Paris with a 10 Year Old
 

Hello
Can anyone help me plan a great trip to Paris for myself and a 10 year old in October 2010 please? I am looking for some original ideas to keep us occupied: we will do all the usual tourist spots but I would welcome some 'insider knowledge' to make it extra special. Is 'Paristoric' still running? Which is the nicest boat trip?
Thank You

That show is still running, they don't call it that any more, though. http://www.paris-story.com/

I've been on several of the Seine cruises and don't think they are that different. At least, they aren't to me, my main goal is just to look at the scenery from the boat for an hour or so, and they all fulfill that purpose. I kind of liked the main one, Bateaux Mouches, for day cruises as they have nice big boats. I took a smaller one (mainly just because I was near it) for a night cruise, it's the one you go down on the quay to get in on Quai Montebello. Bateaux Parisiens, I think. http://www.bateauxparisiens.com I kind of enjoyed the smaller boat for seeing the lights, as long as you get a good seat. I don't know, as I said, they are all basically the same to me.

There is this new company that does special kid-oriented tours for groups of kids which sounds like fun http://www.pariskid.com/1-1-Paris-vi...-children.html

It's not cheap, though.

We like the Bateaux les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf. The boats are smaller. You can google their name to get to the website where you will find discount coupons.
Depending on the energy level of your 10 year old and your fitness level (insert smile) it is pretty amazing to climb Notre Dame up to the gargoyles. Your 10 year old could watch the Disney Hunchback movie first. It is a tough climb and once you get going you cannot turn around and come back. It is up narrow, winding stone stairs inside. But the view is amazing at the top and you are right by the gargoyles. Unforgettable.
There are carousels to ride in the parks and you can sail the little boats in the Tuileries. The Parc du Champ de Mars (park by the Eiffel Tower) is fun in the early morning or evening because the neigborhood residents are walking their dogs and my kids always found it entertaining to see all the Paris puppies.

Boy/girl?
Could do the Segway tour of Paris
The Catacombs would be an eerie and memorable tour.
Sewer tour is another possibility
Paris Walks has a chocolate tour that they offer occasionally
Vedettes du Pont Neuf, at night, is a good choice for cruise.
The Military Museum has a lot of exhibits
Ferris Wheel at place de la Concorde
Cite des Sciences is a hands on science museum. cannot speak on english content

We first took our DS to Paris when he was 10; we're taking our DD there for the first time next month (she's almost 12yo).

Things that haven't been mentioned:
- The Arch de Triomphe. Not so much for the arc, as for the incredibly entertaining pileup of cars coming into and out of the big rotary that encircles the Arc
- On Sundays, there's a bird and small animal market included with the flower market on Isle de la Cite
- Definitely buy crepes from street stands or small creperies.
- Our favorite boat tour - the only company we've ever used - is Vedette du Pont Neuf. They're located nearest our hotel, and I like the smaller boats. What we did with our son, and we'll do with our daughter, is to make sure that her first view of the Eiffel Tour is from the boat, at night, with the Tour all lit up. I read somewhere on Fodor's that if you take a boat that runs on the half-hour, you'll get within sight of the Eiffel Tour as the lights start twinkling (which they do for 10 minutes at the top of each hour).

Yes, you are right about the boat tours and the lights.
I had to laugh at the comment about the cars around the traffic circle at the Arc. My boys still talk about the first time that they went in a taxi through there. After the initial fright, they found the drivers' skill just amazing.
This was the "taxi highlight" until they went in the Rome taxis. Walking is good!
Danielle, you should consider putting a taxi ride through there on your list. This is something your child will tell friends about (as well as eating snails).

For a wow moment, approach the Eiffel tower from the Right bank. Take Metro to Trocadero, walk between Palais Chaillot buildings and boom, there it is.

In that area is also 'the other' Statue of Liberty

If 10 year old likes food, one thing I'd like to do is visit a couple of the winners of the annual food competitions (best bread, best baguette, best dessert,etc..) to compare winner to runners-up :)

Versailles is another impressive site (first castle!), probably a day trip.

We're looking for some of the same info...in Paris in May of 2011 with kids ages 7, 9, 10 and 14.

The Tuillerie Gardens and Luxembourg gardens also have sailboat rental (kid-size!) for playing in ponds.

Take the stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Climb tower of Notre Dame :)

Take a boat trip down Canal St Martin

Could so a football/soccer game at Stade de France

TTT

Our boys enjoyed a day at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace (closed Monday) when we visited Paris a few years ago. It’s located at Le Bourget and was easy to reach using public transport. Their website is www.museedelair.org

Thanks to everyone for the information. Wont do the catacombs/sewer tours as my daughter has a vivid imagination (like me!), but might just HAVE to squeeze in the Paris Walks chocolate amble; for QC purposes clearly! Has anyone done the doll's museum? Apart from obvious names, any particularly good shopping venues for girls' clothes?

Michel,

The 'the other' Statue of Liberty' is in Luxembourg Gardens, no?

Also, knowing it is a girl, look at the Doll Museum.

www.museedelapoupeeparis.com

Bardo, I learn from you.

I was thinking of the one on Ile de la Cygne (Pont de la Grenelle). Googling, I found there are two others in Paris, one in the Jardins, the other at the Musee des Arts et Metiers. And, without kowing, I had seen another SoL related item...there is a life size replica of the flame at the entrance of the Pont D'Alma tunnel, which has become a memorial to Lady Di who crashed neat that spot.