Paris w/kids—What else for 2nd trip?
Dec 11th, 2014, 12:31 PM
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Paris w/kids—What else for 2nd trip?
Hi Paris planners!
If you want to play along with me, I'm making a list of new things we should try to do/see in June 2015 with our girls (12 and 9). We will *only* have 4-5 nights.
My husband and I have been 9 (10?) times to Paris (though by no means have seen it all), and we spent 12 days there with the girls in 2013. So we've seen the major attractions.
Here's a list of what we've already seen:
—Musee D'Orsay (many times already... won't go back this trip)
—the Louvre (the 12 year old wants to go again to see the Ancient Egyptian artifacts she is learning about in her social studies class)
—Musee de L'Armee (both girls have gently insisted this is the *first* thing they go back to when we get to Paris. Who knew... they like swords and suits of armor.)
—Eiffel Tour (we lucked out and went up on a sunny day... won't go back up this trip but will watch it sparkle at least once)
—Batobus (we'll probably take at least one trip up and down the loop this trip)
—Musee des Arts et Metiers (older child loved it; younger child "meh")
—Rodin Museum (just saw the gardens in 2013)
—Orangerie (with a long walk all around Tuilleries to Notre Dame)
—Notre Dame (interior and the Cloisters... one of my favorite spots in Paris)
—Luxembourg Gardens (including the playground)
<b>Here's what we're considering in 2015... Of course we can't get to them all, so we need help editing (or adding to the list.)</b>
—Cluny Museum.... the Tapestries were being restored on the last trip... this is a must see on this trip
—Musee Marmottan...I've always wanted to go; the kids and hubs would go for my sake
—Musee Jacquemart-Andre...I just learned of this museum here on Fodors trip reports (as an alternative to the Marmottan, possibly). The interiors look almost more interesting to me than the art to me
—Musee Rodin... The interior of Hotel Biron has always been one of my favorite places in Paris, but we haven't been inside since the renovation and want to this trip. (Maybe the same day we go to the Musee de L'Armee.)
—Shopping! (Not our top priority, of course, but we may go out to Galleries Lafayette if the opportunity presents itself.) I might like to visit E Dehillerin.
—the Louvre... (Ancient Egyptian artifacts at least)
—Tour Montparnasse... maybe an alternate viewing point of Paris?
—Saint Chapelle
—How about music performances? Both girls play instruments and love all forms of music. Maybe a Jazz performance or a short classical concert?
What am I missing? (keeping in mind we only have 4-5 nights)
Thanks for the suggestions!
If you want to play along with me, I'm making a list of new things we should try to do/see in June 2015 with our girls (12 and 9). We will *only* have 4-5 nights.
My husband and I have been 9 (10?) times to Paris (though by no means have seen it all), and we spent 12 days there with the girls in 2013. So we've seen the major attractions.
Here's a list of what we've already seen:
—Musee D'Orsay (many times already... won't go back this trip)
—the Louvre (the 12 year old wants to go again to see the Ancient Egyptian artifacts she is learning about in her social studies class)
—Musee de L'Armee (both girls have gently insisted this is the *first* thing they go back to when we get to Paris. Who knew... they like swords and suits of armor.)
—Eiffel Tour (we lucked out and went up on a sunny day... won't go back up this trip but will watch it sparkle at least once)
—Batobus (we'll probably take at least one trip up and down the loop this trip)
—Musee des Arts et Metiers (older child loved it; younger child "meh")
—Rodin Museum (just saw the gardens in 2013)
—Orangerie (with a long walk all around Tuilleries to Notre Dame)
—Notre Dame (interior and the Cloisters... one of my favorite spots in Paris)
—Luxembourg Gardens (including the playground)
<b>Here's what we're considering in 2015... Of course we can't get to them all, so we need help editing (or adding to the list.)</b>
—Cluny Museum.... the Tapestries were being restored on the last trip... this is a must see on this trip
—Musee Marmottan...I've always wanted to go; the kids and hubs would go for my sake
—Musee Jacquemart-Andre...I just learned of this museum here on Fodors trip reports (as an alternative to the Marmottan, possibly). The interiors look almost more interesting to me than the art to me
—Musee Rodin... The interior of Hotel Biron has always been one of my favorite places in Paris, but we haven't been inside since the renovation and want to this trip. (Maybe the same day we go to the Musee de L'Armee.)
