Paris with a 9 year old
 

Hello all: I will be traveling with my 9 year old daughter and am looking for suggestions and ideas on where to visit (besides the usual : ) and where to eat. She's not a picky eater and will usually try anything at least once.

I've been to Paris a couple of times but this will be her first time there and I want to make sure the trip is memorable. We will be there from Friday to Tuesday and I know that typically lots of places close on Sundays.

Thank you so much in advance for your help.

For what it's worth, we just visited with a 7 year old and the biggest adjustments we made to our schedule were to spend extra time in the Jardin Luxembourg and Jardin des Tuileries (which hosts a small carnival in the summer). Also, we got this book ahead of time,

http://www.amazon.com/Monet-Impressi.../dp/1556523971

and it made a difference in our visits to the Musee D'Orsay and Orangerie.


In general, I think finding some good books set in the place you've visiting is always a good idea, and with Paris there's a lot to choose from!

I think in terms of memories most of the kids we have had with us there remember the pastries(uh-I guess that is also true of most of the adults we have had with us too!) Picnics are also always fun but honestly all the bistro and brasseries are full of kids at lunch at least-less in the evenings.

Yes, jpie-- I almost said something about ice cream/snack stops, but I would be hardpressed to say those were included to satisfy the 7 year old. :)

Actually, I would say the "usual" would be great for a kid that age, but you'd need to take a different approach to how you'd visit these places. Allow for some down time. For example, four hours at the Orsay is OK for an adult, but for a kid, you'll need to break it up a bit. grab a small snack at the cafe, then later, hit the gift shop.
Places like the Arc de Triomphe or the Eifel Tower would be big hits, too. Also, the simple act of getting around can be very memorable for kids. I just got back from a father/daughter trip last month (she's 15, though). We had a 2-day pass on the Batobus hop-on/hop-off tour boat. That would be a big hit with my kids. Finally, buy her an inexpensive digital camera; there are scores of good options for under $100 (check out the Polaroid t1031 at Amazon. You can get that with spare battery and memory card for under $100). If she can take here own vacation photos, imagine how much more involved she would be.
Where to go is important, but for kids that age, how you get there is really important.

Somewhat off the beaten track is the City of Science & Industry at La Villette. It has multilingual science exhibits aimed at children which often answer questions that you can't or won't (why is snot green? why is caca brown? -- ever been faced with questions like that?).

The Grand Gallery of Evolution at the Museum of Natural History is another big hit with children. It is at Austerlitz.

You can rent large toy sailboats in some of the parks (I forget which one, but I bet someone can chime in here). My kids loved sailing them across the pool, turning them around with the sticks and letting them sail back. Good opportunity to people watch for the adults.

Jardin d'Aclimentation was fun for my kids too, but I forget what ages they were when we went. I think there was a puppet show there.

The Louvre might or might not sound fun, but I gave my kids a book about the Louvre, asked them to find their favorite picture and then we went there and went on the hunt to fine each favorite. They loved it. They also like the Egyption part of the Louvre. Near the Louvre by Rue Rivoli toward Place de la Concorde is a park with trampolines that they enjoyed as well. (They are hooked to a harness and can jump really high)

One trip to McDonalds (I bought a baguette sandwich elsewhere ;) ) was fun to see the differences from home. They couldn't believe McD would sell goat cheese on a salad!

Stop at a crepe stand on the street!!! she can pick her filling and they are so delicious!

Good suggestions above, I'll second some and add my own thoughts:

<b>Museums:</b>
The Ancient Egypt exhibit at the Louvre
The Museum of the Middle Ages

<b>Parks:</b>
Jardin Luxembourg (a good assigned task - see if she can find the Statue of Liberty there)
Jardin des Plantes (and the little zoo there...)

<b>"Rides":</b>
The Metro (let HER navigate and tell you which lines/platform/transfer - a 9 yr will surprise you with her map/navigatioon skills)

Batobus

The city buses (again she can help with the navigation (the bus route is printed on the bus, at stops and inside the bus - the next stop is also displayed).

