Help with venturing outside Paris please
 

Hello- please share tips on making this possible.

We will base our trip in June out of Paris. (traveling with two very young children- I'm thinking a hotel room would be the best childproof option- any suggestions?) We plan on a week of exploring there and have other spots we would like to see. Which ones can just be day trips and which do we need to stay overnight? Do we drive or take the train? Thank you so much.

To do-
Paris
Disney
Versailles
Monet's Giverny
Auvers
Rivera - where?

and am I missing too much by skipping Brittany and the alps?

I don't have children but can only imagine all the work involved with packing and unpacking 'stuff', keeping them entertained and 'napped', etc....

You didn't say how much time you have for vacation...I would say to base yourselved in Paris for a good stretch (6-7 days) and do some day-trips. Easy day-trips are most of the ones you mentioned: Versailles, Giverny, Auvers (-sur-Oise?), going by train (bus to Giverny gardens from train station).

Then, if you want to see another region, pick ONE and base yourselves there, ie. Avignon or Nice, whatever. The day-trips in this region are most likely to be easier by car.

You can't "see it all" in one vacation, just pick a couple of areas and take time to enjoy them.

p.s. are your children old enough to appreciate Disney? I would think they'd need to be at least 4-5 years old to really enjoy it, but again, I'm not a parent...

How long is this trip?

Disney, Versailles, Giverny, and Auvers are all daytrips from Paris, easily reached by RER.

The Riviera requires a train trip, or plane ride. Whether you need a car when you get there depends on whether you just plan to park yourself in one place or whether you want to explore. There is train service along the coast but it is of course somewhat limiting.

Without knowing how long this trip is, it's impossible to say whether you should include another area besides Paris and the Riviera. If you have three weeks, for example, yes, you could, say, wend your way back to Paris via the Alps.

Need more info on your time available, as others said.

As for lodging with kids (how young?), you might consider "aparthotels" in Paris, such as Citadines. These will give you a kitchenette which could be useful with kids, and they have some baby stuff if you need that, I've read (changing table etc). These are not as cheap as some hotels you could get, but would be easier than renting an apartment as there are no deposits, no minimums, no special payment requirements, etc. As easy as booking a hotel, but you get more. Citadines is the big name and they have many in Paris, there is a company that has a couple (Bastille Home Plazza), and a more upscale one with two called Villa Montparnasse and something. That might be more than you want to spend, though.

try www.citadines.com or
www.home-plazza.com or try www.123france.com for special rates sometimes

Sorry- I typed in the time period then backspaced it out. I'm thinking one week in Paris and then maybe another week for side trips.

My children will be 1 and 5. (The 5 is an advanced 5 - into science and travel. The baby loves nature so we could stop any bad moods by a park visit.) My husband and I have never been to any Disney. Trip Advisor says Paris Disney is a waste. Is that true?

It depends. However, since you'll be traveling outside Paris, you could go to Honfleur in Normandy instead, about three hours from Paris by train and bus. There are only two rides, a lovely carousel and a "lttle train" that tours the historic district. But the town is Disney charming, with one big difference: It's real!

If you haven't been to "any Disney" I wouldn't skip other areas near Paris to do Paris Disney. It is smaller than DisneyWorld in Florida, for example, with fewer attractions and so forth.

I've been twice but part of that was business (with the Disney company) related. I realize none of us know what will be best for your children but in this case I woundn't even mention it to them.

I wouldn't even mention it, either. I could see it if you had a couple who were older and really wanted to go, but not a baby and a five year old. Lots of towns have those little tourist trains, but I don't think I'd go to Honfleur. It's cute enough, I see no reason why not from that, but it's not that easy to get to.

You could take the kids to the park in the 16th over near Musee Marmottan (the one in-between the metro stop and the museum). That is a very nice park with large play area and usually kids in it -- and they still have pony rides over there (or maybe donkey, but one of those). There are always a few nice carousels around Paris, also. A nice one is in the center place de la Republique in the 11th, and there is one in a play area around place Charles Michels in the 15th. The 15th has several nice parks for children, and of course, there is always Luxembourg Gardens or the small carnival in the Tuileries.

If you visit Versailles, consider checking out Le hameau de Marie Antoinette. It is a thatched farm village that Marie Antoinette had built to escape palace life. It is nearby the palace, but many pass on visiting, or just don't know about it maybe. It was the highlight of the day me. If your children are old enough to appreciate the storybook style of architecture it will be like walking right into a fairy tale setting. It was for me!
Sesamee

i would suggest taking the children to several of paris's many parks, such as the luxembourg. plenty of space to run and enjoy the flowers and birds. if you check the paris tourist sites you will find the areas where puppet shows are given and those that have carrousels and sometimes fairs with assorted rides.

monet's house at giverny, on the other hand, would probably not interest young children; the gardens are lovely, but the house itself can be quite crowded and not very child-friendly.

the gardens at versailles would be fun for the children, but i don't know about taking them through the maze of rooms, most of them empty.

you can also take a look at the thread on traveling with children and children in paris on the bonjourparis.com web site.

Being an active participant in our Grandsons life we have found if we work our schedule around his nap(s) we all have a much better time. If you have a good map and a good concierge at your hotel you will be fine in a rental car once you get out of Paris and the kids can sleep while you drive. As for an awsome (full)day trip I was blown away by Mt. Saint Michel(may be difficult with stroller(s) though) and the gardens of Versaillis(1/2 day).

Thank you all so much! The rates were better in April so I booked already. I have some specific questions if you can help please?

How do I arrange a shuttle or taxi from the airport to the Business district?

We live in Hawaii where it is very casual and warm - what clothing do I pack for mid-April in Paris?

How do I exactly go about getting from Paris to Verailles, Giverny and Auvers? Do I need train reservations or is it like hopping on a subway? Then how do I get from the train stop to the location?

How do we book a train to the Rivera? Which is a good place to stay with a family?

Hello Island Mom
For a family of four it is actually cheaper to take a taxi, as shuttles charge per person and I have yet to hear of one that does not count the kids (but things may have changed, I haven't tried in a while)

April in Paris can go both ways, I recommend checking the weather a week before to be sure. In any case, bring some rain gear and expect it to be cold enough for jeans, a long sleeve shirt and a leather jacket or thick sweater.

You reach Versailles by RER, which is part of the metro system within the city, but you will need to pay for tickets that include zone five for the trip. You can walk from the stop.

For Giverney you take a train to Vernon and there is a bus that will take you to Giverney. For Auvers the train is more direct and you can walk. Tickets for both these trips can be purchased at the stations on the day of travel.

The Riviera trip would require a prior booking. You can either fly, or go by train. Either way you will need to rent a car upon your arrival.

Frankly, I think that you will have your hands full with just Paris and the region, and you could leave the Riviera for another trip, but I really like getting to know a place.