—Shopping! (Not our top priority, of course, but we may go out to Galleries Lafayette if the opportunity presents itself.) I might like to visit E Dehillerin.
—the Louvre... (Ancient Egyptian artifacts at least)
—Tour Montparnasse... maybe an alternate viewing point of Paris?
—Saint Chapelle
—How about music performances? Both girls play instruments and love all forms of music. Maybe a Jazz performance or a short classical concert?
What am I missing? (keeping in mind we only have 4-5 nights)
Thanks for the suggestions!
Dec 11th, 2014, 01:46 PM
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Go back to the Orsay.
Do a concert at Ste. Chapelle--see Ste. Chapelle.
Hire Michael Osman to do a tour of the Louvre and Orsay FOR you.
Roof of Galeries Lafayette.
Jacque-Mart is NOT an alternative to Marmottan EXCEPT as a substitute. (Just not a fan of JM).
Montmartre? Sacre Coeur? The mimes?
Do a concert at Ste. Chapelle--see Ste. Chapelle.
Hire Michael Osman to do a tour of the Louvre and Orsay FOR you.
Roof of Galeries Lafayette.
Jacque-Mart is NOT an alternative to Marmottan EXCEPT as a substitute. (Just not a fan of JM).
Montmartre? Sacre Coeur? The mimes?
Dec 11th, 2014, 02:14 PM
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The music museum at Cite de la Musique, in the La Villette quarter, 19th arrondissement. http://www.citedelamusique.fr/francais/
The Villette park also contains the science and industry museum.
Even more practical, the sewer museum tour is intriguing. http://www.paris.fr/english/english/...854_port_19237
The Villette park also contains the science and industry museum.
Even more practical, the sewer museum tour is intriguing. http://www.paris.fr/english/english/...854_port_19237
Dec 11th, 2014, 02:15 PM
#4
Our 13 yr. old GD loved the Pompidou, Place de Vosges, Amorino (with every cone in the shape of a flower) and dinner at Le Train Bleu, and the Left bank pedestrian streets at night with all the street music--also nightime around Notre Dame.
Dec 11th, 2014, 02:58 PM
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I love Jacquemart-Andre but cannot imagine a child loving it. Agree with Gretchen re Michael Osman. A friend with a child swears by him....when her daughter is asked what is her favorite thing about Paris, she says Michael.
Dec 13th, 2014, 11:33 PM
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Places you didn't mention that my 12-yo daughter and 11-yo niece enjoyed on our recent trip:
- Pompidou (one loved and one meh, but there were street musicians on the plaza and they both enjoyed the experience of sitting at a cafe, eating tartines, and listening to music while people watching)
- Galeries de l'Evolution (both really loved seeing all the varieties of creatures)
- La Grande Epicerie (gourmet grocer)
- the fashion show at Galeries Lafayette, plus the roof garden (not so much the shopping - we saw mostly the same merchandise we would see at an upscale mall in the US)
They *did* like the Cluny, and I've read that there are occasional concerts with period instruments, so that might clinch it for you.
They also really liked Montmartre, particularly Place du Tertre (with all the artists) and the little shops on the narrow streets leading to it (my daughter bought a scarf at Diwali and wears it like a Parisian), but also Sacre-Coeur. We didn't use the funicular, but that looks fun, too.
Have fun!
- Pompidou (one loved and one meh, but there were street musicians on the plaza and they both enjoyed the experience of sitting at a cafe, eating tartines, and listening to music while people watching)
- Galeries de l'Evolution (both really loved seeing all the varieties of creatures)
- La Grande Epicerie (gourmet grocer)
- the fashion show at Galeries Lafayette, plus the roof garden (not so much the shopping - we saw mostly the same merchandise we would see at an upscale mall in the US)
They *did* like the Cluny, and I've read that there are occasional concerts with period instruments, so that might clinch it for you.
