Saturday night in Paris

January 4, 2008 1:50 PM

Things to do in Paris tomorrow (Saturday) evening? For a couple of adults, a couple of children (11 & 12) to do together.

We're taking the whizzy new 2hr 20min train from St Pancras for an overnight stay. Days will be full of museums, markets etc. But the evening? I don't want to be too specific, we're open to anything. Can muddle along in French. Restaurants/shows/exploration/any other recommendations welcomed.

posted by londongeezer to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

Evenings in Paris always seemed to be tricky when I stayed there because everything well-known seems to close at 6. (A big exception is the Eiffel Tower - you should check the times, but if you were planning to go and you don't mind going after dark, I'm pretty sure it's open until 10 or so.)

If you pick up a copy of Pariscope from any news stand I'm sure they'll have information on lots of shows and things to do. Moleskinecity's Paris blog may also have some unique suggestions.
posted by Muffpub at 2:15 PM on January 4

Restaurant recommendation: L'Encrier (The Inkwell). 55, Rue Traversière ([phone]). The atmosphere is charming and the food is delicious and reasonably priced (or was as of last year). Also, when I was there, the table next to us had two small children (younger than yours by several years) and they seemed to be enjoying the food and the ambience very much.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:18 PM on January 4

Would second la Tour Eiffel at night. The view is lovely, though it'll likely be chilly in the open air part of the platform.

A ride on a bateau mouche might be fun too. IIRC, it's about an hour from the dock right by la Tour Eiffel to l'Ile St. Louis and back.

If you're near Montmartre around sunset, the steps in front of Sacré Coeur provide a great view, and then you and the family can browse arount the top of the butte there. It's kinda touristy, but fun, to check out the Place du Tertre and some of the neighborhood.

Finally, when I've been in Paris (as late in the year as early November) there's often lots going on at the parvis in front of Notre Dame. Inline skaters doing tricks, singers, etc. Oh, and as long as you're in the neighborhood, Shakespeare & Co used bookstore just over the river from Notre Dame on the Left Bank stays open until midnight. Your kids might enjoy browsing.
posted by johnvaljohn at 2:36 PM on January 4

Fondue restaurant? When I was younger, I loved fondue (well, I still love fondue, but you know what I mean).
posted by occhiblu at 3:02 PM on January 4

The Jules Verne Restaurant in the Tour Eiffel is excellent, according to a friend who just returned from Paris. Not cheap, though.
posted by trip and a half at 3:41 PM on January 4

Try Le Refuge des Fondues. An unmissable Parisian dining experience.

I would second the recommendation of the Sacre Coeur. The view is incredible and Montmartre around the Place du Tertre is usually buzzing well into the night - not too dark or dangerous for a family to stroll around with a bite to eat as it gets dark. There are also numerous good restaurants to move onto, including the aforementioned Refuge des Fondues. Place du Tetre and the top of Montmartre is very touristy but it has it's charms - plenty of cafes and restaurants open late, gift shops, and entertaining portrait artists.
posted by fire&wings at 3:43 PM on January 4

I always head up to the Palais de Tokyo - the website's pretty crappy, but it's just a really nice modern art gallery that happens to serve excellent reasonably priced food and it's located in a quiet spot right behind the Tour Eiffel - so you can escape the tourists for a while and then take a nice stroll down after your evening meal to see le Tour (lit up?) at night.
posted by forallmankind at 7:31 PM on January 4

Thanks everyone; gotta go get that train now.
posted by londongeezer at 10:07 PM on January 4

warning: i love palais de tokyo too but the exhibitions are usually not kid-friendly.
posted by Muffpub at 2:26 AM on January 5