and families. All of the locations are listed on the city of Paris website.