Traveling with a young boy to Paris!
Mar 20th, 2006, 05:21 AM
#22
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DrDebi - Everyones suggestions here have really been great and I hope your son enjoys his trip to Paris! However, like amwosu said, wouldn't you like to let him know a bit before hand so that it's not a total surprise? I mean, I think it's great you want to surprise him with this trip to Paris, but surprise him a bit sooner than the week you're about to leave. Give him time to revel in the excitement that he's going so that he can research things to do in Paris that will interest him.
Mar 20th, 2006, 05:26 AM
#23
http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/foffice/to...&nav=liste
will give you a panoramic view of the gallery. You can also see the balconies above which are filled with hundreds of other specimens.
will give you a panoramic view of the gallery. You can also see the balconies above which are filled with hundreds of other specimens.
Mar 20th, 2006, 06:27 AM
#24
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Hi, kerouac -
Would you do us all a favor by taking a look at http://www.tinyurl.com, please?
http://tinyurl.com/fc2ah
Would you do us all a favor by taking a look at http://www.tinyurl.com, please?
http://tinyurl.com/fc2ah
Mar 20th, 2006, 06:43 AM
#25
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<<We're planning to take our son [he's 9] to Paris at the end of April for a surprise trip. [He actually ASKED to go after doing a school report on France!]>>
Is it just me or does anyone else find this a bit "off".
DrDebi can be thankful the young lad didn't do a project on Mars.
Is it just me or does anyone else find this a bit "off".
DrDebi can be thankful the young lad didn't do a project on Mars.
Mar 20th, 2006, 06:49 AM
#26
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Just got back from Paris with my daughter. The plane ride was too long and drained us the entire time. We never did adjust. Paris was just way too expensive for us- $5 for a coke. We ate a steak one night and it cost us $100. So glad to be back home.
Mar 20th, 2006, 07:12 AM
#27
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Gosh, rucrazy -
You mean the length of the flight and prices in Paris came as a total shock to you?
Did you research affordable meals before you went? Cures for jetlag? Where to buy soft drinks economically?
I'm sorry you had such a lousy trip, but you DO realize your experience puts you in a tiny minority, don't you?
You mean the length of the flight and prices in Paris came as a total shock to you?
Did you research affordable meals before you went? Cures for jetlag? Where to buy soft drinks economically?
I'm sorry you had such a lousy trip, but you DO realize your experience puts you in a tiny minority, don't you?
Mar 20th, 2006, 07:28 AM
#29
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Just because someone does not share the same views or opinions are you do does not make them stupid. For you to say that just shows your level of intolerance for other views. Yes, I did all my homework before going. You know the trip is long, and you get mentally prepared, but that does not mean you can physically adjust as well as others. And just because this was not my "trip of a lifetime" does not make me a stupid tourist.
Mar 20th, 2006, 07:50 AM
#30
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Would this be the child who had mono? And was sick before the trip?
I think you've gotten such a strong reaction from other posters as the cost of a coke should make or break Paris.
(ps avoid London if you had sticker shock in Paris)
I think you've gotten such a strong reaction from other posters as the cost of a coke should make or break Paris.
(ps avoid London if you had sticker shock in Paris)
Mar 20th, 2006, 07:53 AM
#31
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rucrazy - I believe this was your first European trip. You flew from Memphis to Amsterdam and then on to London for 4 days and then to Paris for 3 days. I wonder if this wasn't ill-advised for a one week holiday.
Mar 20th, 2006, 08:42 AM
#32
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lol - you can't get away with anything on this board! I will say that if one does his/her homework there's no excuse for being bothered by a $5 coke, $100 steaks, or jet lag.
I agree with letting your boy in on the trip and letting him research it. At age 9, the Lux. Gardens playground and the Jardin d'acclimatation may or may not be too young for him. Cite de Sciences, the catacombs, and the Nat. History Museum are a must.
And for food, be more adventurous than you might be inclined. In particular, avoid Hippopotomus, a chain often mentioned as having kid-friendly menus. We especially enjoyed the Brasserie St. Louis en Ille with our 2 kids (not that that's really that adventurous...)
