We just finished a 11-day trip to London and Paris with our daughters ages 11 and 9. Thought for the most part it went really well and wanted to share our experiences. My spouse and I had each been to both cities before, but it was the first visit for our girls.

Below is a quick summary of the trip. We spent 6 nights in London and 4 in Paris. The lopsided split of our time was primarily because the rental agency through which we found a flat in Notting Hill had a 6-night minimum.

We rented through London Perfect (Leicester apartment). It went without a hitch and we loved being based in Notting Hill. Super easy to use buses and the Underground from the apartment.

In Paris, we stayed at Hotel Signature St. Germain des Pres which was outstanding. They provided wonderful detailed maps (with recommended restaurants, sights, and bakeries) and were incredibly helpful. We booked a family room there (401 and 402) which were adjoining rooms — one with 2 single beds and the other with a queen. It was lovely and perfect for us. Again, location couldn’t have been better.

Highlights were...
London: Tower of London tour with Beefeater guards, Warner Bros Studios Harry Potter studios* (amazing), Granger & Co. breakfasts (delicious), and Tour for Muggles* Paris: Paris Charms and Mysteries Electric Bike tour (a must; best activity of the entire trip — both girls rode on the back of adult bikes), Tuilieres garden (carnival rides the girls loved), Creperia Little Breizh

Happy to provide details or answer questions!
Amy
Bethesda, MD

Day 1, Wed

• arrive London
• Nap!!
• Rescheduled afternoon Tour for muggles
• London Eye
• Breakfast for dinner: Electric Diner

Day 2, Thurs

• Breakfast: Granger & Co. (soooo good)
• Tower tour
• Tour for Muggles
• Dinner?

Day 3, Fri

• Buckingham Palace?
• Dinner: Bad Mexican near Apollo Victoria Theater
• Wicked

Day 4, Sat

• Warner Brothers Studios
• Dinner: Farina Pizzeria Napoletana

Day 5, Sun

• Canal ride, Little Venice to Camden Market
• Dinner: VQ

Day 6, Mon

• Breakfast: Gail’s Bakery
• Oxford - Ash museum Natural history, Christ College
• Dinner: Tacqueria (good Mexican)

Day 7, Tues

• Train to Paris
• Dinner: Cafe Varenne (yummy - salami, cheese board, chicken w/ mushrooms)

Day 8, Wed

• Breakfast @ hotel
• Amusement park @ Tuilieres garden
• Paris Charms Electric bike tour (4 hours)
• Dinner: Creperia Little Breizh

Day 9, Thurs

• D’Orsay: Van Gogh, statues on ground floor, dioramas cool
• Rodin garden
• Dinner -girls: Mamma Romana -
• Dinner - parents: Les Botanicals

Day 10, Fri

• Luxembourg gardens - playground, boats in pool in front of palace (girls liked steering the little boats)
• Le Bon Marche
• Creperia Little Briezh again for dinner