Paris with Children
 

My wife and I are taking our 5 year old son to Paris in early June. We have reservations at an apartment hotel in the 6th. I have traveled to Paris many times-but never with a child. My son is fairly well behaved. <BR>Any suggestions re activities or items of interest that would be appropriate for a family?

Lots of suggestions elsewhere on this site. My best bet is the Jardin d'Acclimitation, in the Bois de Boulogne. It's a very Parisian amusement park/zoo/playground that's teeming with local schoolchildren. There's even a circus and a daily puppet show (guignol) on site. It's a great, non-touristy way to spend a day or half-day with your kid, especially in June. You can cab there, or take the #1 line to the Sablons metro stop, and walk a couple of blocks.

Last summer and fall there were hot air balloon rides at the new Parc Andre Citroen. The balloon is actually tethered by cable to the ground, so the balloon gondola won't rise higher than about 800 feet, or approx 8 stories off the ground. <BR>For activities geared towards children, call the CIDJ at 01 44 49 12 00 <BR>Le Pariscope and L'Officiel are two publications that feature info in English on activities for children <BR>Just in case you are interested: <BR>local agencies that can provide English-speaking sitters include (1999): <BR>Ababa, tel 01 45 49 46 46 <BR>Allo Service Maman tel 01 42 67 99 37 <BR>Allo Maman Poule tel 01 47 48 01 01 <BR>Baby Sitting tel 01 4;6 37 51 24 <BR>I also have a list (from 1999) of restaurants kids might like, none of them seem to offer fine dining. If you would like the list, please email me. <BR>Have fun. <BR>

donkey rides in the park near the Eiffel Tower; ferris wheel near the Louvre; Luxembourg Gardens has a fish pond and toy boats; Mechanical Toy/Doll Museum; skateboarders perform in front of Notre Dame and around the Trocadero; street performers in front of the Beaubourg; Place de Tertre usually has mimes (ugh) as well as artists who will do caricatures; Galeries Lafayette and Printemps have great toy departments; Bateau Mouche; at Versailles, Marie's little farm has a cute petting zoo;

There is a nice playground on the Champs de Mars (the end away from Eiffel Tower) - our niece lives near there and takes her little ones over there to play frequently. <BR> <BR>Even tho your son is faily well behaved as you say I'd still allow for plenty of kid activities - even Disneyland if necessary. The Bateaux Mouche might be OK too and there is a carrousel near the Eiffel Tower. I would think intense heavy duty sightseeing for long periods of time would be terrible on a 5 year old (heck, they are on me too!!) so breaks in the park - or even a hour or two "picnic" break at the apartment would probably be a good idea. He might enjoy riding the Metro too, depending upon where you come from it could be a new experience for him.

Marc, We are planning a trip in mid-June with our 7 yr old. I borrowed a very helpful book called "Kidding Around Paris" and gives kid specific ideas. There are several parks that offer puppet shows, including Jardin du Luxembourg. The museum pass (for adults) is also important to minimize time standing in line --I think kids are free at many of the museums. The pass will also help you to duck in for an hour or so and maybe come back later if your son gets restless. Also there is a sewer tour of Paris that is mentioned in the book as a big hit with kids ..go figure! I know my son is going to love climbing the steps at Notre Dame cathedral and at the Eiffel Tower. I agree that the picnics in the park is a great idea even without children along on vacation. Enjoy!