Ten days in Paris with a kid!
July 1, 2010 8:42 PM
I'm taking my almost-7-year-old daughter to Paris next week for 10 days. It is a surprise for her. Aside from the obvious, what should we make sure to do and see?
We'll be staying on the Left Bank, 4th ar., across from Notre Dame, in what promises to be a lovely apartment. We're meeting up with a friend, so there will be two adults and one kid, and we'll be staying for 10 days.
I was last in Paris 10 years ago, and my friend hasn't been since she was a teen. This is my daughter's first visit. We intend to take a kid's pace, visiting one or two major attractions a day, or taking a day off if we feel like it. Basically, while we'll be tourists, we don't want to have a totally tourist experience, if that makes any sense?
Help me give my daughter the best "living in Paris" experience possible! Suggestions on groceries, shops, etc, would be most welcome. Also, to throw a monkey in the works, my daughter is a vegetarian by choice, and generally picky about food being too "fussy". So ideas about what and where to feed her would also be great!
We'll be staying on the Left Bank, 4th ar., across from Notre Dame, in what promises to be a lovely apartment. We're meeting up with a friend, so there will be two adults and one kid, and we'll be staying for 10 days.
I was last in Paris 10 years ago, and my friend hasn't been since she was a teen. This is my daughter's first visit. We intend to take a kid's pace, visiting one or two major attractions a day, or taking a day off if we feel like it. Basically, while we'll be tourists, we don't want to have a totally tourist experience, if that makes any sense?
Help me give my daughter the best "living in Paris" experience possible! Suggestions on groceries, shops, etc, would be most welcome. Also, to throw a monkey in the works, my daughter is a vegetarian by choice, and generally picky about food being too "fussy". So ideas about what and where to feed her would also be great!
Eat pain au chocolat every chance you get. Additionally, I am a vegetarian and didn't have too much of a problem in Paris, namely because I really like bread and cheese, both of which are amazing there. Also, definitely the Jardin du Luxembourg to rent wooden boats (see a random post about them here I found when I was verifying this was where I was at).
posted by questionsandanchors at 9:33 PM on July 1, 2010
posted by questionsandanchors at 9:33 PM on July 1, 2010
My sister and I were there last summer (only for a weekend) and my one regret is that we never managed to rent bicycles. There are bikes around the city you can rent by the hour (vélibs) but you might need to go to a local shop for a smaller bike for your daughter. There were people on bikes EVERYWHERE we went and it looked like so much fun.
I'm not sure if fondue falls into something she would like, but there was a great little fondue place up near Monmartre (on Le Rue de Trois Freres, called Au Refuge des Fondus). For about 17€ you get a 3 course meal and wine, served in a baby bottle (though I would imagine they also have juice, etc). The waiter was absolutely hilarious and it's communal style seating, so we got to talk to some folks from Italy on one side and France on the other.
Have fun!
posted by girlalex at 10:03 PM on July 1, 2010
I'm not sure if fondue falls into something she would like, but there was a great little fondue place up near Monmartre (on Le Rue de Trois Freres, called Au Refuge des Fondus). For about 17€ you get a 3 course meal and wine, served in a baby bottle (though I would imagine they also have juice, etc). The waiter was absolutely hilarious and it's communal style seating, so we got to talk to some folks from Italy on one side and France on the other.
Have fun!
posted by girlalex at 10:03 PM on July 1, 2010
I'm vegetarian, and although I joked that I would probably starve in Paris, I ate surprisingly well. Things I enjoyed were:
- Exquisite little quiches and onion tarts from the local boulangerie.
- Macarons, in every colour and flavour imaginable.
- Bread and cheese, both of which were available in such variety that each new combination was a treat.
- Felafel or couscous from the many Turkish and North African takeaway shops.
- Flatbread with zatar, sold hot on the street.
If your daughter is particularly sensitive about animal welfare, she might be taken aback by the displays in Parisian butchers' windows. Personally I was rather fascinated to see whole hares and other clearly recognisable animals, beautifully arranged and on display. It struck me as a more honest and respectful way of consuming meat than pretending it appears magically in styrene trays. But yeah, if your daughter is apt to be upset by the sight of dead fluffy bunnies, be prepared for the occasional meltdown.
posted by embrangled at 10:12 PM on July 1, 2010
- Exquisite little quiches and onion tarts from the local boulangerie.
