French Friday – Guest post – Paris for kids

French-Friday-on-Misadventures-with-Andi I am away at the Type-A-Mom conference, so blogging friend and travel Mom, Lydie from Travel is more fun with kids is guest-posting today. Lydie blogs about things to do with your kids in the San Francisco Bay Area and France, plus additional fun spots such as Rome. Today’s post is fun things to do in Paris.

Top 10 fun things to do in Paris with your kids

1 – The star of Paris: the Eiffel Tower

My daughter Thais and her cousin Noah at the Trocadero

Stop at the Metro Trocadero and there she is, standing in front of you. She is turning 120 this year.
Go down the Trocadero (plenty of photo opportunities), play by the fountains, and go to its feet. Even better, take the elevator and admire the view from up there.

If you have teenagers with you, try the stairs! I did twice when I was a teenager. Let’s say that I am glad I did it.

If you have younger children, go to the Cineiffel desk at the 2nd floor (1st floor for the French) and your children will obtain a game book.

2 – Pay your respects to Mona Lisa

A very happy Olivia (my daughter) in front of the Mona Lisa

You HAVE to visit le Louvre (Metro Louvre). For an enjoyable experience, limit yourself to a small part of the museum. Ask for a map at the information desk and go to the area where the Mona Lisa is, you do not want to miss the most famous painting in the world!

You will also be able to see the Victory of Samothrace of and the Venus de Milo as well as beautiful paintings like the Radeau de la Meduse (one of my favorites).

If you hold a museum pass (you can buy one at any participating museums), you can skip the line at the entrance. Children (and anybody under 25) do not pay an entrance fee at National Monuments and Museums (list here)

3- Live the Parisian Life

Thais with her goodies

Browse the Rue Montorgueil (Metro Etienne Marcel), a very lively street in Paris and go eat an ‘éclair au chocolat’ or any pastry of your choice at Storher. Simply delicious! My children love their macarons. This is the Parisian life!

This pastry place opened at this particular place in 1730!

4 – Does Paris really have a beach?

© Paris Tourist Office - Photographe : Marc Bertrand

It does from July 20th to August 20th: discover Paris Plage. Part of the banks from the River Seine will be transformed into the beachside with lots of fun things to do.

The beaches are voie Georges Pompidou (Paris 4) and from the Bassin la Villette to Stalingrad (Paris 19).

Rive droite (right bank): Louvre-Rivoli, Pont-Neuf, Châtelet, Hôtel de Ville, Saint Paul, Pont Marie, Sully-Morland.

Rive Gauche (Left Bank): Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand

5 – What is Point 0 and where is it?

Look for the ‘0’ mark in front of the cathedral of Notre Dame (Metro Saint Michel). This shows the starting point of the mileage from Paris to the other French cities.

6 – See Paris from the top.

Top of the Pompidou Museum

Your choice of the Eiffel Tower (Metro Trocadero), Arc de Triomphe (Metro Charles de Gaulle Etoile) (no elevators and not with small children), or Montmartre (in front of the Sacre Coeur Metro Anvers).

My little secret: the view from the top of the stairs of the Pompidou Museum. (Metro Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet)

7 – Mom, are we in New York?

That is what my confused 5 years old daughter said when she saw the Statue of Liberty in Paris, right by the Eiffel Tower.

Look for the 2 statues of Liberty replicas in Paris: one by the Seine near the Pont de Grenelle (Metro Charles Michel or Bir-Hakeim, close to the Pont de Grenelle, on the Ile des Cygnes), the other one in the Jardins du Luxembourg (metro Luxembourg).

8 – A Parisian Landmark: the Bouquinistes

Browse the Bouquinistes along the river Seine (Metro St Michel) and buy a souvenir from them.You will find used books, postcards, and posters.

9 – Stop and Listen

Take time to listen to the street or metro performers in Paris. Just stop and take your time to listen to them. Do not forget to tip.

Music – metro Paris, France (click to view video)

10 Paris by Sea

View from the boat

See Paris from the River Seine. My favorite is the ‘Vedettes du Pont Neuf’.(metro pont Neuf) If you have a stroller, be prepared for the long flight of stairs to arrive at the border of the river.

You will be able to enjoy a lot of the Parisian Monuments, see the smallest and oldest home in Paris, learn lots of fun facts (like which American city was modeled after Paris?), and see the beautiful Parisian bridges up close.

Enjoy Paris! It is one of the most beautiful city in the world. Stroll around, pay attention and you will see a lot of fun things to add to this list!

Click on any of the images to see a larger view.