mbtadayyon

Hi we will be in Paris early July - family of two adults and four kids between the ages of 2 and 6.
Would greatly appreciate any advice on our itinerary:
Day 1
Notre dame
Saint chapelle
Pont Neuf
Arc de triomphe
Champs elysees
Ferris wheel
Tuileries

Day 2
Eiffel Tower
Seine river cruise

Day 3
Save Coeur
Catacombs

Day 4
Versailles - what's the best way to get here??

Am I missing anything?
Did I plot things correctly?
Which days should I include jardin de luxembourg and bois de boulonge?

Thank you!

Christina

Day 1 and 2 look fine and go together. I guess Day 3 is just leftovers. I completely disagree with you selecting the catacombs as one of the main Parisian attractions to see with 4 toddlers. I cannot imagine why you did that.

Do you know what it is? It is an ossuary with the remains of many people that used to be interred in a cemetery on the other side of town and during some urban renewal/sanitation project, they had to clean out the cemetery (I think Les Innocents). The only reason anyone should go there was out of historical and urban planning interest. It isn't a theme park attraction nor for "fun" and because it is "spooky" even though I see numerous people treat it that way. These are the remains of dead people and deserve some respect. Even if you thought this was for fun, I wouldn't think you'd even want it for toddlers. I don't even know if they are allowed in it or how you could do that, to be honest, it's underground and often damp and long walks in tunnels. Very long walks, about 2 km. There are no lifts and many steps to get underground and then back up. there are no rest rooms or facilities in it. You cannot get out without walking through the entire thing. The tour is completely unsuitable for young children.

So visit some park or something that day for the rest of the day. Luxembourg Gardens or some place like that, or walk around the island(s)

The best way to get to/from versailles is by RER train, suburban light rail.

have fun and good luck

Envierges

With four kids under seven, I'd wonder about what in some of places you listed would possibly interest them. I'd scratch right away, Saint Chapelle, Sacre Coeur, Versailles, Catacombs (clearly marked on website "not suitable for young children")

Belinda

There are something like 50 merry-go-rounds in Paris. We only managed to hit six of them with my 15 month old grand-bebe but she loved them. You could make it a challenge for the kids to find out where they are and make them part of your sightseeing.

Also, we spent a lot of time in parks, on the playground equipment and in sandboxes. Izzy made lots of French amies. Place de Voges had a great one as well as Luxembourg Gardens. But there are small parks and playgrounds all over the city.

Enjoy Paris!

travelchat

I'm thinking one of the above adult activities and one child activity for each day will be plenty, however that might fit around nap time for the little ones. That's about all you'll be able to do if you don't wish to drive yourself bonkers dragging those kids around. I agree with Christina about the appropriateness of the catacombs. Save that and Versailles for when you do a return adults only trip.

The double decker hop on hop off tour and a Seine river cruise for sure.
Tulleries Garden so they can run free, sail boats and go on the Ferris wheel
Eiffel Tower - make a reservation, lines and wait time are hefty in July
Luxembourg Gardens with time in the kiddie area and pony ride
Jardin d'Acclimitation in the Bois de Bologne, entering the park via the miniature train - the boat ride there is fun, too.

For dinner Le Relais de L'Entrecote is good for families as is the Hippo chain with combo meals for kids.

Check out the book Paris for Kids. If you are going to be there with four small children this trip is more about them than you!

nukesafe

I think you need to consider lines. Many/most of the venues you list will have lines, both ticket lines and security lines. You can get the Museum Pass and skip some of the ticket lines, but everyone must go through security, and those can be long, indeed.

We were in Paris long ago with four little ones under the age of eight, and it was like trying to herd cats! Kids get restless and unless you tether them to you with ropes they will be gone exploring before you blink your eyes, or getting really cranky not being able run about. Belinda's suggestion of parks and carousels is a very good one, IMHO. You will not see as much of the iconic Parisian sites you had planned for, but you just might remain sane.

WoinParis

Hi
First congrats for your family. 4 kids in 4 years - no small feat.
I find your itinerary quite ok.
Maybe you can move some items from day 1 to day 2.
I would skip catacombs too. Took me 245 trips to Paris before seeing them and I could have lived without.
So I would put sacré cœur on day 2 and I would actually recommend doing Disneyland Paris so that the kids see something g they will absolutely love.
Anyway - enjoy !

Ps : strollers are forbidden in Versailles : anything metallic will be forbidden - I forgot it last time and carried mthen 2 years old the whole visit. She woke up when we left ;-)

hpeabody

On Day 2 combine Pont Neuf and your Seine cruise. You can by open internet tickets in advance.

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

pmdavison

The Arènes de Lutèce in the 5th Arrondissement,
49 rue Monge, is a perfect place for little ones to run around. I love that it is a historical Roman site (built between the 1st and the end of the 2nd century) where current Parisian kids gather, play soccer, run, and play. It was a highlight of our recent trip, just to watch all the activity on a sunny afternoon. Timeless. If I had small kids in tow, I would definitely bring them there. Also agree strongly with Luxembourg Gardens as well as the Jardin d'Acclimitation in the Bois de Bologne suggestions above. If you can squeeze in the Fondation Louis Vuitton while you're there, all the better.

mbtadayyon

Thank you all for your invaluable advice. Thank you c 1000099009999

I've hence edited itinerary. Please let me know if this is ok

MONDAY
Notre dame cathedral
Ferris wheel grand rue de Paris
Tuileries

TUESDAY
Versailles private tour

WEDNESDAY
Montmartre sacre coeur
Square jean rictus
Gardens Luxembourg

THURSDAY
Eiffel Tower
Seine river cruise (not sure if we can do it that earlY)
Pont neuf
Champs elysees
Tracadero (is it worth going to if we are going to bois de boulogne)
Bois de boulogne

mbtadayyon

Sorry sorry I made a mistake. New itinerary below.