They also really liked Montmartre, particularly Place du Tertre (with all the artists) and the little shops on the narrow streets leading to it (my daughter bought a scarf at Diwali and wears it like a Parisian), but also Sacre-Coeur. We didn't use the funicular, but that looks fun, too.
Have fun!
Dec 14th, 2014, 07:51 AM
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If your girls love music definitely the music museum at Cite de la Musique. It is a bit of a ways out but the metro stop is right there. Be sure to get the audio guide with great information about the instruments and the sounds of them too! There are also music and dance venues there. Check out the website for programs.
Another good resource for music is www.timeout.com the online magazine (Paris edition).
Another good resource for music is www.timeout.com the online magazine (Paris edition).
Dec 14th, 2014, 09:26 AM
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If your daughter likes music, I also really recommend Cite de la Musique. It isn't hard to get to on the metro -- I took a bus back once, even though slower, just to see different parts of Paris.
I agree that I would do a trip to Montmartre, you never have mentioned that. That encompasses several things, a church, there are a couple small interesting museums up there, actually (the Musee de Montmartre and the Musee de la Vie Romantique). YOu could also do the Montmartrebus which makes it easy to see all of Montmartre and is kind of fun. You miss the funicular that way, although you could take it up if you want (but if you have a daily transportation ticket, the Montmartrebus would cost you nothing as it's included). there are good views up there, also, just watch out for all the touts.
You could also consider the Decorative Arts museum attached to the Louvre. It also has a museum of publicite (ads) in that building, both are more interesting to some than tromping around huge museums looking at old paintings on walls for hours.
I suspect the Marmottan would be more appealing than Jacquesmart-Andre. I like the JA okay, but I don't think young children are really that thrilled with trooping around any general art museum/gallery for hours. It's older period so I doubt if it's that appealing.
Since your kids like the Musee de l'Armee, you might consider the naval museum (Musee National de la Marine). I really enjoy that place (over at Trocadcero), and it's also small and manageable. No armor and swords that I can recall, but some really interesting boats and history. Also, the Musee de quai Branly (indigenous art of Americas, Africa, Asia) could be of interest.
There are tons of classical concerts listed every week in Pariscope for free or cheap in various churches, mostly. I can't see jazz for young children since most of those jazz clubs are for adults and don't even start until very late at night. Sometimes you can find a jazz concert though, in late afternoon at some place. Again, just search Pariscope.
You might consider taking the metro out to Chateau to Vincennes, actually, it's easy to get there, relatively small and pretty interesting. http://en.chateau-vincennes.fr/
I agree that I would do a trip to Montmartre, you never have mentioned that. That encompasses several things, a church, there are a couple small interesting museums up there, actually (the Musee de Montmartre and the Musee de la Vie Romantique). YOu could also do the Montmartrebus which makes it easy to see all of Montmartre and is kind of fun. You miss the funicular that way, although you could take it up if you want (but if you have a daily transportation ticket, the Montmartrebus would cost you nothing as it's included). there are good views up there, also, just watch out for all the touts.
You could also consider the Decorative Arts museum attached to the Louvre. It also has a museum of publicite (ads) in that building, both are more interesting to some than tromping around huge museums looking at old paintings on walls for hours.
I suspect the Marmottan would be more appealing than Jacquesmart-Andre. I like the JA okay, but I don't think young children are really that thrilled with trooping around any general art museum/gallery for hours. It's older period so I doubt if it's that appealing.
Since your kids like the Musee de l'Armee, you might consider the naval museum (Musee National de la Marine). I really enjoy that place (over at Trocadcero), and it's also small and manageable. No armor and swords that I can recall, but some really interesting boats and history. Also, the Musee de quai Branly (indigenous art of Americas, Africa, Asia) could be of interest.
There are tons of classical concerts listed every week in Pariscope for free or cheap in various churches, mostly. I can't see jazz for young children since most of those jazz clubs are for adults and don't even start until very late at night. Sometimes you can find a jazz concert though, in late afternoon at some place. Again, just search Pariscope.
You might consider taking the metro out to Chateau to Vincennes, actually, it's easy to get there, relatively small and pretty interesting. http://en.chateau-vincennes.fr/
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