Hi,

I will be in Paris area for 5 days (1 day Chartres; 1 day Versailles and 3 days for Paris). It's our first visit to Paris (I have 3 kids: 10, 11 and 13 years old). Do you think that it's sufficient to see what the first time visitors want to see???

Thanks

No, of course it's not sufficient, but if that's all you have, make the best of it. With such limited time, I'd make a schedule and find out the hours everything is open, for starters. If you're dragging all those kids along, you'll be travelling slower than you normally would, and it would be a recipe for disaster if you arrived at the wrong time!

I'd hit the guide books and be very prepared. You don't have the time to waste in Paris if you want to see the "biggies."

I've been to Paris about 12 times, most recently for 12 days and still haven't seen it all. But frankly I think you're allowing a good amount of time for first timers, particularly with the kids. I don't see you spending entire days in single museums, even the Louvre, so yes -- three full days in Paris itself is very nice. Besides you'll find lots of things you'll want to come back to see next time.

Get a good guide book and have your three kids look through it, even if they only look at the pictures. Then have each kid write down three things they really want to see. Get out your map and mark all the things they suggested and see if a pattern evolves. You will probably find it's convenient to visit one or two of each kid's choices. That will get the kids involved and make them more interested (and interesting) travelers.

BTW, I put in a vote for the Cité de la Musique in Parc Villette. The park is fun too and if you go to the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie. The giant Geode theater there is a great experience.

There are roller bladers galore near the Eiffel Tower. The kids will probably enjoy watching them. The whole area is somewhat of a circus, probably amusing to children.

The Cité de la Musique at la Villette is closed for major renovations until Aug 24: http://www.cite-musique.fr/anglais/accueil.html

I'd suggest dropping one of the day trips especially with kids that age. Also, if you go to Versailles (I am NOT a big fan of that either) it is closed on Monday.

Hi robo,

I also suggest dropping one day trip.

You might want to do a family outing to Versailles when the fountains are on (Sunday I think). Bring a picnic.

The Batobus (www.batobus.com) is a hop on/off boat ride on the Seine.

The rollerbladers have a big rally every Friday night. The kids might like to see that.

See http://www.pari-roller.com/

I agree with dropping a day trip. Versailles is really a long half day trip. i would drop chartres and visit next time.

I too agree with dropping at least one daytrip, probably Chartres.

Versailles has some special activities and guided tours geared for children--the website should have some info.
That would be good because most kids can only look at only so many fine furnishings. There's a train that runs through the gardens, that should be good, especially since otherwise you'd be walking miles.

www.chateauversailles.fr

I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

I'd drop both day trips, then you'd have 5 days in Paris... which is more like it!

I spent that amount last trip and didn't visit any museums, but spent lots of time walking the streets and neighborhoods and in the various parks (gorgeous).

How about doing one of those siteseeing tour busses might be good on your first day to give an easy overview of the major city sites?

I always recommend David Macauley's book Cathedral for kids going to Paris or any other European town where they'll see lots of churches.

It explains the construction and the medieval lifestyle in a kid-friendly and interesting way that helps them enjoy what they will be seeing.

Here's a link to the Amazon write-up: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...912329-2168621

Don't skip Chartres. If you have to skip something, skip Versailles. The only part the kids will probably like is Marie Antoinette's little hameau. It would be more fun to go to the Paris Zoo in the Bois de Vincennes!

Better yet, skip Versailles and take the kids to Parc Asterix for a day. Their web site is http://www.parcasterix.com

Have the kids look at the web site and decide if they would like it or not. It's a theme park, but uniquely French.

If you are going to see Notre Dame and the Sainte Chapelle, you don't need to see Chartres on this trip.

I definitely agree you should drop Chartres. Not that it isn't wonderful - but your itinerary is way, WAY too hectic. Especially w/ 3 kids in tow. Of course, Paris could fill your 5 days and then some. But taking 1/2 to 3/4 of a day for Versailles would at least give you 4+ days for Paris. Remember, everything will take longer becaue there are five of you travelling together.

Instead of rushing around Paris like maniacs to squeeze in just the basics - just see Paris and maybe Versailles