Maybe a boat ride up the Canal St. Martin


<b>Versailles:</b>
Plan to spend a good part of this outing outdoors, including bike rentals to see the grounds.

Picnic or cafe in the park.

<b>Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe:</b>
Kids always love these even if adults always don't.

<b>Eating:</b>
If she's not a picky eater, sounds like you'll be fine.
In addition to French, maybe a good pizza place to break things up.
If she really starts craving American food, Breakfast in America (also serving lunch and dinner) does burgers, fries, shakes and such pretty well. Two very convenient locations (make a note on your map, she will likely appreciate this even if she doesn't ask/complain.
http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/main/

For a "splurge" dinner, Le Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyon is a perfect place. My 6 yr old granddaughter was treated very nicely there. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in Belle Epoque style, and the food is good. It has a child's menu and is open on Sundays.
www.le-train-bleu.com

You can rent sailboats in the Tuileries and also the Luxembourg gardens. We went to the Jardin d'Acclimatation, also, but it is farther away from "center city", and with your short time in Paris, I'd probably just visit the Tuileries and Luxembourg. Right across the street from the Tuileries is the famous Angelina tea salon, and it is a treat to go there.

Also, if your daughter has access to a good kids' science museum at home, I wouldn't bother with La Villette in your short visit.

I photocopied pictures of things she wanted to see from books I had bought earlier, and we used this as a kind of treasure hunt.

I recommend taking a one-hour evening cruise on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. The 9:30 sailing should get you to the Eiffel Tower in time to see the lights twinkling.
www.vedettesdupontneuf.com

In addition to seeing the main sights, my granddaughter loved sitting at outdoor cafes, riding the Metro ( putting her own ticket in the machine, etc.), and just "hanging out", in general.

Have fun; it sounds like a wonderful trip!

I immediately thought of two specific things that are outdoors-I'm hoping you have great weather!

The first one is a pony ride - can be had in several parks.
The Luxembourg Gardens, Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne (which has a pony club).

Then a great laugh (even if you can't speak French) at a puppet theatre.
There is one in Jardin Luxembourg and also a really old one at the bottom of the Champs des Elysees, amongst the gardens.

In the Jardin d'Acclamation you will also find a childrens theatre and circus, a mini railway and boats.

Lastly, I would let her ride every single carousel you come across! My two favourites are the 200 year old one at the bottom of the Sacre Coeur, and the one across from the Eiffel Tower, but there are litterally dozens all over Paris.

If you go up to the Sacre-Coeur, do take the fun little white train that travels down the narrow little lanes. I'm sure she would enjoy a boatride on the Seine even if the sights mean nothing to her at this stage!

Have a fabulous time!

Wow, thank you all for your suggestions. There's several places that were mentioned that I had completely forgotten about so thank you so much for reminding me!

I'll just have to keep in mind that even though I've been there before, this will be her first time and EVERYTHING is new to her. Reading all of your responses is making me look forward to seeing "the usuals" - and the new - in her eyes and experiencing them all over again. Can't wait!!!

If you go to Angelina's, the hot chocolate is to die for! It's very rich and comes with a bowl of whipped cream. My kids loved it - it's can almost count as a dessert!

You could take Montmartrobus up to Sacre Coeur and then funicular down

Vedettes du Pont Neuf is a good Seine cruise. I would take cruise after dark (buildings lit up, Eiffel tower,etc).

The Batobus is a water bus that does a loop of specific stops.

Good views and fountains if you approach Eiffel via Trocadero on Right Bank

There is a walking tour of Chocolate shops

Bike tour of city?

Museum of Natural History and Jardin des Plantes located together

Musee de la Poupee (Doll Museum)

The Louvre has/had some kid friendly activities

Aquaboulevard is an indoor water activity park.

The Ritz cooking school has classes for kids

If you feel like something more casual closer to Saint Germain des Pres, there is a little street called rue des Cannettes-which is our favorite pizza street-3 really good wood fire oven places, Positano, Chez Bartolo and our favorite called Santa Lucia (mostly because the restaurant isn't as tight quarters as the other 2)at 22 rue des Canettes. We always end up there with friends with kids since it easy, cheap and delicious.