We're visiting Paris next month with our 4 month old. We planned to use a baby bjorn (a front pack) and leave the stroller at home. Now that I've looked into museum/site policies it seems that most places do not allow carriers but so allow strollers. However, I wonder if they're referring to baby backpacks? Anyone have experience bringing infants to museums in Paris (Louvre, Orsay, Cluny, Notre Dame, etc)? We're also visiting Amsterdam if anyone knows about museums there. A stroller seems impractical & we hoped to leave ours behind.
I have seen people with front packs in museums; I think the child carriers museums don't like because of the danger of damage to exhibits are the metal frame baby backpacks. I doubt very much anyone would blink at a baby bjorn with a 4 month old baby in it. (I of course am not in charge of any museum)
If your baby can sit in an umbrella stroller we found it very helpful in Paris. We used the carrier in smaller towns with rougher terrain. The stroller was a nice break from the carrier and actually got us on the coolest elevator in the world at the Louvre.
I think front packs are often allowed, as are slings. It's back carriers that are almost always banned. I have used a an ergo on my front with an 18 month old in the Louvre (not recommended, kids that big feel really awkward in front - it was a back carrier except where backpacks weren't allowed). I can't promise the guards will allow your front carrier, but in my experience it's fine.
That said, a stroller is handy to have. A lightweight, cheap, foldable one will come in handy. Skip the huge stroller SUVs - you will have problems on the metro and in small stores/restaurants/museums.