- Macarons, in every colour and flavour imaginable.
- Bread and cheese, both of which were available in such variety that each new combination was a treat.
- Felafel or couscous from the many Turkish and North African takeaway shops.
- Flatbread with zatar, sold hot on the street.
If your daughter is particularly sensitive about animal welfare, she might be taken aback by the displays in Parisian butchers' windows. Personally I was rather fascinated to see whole hares and other clearly recognisable animals, beautifully arranged and on display. It struck me as a more honest and respectful way of consuming meat than pretending it appears magically in styrene trays. But yeah, if your daughter is apt to be upset by the sight of dead fluffy bunnies, be prepared for the occasional meltdown.
posted by embrangled at 10:12 PM on July 1, 2010
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, bien sûr! Les enfants l'aimeront!
posted by alex_skazat at 11:08 PM on July 1, 2010
I'm vegetarian, and although I joked that I would probably starve in Paris, I ate surprisingly well.
I actually lived in a Vegan household, a few blocks from L'Hotel de Ville.
Vegetarians will be fine. One concept: Open Air Markets.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:10 PM on July 1, 2010
I actually lived in a Vegan household, a few blocks from L'Hotel de Ville.
Vegetarians will be fine. One concept: Open Air Markets.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:10 PM on July 1, 2010
Oh. And it's not like you can't find vegetarian stuff in any Supermarché. When lazy, we dined on cheeses, hummuses, Baba ghanoush on a fresh baguette - all found within a few blocks of the house. To die for. Buy all baked goods at bakeries - the supermarchés have less quality/older stuff. The bread lasts about a morning/afternoon.
For quick food out, go to the Jewish side of the Marais - there's a square block that's almost nothing but Fallafel stands - about 5 euro for an amazing meal. There's lots of Kabob places around where the Pompidoo is - I'm not talking about those. Here's a map of where to find them.
You're looking at the cross street of Rue de Rosiers et Rue des Ecouffes. You'll hit about 5 in sight. Take out is cheaper than sit down, a little hint.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:17 PM on July 1, 2010
For quick food out, go to the Jewish side of the Marais - there's a square block that's almost nothing but Fallafel stands - about 5 euro for an amazing meal. There's lots of Kabob places around where the Pompidoo is - I'm not talking about those. Here's a map of where to find them.
You're looking at the cross street of Rue de Rosiers et Rue des Ecouffes. You'll hit about 5 in sight. Take out is cheaper than sit down, a little hint.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:17 PM on July 1, 2010
My sister and I were there last summer (only for a weekend) and my one regret is that we never managed to rent bicycles. There are bikes around the city you can rent by the hour (vélibs) but you might need to go to a local shop for a smaller bike for your daughter. There were people on bikes EVERYWHERE we went and it looked like so much fun.
When in Paris, I brought my own bike (I'm a weird bike freak)
The Velibs are only going to be available, if you have a Carte Bleu (bank card), so only French residents, really can rent them. Biking with a 7 year old doesn't sound like a good idea, but walking would be tons of fun. Paris is so small. If she gets tired, take the métro. Does your daughter love taking photographs? There's a million things to photograph.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:20 PM on July 1, 2010
When in Paris, I brought my own bike (I'm a weird bike freak)
The Velibs are only going to be available, if you have a Carte Bleu (bank card), so only French residents, really can rent them. Biking with a 7 year old doesn't sound like a good idea, but walking would be tons of fun. Paris is so small. If she gets tired, take the métro. Does your daughter love taking photographs? There's a million things to photograph.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:20 PM on July 1, 2010
Get a fresh baguette. And some decent milk chocolate. Put the chocolate in the bread. Eat. This works best around 4pm as an afternoon snack, which is when a French kid coming back from school would do it.
Also, there is a bewildering range of "sirops". If possible, I'd suggest your daughter tries as many as she can. Grenadine, mint and maybe a few others will be sold in most cafés.
If you're going to Notre Dame, you could also go to the Bertillon Ice Cream shop.
For food and kids' stuff, it's worth heading to La Grande Epicerie de Paris.
posted by MuffinMan at 12:02 AM on July 2, 2010
Also, there is a bewildering range of "sirops". If possible, I'd suggest your daughter tries as many as she can. Grenadine, mint and maybe a few others will be sold in most cafés.
