I was hoping people could give us some advice on visiting Paris with an 8 month old. My wife and I are hoping to visit Paris in September with our son. <BR> <BR>We want to get this trip in while he's a relatively manageable bundle. Friends have travelled with their infant in other parts of Europe recently, but suggested we get advice on what hotels, restaurants, etc. would not look askance at having an 8-month in tow. He's quite a good traveller, but like all babies can occassionally get "chatty" (i.e. loud burbling and the like) and a little fussed when tired or hungry. Like all major urban centres, I presume Paris has hotel, restaurants, etc. that are family oriented. <BR> <BR>Any advice, recommendations, etc. appreciated. <BR> <BR>Mike

ruh-roh, I hope you didn't open a can of worms. INCOMING! <BR> <BR>(I speak from experience, I suggested that a friend of mine post her kids-Qs here - ouch I'll never hear the end of that one! <BR> <BR>while I do not have kids, my impression of Paris hotels is that they would be quite accommodating. In your shoes I would be interested in finding places convenient to public transport and on quieter streets. I think the neighborhoods near the Eiffel Tower would be good - I enjoyed staying in that area on my last trip. I don't have a name for you right now, but a good guide book will give you that info. <BR> <BR>have fun! <BR> <BR>Beth

LEAVE THE KID AT HOME!

If you haven't already, please search for baby, babies, children or kids. The baby in Rome thread will be of assistance, and is quite an eye opener. I also posted on a new thread about taking my 6 mo. old to the Netherlands and Belgium. As you will see, travel w/children is a controversial subject on this board. Good luck, and enjoy your son in the beauty of Paris.

Mike <BR>The hardest part will be finding a Paris hotel that will provide a crib--few of the small hotels will. You'll need to inquire. <BR>Try some of these websites for help <BR>http://travelwithkids.about.com/travel/ <BR>travelwithkids <BR>www.ivillage.com/travel/archive <BR>www.familytravelforum.com <BR>www.flyingwithkids.com <BR>www.travelwithyourkids.com <BR>www.tinytravelers.net <BR>www.francetourism.com/ <BR>

I'm no expert as I have never done this (nor would I--BTW you might check with your pediatrician as I didn't think it was good for kids to travel unnecessarily before their immune systems were developed), but since no one else responded with any advice, I'll make a few suggestions. I don't know anything about the hotel thing, but as I recommended to someone else looking for a Parisian hotel with four kids, a larger chain hotel is more likely to be accommodating to family/child needs. That is probably true for the crib thing, also. So, I think you'd better forget the smaller, quaint, older French hotels. There are a couple HOliday Inns in Paris, you can check with them (although many aren't that big) and the Hilton near the Eiffel Tower is used by a lot of Americans so they might be used to such a request and their restaurants try to be American, also, so also might be a place you could go with a baby. If I were you, I'd suggest a modern "apartmenthotel" place, these are renovated buildings so have modern furniture/amenties (good for plumbing, etc) and no charm really, but I know one chain, Citadines, advertises that they provide cribs, bottle warmers and diaper-changing tables in their rooms, so they would be an easy solution for you. They have quite a few good locations, I'd recommend their Eiffel Tower, Trocadero or St-Germain locations as very good for you (www.citadines.com or www.apartmenthotels.com is a broker who handles them and another chain, Orion, but I'm not sure if the Orion chain supplies baby equipment

We were in Paris for two weeks in June. While we saw plenty of babies and small children (nearly all of which seemed to be in the care of their grandparents or a nanny) out and about in the residential neighborhoods and, every great once in a while on the metro, we did not see ANY strollers or small children in the museums, shops, cafes, or restaurants. None.

We travelled in Northern France [but not Paris] when our son was about this age. We found all hotels were entirely welcoming and no one batted an eyelid at normal baby behaviour even in Michelin starred restaurants. All hotels we stayed in provided cots and high chairs so I would not anticpate any problems at all. Some restaurants even offered to cook special 'baby type' food for him but in fact he was quite happy to have bits and pieces from our plates. I would agree that babies are very transportable at that age and we really enjoyed being with him at the same time as enjoying our travels. Hope you have a good trip. <BR>

We just got back from taking our almost 2 year old to Spain and London and also went with her to France, including Paris, last September. I agree with the poster who said do a search. There is a lot of good info, if you can read through the people telling you not to go. One issue with Paris is that the rooms are small, so it is tight when you add a pack and play. If you stay in a small hotel, or a large hotel with a good concierge, they should be able to help you with getting a sitter if you want to go to a more "adults only" restaurant a couple nights. We did that one night, but found that lots of neighborhood bistro places, which were friendly, noisy and wonderful, were just fine. You will learn quickly that, in France, "cuckoo" is the same as "peekaboo" as locals were constantly playing it with our child. There are also lots of great small playgrounds at churches, for a good diversion. Unlike the other poster, we saw plenty of strollers everywhere. Just remember, as you should here, to be a good parent and remove your child from any museum, restaurant, etc. when he is being noisy, etc. Have fun.

Definitely have a pacifier or regular feedings while in flight. This jaw motion for the child should help the child deal with the pressure build up in the ears and make the child more comfortable, which makes him or her a better traveler for you and the other passengers. <BR> <BR>However, I would try to keep the amounts consumed at each feeding slightly less than normal, and simply balanced out by more frequent feedings. <BR> <BR>I suggest this for two reasons. If the baby's stomach is not topped off, then he or she may be less impacted or sensitive to motion or air sickness. Second, the more frequent feedings may provide a more consistent diversion for the child and keep him or her relaxed. <BR> <BR>Good luck on your travels. My young girls have traveled many times and have never had a problem or been a problem. <BR> <BR>You have some on here who tell you not to travel with a baby citing such reasons as the child will not remember the trip, the child will interfere with other passengers, you need some time away, etc. The bottom line; however, is that you know your baby and your situation better than anyone. <BR> <BR>It is not always comfortable nor feasible leaving your child with another, regardless of who they are. Second, that fear of separation anxiety is a tough one for you and the child. In addition, if your wife is breast feeding, it has it own issues, when traveling without your baby. Follow your heart and your common sense. Have fun. <BR> <BR>