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Traveling to Paris with Children

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Happy Friday! I hope you have a wonderful weekend in store.

Today, I am linking up with other bloggers posting on France – Simply Irresistible! I decided to post on traveling to Paris with children, because I’ve done it! I’ll share the obvious highlights and a couple of secret tips. 

Traveling with children can have its challenges (and rewards) no matter how near or far you are traveling. But, toss in a foreign language and jet lag and you have a whole other set of issues to contend with. But, having traveled to Paris with my then 5 and 8 year old….there is no city more welcoming to children. Come on….I’ll show you how we did it.

First, we rented an apartment. On the Left Bank. Rue du Four via Elite Destination Homes. I just checked the rates and there is no way that’s what we paid…so if you seriously want to rent an apartment, ask for their best rate. The apartment sleeps 6 and has an amazing location. And, a concierge. Seriously…..such an amazing way to travel as a family.

The lines to see the Eiffel Tower really are long, unless you get there early. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants there and you get to use a special elevator and cut the lines. 
The hot chocolate at Angelina’s is reknown…but the pastries are what caught my eye!
A trip to the Louvre is a must in Paris. But, it’s huge. How in the world do you navigate it…much less with children? Enter Paris Muse. The company is comprised of scholars and teachers who love and live in Paris. They offer intimate, walking tours through all of the cities museums, but have a fantastic tour of the Louvre geared toward children and their parents. The tour is designed as a treasure hunt and keeps even young children engaged while learning. I highly recommend this experience….it was a highlight for our entire family.

After a tour and lunch at Cafe Marly (next door to the Lourve), walk through the Jardin des Tuileries and let you little folks take a spin on the carousel. Ride along if the child inside you wants to come out and play!
As a general rule, we tried to do our major sight seeing during the morning and after lunch we enjoyed one of the many beautiful parks and let the boys just be kids, run around, play on a playground or captain toy boats.

Over 850 years old, the architecture, gargoyles and rose window of Notre Dame are a delight for young minds.
Hemingway, Sarte and Picasso….all patronized Cafe de Flore. My boys just enjoyed their hot chocolate.

One of the unexpected highlights of Paris is Musee Rodin. Part home, part gallery, part gardens….this was one of our favorite museums to visit. I had to appreciate my 5 year old’s willingness to pose alongside world renown statuary.

One thing I’ve learned is that children truly are adaptable….to time changes, to unusual food and to new experiences. What a thrill to see Paris through their eyes.

To see more about Paris and other delightful aspects of France, visit Castles, Crowns and Cottages!

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Comments

  1. This is so great Elizabeth and looks peculiarly similar to my trip with Will! Oh, that's right… we got so many wonderful tips from you!!! Happy Weekend!

  3. What a timely post!! I am taking my girls to Paris next month and am just firming up our itinerary. Can't wait to see the city of lights through their eyes. Wishing you a very happy weekend – starting off on the right note on this beautiful morning!

  5. Beautiful Elizabeth, this post is very near and dear to my heart, as I am a French immersion teacher at the elementary level. Children are always a good idea too to accompany on many an adventure, n'est-ce pas? Your boys are darling, and hot chocolate will always appease the child within us all! Thank you for participating and the party runs ALL WEEK! So when you have a chance, visit the others, give them time to come see your beautiful post and HAVE FUN! Thank you so much and I can't even tell you how much fun I've been having all morning long! Anita

  6. Oooh la la! Love this post!

    I'm going to be in Paris soon for the very first time ever and I couldn't be more excited.

    I've been listening to podcasts to get in-the-know about French culture, what foods to order, and how to avoid a faux pas!

  7. This is a great idea to post about traveling with kids Elizabeth. Mine are grown, but I recall the difficulty in trying to do this sort of thing when you bring young ones along. Looks like you had a great trip and balanced the MUST SEE list with just allowing the boys to play.

    Enjoy your weekend!

    xxleslie

  8. Elizabeth, What a great post and very timely – just mentioned to my daughter we will be going to Paris as a graduation gift to her. I have been several times and can't wait to take my children. Thanks for sharing.
    Linda B

  9. what a lovely blog! I'm linking with all the French fun today and found your trip to Paris. What a darling family you have and your trip looks fab. I spent the holidays in London and Paris with my family (including teenage nephews) so I can relate. We had a ball. Sounds like a wonderful summer plan.
    I look forward to following your blog!
    Cheer, Heather http://www.stylemindchic.blogspot.com

  10. Elizabeth I was thinking you're brave but even to me your trip sounded like a lot of fun. You were pratical and thoughful of your children needing to be kids at the same time enjoying your trip. You're a good Mom. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

    Enjoy your weekend!
    XXX
    Debra~

  11. Wonderful post, Elizabeth!! Great advice for traveling with children…it is so important to have them experience the world from a young age. I am bookmarking this for the future if anyone asks me for help planning a European trip with children.

