Alicia

We are going to Paris with our 3 kids - 11 y/o, 5 y/o & 1 1/2. I need some practical info, like is renting an apt. better than staying in a hotel, tips on eating out with kids (I've heard everything from it's a no-no to it's the best place to take them), etc... Not really looking for sightseeing info, just practical info. Thanks!

Ruth

If you search for Paris kids in the text search box, you should come up with some good suggestions, including a compilation by Ben Haines on good places to eat. <BR><BR>We took our 4-year-old in Jan, and had a great time!

elaine

Alicia<BR>Just be aware that many Paris hotel rooms are much smaller than the average hotel room you may be expecting, and there is often not room for a crib or extra bed, even on the small chance that a hotel has one to provide.<BR>You and your spouse might want to split up with the kids in two adjoining rooms, or inquire about a family suite, or think about an apartment. An apartment will come in handy for snacks, simple breakfasts or dinners, etc. Some apartments will even provide maid service. Go for a central location, to make it easy to walk or hop the metro back to the hotel if one or more kids (or you!) need a break.<BR><BR>Kids can have a great time in Paris (my 13 and 10-year old nephews did), but note that Paris can be difficult for strollers--many parks have hills, and there are many cobblestoned streets.<BR>Casual restaurants will be your best bet. Not many places have booster seats and such. <BR><BR>Also, don't assume that your 11-year-old will at least eat the hamburger or chopped beef steak that you may see on the menu. Often "le hamburger" or chopped beefsteak has spices or herbs added that your child may not be used to. On the other hand,you can almost always find on any menu some sort of roasted chicken (ask for sauces to be left off, or on the side if you're not sure) and also pastas occasionally.<BR><BR>I have a file on Paris for kids; if you'd like to see it, email me.<BR>Also, readers on amazon.com have praised a book called "Paris for Families."

xxx

We travel to Paris with our children often, we stay in the American chain hotels Holiday Inn, Marriot. They offer rooms that are large enough for a family of you size. I like my children to be in the room with me due to their ages, and I can usually get a room with 2 queen beds. You can also try Novotel and Mercure they are children friendly.

elvira

Biggie with an apartment (especially with kids) - get one with a washer/dryer (usually one piece of equipment). Soooo nice to toss a load in - it's washed and dried in the same unit (water-sucking vs hot air) - before bed and get up to clean stuff.<BR><BR>Being able to store a supply of juice boxes, milk, water...wine...is so helpful with a group, no matter what the ages. If the kids like cereal for breakfast, you can buy almost any of their favorites brands in the grocery stores like Franprix.<BR><BR>Unless the place has an elevator, try to get one on the ground or first floor - those winding stairs in most apartment buildings are no fun with a stroller.<BR><BR>You can rent bicycles in the Bois de Boulogne (there's a sort of amusement park there, too), along the Canal St Martin, at Versailles. At the Tuileries, you can rent toy sailboats to float in the big pond. At Bois de Vincennes, there's a little white train to take you all around the park; there's also miniature golf (the obstacles are Paris monuments).<BR><BR>There are lots of small parks throughout the city (one near Shakespeare and Co comes to mind) with playground equipment.<BR><BR>There's the Doll Museum, the City of Sciences Museum (lots of interactive stuff for kids), a Mechanical Toy Museum. The toy stores have really cool stuff, especially coloring books, crayons, jigsaw puzzles. Nothing like a "help me read" book that shows "P as in Apple" (French word for apple is pomme; first time I saw one of these books I had to buy it) to confuse the kids (and for the 11year old to bring to class).<BR><BR>There are plenty of Italian and Chinese restaurants, so if the kids are used to eating those, you've got some variety. There's always McDonald's (I know, yuck, but if the kids are just past exhaustion and a hit of french fries would settle 'em down, why not?) and pizza...hee hee and ice cream.<BR><BR>If you stay in an apartment, you'll find a local boulangerie for your bread and pastries. If it's close enough, the 11 year old could have the thrill of getting the morning's croissants on his/her own and being recognized by the proprietress. <BR><BR>

Alicia

Thanks to all for your wonderful suggestions. They will definitely make this an unforgettable trip and instill the love of travel in our kids.

Julie

Get a copy of the paperback, "paris to the Moon" by Adam Gopnik. Tells of his experiences living in Paris with his toddler son. Should give you some insights for traveling there with children.

lisa

Paris is a great city for kids - <BR>definately stay in an apartment - the ease of being able to make snacks, dinner/breakfasts and having extra room is really worth it.<BR>Places my son (8) loved - climbing the towers of Notre Dame, the Museum of Natural History (absolutely awesome and is near a charming little zoo/park), sialing a boat in the Tuilleries, watching a puppet show in the Tullieries, gong to Monmartre and climing to the top of sacre coer - having his portrait drawn while their.<BR>Eating is not a problem (my son is very picky) - almost every cafe/restaurant will serve grilled cheese (croque misseur), omelettes, eggs, french fries and spaggetti. The pastries are divine!<BR>We spent 10 days with our son and he loved everything. Don't avoid the musuems - done right the kids will love them. The Louvre and the Dorsey offer enlgish kids guides that are like going on a scavenger hunt - ask for them at the info desk. Also, the garden of the rodin museum is wonderful - the kids can run around, pack a picnic, and the sculpture is outside for all to enjoy.<BR>Have a great trip<BR>Lisa

Marsha

Just a suggestion for picky eaters: my 8 year-old turned up her nose at most food, so we would order her a plate of French fries and an Orangina (fizzy orange drink). French cafes and restaurants make the best fries. It may not be the best nutrition, but we got by for two weeks. And, as Elvira mentioned, use McDonalds as a back-up.