If you're going to Notre Dame, you could also go to the Bertillon Ice Cream shop.
For food and kids' stuff, it's worth heading to La Grande Epicerie de Paris.
posted by MuffinMan at 12:02 AM on July 2, 2010
Ah! La Grande Epicerie de Paris! That's where my friend whom I lived with, works! She makes Petite Fours!
I got to take a tour of the Candy/Cake lab! Lots of freezers! Lots of tasting! It was like being in the Real Willy Wonka Chocolate factory! It was almost during Christmas, so there was Bûche de Noëls everywhere!
That place though, is trop, trop cher!. Better, perhaps to find baked goods, elsewhere. You'll get a better experience than from a store owned by corporate LVMH.
posted by alex_skazat at 12:27 AM on July 2, 2010
I got to take a tour of the Candy/Cake lab! Lots of freezers! Lots of tasting! It was like being in the Real Willy Wonka Chocolate factory! It was almost during Christmas, so there was Bûche de Noëls everywhere!
That place though, is trop, trop cher!. Better, perhaps to find baked goods, elsewhere. You'll get a better experience than from a store owned by corporate LVMH.
posted by alex_skazat at 12:27 AM on July 2, 2010
I went with my daughter 6 years ago, when she was 8. Three things still stand out from that memorable trip. 1. Buying a dress - she was really, really into dresses at that time and she was almost drooling when we went to Lafayette and Au Bon Marché. I made a picture of every dress she tried on. It took us two days and was worth every minute. 2. Buying a croissant - alone. When we went to Paris by train, we spend some time rehearsing: "Bonjour Madame, je veux un croissant, s'il vous plait". The first thing she did when we were walking from the hotel, was looking for a bakery to buy one. The expression on her face when she came out, holding that perfectly wrapped croissant high above her head, like a trophy, well... [sorry, I'm sobbing here] 3. Foucault's Pendulum The Pantheon is a great place to visit, not too busy even in the middel of tourist season. It's cool on those hot summer days. Historically it is interesting (and any 6 year old likes a good dungeon). But the highlight for us was the pendulum. Of course it is hard to explain to a six year old, but to my amazement my girl stared to the pendulum for almost an hour and was pretty much speechless the first two hours afterwards (never happend since). This year she went to gymnasium - this is what we call a school in Europe - and said: "I hope we learn about the pendulum soon". Sometime it pays off to get your nerd on.
posted by ouke at 12:34 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by ouke at 12:34 AM on July 2, 2010
Kids cannot respect the "cultural value" many times, but they are really fast at linking things together that they know.
Show her Amelie before you leave, and make sure she pays attention to the locations. Then, take her to some of those locations.
Esp. Sacre Coeur is great as she will recognize the hill immediately. Plus you can enjoy the stunning view.
DB
posted by Doggiebreath at 1:18 AM on July 2, 2010
Show her Amelie before you leave, and make sure she pays attention to the locations. Then, take her to some of those locations.
Esp. Sacre Coeur is great as she will recognize the hill immediately. Plus you can enjoy the stunning view.
DB
posted by Doggiebreath at 1:18 AM on July 2, 2010
Going to the Tuileries and getting fresh crepes from a street vendor and eating them in the park...
Climbing up Notre Dame towers and looking closely at the gargoyles
Riding the ferris wheel in the tuileries and getting the view over paris
Climbing the eiffel tower
Wandering through the marais
posted by zia at 1:39 AM on July 2, 2010
Climbing up Notre Dame towers and looking closely at the gargoyles
Riding the ferris wheel in the tuileries and getting the view over paris
Climbing the eiffel tower
Wandering through the marais
posted by zia at 1:39 AM on July 2, 2010
Tuileries garden is lovely. If you take a day off, go hang out there. If you get lucky you'll catch a marionettes show in the marionette theatre therein.
posted by uauage at 1:49 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by uauage at 1:49 AM on July 2, 2010
Take her for a walk up the Rue Mouffetard and have lunch in the Place Contrescarpe at the top. The area is packed with amazing food shops, literary history (Orwell and Hemingway both lived nearby) and atmosphere. Make sure to go reasonably early in the day when the stalls are all set up. It's also, per the comment above, a key location from Amelie (it's where Dominique goes to buy his chicken every week).
