Suppose you want to get away for a few days with the kids and decide to go to Paris for a long weekend. Euro Disney is not included in the program, so it is important to put together a program that the whole family will enjoy. Fortunately, the possibilities are numerous. The following tips have been successfully tested in practice, so benefit from them! When you think of a weekend (or midweek) away with the kids, you may not immediately think of Paris, but walking around a metropolis can be just as exciting for children as it is for adults. As long as you adapt your program to the little ones. The way you approach this is up to you, you know your children and their needs best and the possibilities are endless. This article contains a number of suggestions for inspiration. A general tip in advance: do not make the program too intensive and leave the children enough space to play and rest.
Subway
Wherever you need to go in Paris, the metro is (almost) always the fastest way to travel longer distances. For many children, the metro is an unknown or unusual phenomenon, making a ride underground an experience in itself. The metro system is logically structured and with the help of the free maps of the metro network, you can let the (older) children figure out which metro lines you need to take to arrive at your destination.
Tips
- The Parisian platforms and metro can be very busy, so keep your children at hand or within easy reach (boarding and disembarking times are limited).
- Do not lose sight of each other and, if necessary, wait for the next train in unclear situations; it’s coming in a few minutes.
- Walking distances are sometimes long, especially at major stations such as Chatelet-les Halles. The long corridors invite you to run. Also applies here; keep your children in sight.
- Line 6, runs between the stations Bir Hakeim / Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel and Passy over the Seine, with beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower.
- Do you want to experience how deep the metro is underground? At the Cité (line 4) and Abbesses (line 12) stations you have to climb a long staircase to get to the top.
Funicular
Montmartre, the district that was an independent municipality until 1860, can be visited from Anvers metro station (line 2). Via a busy street you arrive at the foot of the stairs that lead to the Sacré Coeur. On the left of the square is one of the many carousels that you find everywhere in Paris. You can choose to have a competition to see who can reach the top of the stairs the fastest. An attractive alternative is the funicular that leads up to the left of the stairs. This lift is always a hit with children and is accessible with a metro ticket.
Eiffel Tower
A visit to Paris is not complete without climbing the Eiffel Tower. The characteristic building by Gustave Eiffel has an attractive effect on young and old. You can choose to take the elevator all the way to the top (276 meters), but the first two floors (58 and 116 meters respectively) can also be reached by stairs. Children notice that the houses, people and cars are getting smaller per floor.
The problem of the often long waiting times at the foot of the tower can be circumvented by purchasing an entrance ticket online before departure. By purchasing the ticket you choose the time or part of the day at which you want to visit the tower, so that you can start the climb immediately after arrival.
Eiffel Tower: metro line 6 / RER (express train) line C, Bik Hakeim / Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel station
Parks
Although Paris is a city with a lot of busy traffic, it is relatively unaffected by it. There are wide sidewalks along the major boulevards and the crossings are usually equipped with traffic lights. However, those who travel a lot by metro often have little to do with car traffic. Nevertheless, it is very nice if you can sit somewhere without the traffic rushing around you. There is every opportunity for this. Paris has many parks where children can play freely. You can run through the avenues or play in one of the playgrounds at the Champ de Mars, Jardin de Luxembourg, the Tuileries, Montmartre, Champs-Elyseés, in short: plenty of choice.
Fries, ice cream and pancakes
Who says France, also says gastronomy. As in the rest of France, the choice of restaurants in Paris is endless. Whether they are all equally good is another matter. For children who are not too adventurous in terms of meal choice: don’t worry, just like in the Netherlands, most restaurants have a children’s menu or a plate of pommes frites on the menu.
Of course, good weather and holidays also include ice cream. You don’t have to walk far anywhere in Paris to come across a shop that sells ice cream. However, it is worth keeping an eye on prices. Just as a drink on a Parisian terrace costs more than at the bar, an ice cream at, for example, the Eiffel Tower or on the Champs-Elysées can cost up to three times as much as at the tabac around the corner. For a quick bite you can also go to the chain with the yellow M and other well-known institutions in Paris. However, a crepe (pancake), which is also available in many places – freshly baked – is a tasty alternative.
In short, there are plenty of options and this overview is far from complete, such as sailing on the Seine, a visit to the Grande Arche de la Défense, the Parc des Expositions, etc. And indeed, with the tips mentioned you will not get a midweek filled, but that is not what they are intended for. If you incorporate these suggestions at certain points into your program, you will ensure a program that is fun for you and your children. An ice cream after visiting Notre Dame, playing in the park after a tour of the Louvre and then taking the metro to the Eiffel Tower, making a visit to Paris with small children sure to be a success. Have fun!
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