Shannon

As Elaine said, strollers are tricky in Paris. The ones I saw there all seemed to have big wheels with good suspension. What we did was just pick one up there after the one we brought over was trashed. Made a nice souvenir too.<BR>Also, you might want to bring lots of diapers unless you have figured out how much the 1 1/2 year old weighs in kilograms and can figure out the proper size. Even then, it's hit & miss. We purchased a pack where the top of the diaper was up under the baby's armpits. Then we bought a pack because the diapers looked "cute", only to discover the inside of the diaper had cotton. BIG mistake. The cotton attached itself to the poop and literally glued itself on the baby! Not a pretty sight.

francesca

Author: francesca ([email protected])<BR>Given the upcoming tourist season, i am going to re-post something I wrote some time ago. In addition to being relatively cheap and quick, these places are also pretty child friendly.<BR><BR>Date: 08/16/2000, 08:52 am<BR><BR>Message: Many people on this forum ask for info re: cheap places to eat on the go in Paris or places that are good for kids and teenagers. Here, in the midst of tourist season, I see a lot of people, esp. families, just giving up and going to McDonald's or Quick (the Belgian version)--don't! You can do better! <BR><BR>Here are some sandwich-shop-type places where you can eat real, healthy food, with good quality ingredients, not spend a lot of time or money and probably find something for your fussy baby or teenager. Then, indulge in a wonderful, real French restaurant at night. <BR><BR>If I can save just one person from visiting a McDonald's in Paris or some terrible tourist trap/rip-off joint it'll be worth the time it took to type this: <BR><BR>Aux Pains Perdus <BR>Beautiful fresh sandwiches and salads and delicious desserts. Locations in Rue de Longchamp (near Trocadero), rue de Courcelles (not too far from Etoile), rue des Echelles (near Louvre, Palais Royale). <BR><BR>Au Pain Quotidien <BR>This is a small Belgian chain with sit-down service and beautifully prepared salads and open-faced sandwiches. They were very nice to our baby, too, and even volonteered a high chair. You can buy the bread and other nice foodstuffs to go. Locations at Marche St Honore (near rue Fbg St Honore, in the 1rst) and on rue des Archives (if you're visiting the Marais). <BR><BR>Finally, Lina's is a very popular upscale sandwich chain without the charm of the above two, and with a bit too much attitude. But the sandwiches are delicious and so are the desserts. Many locations, check out the France Telecom site (click on Pages Jaunes)for details on Lina's locations and any of above. Bon appetit.

Jennifer

Hi Alicia,<BR><BR>I've taken my children on two of my trips to Paris. Unless you have a very high budget, an apartment will almost always be your better deal! Refrigerator, washer/dryer (as someone mentioned -- apartment-sized ones are the same machine; really bizarre), and a lot more space are simply invaluable.<BR><BR>Personally, I'd search the web for independent apartment owners. The agencies charge horrendous amounts! We had a studio apartment a month ago for 62 Euros a night. It may take awhile, but there are many apartments without agencies on the web.<BR><BR>Good luck!<BR><BR>Jennifer

Alicia

Thanks for the advise. <BR><BR>Jennifer, do you have any good websites/suggestions for independent apartment rentals. I am contemplating buying a Paris newspaper and looking because all I get off the web are agencies. <BR><BR>Francesca - Thanks for the list of restaurants, esp. Au Pain Quotidien, my husband loves Belgian. <BR><BR>Thanks again! Alicia

Yum

Supplement the fries and Orangina with the MOST delicious fruits found at any sidewalk market. Also, our kids LOVED the morning croissants (especially the chocolate ones) and early evening crepes from the vendors. They definitely won't starve! <BR>

elvira

I rented through this woman, and the apartment was fantastic. I don't know your budget, but she has a wide range of prices and locations (Nancy is an American who represents private owners):<BR>http://www.albany.net/~nracnyfr/parisapt.html<BR><BR>I also got this name from someone; he has apartments in the Bastille area:<BR>[email protected]

Jennifer

Hi Alicia, I have a file somewhere of decently priced apartments. I'm in the middle of cleaning out my office right now, but I know it's around here somewhere! I copied your e-mail, and if I don't see this thread, I'll e-mail you the info.<BR><BR>Jennifer

alicia

Thanks Jennifer. I really appreciate it!<BR>Alicia

chris

We rented a delightful apt 4 years ago,my kids were 11 and 15. It was Orion Hotel de Louvre,walking distance to all the great sights across from the Louvre.Weekly rate was very reasonable and you could get breakfast in their "breakfast room" We opted to get fresh bread etc. each morning from one of many boulangeries( one on almost every corner)and bring it back to eat.We had a large stone balcony,one bedroom with Double bed and a double sleeper sofa. the kitchenette was supplied with everything.Restaraunts in Paris are always able to make a croque(?) some thing like a grilled cheese. We took a day trip to Giverny by train and rented bikes to get to Monet's garden. It was a wonderful week and my kids still talk about it as one of their favorites. We took the Eurostar from London after spending a week their.

Fodors Reader

I found the amount walking tough on me, any suggestions for how to manage with a 6 yr old?<BR>