Paris for Children

Paris is a remarkable place for children.  I made the trip with my son shortly after his first birthday.  It was just the two of us, and we had a wonderful time.    In this article, I will share with you some great tips to make your visit as hassle free as can be, and I will tell you about some of the best places to take your little one once there.  Bon voyage!

Tips when traveling:

Get your child ready for the time change at least two weeks prior to your departure.  Gradually adjust their bedtime, so that when they make the trip, they can get into a good sleep habit as soon as possible.

Once you arrive, establish meal times, nap and bedtimes.  A routine will help your child to acclimate to his new surroundings.

Pick up a copy of Pariscope and Fusac to find out about events, films and other things that may be of interest to you and your child.

If you are traveling with an infant or toddler, a good stroller is imperative.  You will do a great deal of walking, so opt for a collapsible stroller that is sturdy, light weight, reclines, has good wheels that can handle uneven pavement and cobblestone.  Europe is known for manufacturing some of the best strollers on the market.  If your plan is to purchase one there, be prepared to spend beaucoup bucks.  Bringing one from home is your best option, however there are babysitting services that rent strollers and cribs. 

Babysitting Services
Should the need arise, there are several babysitting services in Paris.
Ababa, 8 avenue du Maine 75015 Paris, tel: 33 (0)1 45 49 46 46

Babysitting Service, 18, rue Tronchet 75008 Paris tel: 33 (0)1 46 37 51 24

Allo! Service Maman, 58, avenue Wagram 75017 Paris, tel : 33 (0)1 42 67 99 37

Kid Service, 159, rue de Rome, 75017 Paris, tel: 33 (0)1 47 66 00 52

Accommodations

Think outside the box on where to stay.  Although Paris offers some quality hotels, families often benefit from the amenities of renting an apartment for their stay.  Prices are often comparable, and staying in an apartment with a full kitchen ( http://inthemarais.com/ ),  is more homey for children and adults, and gives you a better feel for French life.  

Essentials

Need necessities such as diapers, crayons, or baby food?  Look for the local Monoprix.  This is a great department store for all your needs.

Know some french phrases before your arrival, at the very least, Parlez vous Anglais? (Do you speak english?), and merci (thank you), go a long way.

The following pharmacies are open 24 hours:  Pharmacie des Champs, 84 avenue des Champs Elysées 75008 Paris, tel : 01 45 62 02 41, Metro Georges V;  Pharmacie Européenne, Place de Clichy 75009 Paris, tel : 01 48 74 65 18, Metro Place de Clichy.  There are two English speaking hospitals in Paris:  Hopital Americain,  63 bd Victor Hugo 92 Neuilly, tel: 01 46 41 25 25, Hopital Franco Britannique, 3 rue Barbes 92 Levallois Perret, tel: 01 46 39 22 22.

Places to visit:

The Luxembourg Gardens, not far from Saint Sulplice in the 6th district, offers children numerous activities.  The Jeux Verts is a large playground with structures to climb, swing and slide on.  There is an admission charge.  Many of the activities are best for school age children, but your toddler will enjoy the train and the lively atmosphere.  Also at the Luxembourg Gardens is a carousel, where children can play a game with rings that dates back generations.  There are pony rides, tennis courts, puppet shows, and much more.

If weather permits, the sculpture garden, at the Rodin Museum is a relaxing way to spend a nice afternoon.  Sit on a bench admiring the art, while keeping an eye on your little one as he/she enjoys playing in the enclosed garden.  "Garden only," tickets are sold for 1 euro, museum entrance is sold separately.

The Louvre Museum, offers tours and workshops for children 4 and up. 

The Centre Pompidou is an exciting place both inside and out.  Jugglers, musicians, fire-eaters, and other street acts are on display outside the museum.  There is a large plaza lined with cafes and fun shops for kids outside the museum.  There you will also find the Fountaine Stravinsky.  Get a seat at one of the cafe's opposite the fountain and your little one will be entertained while you savor a cafe' au lait.  At this link, you will find a brief view of the fountain, filmed by a French  Youtuber:  http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=W6kxMqawPy0

Take a Batobus boat ride on the River Siene.  For just 12 Euro (6 for children under 16), you will sail past the Eiffel Tower, St. Germain-des-Pres, Jardin des Plantes, The Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Notre-Dame, Hotel de Ville, and the Champs-Elysees.  It may be too late to take your children on the boat after dark, but if you are able to do so, they will enjoy a dramatic view of the buildings alongside the river.  On these evening trips, the boat shines light upon all that it passes and casts shadows on the architecture.

In the summer, your kids will love Paris Plage.  The sandy faux beach along the Seine offers lounge chairs, umbrellas, diaper changing stations equiped with diapers and wipes (found at Georges Pompidou Way and Quai de Seine).  There are various activities for children of all ages, that are put on by the city.  These include art classes, story time, a splash pool, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and trampolining.  

There are numerous other outdoor activities that your child will enjoy.  For example, Aquaboulevard, is a heated water park.  In the 1st district, you will find Jardin d'enfants des Halles, which has six adventure worlds for children 7 to 11.  Parc de la Villette offers a Music Museum, themed gardens for children, a bike path, pony rides and workshops for kids.  Parc Floral de Paris has a park with over 60 games for kids.   For an escape from the city environment, Le Ferme de Paris in the 12th district has a working farm with animals and fields.

Puppet shows are offered at parks throughout the city.  This is an entertaining way to introduce your children to the French language.   There are puppet theaters at the Jardin d'Acclimatation - Bois de Boulogne, Champ-de-Mars, Jardin des Champs Elysées, Parc des Buttes-Chaumon, and Parc Georges Brassens.  Show times and days vary.  So plan in advance.

Sail a miniature boat with your child at the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens.  You can rent toy boats from food stands in the park.

For your older children who want to do something weird and out of the ordinary, there are two underground tours that you can consider.  The Musée des Egouts de Paris (Museum of the Sewers of Paris), at
Pont de l'Alma, facing 93 Quai d'Orsay, in the 7th district, will take you on a 500 yard journey through the sewers of Paris.  There are also the Catacombs of Paris, located at 1, avenue of Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, in the 14th district.  I would not suggest taking young children on either of these tours.  

Yes, there is Euro Disney just outside of Paris.  I avoided visiting this theme park with my child, because in my opinion, there is much more that Paris has to offer.  If your stay in Paris is extended, or you may never be in vicinity of a Disney park and it is a place you have always wished to visit, then make the trip.  Otherwise take advantage of Paris's many other gems.