Have fun!
I agree with letting your boy in on the trip and letting him research it. At age 9, the Lux. Gardens playground and the Jardin d'acclimatation may or may not be too young for him. Cite de Sciences, the catacombs, and the Nat. History Museum are a must.
And for food, be more adventurous than you might be inclined. In particular, avoid Hippopotomus, a chain often mentioned as having kid-friendly menus. We especially enjoyed the Brasserie St. Louis en Ille with our 2 kids (not that that's really that adventurous...)
Have fun!
Mar 20th, 2006, 02:32 PM
#33
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rucrazy- I'm sorry for the (tiny bit of)abuse you received due to your comments about Paris. I honestly thought your post was a joke because your complaints are absolutely classic and could have been written 10, 20, 30 years ago.
I'll let you in on a secret but don't tell... I feel about Kauai the way you feel about Paris. Not my cup of tea. But I won't bother mentioning it in a Kauai post because those folks are more obsessed about their little island than the Paris lovers.
I'll let you in on a secret but don't tell... I feel about Kauai the way you feel about Paris. Not my cup of tea. But I won't bother mentioning it in a Kauai post because those folks are more obsessed about their little island than the Paris lovers.
Mar 20th, 2006, 02:37 PM
#34
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I agree with laughing2d about eating a little more adventurously.
I don't know where you are staying, but we really enjoyed our meal at La Coupole (102 boulevard Montparnasse) - a large brasserie with paintings on the walls
and pillars by many different artists. It's open throughout the day and evening, so you can dine early.
We (with our 6-year-old son) were made very welcome by the friendly waiters. I've seen reviews that say the food isn't that special, but the decor is
great, and I can still remember the orange frangipane tart that I had for desert!
I don't know where you are staying, but we really enjoyed our meal at La Coupole (102 boulevard Montparnasse) - a large brasserie with paintings on the walls
and pillars by many different artists. It's open throughout the day and evening, so you can dine early.
We (with our 6-year-old son) were made very welcome by the friendly waiters. I've seen reviews that say the food isn't that special, but the decor is
great, and I can still remember the orange frangipane tart that I had for desert!
Mar 20th, 2006, 03:18 PM
#35
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DrDebi-
We took our son to Paris at age 11 and he loved it. One of his favorite memories was eating an entire baguette on our way back to the hotel. He enjoyed climbing to the top of Notre Dame, and walking down from the Eiffel Tower. Napoleon's Tomb was also a big hit- he took about 100 photos there.
I would also suggest a private tour at the Louvre. We booked a tour through Paris Muse and had an American doctoral candidate guide us through the museum, starting with Egyptian art and made it through the Italian Renaissance. It was completely geared toward our son, and he got a lot out of it. www.parismuse.com Ellen was our guide. Have a wonderful time showing your son Paris
We took our son to Paris at age 11 and he loved it. One of his favorite memories was eating an entire baguette on our way back to the hotel. He enjoyed climbing to the top of Notre Dame, and walking down from the Eiffel Tower. Napoleon's Tomb was also a big hit- he took about 100 photos there.
I would also suggest a private tour at the Louvre. We booked a tour through Paris Muse and had an American doctoral candidate guide us through the museum, starting with Egyptian art and made it through the Italian Renaissance. It was completely geared toward our son, and he got a lot out of it. www.parismuse.com Ellen was our guide. Have a wonderful time showing your son Paris
Mar 20th, 2006, 04:27 PM
#37
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Gee...I wonder if you are gearing this trip too much to the perceived tastes of a young child.
How can he possibly KNOW what is interesting to him when he has yet to experience PARIS.
My own choice would be plan the trip for Mom & Dad and let the boy follow along.
Of course SOME child-centered consideration can be given, but not to the degree mentioned.
Most of the things an adult would do in Paris would also be interesting to a child...with adjustments for dining hours and restaurant choices...He is going to "experience" what many consider THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD.
Don't limit the real Paris we all love.