Hi going to be in Paris in July for a few days. Please - any input on our itinerary would be very much appreciated. Traveling with 4 kids (ages 2-6). We are staying in Ile de France - 16th ARR. would the best way to get around be uber or metro ??

MONDAY
Notre dame cathedral
Saint chapelle
Pont neuf
Ferris wheel grand rue de Paris
Tuileries

TUESDAY
Versailles private tour

WEDNESDAY
Montmartre sacre coeur
Square jean rictus
Catacombs
Gardens Luxembourg

THURSDAY
Arc de triumph
Eiffel Tower
Seine river cruise (not sure if we can do it that earlY)
Champs elysees
Tracadero (is it worth going to if we are going to bois de boulogne)
Bois de boulogne

Envierges

Have you included the Catacombs by mistake? As mentioned above in many posts, and on the Catacombs website . . "not suitable for young children." I'll be curious to find out how you managed four young 'uns in the bustle at Sacre Coeur.

mbtadayyon

Ok I'm sorry. I removed the catacombs. How did they get in there again!

MONDAY
Notre dame cathedral
Ferris wheel grand rue de Paris
Tuileries

TUESDAY
Versailles private tour

WEDNESDAY
Montmartre sacre coeur
Square jean rictus
Gardens Luxembourg

THURSDAY
Arc de triumph
Eiffel Tower
Seine river cruise (not sure if we can do it that earlY)
Pont neuf
Champs elysees
Tracadero (is it worth going to if we are going to bois de boulogne)
Bois de boulogne

janisj

Thursday is a total mish mash all over Paris from the the Arc to ET to Pont Neuf, back west towards the Arc, back towards the ET and then to the Bois de Boulogne You are zig zagging all over the place.

Pont Neuf and a river cruise are very close to Notre Dame so why not do them on Monday?? Then when you return to Pont Neuf on the boat, walk along the Right Bank to the Tuileries/Ferris Wheel.

Wed is pretty spread out too - Sacre Coeur are not near the Luxembourg Gardens.

Thurs you can hit the Arc > Trocadero > ET -- then out to the Bois.

mbtadayyon

Got it. Changed to incorporate everything you said. Thank you so

MONDAY
Notre dame cathedral
pont neuf and river cruise then walk along right bank to
Ferris wheel grand rue de Paris
Tuileries

TUESDAY
Versailles private tour

WEDNESDAY
Montmartre sacre coeur
Square jean rictus
Gardens Luxembourg (would you recommend putting this in another day ??)

THURSDAY
Arc de triumph
Champs elysees
Tracadero
Eiffel Tower
Bois de boulogne

StCirq

Apart from the Catacombs, which is, as you've been told, inappropriate, I think you're still going to be dragging young kids to at least a few places that won't be all that fun or appropriate. For example, the Champs Elysées, Trocadéro, Sacré Coeur, le Pont Neuf, Notre Dame, even the Arc de Triomphe, aren't places most young kids would want to take much time at. And no doubt you'll come across some of these places as you wander the city anyway and can pop in. Building an itinerary around them with four wee ones is going to come back and wish you'd planned otherwise, especially in July when Paris will be heaving with tourists.

Check out this article by David Liebowitz: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/ten-gre...-do-with-kids/ Of his list, my kids' favorites were the Jardin d'Acclimatation and the Parc de la Villette. They also loved eating at Flunch.

There are scores of other similar articles if you google.

Use the métro and RER. No need for Uber - it will slow down an already slowed-down group.

You can take a Seine Cruise pretty much any time of day (though it's most magic after sunset when Paris is lit up, though probably past the kids' bedtimes). Our favorite is the Vedettes du Pont Neuf (and from there you can all see, or even walk over, the bridge), but there are others.

greg

I see you are going to the Versailles on Tuesday. The private tour would isolate you somewhat from the crowd, but understand Tuesday is a high attendance day.

See "When is the best time to visit Versailles?" at
http://en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-...it/faq?tid=196

This is also shown in a static crowd "forecast" on calendar at http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/calendar. Click a particular date and it shows you what they think are the crowded days. Every day is at least "Above average" in high season and the weekends and Tuesdays are "High" days.

The Tuesday water fountain shows would have ended in June. http://www.chateauversailles-spectac...fountains-show

suze

I think you are trying to do too much, too spread out, in too short of a time period, with four little kids in tow!!

One 'attraction' per day plus one park or outdoor activity is more than enough.

mbtadayyon

Greg you are a genius ! A genius ! I take my hat off to you!

Greg you are a genius. A genius. A GENIUS. I take my hat off to you.

Your advice is invaluable. Wish I could give you all flowers. Where would you put in tuileries (if at all)

MONDAY

Notre dame cathedral

pont neuf and river cruise then walk south to

Garden luxemburg

TUESDAY

Montmartre sacre coeur

Square jean rictus

Parc di la villette

WEDNESDAY

Versailles private tour

THURSDAY

Eiffel Tower

Tracadero

Arc de triumph

Champs elysees

Bois de bologna and jardin dacclimation

mbtadayyon

StCirq you are a genius too