Paris stay - general advice

Don't panic. I never do. Just be aware of your circumstances, and take reasonable precautions.

Nobody can get to your passport or money if they are hidden within a properly used moneybelt.

With 3 small children and at least a bag or 2 between you holding onto all those handles and 3 small hands will be interesting, but if you can ride the Lexington Street subway you can ride any metro in the world.

Stop worrying and enjoy yourself.

Remember to get to the Eurostar with plenty of time before departure, to get you and the herd checked in and through security.

With three youngsters it may be fun to go to the doll museum. (Musee de la Poupee).

What Nigel said. As for markets, if you will be there on Sunday, I like the market on Boulevard Raspail. I'll bet your family would love the Luxembourg Gardens. Enjoy!

A river cruise will be a fun way to see everything. Also, the view from the Trocadéro of the Eiffel. Then walk towards the Eiffel from Trocadero and their is a Carousel!! Also, I have grandchildren and really had them in mind when I was noticing the lack of toilette around. .We walked the length of Tullaires Gardens, past the playground with no restroom. Found a nice pay one at the far end of the park!! Have a great time. How wonderful for your children! Oh, Les Invalides the Military Museum. http://www.musee-armee.fr/en/english-version.html

Oh, car service Good idea. We met friends in Paris that had giant suitcases and extra large back packs full of Bicycling equipment. We ordered a large taxi for all for the trip from the hotel to the Train. They would have easily tossed themselves down the stairs getting to the metro!! Kids may not be able to handle the rollers going up and down stairs to the Metro!

The purpose of the warnings is not to panic but to be prepared. While I take my luggage on the metro as a single person, a family would be better served by a taxi or car service. You can experience the metro later, with less baggage, but will find the cost of a taxi to still be reasonable for in-city sightseeing. Five people fit easily into London cabs, but in Paris you would have to look for larger vehicles, or have your hotel call one.

Having an apartment is great, if you're all up for cooking and eating in your place, as you can get French ingredients in France. There's likely a fabulous market (or street with good meat, produce, and bakery shops) near your apartment, and perhaps the people or company you're renting from can provide details. We had an apartment in the 2nd arrondissement just a couple of blocks off of the Rue Montorgueil market street (www.rue-montorgueil.com), and it was a highlight of our stay! Wherever you're located, there should be a good market opportunity.

As with any big city, be aware and take precautions like using a moneybelt, but don't obsess over pickpockets. If someone tries to get your stuff, jab them with that baguette you just bought ;-)

Hi ksh, wear a money belt and don't worry about being pickpocketed. Maybe you and your family would like the D'Orsay Museum. It's a great museum in a wonderful (old train station) venue. Hope you all have a great time on your vacation!

Thanks for the responses so far!
I wouldn't say I'm panicked....or even scared...I just think that based on the fact it seems quite common....I'd rather stay off the metro / RER until we have our bags settled. The kids are 14, 11 and 8....so they shouldn't wander...but also may not pay close attention.

As we are 5 people, it sounds like just getting a taxi would be harder...and we aren't at a hotel, so that complicates things. Does anyone know a car service they would recommend?

Thank you for the suggestions! I had forgotten (!) to write down a Seine river tour!!!

There should be taxis lined up outside the Eurostar station waiting to carry travelers to their apartment/hotel. The kids should understand that when you're traveling it's different than at home (although maybe it shouldn't be), so everybody needs to stay together and keep an eye on their own things but also on everyone else's stuff too -- a Traveling Team!

When you get to a museum or other public place, it might be helpful to point out right away to everyone a place to meet up if for some reason someone got separated -- by that big clock on the wall, or at the info desk, or by those benches to the left of the entrance, etc.

Grier mentioned the Luxembourg Gardens and I agree. It's a "Must" in my book, especially with children. They have a really fun playground, carousel, donkey rides, marionette shows, two cafes, crepe stands and many restrooms.

I've spent a lot of time in Paris and it is very, very safe. As Nigel said, just take the usual precautions.

Ksh.. you can certainly use a taxi from the Gare Du Nord.. you will get in the official taxi rank( do not go with any that approach you ) and the director will find a taxi that fits five( usually a van taxi) . There is an extra charge for 3rd etc passenger.. off meter .. same with one euro per suitcase, also off meter.

To return to Charles de Gaulle you can easily use the G7 Taxi service.. just google it.. they speak very good English . I have ordered them the night before and they have always arrived on time.
www.taxig7.com/services

Car services are tricky.. I have read so many reports of people being left in the lurch.. and having prepaid.. and never heard of anyone getting a refund( the driver always insists he was there and you were not!) .. but I have used one car service twice with no problem at all.. and best of all they do not require prepayment.
www.shuttle-inter.com/

Also.. my kids.. boy 13, boy 14, and girl 11 all liked the Invalids Army Museum.. all the armour and swords etc.

When i took my 9 year old to Paris (he is now 26) I gave him the guidebook and let him work out an itinerary for our week. I told him what I wanted to see and he did a great job working everything out. He even researched possible restaurants. And it was a wonderful, memorable trip for us.

Claire, your son must have been an exceptional 9 year old. There is no way I would ever put the planning for my week in Paris in the hands a child of nine.

While I wouldn't count on a 9 year old to plan a whole trip, I would certainly have them look at some guidebooks and pick an activity or two that they wanted. That way, if they get cranky during something more "adult," you can remind them that they will get a turn on "their" activity soon.

ksh34: if you're still worried, see this thread for proof that not everyone has problems with pickpockets, etc: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/report-on-france-trip-sept-30-oct-20-2014-part-i-paris

My suggestions - hire a car service to shuttle you from the train station to your apartment. They charge a flat rate (it is determined by distance), and they meet you "at the door" with a sign that states your name. So, no searching for anything.

I love the Metro, but NOT WITH LUGGAGE! Too much of a hassle.

I did have a phone taken during a previous trip, but that was more my fault/laziness. Money always stays in an inside pocket (jeans or such), I don't carry my passport while touring around (I do keep my driver's license handy, since it is a picture ID). If I carry a purse, the strap goes across the body, and the contents are zipped close. And, no big purse - something flat that hugs your body. Other than the phone, I haven't lost anything - not even a singe euro.

I'm also a fan of apartments, especially with a group. It's cheaper than renting a hotel room that's either big enough for one, or having to book two separate rooms.

The car service that I use (very nice, and actually cheaper than regular van shuttles) is Blacklane Limousines, web address www.blacklane.com. And, since you pay at the time of booking, no worrying about it after you arrive at the train station.

I DON'T suggest a two day bus tour....the two hour City Sightseeing ones are fine, but the two day version does not allow for flexibility. And, with kids, you need flexibility.

Most important - HAVE A GREAT TIME!

Lisa

Spend time in the parks and gardens. I love the Champs de Mars park by the Eifel tower. Great people watching, my favorite tower, benches or lawn to sit on for a picnic. Make sure to see the Eiffel's twinkling lights on the hour, after dark, for about 10 minutes. That is the best thing for me in Paris. The Rodin Museum gardens are small but lovely.

Walk along the Seine, over the famous bridges. Walk all over the 2 islands in the middle of the city, one having Notre-Dame. They are small islands and just gorgeous.

I would not recommend a 2 day bus tour. You might try the RS bus 69 tour.

Enjoy. Take is slow. Sit in a cafe, if the children can sit still-ish, have a sinple lunch and people watch.