I hope your husband is Scottish, and his whisky is Scotch. ;)

I would like to explain why I had a severe reaction to the "poor lady".

It was because she completely ignored the question that was asked, gave absolutely no suggestions and preferred to complain about the failure of her own trip without giving any documented evidence whatsoever. Apparently, she had already been complaining on this site (I did not see it), but in this particular post there was no information on how long the trip lasted, why the flight was too long, and how she was forced to pay 5 euros for a Coca Cola (when you can buy one for 30 euro cents in a supermarket) or how many people were eating a steak dinner that cost more than 100 euros (I can direct you to restaurants where 8 people can eat well for 100 euros). If Paris were so incredibly expensive, I very much doubt that I could afford to live in this city, and that would also be the case of most Parisians. While it is true that tourists are obliged to spend more money, most of them seem to do it willingly and with no consideration for the fact that prices are posted as required by law outside each and every restaurant or bar so that there are no surprises. There are hundreds of hotel rooms in Paris for no more than 20 euros, thousands of restaurants with full meals for less than 15 euros and hundreds for less than 10 euros. You can pay 2 euros for a postcard, and you can also buy 10 postcards for 1.50 euros. You can pay 10 euros an hour for an internet connection or less than 1 euro an hour. It's all a question of knowing where to look, how to read prices, and not giving in to each and every whim that you have while walking down the street. Paris is a much cheaper city than London, New York or Rome, but it is one of the most expensive cities in the world for people looking for luxury. Of course, that's why a lot of people come here, but nobody forced them to, and I see little point in whining publicly after a poorly planned trip.

We are also planning to take our 9-year-old son to Paris (and Normandy and Provence)in June. I found two books which have been very helpful: "Take the Kids: Paris" by Helen Truszkowski and "Pick your brains about France" by Marian Pashley. I haven't looked at the latter very thoroughly, but it seems to have all kinds of interesting tidbits about France that kids would find intriguing.

We are planning to stay part of the time in Paris at the campground in the Bois de Boulogne. For about 78 euros a night we will rent a mobile home with two bedrooms, full kitchen, bath, TV, picnic table, etc. Has any one else done this? What was it like? It seemed like a better situation for a family than a small hotel room.

To emvic, I think an apartment would be better than camping. What if it rains -- as it does 14 days on average in June? Paris does not have the nicest of climates. But maybe an apartment would be more expensive.

Has anybody mentioned the boats on the Seine as something kids (and adults) would enjoy?

emvic- Thanks for suggesting the guidebooks with children in mind. How did you find the campground with mobile homes? How interesting.

Bookmarking this for our family trip at beginning of April.

Kerouac, I have to agree with you. Planning is essential & there is usually a less expensive option especially when it comes to eating & drinking.
This is our 1st trip to Paris & with 4 kids I hope we can eat well without breaking the bank!
Any specific suggestions ? we will be self catering near Luxembourg Gardens.

amwosu -- I found the campground listed in the book "Take the Kids, Paris". The website is www.mobilhome-paris.com. The campground is near the Porte Maillot Metro stop, one stop further than the Arc de Triomphe stop. And the campground has a free shuttle bus from the Metro stop. I discovered that Air France has a bus from the Porte Maillot stop to CDG, so it should be easy to get to the airport at the end of our trip.

Rhona, try to find a Franprix or Leader Price supermarket (they are actually the same chain) in the area and do most of your shopping there. In any case, it is the #1 Parisian chain, so you should be able to locate one without too much difficulty. For many items, you will spend double at street markets, picturesque as they may appear to be (not to mention the rue Cler fetish that some people have, allowing them to pay 4 times the normal price). With children, you will find such delights as the Leader Price brand of Ile Flottante (also sold under the Leader Price name in Franprix), where you have 4 excellent iles flottantes for 1.50 euros. This is the same dessert that people rave about in overpriced restaurants and think they got a good deal by paying only 8 euros each. You will also find excellent pâté in the deli section and all sorts of good things throughout the store. If you like fine cheese, you might prefer to go to a real fromagerie, however, because prepackaged cheeses are always hit-or-miss, even in France. But sometimes, it is worth the risk to pay 0.90 euros for a camembert that turns out to be excellent -- do as the French do and open the box to press the cheese to see if it is "ready" or not.
The big slabs of smoked salmon in Franprix are also excellent, and cost about 15% of what you would pay for the item in a restaurant.
Yes, I understand that it is often more fun to go to a restaurant and be served royally, but it takes wads and wads of money. A lot of the people here seem to have no problem in that department, but Paris is a city of real people often living on small salaries (if not welfare!) and it takes a little knowhow to survive. If tourists can benefit from some of the residents' tricks of the trade, so much the better.

http://www.travelforkids.com/main.htm

I just discovered this website. What I really like about it is the list of suggested childrens' books coneected with the various travel destinations.

kerouac:

Thanx for your replies. I feel better now. I am new to this site and have found all of you to be incredibly helpful.

We are VERY excited and I can hardly wait to go and then come back and tell you what I thought! :)

I do plan to take my computer so I can download pictures and I will be finishing up a class. Any suggestions for where I might find relatively inexpensive access to the internet?

Thanx,
DrDebi

tt topping - so I can find it later!

