Paris, three days with three children--suggestions?

bclintonk
Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:04:13 +0000

The Louvre is a treasure trove, but it works only if your kids are into art museums. If not, I’d skip it as it could be oppressive. I agree with the suggestion that the Musee d’Orsay is much more accessible, with lots of Impressionist masterworks, and you can get through there relatively quickly (though frankly, I’ve never found the lighting satisfactory).

Paris is above all a great walking city: the sights, sounds, and smells of the city are fantastic. With kids who are not into high culture, I’d suggest the following:


The Eiffel Tower, of course. But that’s already on your itinerary.
The Arc de Triomphe. Won’t take but a minute, but it’s instantly recognizable to anyone who’s ever seen any movie set in Paris (and make sure to see a few before you go). Memorable.
Walk around some interesting neighborhoods, like the Marais (Right Bank, historic Jewish neighborhood) or the Quartier Latin and St. Germain (Left Bank, near the Sorbonne).
Take a boat ride (bateaux-mouches) on the Seine. A little pricey, very touristy, but it screams “Paris.”
Visit Notre Dame. Spectacular. Pay special attention to the gargoyles high up on the outer walls, then try to find a refrigerator magnet of your favorite gargoyle at the street vendors or neighborhood souvenir shops surrounding the cathedral.
Buy crepes from a street vendor for lunch. My kids are partial to Nutella (chocolate & hazelnut) crepes, but they come in lots of varieties—I like ham, cheese, & egg.
Spend some time in the parks. My favorite is Jardin Luxembourg on the Left Bank, a bit formal but delightful.
Buy a fresh baguette, some good cheese, and a couple of apples from a neighborhood market and have a picnic lunch along the Seine, or in the Bois de Bologne.
Find a great local bakery and buy some fresh, still-warm croissants for breakfast. Nothing like them. Best with a good cafe au lait but if your kids don’t drink the stuff, wash them down with milk.
Ascend the steps to Sacre Coeur and Montmartre. Worth it for the exquisite views of the city.
As for food (besides what’s already mentioned): of course there’s classic French bistro fare, but due to France’s colonial legacy Paris also has some great ethnic options, like terrific couscous (north African) dishes on the Left Bank, extraordinary falafel (Middle Eastern) in the Marais, and outstanding Vietnamese restaurants (with a French twist) scattered about.