rmpctahoe

Hi - I'll be going to Europe with my seven year old daughter from March 25 - April 3. We're spending the first half of the trip with family in Germany (Munich and Trier) then I am taking my daughter to Paris, just the two of us (about 5 days). I have traveled thru Europe quite a bit, but this is my first time traveling (to Europe) with my daughter. I'm trying to plan everything as much as possible, but also be flexible and have 'no expectations' and just go with the flow. I would like to be in the heart of Paris for our duration. We're obviously doing the big stuff (Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, possibly the Louvre), but any other suggestions? Has anyone been to the Aquaboulevard (indoor water park)? My daughter is not a huge Disney fan, is that worth it? Any restaurants/cafes/shops you would suggest? Anything that we MUST do? Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

Attnymom

I would definitely skip Disney! We went there with our then 9 year old as a reward for her patience in going to museum after museum. If you've been to Disney World in Florida, Disney Paris will seem rather second rate. Our daughter loved the gardens at Versailles - we rented a golf cart and drove around the grounds. She also loved the Eiffel Tower and the model of the Opera at Musee D'Orsay.

I highly recommend checking out the Family Tour options at Context Tours (http://www.contexttravel.com/city/Paris). The tours can be fairly pricey, but we thought they were worth it. We didn't do one in Paris, but we did a family tour in Venice and in Rome. The guides were wonderful - they geared everything to our daughter's interest level. Our daughter enjoyed those tours very much, and hubby and I learned a ton too. We wish we had done one in Paris! We are thinking of visiting Paris this summer, and if we do I am definitely taking her on the Louvre Crash Course tour and the Young Chefs in Paris tour (the Food Channel is her favorite!)

Have a wonderful vacation

kerouac

Children all adore Aquaboulevard.

nukesafe

Luxembourg Gardens and the puppet show; a must.

StCirq

How about this?

http://www.partner.viator.com/en/648...r/d479-3234PCT

Or one of these:

http://www.paris-walking-tours.com/p...our-rates.html

She might like the Cité de Science (lots of hands-on stuff), or a boat ride in the Bois de Boulogne (also the zoo, miniature golf, carrousel, etc.).

Ice cream at Berthillon, hot chocolate at Angelina, the apiary atop the Opéra Garnier, afternoon tea at the Café de la Paix. Deyrolles. The outdoor markets. A Fat Bike Tour....

Sarastro

I shouldn´t rule out Disney. It depends where you live and I am sure your daughter will love.

The Jadin d´Acclimatation is an interesting visit for children:

http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/

There is a doll museum you both might enjoy:

http://www.museedelapoupeeparis.com/

Grevin is interesting for and oriented toward children:

http://www.grevin.com/

It´s a bit out of town but Provins is very interesting if you have the time:

http://www.provins.net/

I am sure you will consult your daughter for her ideas. She may think of something of interest that no one here has thought of.

bardo1

Not sure how long your daughter has stayed in a hotel at one time before. Three meals a day in restaurants for eight days would be a challenge for most 7 year olds.

My first priority would be to find an <b>apartment</b>, preferably somewhere close to both the islands and to Luxembourg park, like these:
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_129.htm (1BR)
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_230.htm (1BR)
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_48.htm (2BR)
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_225.htm (2BR)

Cutting the number of restaurant meals will make it far less stressful for the child (and by extension, you). Not to mention room to relax and unwind.


All good ideas by others above for things to do. In addition, I'll add the Jardin des Plantes and all that's there (including the zoo) and a boat ride like the Batobus.

http://www.jardindesplantes.net/

http://www.batobus.com/english/

If you daughter needs an American food fix while out, this place is good diner type food (2 locations - both convenient to some tourist sites):
http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/main/

mado67

my 5 yo boy loved the galerie de paléontologie and galerie de l'évolution in jardin des plantes, then you can wander in the area.
He also loved la cité des sciences (cité des enfants, planétarium, explora),you can add la géode, and your day is gone !
Next time I plan on bringing him to "les égoûts" (sewage) http://www.paris.fr/portail/loisirs/...rtlet_id=23931
he wants to see if crocodile are living there

rmpctahoe

Wow, thank you everyone for such great responses! I really appreciate it. I've got my research work cut out for me. Now I fear we won't have ENOUGH time. Thanks again.

kerouac

Children are never bored in Paris, even if they reject all of your suggestions. It's just like the classic "I bought a beautiful Christmas present and she spent all of her time playing with the box" anecdote. She might just want to walk along the Seine. She might be mesmerized by the shops. You'll only find out when you arrive.

grandmere

I was in Paris with my then 6 yr old granddaughter two years ago, and in addition to the big attractions, she loved just hanging out, riding the Metro, going to parks (Tuileries, where we rented a sailboat for her, Luxembourg, and Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois du Boulogne), tea at Angelina, Laudure, etc. I would not do Disney, and if you are from a city that has a great science museum/center for kids (as we do here in Pgh.), I personally would not make the trip to cite des sciences. We also did a one-hour evening Seine cruise on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. www.vedettesdupontneuf.com
Another trip highlight was a "splurge" dinner at Le Train Bleu our last night there. www.le-train-bleu.com

We are going again this April (this time her 5 year old brother will be with us), and I hope to go to the Jardin des Plantes and also perhaps France Miniature, which I have heard good things about. It is a train ride, though. I never read anything about it on here from folks traveling with children so maybe someone will respond that it is/is not worth the effort to go out of the city.

Not sure where you are staying, but we had a great, inexpensive dinner our first night at Le Petit St. Benoit (on rue St. Benoit), which was near our apartment. We went early (7 pm), and were not the only family there with children.

Something we did that I recommend: encourage your daughter to save ticket stubs, little napkins, drawings, any memorabilia that you pick up along the way to make a scrapbook when she gets home, if she's into this sort of thing. She began this activity by drawing a picture of the plane on the way over, etc.

Have a wonderful trip!