We're going to Paris in November with our 4year old. I'll be 6mos pregnant too....was planning on being in Paris for the entire trip, but now thinking maybe we should split it up. We live in NYC so thinking of getting out of the city for a short spell. Where else would you suggest we go? To the south or somewhere in the country? I think we'd prefer to take a train. thank you!

I would stay in Paris the whole time, but take day trips to Versailles, Giverny, and Chartres. We took a combined tour to Versailles and Giverny, but I think we'd do it ourselves on the train next time. We really enjoyed the train ride to Chartres, which leaves from Gare Montparnasse.

Sandy

I second the trips to Versailles and Chartres. Spend a full day in both places. Chartres is a nice place to wander around and your 4 year old will enjoy taking the tourist "train" departing from in front of the Cathedral.

Of all the cities I have been in, Paris has the most entrancing parks and public spaces. I realize November is not optimal for outdoor activities, but dress warm as you would for New York Novembers and give your child a chance to run around like crazy in the beautiful parks and watch the boats ply the Seine.

One excellent indoor venue is the Jardin de Plantes, which has multiple buildings and is defintely worth more than one trip to enjoy the exhibits and the greenhouses (which are toasty in cold weather).

In November, the lines should not be too long for a trip up the Eiffel Tower.

If you really feel up for a trip beyond, consider going to Brugge, which is largely traffic free and has swans and horses, waffles and chocolate. And is extremely picturesque.

I would plan a minimum of activities and build maximum flexibility into your days.

PS: You should check out the possibility of perhaps doing a bit of pony riding or a carriage ride through the Bois de Bolougne, and other activities there.

Hi Rebecca,

Stay in Paris. I lived in Paris last year with a 3 and a 4 year old and we were never bored. There are literally parks everywhere - with really cool playground equipment that you don't see in the states. My 4 year old loved the "zip lines", spider web climbing structures and large slides (esp. the dragon slide in the Parc de Gillete). They also liked walking along the Seine and playing in the huge sandbox adjacent to the Notre Dame. I buddled them up and the cold didn't seem to bother them.

We visited all the major museums. The museum bookstores sell guides for children that really bring the art to life. The series is called "My Little Louvre", "My Little Orsay", etc. They are translated in English and cost about 10 euros. I purchased the guides ahead of time, read them to my children, and the kids had a treasure hunt trying to find the artwork from the book in each museum. With these books and some crayons to draw with when they needed a break, we had a blast. And, I was worried that they were too young to enjoy the museums.

Their favorite parks were the Luxembourg Gardens, the play areas in the Tuilleries, the Jardin d' Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne, and Parc d' Gillete with the kids museum. They also loved climbing up the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame, and Sacre Cour (although you might not like all this climbing being six months pregnant . The Eiffel Tower was a real thrill, and no lines in November to go up it.

We also took a few trips outside of town, but these were not real hits. We visited Versailles, but the palace with the emphasis on furnishings didn't really intrigue them. They liked running around the gardens, but they also liked running around the gardens in Paris. Eurodisney was a big bust - the lines were really long and my 3 year old didn't understand why he had to wait in line for 60 minutes to ride the Merry Go Round when in Paris he could jump on one outside many metro stops and in the parks with no wait. We traveled overnight to Venice by train and they loved sleeping on the train, but it was pouring in Venice and not much fun to walk around in the freezing rain.

I could go on and on...you will have a fabulous time in Paris - its an incredible experience through the eyes of a child. - C

My wife and I stayed in Paris for 15 days.

A few years later and we already miss it.

You might want to read my trip report (Art, Culture and Jim Morrison)

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34823211

Thanks All! We'll stay in Paris. It was our original plan, just got a little distracted by a France guide book. I think Paris is the most beautiful city and sort of think 10 days won't be enough. Love the ideas given. I've always wanted to go to Bruges...how long do you think that takes? We could even do an overnight. I think we're renting an apartment.