Have an awesome time!
posted by Happy Dave at 2:20 AM on July 2, 2010
Have an awesome time!
posted by Happy Dave at 2:20 AM on July 2, 2010
Seconding Sacre Coer. Its great fun to take the tram up to the top and walk around. Plus in summertime its a perfect place to sit outside and grab some moulles frites. Plus the walk down leads straight into montemarte with all the different shops and such to explore.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 3:08 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by Funmonkey1 at 3:08 AM on July 2, 2010
Seconding Berthillon ice cream-- there's a number of outlets all around L'Ile de la Cite, and it's as good as its rep. My family used to go to Paris a lot when my grandparents lived outside the city, and it was a tradition that has stuck with me.
posted by bettafish at 4:17 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by bettafish at 4:17 AM on July 2, 2010
Paris Walks does a Chocolate Tour of Paris. Highly recommended!
posted by hazyjane at 4:25 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by hazyjane at 4:25 AM on July 2, 2010
I can't believe no one here has come in to recommend the awesomely fun Parc Asterix.
posted by Deathalicious at 4:38 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by Deathalicious at 4:38 AM on July 2, 2010
Oh, the marionnette shows in the tiny theater just for that purpose in the Jardins Luxembourg are perfect for a seven-year old--Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. Puss 'n Boots, Three Little Pigs. Lots of shreiking and slapstick. The children sit up front usually and adults in back. Check the time. Buy your tickets about a half an hour ahead, then have an ice cream as the little gingerbread building right by the theater while you wait for the ticket seller to ring the big bell to call you to the theater.
Afterward the show, listen to the chattering of all the children. Then put your little girl on the hand-cranked carousel near the marionette theater and show her how to catch a brass ring with the wooden stick. (The real brass ring, of course, is being in Paris having this experience.) The delights for a child do not end there, so on a couple separate visits, take her for a pony ride and definitely rent a little wooden sailboat to sail in the main fountain. Stand by Monsieur Big Head--a giant gold sculpture of a man's head. Oh, the playground, don't forget that! That's close the marionette theater. You see, we're talking at least four Jardins visits here.
But don't dilly dally at closing time. The Jardins gendarmes blow the whistles and you must leave before they lock the gates to the kingdom. Allons-y.
posted by Elsie at 4:54 AM on July 2, 2010
Afterward the show, listen to the chattering of all the children. Then put your little girl on the hand-cranked carousel near the marionette theater and show her how to catch a brass ring with the wooden stick. (The real brass ring, of course, is being in Paris having this experience.) The delights for a child do not end there, so on a couple separate visits, take her for a pony ride and definitely rent a little wooden sailboat to sail in the main fountain. Stand by Monsieur Big Head--a giant gold sculpture of a man's head. Oh, the playground, don't forget that! That's close the marionette theater. You see, we're talking at least four Jardins visits here.
But don't dilly dally at closing time. The Jardins gendarmes blow the whistles and you must leave before they lock the gates to the kingdom. Allons-y.
posted by Elsie at 4:54 AM on July 2, 2010
I would watch Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame - then go there.
posted by Flood at 4:55 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by Flood at 4:55 AM on July 2, 2010
Go to disneyland paris.
posted by majortom1981 at 5:36 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by majortom1981 at 5:36 AM on July 2, 2010
If the two of you haven't read "Madeline," be sure to do so before you go.
posted by Carol Anne at 6:16 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by Carol Anne at 6:16 AM on July 2, 2010
It's touristy and silly, but taking a bateau mouche ride at night was something I always loved.
posted by plinth at 6:17 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by plinth at 6:17 AM on July 2, 2010
Can she handle creepy without having nightmares? If so, the catacombs are amazing.
posted by chrisamiller at 6:48 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by chrisamiller at 6:48 AM on July 2, 2010
I took my daughter to Paris when she was 6, and we had a fabulous time (two years later she still talks about it as the 'best holiday ever'). Here are some of the things that she enjoyed most:
Walking along Paris-Plages and cooling off under the micro-droplet shower spray.
Going to the café on the top floor of the Musée d'Orsay and looking out from 'behind the clock'.
Buying ice-cream at Berthillon and eating it in the little flower-garden with the swings just behind Notre-Dame.
The donkey-ride and the carousel in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Foucault's Pendulum in the Pantheon.
