Paris with kids in Feb.
 

Looking for suggestions as to what to do in Paris in Feb. with boys ages 9 and 12.

I went to Paris last June with my two sons, ages 11 and 13, and interestingly enough, their favorite thing was the food! We dragged them to St. Chapelle, the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. At the Louvre, we told them in advance what we were going to see - the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, etc. and they enjoyed searching out for these things. While we enjoyed the Musee d'Orsay, they mostly enjoyed having dessert at the cafe in the Museum (awesome desserts, I might add). St. Chapelle was fine for them, but we didn't stay long.<BR><BR>The most fun they had in Paris was playing frisbee in the Champ du Mars by the Eiffel Tower. They liked it so much, we ended up going every evening (but this was June and it was warm and light out until 11 pm.) There were loads of people around and it was very scenic. We had taken a flexible frisbee with us on our trip and that's what we used. <BR><BR>They liked going up the Eiffel Tower and seeing Notre Dame. They got quite good at navigating the Metro. They also liked looking for replica soccer jerseys of European teams. Luckily, this was a good way to get them to shopping in the department stores with me!<BR><BR>But, as I said first, I think the thing they enjoyed most about Paris was the food - chocolate croissants, chocolate chaud (hot chocolate), steak frites, chocolate mousse, etc. Come to think of it, I quite enjoyed the food too!

In addition to all the suggestions above, take them on the hot air balloon ride in the Parc Andre Citroen. It's a tethered balloon and rises to 150 meters (weather permitting, the balloon only goes up in calm weather). The view is terrific; there are almost never any lines.

We took our grandchildren, boy 14 girl 11, to Paris last February and they loved going to the top of La Defense, the top of the Eiffel Tower, the top of the Arc de Triumphe, the top of the Pompidou, Sacre Coeur, the top of Samarataine Dept Store . In fact, the top of anything. The first three my wife and I waited at the bottom and they did marvelously on their own - with no French language skills.<BR><BR>They also loved the Bateaux-Mouche - at dusk is best.<BR><BR>We also visited Napoleon's Tomb and the adjacent Museum of the Army on the same day as the Eiffel Tower. Both seem to be enjoyed.<BR><BR>They were impressed with Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergie which were both easy to visit along with the visit to Notre Dame.<BR><BR>You must get the museum pass to save money and especially time. Also if the children seem bored you won't feel too badly about being there a short time.<BR><BR>We also dropped into Cemetery Montparnasse (we stay in the area) which is interesting because it is so different from our cemeteries. Yes, that was a pun.<BR><BR>Hope this gives you some ideas. <BR><BR>

My daughter's favorites parts of Paris were the Eiffel Tower, the metro, the Louvre (she is into art) and the pommes frites! I would recommend &quot;Kidding Around Paris.&quot; This easy-to-read book will give them some ideas about what they will see in Paris - and some more ideas about sights that appeal to kids. She also liked the Luxembourg Gardens - even in winter, there maybe kids sailing boats in the Fountain.

If your kids get the fidgits and need to burn off some energy, the Luxembourg gardens have a great playground. There is an enormous flying fox which gives hours of pleasure for all ages. It is all outdoors, though, so need a fine day.<BR><BR>Also, for a bit of carnival chintz, the Jardin D'Acclimatiom in the Bois de Bologne is where the Parisians take their kids on the weekend. Lots of rides etc but NOT CHEAP! Again, mainly outdoors, but running all winter.

For indoor activities, try the science museum in the Parc de la Villette.

<BR>I second the suggestion of the Parc de la Villette.<BR><BR>If you should run into rainy weather, I highly suggest the Palais de la Decouverte (www.palais-decouverte.fr)<BR>It's a terrific museum for curious kids to discover things and should just be just about right for your boys aged 9 and 12. There is also a Planetarium.<BR>Avenue Franklin-Roosevelt, next to the Grand Palais.<BR>It's closed on Mondays.

Check out the Cit&eacute; des Sciences et<BR>de l'Industrie (museum of science and industry). It's a hands on type science museum. My kids (about the same age when we went) also liked the Picasso Gallery. It's not too overwhelming large. They also liked going up to Sacre Ceour and the boat ride on the Seine (at sunset it's lovely).