Portions of my family have been to London and Paris in March and November, and crowds didn't affect our enjoyment. We are taking our two youngest (12 and 17) to Paris, London, and Munich last week of July/first week of August, because that was all that would work into everyone's schedule this time around. Will the crowds be so overwhelming in those cities that we will not be able to give these two "newcomers" the wonderful taste of Europe that we gave our other children? I've been reading recent trip reports here and saw a trip photo of massive swarms of humankind at Versailles.(Just trying to mentally prepare ourselves....)

all those cities handle crowds pretty well. London especially, is huge and the extra crowds aren't that big a deal. Lines will be very long at places like the Tower of London, changing of the Guard or Louvre. You can get around the queues ate the Louvre and the Tower, and the changing of teh Guard is best avoided.

Buy your tickets to the Tower at any tube station. and the museum/monuments pass in Paris is great for bypassing lines.

There are strategies to make the best of even the most crowded sites . . . . .

Was in Paris in August and had no problem with crowds anywhere. Except, of course, the Eiffel Tower which I wouldn't wait for anyway (make a reservation at one of the restaurants, a much better use of your time and a great experience).

Thanks for the reply, janisj. Any further suggestions on those specific "strategies?" We already plan to buy museum passes for London and Paris, and I've tried to read the most recent trip reports here. (Although, I just checked the current cost of the AF tickets we booked in January, and they have MORE than doubled as of today. That fact alone may help limit crowds....)

John127, I must have been typing as you were. It has crossed my mind to just look at the Eiffel Tower from the ground and then move on, but, with it being a first-time visit for our 12- and 17-year old, would that be considered child abuse? (Or would the wait to go up the Tower the last week of July be the abuse?)

There is no "museum pass" for Londn. But one isn't needed since all the museums are free. There is a "London Pass" - but it isn'r advised for most visitors. very expensive for what you get.

As for strategies - it depends on which sites you are talking about

Janisj,
I know there's no museum pass for London, but we've already got our London Passes, and I didn't want to start a discussion on the do's and don't of them. (We used them in the past, weighed our options this time around, and decided it was best for us. Enough said on that topic.)In London, the primary crowd-magnets we're seeing are Hampton and the Tower, possibly Kensington Palace. Paris will include Versailles, Louvre, Notre Dame, Army Museum, Conciergerie, Sainte-Chapelle, and Opera Garnier. We will get the museum pass as soon as we arrive.

I mean, it's a LONG wait. Up to you really, but there is just so much to see and do, I wouldn't waste the time. However, as I said, if your budget permits, I would definitely have lunch at one of the Tower's restaurants. My wife and I did Jules Verne and the meal, while not exceptional, was pretty damn good and the experience was unforgetable! Private elevator to the second floor is the added bonus - no waiting!

We'll probably be in Paris the same time, i just realized. I'll be there 7/13 to 7/20.

john127, can't you go to the 2nd platform and see pretty well anyway? I read that somewhere and coincidentally I will be there the same dates as you. I have never been and would like to see the Eiffel tower too but nothing is worth a 3 hr wait!!

Yep, that's my point, the view from the second floor is wonderful and if you have a reservation at Jules Verne there's no wait for the elevator. It's an expensive meal, but again, I think it's worth the experience.

Sorry, just re-read your post and think you meant that can't you just go up to the second floor without eating. Yes, you can, but will wait on a rather long line to do so without a restaurant reservation.

John127,
We'll be there July 25-29. I ran the idea of skipping the trip up the Tower by my husband and the 17-yr-old. Husband's all for skipping, 17-yr-old wants to play it by ear when we get there. Haven't asked the 12-yr-old yet. We probably won't spend the money on the restaurant with the kids with us - their appetites most likely wouldn't justify the expense.

John127 - we'll be there 7/13 to 7/19 also (taking the TGV to Nice on 7/19).

Specifically for Versailles: get there when they open.

The crowds build steadily throughout the day, peaking in mid afternoon. We had gotten this advice before we went and it was great. The first hour is hardly anyone. The crowds seemed to double every hour after that.

Oh, and weekends have the worst crowds, of course.

Planning on going to Versailles first thing on a Thursday morning!