Robespierre:

Oops. You are so correct! LOL

DrDebi-
Start a new thread with your question about inexpensive internet hookup. Have you checked with your hotel or apt. owner to see if they offer it. I found the hotels were rather expensive but found a cheap internet place close to my apt. I think we paid 2 euro/hr a couple years ago. There are so many folks on fodors that actually live in Paris that if you list your lodging and the address they will give you exactly the closest cheapest internet access for you.

Kerouac
Thank you for the shopping tips.

Dr Debi - I have a feeling that you aren't going to need to worry about internet connection. The hotel that you stay in will have it gratis.

I just thought you'd all like to know. We decided to tell our son we're going... in stages.
We have 4 pictures for him, to help him try and guess. The first picture was of Marble Arch, in London.
After watching a bevvy of conflicting emotions cross his face, he asked if it was France.
So, he's on the right track and will be very excited by Sunday, would be my guess.
Thanx for your help in "pushing us along!" It is pretty cool watching him go through this! :)

The folloiwng website is very useful when trying to locate/decide on business/hotels establishments in Paris

http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi?lang=eng

Just type "cybercafes" on Business Type field and it will list out quite a few. You can pick and choose from there a convenient one to your hotel location.

Hello,

Just wanted to pass these along for son... both entries are covered under the Paris Museum Pass.

Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie, 19e
Closed Mondays
www.cite-sciences.fr
Described as… The biggest museum in Europe on science and technology.
Big is not the world, its mammoth and probably the ultimate destination for kids in Paris outside of Euro Disney. It’s a 15 minute walk through the park from the Musee de la Musique or take the metro to Porte de la Villette.

As soon as you arrive in Paris you’ll see thousands of ads for the Star Wars L’Expo, this is where it’s at until August 27, 2006. The Star War exhibit is E10,50 or add the Effects Film and the price goes to E17,90, slightly less for children under 7.

Many of the exhibits are presented in English such as Endangered Plants, Star Wars, Biometrics: The Body as Identity, Open Questions, Vitrum, the Art and Science of Glass in the Roman World and Water for All. Maybe it doesn’t sound exciting but the kids will love the play rooms. And the play rooms were packed today as it was a snowy and cold November Saturday. There are two science villages for kids ages 3-5 and 5-12, sessions must be reserved at the ticket disk, 4 or 5 sessions a day last 90 minutes and cost E5,50. There is also a Shadows Revealed exhibit for kids, until September 5, 2006, looks way cool. The museum has plays several shows and films, but the Planetarium will be closed from January 3 to July 4, 2006. Free aquarium but the Argonaute submarine costs E3. I would say this is a good half day if not all day visit.


Musee des Arts et Meitiers, 3e
www.arts-et-metiers.net
No Museum Pass bypass line, wait in line, flash your card at the counter and to get an admission ticket. Take the elevator to the second floor to begin. Get the audio guide, the more prominent items have English descriptions but there’s a lot of intriguing items to look at. The Museum Pass booklet description reads as… From the abbey founded by the kinds to the republican conservatoire, from the holy relics to the voltaic pile, an exceptional experience, follow the footsteps of inventors and discover the secrets of the machines and instruments.

Anyone interested in engineering, science and the mechanics of how things would work would love this museum, however, that does not describe me, but this museum was the greatest escape from the abundance of art museums and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The museum is quite large, wide aisles, airy, and bright. Lots of mini videos screens that demonstrate how various machines worked. Take a seat on one of the many leather sofas and play with the touch screen monitors or read through the display books. Go into the abbey section of the museum, interesting display set up of antique automobiles. A very nice café, again with leather chairs, a small gift shop and a great courtyard outside. This is probably the most kid friendly venue I’ve seen yet. For first time visitors with 10-14 days I would add this museum or add to your 2nd visit to do list.

Have a great time!
Alicia

Forgot to include....

Musee national de la Marine, 16e
www.musee-marine.fr
Closed Mondays
Described as… History of the French navy from the 17th century to the present day. Thematic approach to shipbuilding, nautical instruments, paintings and sculptures.

The museum is across the river from the Eiffel Tower, a popular spot for tower photography. The ship models are incredible, all sizes. There’s a model ship building shop where you can watch the models being built / repaired. Loads of display cases containing nautical instruments and memorabilia. The paintings are absolutely amazing, a wide range of subjects from navy battles, sailing, air force carriers, container ships, row boats, fish and anything related to oceanography.

This museum is a must do for anyone interested in ships, sailing and or boating. If you’re not a sailor, just head downstairs and take a look at the painting exhibits, very worthwhile just for the range and quality of work. Beautiful exhibition of Japanese prints and watercolors. It’s not a hands on museum but the kids may enjoy abundance and variety of the model ships. Fantastic book store, most books in French but it was fun to browse the coffee table / photography books.

Canal St Martin - Boat Cruise
www.canauxrama.com
14E per person, credit cards and cash accepted
2 ½ hour boat ride through 8 double locks, starts at Parc de la Villette and ends at Bastille. We decided to try the canal boat cruise to give the feet a rest. The cruise was nice but most of the time is spent getting in and out of the double locks, save the cruise for when you’re tired but you want to be out sightseeing.

Thanx to all of you. You've been such a HUGE help!
Our son is now "in the know" and so excited it's really cool to watch. Thanx for pushing us in that direction! :)
We'll let you know how it goes! :)

I'm not sure who's more excited now, him or us?!? :)

Best,
Debi