Traveling to Paris on Dec. 26 and staying through new year with our boys aged 8 and 10. Looking for recommendations on how to manage New Years Eve…just hang out at Champs de Elysee to see the light show? Any secret spots to see the spectacle with less crowds? Also welcome any other suggestions for our visit (not the typical tourist locales, we have that covered) - must dos, kid friendly. Our boys are curious, adventurous and equally good at museums or exploring on foot. Thank you!!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3437 posts
I have no answers regarding New Years Eve, but we first took our kids to Paris at 8 and 10. It was summer, but these were enjoyed by them and should mostly apply in winter also.....The Army Museum (the armor!) with Napoleon's Tomb, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (yes, in moderation, and with more sculptures and bejeweled objects than paintings, except for the HUGE painting of the Coronation of Napoleon by David), Notre Dame, crepes bought from street vendors (maybe not available in winter, but roasted chestnuts?), one meal at McDonalds, St. Lazare (for comparison and for its unique decor...a historical building), a one hour ride on the Seine from Vedettes de Pont Neuf, having a snack/drink at a cafe on the left bank of the river and watching the world go by (winter...hot chocolate for them, an aperitif for you?), the mosaics at Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, plus the view of Paris from the top of the hill....and so many museums you can surely find some that will appeal to your kids.
I haven't been to Paris in December/January, but I imagine the Christmas lights and decor will still be up, at least until New Years. I do recommend getting any dinner reservations for NYE and NY day asap. Suss out what is open. New Years, IME is a bigger family day than Christmas, so I expect many places to eat will be closed or have shorter hours on New Years Day. I say that not from my own experience, but from what I have gleaned from this forum.
I remind myself that, of course, there arew lots of things to interest kids. After all, the Parisians have kids and have many options in the city which they use regularly.
Amusez-vous bien!
Posted by
Boston
473 posts
The Musée des Arts Forains is a wonderful museum for kids. It's full of funfair and fairground spectacles. Carrousel horses etc,
arts-forains.com
Also, I wouldn't take kids to the Champs Elysées on New Year's Eve. It can get very rowdy. It's not particularly family friendly imho.
Posted by
Virginia
893 posts
I agree strongly with staying away from Champs Elysee on NYE. I was in Paris years ago on that evening, and remember it as very rowdy, in fact menacing with young men carelessly setting off dangerous fireworks all over the place, bottles being thrown, and so on. I think some other parts of Paris may pose similar risk. Another thing was that many restaurants had special “Reveillon” menus, multi course and expensive prix fixe, instead of regular menus, and as noted tend to be fully booked in advance. Frankly with children I think it would be a good night to eat something quick, casual and cheap, like a cafe or fast food, and early, and then retire early to your accommodation.
Posted by
Oregon, United States
25 posts
I agree with the above museum. I call it a carnival/carousel museum and it’s absolutely brilliant to see all the old time games and carousels. You can play several of the games and ride most of the carousels.
The tours are 90 minutes and you have to register ahead of time. They are only conducted in English, but the guides are very lively so you enjoy watching them. You also get a laminated card with English descriptions of everything you’re seeing which are very helpful. The description cards are available in multiple languages as well.
I just looked at their website and it looks like around starting Dec 26 - they have a special 10-day event where you don’t need to go on a tour and you can go anytime during the day and walk around and they have lots of activity going on, roving performers, carousels running, etc. This would be a particularly good event to attend.
Season 1, episode 7 of Emily In Paris has a party scene in this museum. This will give you a little bit of a sense of what it looks like.
The area surrounding it is also very cute and there are tons of places to eat and shop and walk around. It’s a magical place and I recommended it to everyone even those without children.