DeborahAnn

During our Christmas dinner yesterday our grandsons were asking us what beverages they would be drinking in June when we take them to France for the first time. Since we had never traveled with young children to Europe I wasn't sure what their choices would be.

I know milk will be available but our grandsons only drink fat free milk. Is it likely there will be fat free milk for them in most restaurants?

I've already told them they will be drinking a lot less soda due to the expense and lack of free refills being offered and that they will probably see less ice cubes in their drinks than they are used to having. Am I giving a fair summary of what they should expect?

Thanks for your helpful comments, Deborah

thursdaysd

What's wrong with tap water? It's free.

29FEB

They could walk on the wild side and drink French milk?

trvlgirlmq

My kids drink the free carafe of water. We stay in apartments so purchase milk and juice at the grocery store for breakfast.

jamikins

Orangina is a tasty orange flavoured drink they might like

Sarastro

Typically, French parents do not take children to traditional restaurants, particularly young children. Families are seen at cafés, chain restaurants, crêperies, or places like Quick or Courte Paille, or Buffalo Grill. If a restaurant does not offer a children's menu, and many do not, the location may be inappropriate for young family members.

As far as drinks, I am seeing a lot more ice than in the past; it's even sold in bags at many groceries. However, the French are very aware of the health concerns of consuming soda drinks and, for the most part, avoid them.

Water is free and is much healthier than sugary drinks.

kerouac

<i>our grandsons were asking us what beverages they would be drinking</i>

All of the same beverages are available as in the United States, and then some.

They might have to forego root beer or Dr. Pepper.

StCirq

orange pressée, citron pressé, Orangina, Orangina rouge, any number of drinks made with water or limonade plus fruit syrup, or water avec ou sans gas.

nytraveler

I suppose I'm very old fashioned - but when I was a child we drank milk. Soda was for special occasions - or eating out - which we didn't do very often (kids not adults.) Didn;t have soda on a regular basis until we were teens eating out with friends. (And there was never any Kool Aid in the house.)

Seems to me kids would be much healthier overall if parents simply didn;t buy soda - but gave kids milk, tap water or flavored waters.

DeborahAnn

kerouac, along with root beer and Dr. Pepper they will probably have to forego their Mountain Dew as well

They drink water but not at all meals and not exclusive of other beverages. Anything with more fat than "skim milk" is going to taste odd to them. Water will be used to keep them hydrated but they enjoy the treat of soda with dinner. They can't believe I will be buying milk for them when we are in our Paris apartment that is kept on the store shelves without refrigeration!!

Sarastro, sorry if I led you to believe they were really young. Since they are 12 and 9 we will choose dining options where they will be welcome. They all enjoy eating duck so that will definitely be one visit to a restaurant that we are planning.

The boys are very active so know to keep hydrated but they also like to drink low calorie sports drinks and Crystal Light lemonade.

While we are dining in Normandy is it possible to be served pitchers of non-alcoholic apple cider. Personally, I'm not a fan of cider but I'd like an idea of what is available for them.

Thanks for the comments. Our trip planning discussions are giving us opportunities for animated dinner table conversations while they are visiting us this week. Deborah

Carlux

You can always ask for lait écremé, or skim milk, since that was part of your original question. Lait demi-écremé for partly skimmed.

denisea

The juices here in France are so much better than what we have in the US and most restaurants have a variety of juices (I love the fresh squeezed orange juice and even bottled apple juice is terrific, far less processed). Apple juice will be jus de pomme, i think. i am not sure how to order cider that is not alcoholic. I noticed at Joel Robuchon the other day that they had Coca Cola for an 11 year old child.

Lemonade would be citron presse.....Not bottled. Not sure about low cal options... i know I have seen vitamin water here in Paris but not zero that I can recall.

DeborahAnn

carlux, thank you for providing the label to look for when seeking skim milk. My husband and I have enjoyed the delicious flavor of much higher fat content milks that I have purchased in France because I didn't know the wording for skim milk. I rationalized that if what I bought had the word demi on the package it was half the fat content that I could be drinking Deborah

Nikki

Granted this was a (very) long time ago, but on my first trip to Normandy I asked if the cider had alcohol in it, the waitress was puzzled by the question, and then she said no. I ordered it and it indeed was alcoholic. I figured the waitress thought I was asking whether they added alcohol to the cider, not whether it came as an alcoholic drink.

jamikins

But surely drinking milk with some fat for a vacation wouldn't be the end of the world? Everything in moderation...right?

Pvoyageuse

Skim milk has green labels, they are blue for partly skim and red for "normal" milk.

TPAYT

I'm reading this with intrest for our upcoming trip with our GD. She does like Orangina so that's on option. I'm guessing some places will have 7up or Sprite or something similar.

Thanks for the tips on milk types.

The Citron Presse gave me a chuckle. We ordered it one time and it was so sour we put multiple pkgs. of sugar in it and still couldn't drink it.
Is Orange Pressee just as sour?

Nikki

Citron pressé is served as the plain unsweetened lemon juice and sugar which you add to your taste. I have not had orange pressé but if it is the squeezed juice of an orange it would not be as sour as a lemon and not require added sugar.

trvlgirlmq

Soda is very expensive when purchased in a restaurant, cafe, etc. You can find Coke and Pepsi products at the grocery store for much less money. We also don't drink soda at home unless it's a special birthday or holiday meal but when on vacation we splurge and get some for the apartment.

We make lunch our main meal and eat that in a cafe or such. We eat our dinner in though so can serve the soda for much less money.

We do let the kids have a sip or two of "grape" product. My niece also tried the cider in Normandy.

DeborahAnn

My DIL did ask if the boys would be drinking wine at the meals along with us

jamikins, luckily the boys are willing to sample just about any food but when it comes to quenching a thirst they like what is familiar to them. They only drink fat free milk so it's not so much about the fat content as the rich taste--for them the taste of 2% milk I liken to drinking light cream to me LOL

I do enjoy the citron presse also and I know the boys will have fun mixing their own drinks, we will just need to make sure there is lots of sugar and water available for them!! Deborah