Paris for children
 

There's an article in The Wall Street Journal this weekend (May 27-28) that highlights activities for children in Paris. I don't subscribe so can't post the link, but I can list the 10 things they mention.
!. Paris Zoological Park in the Bois de Vincennes - completely redone and reopened in 2014.
2. The Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne,for picnic, rides, animals and playground. From Metro stop Porte Maillot you can take Le Petit Train, which has operated since 1878. Article says it's "like something out of another era".
3. Jardin des Plantes - beautiful park, natural history museum, small zoo.
4. Tour of the sewers
5. Luxembourg Gardens - rent a toy wooden boat at the octagonal basin.
6. Lunch at Chez Gladines Charonnes near the Basille - good Basque food, inexpensive, servers good with children.
7. Palais de la Decouverte in west wing of the Grand Palais with interactive exhibits
8. Segway tour of Paris monuments with Fat Tire Tours - must be at least 12 and weigh over 100 lbs.
9. Canal Saint Martin from the Bassin de la Vilette to the Bassin de l"arsenal.
10. French Mystique bike tour s of Parisian suburbs and beyond

That's a great list, Vanne. Thanks for posting.

We traveled in Europe with little kids, and found that they can bridge the cultural gap, allowing you to meet other folks through the children. At one point we said to friends, "If you don't have kids when you go to Europe, rent some." :-)

I don't quite understand why touring sewers is supposed to be a child-centric activity. A friend of mine did it and said (surprise), it smelled. If one wouldn't spend free time touring sewers at home, not sure why you'd do it in Paris.

Great list -thanks for posting - I may do the Catacombs over the stinky sewers though depending on ages of kids they may like the sewers too.

What the article said was boys especially like this. And they chose it over the catacombs because of long lines for the catacombs. To me it has zero appeal -- as does the catacombs

I've seen people lining up with little kids - under 3 years of age - in strollers, waiting to get into the Catacombes.
This isn't allowed, so you are just wasting your time.

The official website recommends that children who might be "sensitive" and under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Glad to see French mystique in the top 10.

I have met the guy several time and have been trying to do a bike tour for some time. But hey I am working ...

Sewers have been in my list for years.

I dislike Segways. Each time I have seen some they nearly ran me over.

I do 9 each week on bike actually.

That is when I am confortes in that I am fortunate !

But no mention of the carousel at Jardin Ranelagh outside the Musee Marmottan?

Where kids are handed pointed sticks with which they try to snare brass rings during the ride?

My son loved that -- but it's been a while. Maybe it no longer runs.

Didn't see it actually pavot.

>> 8. Segway tour of Paris monuments with Fat Tire Tours - must be at least 12 and weigh over 100 lbs.

Why 100 lbs? This will disqualify me (and I'm only 11, by the way). Weight-ism at best.

Lots of overlap here with David Lebovitz' eight-year-old list here: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/ten-gre...-do-with-kids/, but he does havea couple of other items to recommend.

Hey, it you're interested in how things work, the sewers is a great tour.

We took a 17 month old to Paris a couple of months ago and her favorite things were playgrounds (there are great ones everywhere) and merry go rounds (50 in Paris!). We found servers in every restaurant we went to to be great with her. She is well behaved and we brought our own chair that hooks onto a table.

When adults are travelling, children should be left at home with their governess. Especially if they are still at the rug rat stage of development.

I can't imagine enjoying dinner in a nice restaurant with a child in a chair hooked to the table. Nor would I want one even at a table near me. Nearly as bad as babies on airplanes crying and smelling.

Bah humbug. Kids should be neither seen nor heard until they are at least 21.

Bah humbug. Kids should be neither seen nor heard until they are at least 21.>

Some who act like kids and are over 21 too!

Walking down the Eiffel Tower was something we enjoyed as a family as well could take our time and really explore the tower while avoiding the crowded elevator.

Patisserie shops and playgrounds were always a big hit.

Dogeared, is that why locals called her magnifique and asked if they could take her photo?

Aqua Boulevard was a hit with my son when he was about 10 - large water park right in Paris (the largest one in an urban area):

https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museu...evard-de-Paris

Belinda let us hope dog has no kids.
Poor children if they exist !