We stayed a week in Paris(7 nights) in Belgium(2 nights) and in Amsterdam(2 nights) with our 3 and 1 year old this past summer. In hindsight, we might have just done 10 days or so in Paris (apartment). The kids were more settled in one place and there is just SO much to do with children there! Take a day trip to Versailles, Disneyland, Chartes and spend the rest of your time exploring Paris and it's wonderful parks. If you're interested, my trip report is here and may give you some ideas:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34836796

John

Sorry but with a 4 year old and you going to 6 months pregant I would not stay in Paris for the whole. Yes Paris has lovely sights to see but it is as you say a big city just like New York and you ( and your 4 year old) will get very tired rushing around to see all everything. The time of year you will be going will also means lots of Xmas shoppers in the City etc. Yes you'll get to se the good side of that like shops decorated and it is magical doing the Seine boat trip in the early evening when dark with everthing lite op. BUT I thnk you should spilt the trip so your trip is in a more relaxing place out side of the city. You will also get a good feel for real France outside of the Big city. It is fine doing all those day trips suggested if you were not 6 months pregnant.

Regarding Brugge, there was a previous thread giving advice about timing:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34757235

I really should slow down when typing. What i meant to say was make the second half of your trip outside of paris so you can relaxe a bit and recover from all of the mad pace of a large city.

This is my 3rd trip to Paris...first with the family, so I'm more there for the great winter food and to see how my daughter sees Paris. My husband is more the type to run and try to see everything. I'm hoping having our daughter will slow us down. There's a lot for the 2 of them to do, if I want to relax a bit more. I think if it were not winter, we'd split it between the country (and a pool) or the coast, but winter should be lovely.
I so appreciate the feedback!

Add the Parc Monceau to your list.

We traveled with our daughter when she had JUST turned 3 to Hawaii... What I remember was in the second week to work around her routine. Seeing things in the morning and nap in the afternoons with cartoons made things more normal for our toddler. Now she is bummed out that we took her to Hawaii when she was 3. Oh well!

Author: rebeccaG
Date: 09/23/2006, 03:40 pm
This is my 3rd trip to Paris...first with the family, so I'm more there for the great winter food and to see how my daughter sees Paris. My husband is more the type to run and try to see everything. I'm hoping having our daughter will slow us down. There's a lot for the 2 of them to do, if I want to relax a bit more. I think if it were not winter, we'd split it between the country (and a pool) or the coast, but winter should be lovely.
I so appreciate the feedback

I see so it is not just a case of a pregnant women and her other half with a 4 year old child trying to run around to see everything. Then as long as you take it fine then you should be Ok.

Hi R,

I also recommend staying in Paris with a couple of daytrips.

>'ve always wanted to go to Bruges...how long do you think that takes? We could even do an overnight.<

See www.voyages-sncf.com for train schedules and tickets.

I have been there several times (once w/my now 4 year old) & are returning this Spring. We plan to also travel through the Champagne region & to Strasburg (to fix my wifes' Germany fetish). You can find plenty to do in Paris, we discover new things everytime we go. This trip, we'll have 4 & 2 year old(s). Don't miss the zoo & merry-go-rounds. You may also want to check out "Fodors: 68 Things to do around Paris w/Kids", or some such thing. It is really quite helpful.

I was not pregnant with child when I visited Paris, but I do think that 10 days is a good amount of time. I remember feeling pretty good at 6 months, but after a long trip over the pond and a 4 year old to keep track of you will probably want to take your time. I personally think going during the shoulder season and seeing Paris through the eyes of your child would be so awesome. You are fortunate to have this opportunity. Enjoy1

Paris is fantastic with kids - the Tuillieries and Luxembourg Gardens have terrific playgrounds. (The Tuilleries even has trampolines!) Don't skip Disneyland Paris; the parks are beautiful. Disney Studios (the "other" park that is there) has cool shows/movies, which may be appealing since you won't be up for thrill rides. DO NOT SKIP DISNEYLAND PARIS. You may want to consider even staying three nights or so at DLP. (That would give you a full week in Paris to rent a flat.) One of the hotels actually has rooms overlooking Main Street!

Rent a flat in Paris. See things in the morning. Come back to the flat after lunch for nappy time (for the both of you). Hit the playgrounds in the "after school" hours so there will be other kids to play with.

And yes, kids love to climb whatever can be climbed!