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A Week in April: Itinerary Critique

Posted by (Atlanta, GA, USA) on

Hello, would love some input on my Paris itinerary. My wife and I have seen most of the blockbusters already, but this will be our kids’ (14, 12) first trip. So, we want a balanced plan that interests the kids and affords new sites for the adults—anything listed below is new for us and/or worth showing the kids. I've bolded the stuff we don't want to miss. I'm trying to be more "laissez-faire" than my usual, highly planned approach.

We are staying very close to Les Halles and cannot access the Airbnb before 4pm check-in.

Fri Apr 4

  • Arrive CDG 10:35am, RER / taxi, store bags w/ Bounce
  • Galeries Lafayette (kids are dying to visit Jellycat) and Palais Garnier
  • OR just stay closer to home: Rue Montorgeuil, Rue Montamartre, some of Marais
  • Check in, rest, evening activity: Eiffel Tower + river cruise home, or free Louvre late hours ('til 9pm)

Sat Apr 5

  • Wife wants to visit Saint-Ouen Flea Market; we don’t ; )
  • I’ll take kids to Catacombs, then explore area (maybe Luxembourg)
  • Rendezvous: Montmartre OR Rick's Historic Core Walk (w/ Notre Dame + Ste-Chapelle)
  • Evening TBD (maybe river cruise to Eiffel if not Apr 4)

Sun Apr 6

  • Stay in Arr 1-4 and Champs for car-free day (maybe bike tour)
  • 3:30pm Orsay reservation (free)
  • Evening at Pompidou (free) or PSG match

Mon Apr 7

  • TBD daytrip: probably Giverny, maybe chateau or small town
  • Evening TBD

Tue Apr 8

  • Explore Left Bank and Marias (shopping, cafes, etc.)
  • Evening TBD

Wed Apr 9

  • Orangerie
  • Girls: 2:30pm Paris Walks Coco Chanel tour (meets near Concorde)
  • Boys: Invalides during girls' tour
  • Before or after tour: Galeries Lafayette (if not Apr 4) or Rodin Museum
  • Evening TBD (Louvre is open 'til 9pm)

Thu Apr 10

  • Morning: Store bags and then TBD
  • To CDG for 5pm flight home

TBD Ideas

I left some TBD slots to allow for flexibility and other ideas not listed above: macaron class, Jacquemart-Andres, and maybe Atelier des Lumieres (can't tell if this is truly special, or just another Instagram thing that hits US cities, too).

Posted by
90 posts

Hello! Your Paris days look nice. One thing I’d add to consider for your evening slot is the Champs Elysees. My kids loved strolling and window shopping at night. We paired it with a visit to the top of Arc de Triomphe which was a cool view of the city and a nice way to start our trip. Time it with the sparkling Eiffel Tower :)

And I think the macaron class idea is great. Or a chocolate class! Cook’n With Class has some really cool options, including a kids-only chocolate workshop.

Posted by
25 posts

The Centre Pompidou is closing for 5 years for a massive renovation. The closures are happening in stages that began at the end of last year, and from what I was able to gather from media stories the full closure is to happen sometime this month (March) or early next. It looks like admission is still being sold, however, so who knows.
I've never heard of Jellycat. I am bringing my six year-old to Paris in June (her second visit), so maybe we'll check it out. Rodin Museum Garden is on our itinerary, there are some of Rodin's sculptures on display and we won't need to pay to see them--plus, I've heard the garden is lovely.
The Tuileries Garden has a terrific playground at the end farthest from the Louvre, closest to Place de Concorde, that includes trampolines. Even if your kids have outgrown playgrounds they might like the trampolines.

Posted by
28864 posts

You've clearly had European travel experience, and you know your family, but I would not be willing to pay one euro cent to pre-book an activity on my arrival day. I'd certainly not be interested in following through. I'd count it as a victory if you can keep four people moving and outdoors for most of the day.

I really like the way your plans allow time for serendipity and that you are planning to split up to allow folks to see what's important to them.

Posted by
1695 posts

The Rodin museum garden is not free, except on one Sunday a month. (the first, I think, and only from Oct.-Mar.). The entry fee covers the house and gardens. If I hadn't time for both, I would skip the house.

Posted by
231 posts

I'm going to echo acraven's remarks about your arrival day. I can't imagine going that long into my arrival day. I think it's enough to stay outside, walking around a lot, maybe stopping at a café or two.

I also applaud your breaking the group up to do what everyone pleases. Not enough travelers are willing to do this. Don't know why.

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