    Have a beautiful weekend! xoxo

  12. I wish I could travel with you! You had the perfect agenda and an even better attitude about traveling overseas with young children! It's not easy to do! This was delightful and I LOVED your recommendations as well as seeing through a child's eye! That's usually the best way to see a number of things! Have a wonderful weekend!

  13. This post was very close to my heart, as it is the first of the link party to include children. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, and my kids are my life. I'm so happy you got a chance to travel to this wonderful place with your children. I think I loved the carousel most of all, and it brought back sweet memories, as I used to take my children on them all of the time.

    What a lovely post, and it's so nice to meet new friends.

    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

  14. What a wonderful way to travel and glad to learn about Elite Destination Homes. I would definitely ask for that discount, but it's a fabulous way to travel with children…certainly making memories on this trip, Elizabeth!

  16. Beautiful…..we enjoyed taking our kids and did much of what you did and were just careful to pace ourselves, taking breaks, not overloading them with too much in one day, and of course taking time to do "kid things". We had an amazing time and I think Paris truly is for ALL ages..it is so magnificent, and there is something for everyone and if I am lucky I will be going to Paris until I am old and gray!! Enjoy your weekend Elizabeth!

  17. We took our boys to Paris last summer and loved it. Your pictures remind me of our wonderful trip!

  20. Welcome in France…nice to see you here…….love to do this together…Anita is such a good friend to all of us…enjoy the weekend love Ria…xxx…

  21. Good timing – I am heading to Paris after London, a 13th birthday trip for my daughter. The Eiffel Tower restaurant idea is great – there's still availability on her birthday!

    I went with my aunt 5 years ago, and the Rodin Museum stands out as a favorite.

    We are going to Versailles this trip as we weren't able to squeeze it in last time.

  22. What an amazing post this is! I love Paris and can't wait to go back. It's so nice to see Paris through a child's eyes too! Can't wait to check out Castles, Crowns and Cottages!!
    xo
    Sharon

  24. Dear Elizabeth,

    I am so very glad you took the time to visit me as now I have found YOU! Your post is full of helpful information and beautiful pictures, many of which are from my old stomping ground in Paris. You have brought a smile to my face.

    I am off to follow you now.

    Stephanie

  27. Hello Elizabeth. It's a pleasure to meet you. Yes, you have done it, especially with children. Your blog is lovely and I can see from the photos, you had a fab time. I see your son posed quite well with Rodan's statues. Your one photo is almost a duplicate of the one with my hubby. I am your newest follower, Linda

  28. Dear Elizabeth thank you so much for sharing your family's time in Paris!! Wonderful!

    Come with me on my adventure in France.
    life, possibilities, grace
    a beautiful dream…

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  30. This must have been a dream come true to take your children to France. I think introducing them to travelat an early age add so much to their lives. We hope to do this with our grandson when he is a little older. Marvelous post! Visiting from Anita’s party.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

  31. Elizabeth I love this post and I know because travelling to Paris with children is amazing nd fun! The French re so welcoming of les enfants and the parents get to share their experiences as well. We did Cafe Marly after The Louvre as well and Georgiana absolutely loved the fair at the Tuilieries gardens! We went to Angelina's as well and I love the fact that it is on bustling Rue de Rivoli but once you step inside it is heavenly!
    best wishes
    Frances

  33. Such wonderfully iconic Parisian scenes, I love them. Thank you. Anita's link party has been such good fun, and a total education.
    Great to see you again.
    Di
    x

  37. Bonjour Elizabeth,

    Merci for sharing your wonderful family vacation photos.
    Sure looks like you had a great time and your children are darling.

    Carolyn

  39. Elizabeth!
    Your boys are precious! Thank you sharing this delightful Paris experience!

    We took our daughter to Paris when she was twelve. She had two places she wanted to visit on her list. La Maison de Victor Hugo and La Musee d'Orsay. It was so fun to watch her reaction to seeing the Impressionists and her favorite Degas ballerinas and the ballerina sculpture with the "real skirt"! She was captivated by the first renderings of Cosette in Hugo's home.

    I love the images on the Carousel, interpreting Rodin, and indulging in the Chocolat of course!

    …as your delightful blog! I plan to visit often!
    ~Lynne
    withLove.

  40. What a great post. Loved that you put such a personal touch on it by sharing photos of your boys. I bet they will look back later in life and remember this trip.

    Heidi @ hi-d's place

  41. I can't imagine going to Paris with children, I have always thought of it as a grown up pleasure. How lucky your kids are that you feel differently. I was a teen before I got to see it and it still got into my blood.
    Lovely seeing your blog thanks to Anita's party… it's been grand seeing new sites.

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