Our family (two children 8 and 10) are spending mid March in London/Belgium/Paris. We have friends in London, then plan to train to Brussels and Paris for seven days. This is first time in both and looking for ideas on family friendly hotels in Belgium and Paris and some interesting things to include for the children.

Take that train straight to Paris!

My daughter was 8 when we all went to Paris for the first time. As we frequent museums, she was happy sightseeing in the Paris art museums. She was very offended, though, by all the nude statues!

Since we had 2 weeks in Paris, we included children oriented activities with her in mind. She had of course seen the cartoon 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' movie, so she was interested in seeing the real thing. We took the Metro to Disney Paris (or whatever it is called). We visited the large science museum. We bought nutella and banana crepes from street vendors at least once a day.

We stayed at the Paris Hilton. We really enjoyed the concierge lounge floor and hung out there nightly with all sorts of interesting people. Our daughter really enjoyed having the complimentary Coca-Colas in the lounge (they were very expensive if you bought them on the street)

Dinners were the hardest part because she was unused to the French three hour production. We used to order hers to come early and then let her sit and read a book. With two children, they can probably better keep each other company.

Your children are so fortunate to have such a broadening experience. Hope you enjoy your trip.

Have not been to Brussels, but did love Bruge and that is a very short distance from Brussels.

I am always hopeful that folks who travel with their children have asked them if they have any ideas about what they might like to see. I know the responses vary shrugged shoulders and turns away to wild enthusiasm. I am glad you didn't ask if this or that would be interesting which to me, always implies that the children have not been consulted because if they had then nobody's opinion here would make much difference.
I would think that the children would be fascinated by the biggies like the Eiffel Tower and going up in it (unless that is frieghtening); also a boat trip on the Seine; in London, of course The Eye, the Tower and the Tower Bridge; perhaps a visit to a REAL castle at Windsor.
Frankly, I wonder if the medieval qualities of Brugge will have much impact....a city with a moat and a drawbridge yes, but I'm not sure about less than that.
And I am not certain that this is the time to dilly around worrying about staying in "charming" (to you) hotels...the kids could care LESS about the crown moulding and the "fabulous" linens...stay somewhere that is convenient when you have to pop back to the hotel and where, if you're lucky, they might also be amused..the bidet and marble bath will hold their attention for approximately 10 seconds I suspect.

Have a great trip.

Just returned from London yesterday withour 2 children (7 and 5)..we always have a great time there! Whereever you travel (with the kids) keep in mind the parks - pack a small ball and you're all set for an afternoon. Kensington Gardens has a lot to offer kids and adults. It's great to stroll the gardens, visit the statues, the italian gardens and the kids LOVE the playgound (Princes Diana Playground) with a giant pirate ship to explore and more. You can visit Kensington Palace apartments and stop for tea at the Orangery all next to each other.

The museums in London my kids liked this time around were the Natural History Museum (travelling inside the center of the earth was a particular highlight) and the Museum of London - picked up a family activity form and my kids really had fun looking for all the clues).

Paris - I vote for Luxembourg Gardens...so much to do there - picnic, rent sailboats for the children, stroll the gardens...
Our travels tend to circulate around the food of the area - hunt out the best hot chocolate, best croissants...you get the idea.
Find places with long long staircases - kids love to climb - travelling with two boys is always a work out for me!
There's always so much to do in these great cities - walking, museums, cafes, parks - just find the kids interests and go from there. Enjoy your trip!

While Bruge itself will not hold as much interest to younger children in it's architecture, it is such a picture book type of city, that in itself may be a bit fascinating as it looks right out of a fairytale.

it does have a great park area with lots of swans, and if the children are into Tintin, there is a great Tintin store in the Markt in Bruge.
also, horse -carriage rides, etc.

I think if one is looking for a bit of variety, plus someplace with a smaller feel,Bruge will fit the bill quite nicely for 2 days ,maybe more for "down time" than anything else.

Plus for the street food of frites and waffles, what could be easier for feeding them! and of course the candy!

I have two children, and even with the best and most interesting sites to see, they really take in alot less than we wish they would of the "important" things
and just want to "hang out " more while on vacation.
while on vacation.

I took my then 14 year old niece to Brugge and Paris. She didn't care for Brugge very much (maybe it was because we had just come from Venice) but loved Paris. Some of the things she particularly enjoyed were:

Doll Museum
Louvre foundations - loved seeing a real moat
Costume Museum
Sewers
Versailles, especially the King's and Queen's apartment tour (she was reading the Royal Diaries book on Marie Antoinette and loved it when the tour guides spoke about something that she had read in the book)
Ste-Chappelle guided tour (there's no schedule for this)
Eiffel tower and Arc de Triumph of course

She rebelled at going into any churches.

I had tried to engage her way ahead of time to discuss what we would see. She only became interested in talking about our sightseeing a few weeks before the trip.

Rent bikes in Brugge - or take a bike tour. Compare chocolates, buying just a few at every shop.

Remember to dress warm with lots of layers!

Hi,

Why Belgium?

Our family which includes two slightly older children visited Paris last April, and we had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Hotel du Danube on Rue Jacob in the 6th. They have some family rooms that are 2 bedrooms and one bath. The price is reasonable (210 euros/night approx)& the location is great.

hello;
i would stay in one of the novotels in brussels or paris - there is one near the grand place in Brussels and another one a 5 mins away by foot. children have free breakfast, and they usually get some small toyset upon arrival.
what to do... depends entirely upon your children.
in brussels ... go and see the grand place and "manneken pis", and if they like him, go to see his costumes in the "broodhuis" on the grand place.
if they are interested in natural history, visit the natural history museum - it has enormeous iguanudon skeletons which were recovered from a mine in Bernissart.
there is an old timer car museum, and opposite the military museum, and the museum of old history at the Park of the cinquantenaire (you can also climb the monument, which looks like the arc de triomphe in paris) at the same place.
Then there is the atomium - take the lift to the top - leftover of the 1958 world expo; but more interesting for kids is the nearby mini-europe (yes indeed, europe small scale), as well as a large cinemacomplex, and an adventure indoor swimming pool...
take one of the hop on/off busses and stop where you want to, to visit any of those.
any more questions ? do get in touch !