Paris is a very child-friendly city and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. One thing you might want to avoid, though, are the pet-shops (animaleries) in the Quai de la Mégisserie. My daughter was a bit distressed to see the animals caged up.
posted by verstegan at 8:05 AM on July 2, 2010
Walking along Paris-Plages and cooling off under the micro-droplet shower spray.
Going to the café on the top floor of the Musée d'Orsay and looking out from 'behind the clock'.
Buying ice-cream at Berthillon and eating it in the little flower-garden with the swings just behind Notre-Dame.
The donkey-ride and the carousel in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Foucault's Pendulum in the Pantheon.
Paris is a very child-friendly city and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. One thing you might want to avoid, though, are the pet-shops (animaleries) in the Quai de la Mégisserie. My daughter was a bit distressed to see the animals caged up.
posted by verstegan at 8:05 AM on July 2, 2010
Please go to the Louvre. They have one of the most accessible webites I've seen for a museum, and show you which parts will be open on any given day. They also have self-guided tour ideas (Under activities) which I think you could easily turn into a bit of a personal treasure-hunt. I think the ability to see the Mona Lisa in person would be an experience that really sticks with a 7-year-old.
posted by piratebowling at 8:07 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by piratebowling at 8:07 AM on July 2, 2010
Show her Amelie before you leave
Just be aware that a portion of this movie takes place in a shop that sells sex toys and has viewing booths. Preview it first yourself and make an informed decision whether to show it to your 6-year-old.
posted by CathyG at 8:57 AM on July 2, 2010
Just be aware that a portion of this movie takes place in a shop that sells sex toys and has viewing booths. Preview it first yourself and make an informed decision whether to show it to your 6-year-old.
posted by CathyG at 8:57 AM on July 2, 2010
Just be aware that a portion of this movie takes place in a shop that sells sex toys and has viewing booths. Preview it first yourself and make an informed decision whether to show it to your 6-year-old.
Not to mention a montage of couples orgasm-ing for a couple minutes.
posted by piratebowling at 9:04 AM on July 2, 2010
Not to mention a montage of couples orgasm-ing for a couple minutes.
posted by piratebowling at 9:04 AM on July 2, 2010
How about Zazie Dans Le Metro, then? It's all about a little girl in Paris.
posted by mippy at 9:37 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by mippy at 9:37 AM on July 2, 2010
Take her to Deyrolles. My girlfriend's child loved it. Sorry if this was mentioned already.
posted by L'OM at 10:52 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by L'OM at 10:52 AM on July 2, 2010
Well it is STINKING HOT here right now. So I highly recommend some quality time at
a) Versailles, to see the gardens and the water show
b) Fountainebleu and its royal forest
c) if she's the right kind of 7 year old girl, going to the Catacombes de Paris or the Sewer Tour; both are underground and will stay cool.
Consider also sticking in a swimsuit and going to one of the community pools for a couple hours (5 euro).
These are also nice day-trips to see something outside the giant city.
And god Berthillon is fantastic; I am so lucky nowhere near me sells it.
posted by whatzit at 1:08 PM on July 2, 2010
a) Versailles, to see the gardens and the water show
b) Fountainebleu and its royal forest
c) if she's the right kind of 7 year old girl, going to the Catacombes de Paris or the Sewer Tour; both are underground and will stay cool.
Consider also sticking in a swimsuit and going to one of the community pools for a couple hours (5 euro).
These are also nice day-trips to see something outside the giant city.
And god Berthillon is fantastic; I am so lucky nowhere near me sells it.
posted by whatzit at 1:08 PM on July 2, 2010
When I was a kid, I had this wonderful book called Linnea in Monet's Garden. It's about a little girl who goes on a trip to Paris (culminating on a visit to Giverny). You should get it for her - that way when she gets to Paris, you can do some of the same things that Linnea does!
posted by radioamy at 4:36 PM on July 3, 2010
posted by radioamy at 4:36 PM on July 3, 2010
Thank you all so much!
We leave tomorrow (and she still doesn't know we're going) - I'll report back when we return, but so many of these suggestions look wonderful, we might have to start planning another trip as soon as we get back!
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 6:16 PM on July 6, 2010
We leave tomorrow (and she still doesn't know we're going) - I'll report back when we return, but so many of these suggestions look wonderful, we might have to start planning another trip as soon as we get back!
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 6:16 PM on July 6, 2010
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posted by amtho at 9:23 PM on July 1, 2010