Paris with children, ages 7 and 5

Hi Chris -
Just like grownups, not ALL young people enjoy the same things. What can you tell us about your grandchildren that can help people make suggestions in line with their interests?

Great suggestion. Thanks Kathy.
The girl is 7. She is very active; likes soccer, playing outside, movies, Barbie. She will run from place to place.
The boy is 5. He is more introverted and shy; likes Transformers, playing on the swings. Would prefer a stroller or wagon than walking. He also has a peanut allergy, and celiac disease - needs gluten-free foods.
We would probably need a short-term apartment so we can prepare some of our own foods.
My husband and the children's parents will also be traveling. The adults have been to Paris before; I have a good knowledge of the language, but I am not fluent.

Hi Chris,
A fun post about visiting Luxembourg Gardens. Perhaps the grandchildren (and the whole family) might enjoy!

https://cvgotravel.com/sailboats-at-luxembourg-gardens/

Thank you Rachel.
Great ideas and links to other blogs.

Chris M,
Parisians have kids too, and they will be at the parks playing, kicking a ball around, sailing boats (e.g. at Luxembourg Gardens). So your two will be part of the "enfants de Paris."

Our two kids were 10 and 8 when first there, so a little older, but they were VERY impressed by the suits of armor at the Invalides (Army Museum), especially the armor-clad horse. They also liked going up the Eiffel Tower, and were suitably impressed by the windows at Ste. Chapelle, and the size of Notre Dame. They like riding on the top deck of a vedette de Pont Neuf, especially when everything was lit up by lights in the evening. Watching a crepe being made by a street vendor and buying one filled with jam was a treat. Even going to a McDonalds in Paris where it had an upstairs, was decorated with busts of French writers and philosophers, and which served wine was a topic of conversation on the way back to our lodgings.

The Marche aux Fleurs on the Ile de la Cite can be very impressive to kids, boy or girl. Our two spent a long time perusing the various things on offer at the bouquiniste stalls along the Seine. They each bought some print or gewgaw, but it's been too long ago to remember what they were. There is a funicular going up and down Montmartre. They may like the ride, and sometimes there are street entertainers on the steps of Sacre Coeur. Ours were also interested in snack shopping at a Carrefour or Monoprix. Things are just different enough to be intriguing. And they have cracked up at the names of some items. Paris can really open up their worlds without them even knowing it

I don't think they will be bored.

Have fun!

Our first international vacation was to Paris when our daughter was seven (she is 16 now) and we have returned several times since. At age seven, she enjoyed the following during our 10 day trip:

-The playgrounds - they are everywhere in the city and we stopped whenever we passed one so she could go on the swings, merri-go-round, see other kids, run around etc.

-Going up in the Eiffel Tower

-The boats at Luxembourg Gardens (and the playground!)

-Mummified cats and people at the Louvre

-Disneyland. We spent one night and two days at Disneyland which was all we, as parents, could bear. Haha!

-Selecting a pastry, cookie or treat each day. (In addition to the chocolate croissant for breakfast)

-Riding the metro. We have no subway in the city where we live so this was truly a thrill. Plus all the interesting stations.

Although you did not ask about accommodations, I would recommend renting an apartment so you can eat some meals in. This was especially helpful during the first few days when our daughter was very tired from jet lag which was difficult for her to get through at age seven. These days, she pushes through it like we do as adults!

There is lots of great advice and suggestions on traveling with kids on this forum. Happy planning and I hope your family has a wonderful trip.

There are carousels all over the city, the grandson and son-in-law were on a mission to find them all. He loved the Eiffel Tower, boat ride on the Seine, crepes, gelato and especially the parks. Down time during the afternoon was a must.

Are you set on Paris? When my kids were 5 and 8 we spent a week in the Dordogne in a rental house. It was great because we could go swimming every day and the sites are caves, castles and a park where you feed monkeys. My 5 year old was allergic to nuts and eggs (now just peanuts) so we cooked every night. We stayed in Beynac.