How can he possibly KNOW what is interesting to him when he has yet to experience PARIS.
My own choice would be plan the trip for Mom & Dad and let the boy follow along.
Of course SOME child-centered consideration can be given, but not to the degree mentioned.
Most of the things an adult would do in Paris would also be interesting to a child...with adjustments for dining hours and restaurant choices...He is going to "experience" what many consider THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD.
Don't limit the real Paris we all love.
Mar 21st, 2006, 10:25 AM
#39
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We live in Paris and have a daughter. Museums and exhibitions can become boring for your child. So you can go to the Jardins du Luxembourg or to the Parc Floral or the Jardin d'acclimatation where there are grest playgrounds. For swimming and great fun try l'Aquaboulevard whiche opens late in the evening. Just walk in the streets and look at the buildings or take the RATP buses. As your son is less then 10, he will pay half price for the metro and bus tickets. I advise you to buy them by 10 as every parisian, it is less expensive than the tourist package. Children love also a trip with the "bateau mouche" on the river Seine. Don't forget to go to the Ile Saint Louis and buy an ice cream at Berthillon. If he needs English books, he will find them WH Smith and Galigliani's on the rue de Rivoli, métro Concorde, or Brentano's avenue de l'Opéra. If you read French, you will have lots of information in the "Guide du Routard Junior Paris et ses environs avec vos enfants" or "Rallyes dans Paris 10 cartes d'explorateur pour découvrir la capitale en s'amusant".
Bon voyage.
Bon voyage.
Mar 21st, 2006, 10:56 AM
#40
I'm here! I've been reading all your notes and after the reception for the poor lady who "hated" Paris, I think I was afraid to write in again!
We are "seasoned" travelers and we DO expect things to be expensive so I doubt we'll be shocked by that... well, my scotch husband might but c'est la vie?!
I will give some thought to letting him in the "secret" perhaps a week before we go. Based on all the lovely ideas, I think this is what we will plan to do:
Take him to dinner the week before and tell him we're going and give him his new digital camera. Yes, he's a picture buff like his mum... This way he'll be in charge of his OWN pictures instead of always wanting to borrow mine...
Next, since we arrive in the afternoon on a Sunday, we will go directly to the hotel, check in and then we will take "a ride on the bateaux mouche" as someone suggested. I think that's a fantastic idea.
Also, I am concerned about trying to "stuff" too many things into 5 days so I think we will plan:
1 day at the Louvre - I like the idea of the private tour... we'll check that out.
1 day between the Gardens and the Catacombs
2 days to just explore
1 day to visit Notre Dame and perhaps a ride on the Siene River...
And then, hopefully, we'll have a lot of ideas about what to see when we go back NEXT time!
We're planning to stay in a small hotel on the left bank, I think, for 3 nights just for atmosphere...
Have we tried to pack too much in already?
What do you all think?
We are "seasoned" travelers and we DO expect things to be expensive so I doubt we'll be shocked by that... well, my scotch husband might but c'est la vie?!
I will give some thought to letting him in the "secret" perhaps a week before we go. Based on all the lovely ideas, I think this is what we will plan to do:
Take him to dinner the week before and tell him we're going and give him his new digital camera. Yes, he's a picture buff like his mum... This way he'll be in charge of his OWN pictures instead of always wanting to borrow mine...
Next, since we arrive in the afternoon on a Sunday, we will go directly to the hotel, check in and then we will take "a ride on the bateaux mouche" as someone suggested. I think that's a fantastic idea.
Also, I am concerned about trying to "stuff" too many things into 5 days so I think we will plan:
1 day at the Louvre - I like the idea of the private tour... we'll check that out.
1 day between the Gardens and the Catacombs
2 days to just explore
1 day to visit Notre Dame and perhaps a ride on the Siene River...
And then, hopefully, we'll have a lot of ideas about what to see when we go back NEXT time!
We're planning to stay in a small hotel on the left bank, I think, for 3 nights just for atmosphere...
Have we tried to pack too much in already?
What do you all think?
