What to do with a toddler in Paris?
September 28, 2010 12:15 PM Subscribe
I'm in Paris (4e arrondissement) with my husband and our clingy 20-month old baby. No car. We're going to a farmer's market tomorrow, and plan to do a walking-around-looking-at-street-art/graffiti tour but need further ideas. Bonus points for minimal crowds, fun run-around room for baby, but with the possibility of really good coffee for mom and dad.
Best answer: Take a walk at the Promenade Plantéee?
You could also take the metro to the Jardin du Luxembourg, rent a model boat on La Grand Bassin, look at the ponies or visit the classic puppet show (Wednesdays and weekends). There are lots of nice cafes in this area, but if you believe the
New York Times, there's only one place in Paris with excellent coffee: La Caféothèque (52 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville) in the 4e arrondissement.
posted by iviken at 1:45 PM on September 28, 2010
You could also take the metro to the Jardin du Luxembourg, rent a model boat on La Grand Bassin, look at the ponies or visit the classic puppet show (Wednesdays and weekends). There are lots of nice cafes in this area, but if you believe the
New York Times, there's only one place in Paris with excellent coffee: La Caféothèque (52 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville) in the 4e arrondissement.
posted by iviken at 1:45 PM on September 28, 2010
Best answer: You could walk to the place de la Bastille and then follow the Boulevard Richard Lenoir and Boulevard Jules Ferry, which are built over the Canal St. Martin. After you cross the rue du Faubourg du Temple, the canal is open to the sky and you can often see canal boats going through the locks. (Or you could cut out Richard Lenoir and walk or take the metro directly to République.) There are plenty of little playgrounds along the way, and a larger garden with playground where the canal bends toward the northeast. Go far enough and you'll reach the bassin de la Villette, at the end of which is the Parc de la Villette, with a wide range of stuff for kids (including the Cité des Sciences - probably not great for a 20-month-old but worth keeping in mind for future visits.
posted by brianogilvie at 3:24 PM on September 28, 2010
posted by brianogilvie at 3:24 PM on September 28, 2010
I came in here to mention la Villette, which is a fun place to walk around. Walking from Bastille all the way up there would be quite a hike with a kid and a stroller, however. Take the metro straight there if you want to go. Also Richard Lenoir is kind of boring unless the market is on, and there's no sense at all that you're over the canal.
The larger garden with park mentioned by brianogilvie is called Jardin Villemin (I'm looking out on it right now, in fact), and it is very popular with neighborhood kids. There are always many children with parents and/or nannies in tow, and there are certainly pieces of equipment that are appropriate for your kid's age. Even on cooler days, like today, it's quite well used and loved. The closest metro stop is Gare de l'Est (take Sortie number 4 - Rue Faubourg Saint Martin) and then walk straight when you get to street level, turn right when you hit the T junction, then the first left you can (rue Recollet) and the garden will be on your left. The canal is at the far end of the garden.
The Parc des Buttes Chaumont is not exactly close to you but it's definitely worth a visit. Great paths walking through the park, beautiful views of Paris, a wide variety of trees, playgrounds and art installations, as well as two Guignol theaters, if you think your kid might like puppet shows in French. There's free wifi in almost all of Paris's parks and gardens.
Finally, I highly recommend the City of Paris's website: Paris.fr. They've recently redone it and it has lots of great information (provided in English, too) about events and parks and libraries and municipal activities. Have fun!
posted by tractorfeed at 5:50 AM on September 29, 2010
The larger garden with park mentioned by brianogilvie is called Jardin Villemin (I'm looking out on it right now, in fact), and it is very popular with neighborhood kids. There are always many children with parents and/or nannies in tow, and there are certainly pieces of equipment that are appropriate for your kid's age. Even on cooler days, like today, it's quite well used and loved. The closest metro stop is Gare de l'Est (take Sortie number 4 - Rue Faubourg Saint Martin) and then walk straight when you get to street level, turn right when you hit the T junction, then the first left you can (rue Recollet) and the garden will be on your left. The canal is at the far end of the garden.
The Parc des Buttes Chaumont is not exactly close to you but it's definitely worth a visit. Great paths walking through the park, beautiful views of Paris, a wide variety of trees, playgrounds and art installations, as well as two Guignol theaters, if you think your kid might like puppet shows in French. There's free wifi in almost all of Paris's parks and gardens.
Finally, I highly recommend the City of Paris's website: Paris.fr. They've recently redone it and it has lots of great information (provided in English, too) about events and parks and libraries and municipal activities. Have fun!
posted by tractorfeed at 5:50 AM on September 29, 2010
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posted by bwonder2 at 1:35 PM on September 28, 2010