Hi Group! We are planning two 8-10 day trips to France in mid-October and again end of March with our 9 year old daughter. Both trips require 3 days in Paris for work, but we are wide open otherwise. I’m hoping the group can provide leads for kid-friendly tours, activities, itineraries, etc. both in and out of Paris, or maybe outside of France (we could fly into another city)? Do you know of tours for kids, cooking classes, art workshops, apartments, hotels, restaurants, villages or castles that are especially engaging (but still cultural) for that age group? We hope to skip Disney. The weather during the shoulder seasons is you a concern. Thanks in advance!!!
Posted by
Rockville, MD, USA
597 posts
When my children were that age we started at the public library for children's history, geography, and stories focusing on the country we planned to visit. For example, "Linnea in Monet's Garden" comes to mind if your daughter is interested in art or plants. We spent time in parks and on boats and tried to keep museum visits relatively short and only one a day.
I did a quick search of the forum and found some specific suggestions here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/traveling-with-children-215032c0-ebe3-46cb-a341-05d8b8ece865
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Guedelen -this is a very interesting sight - they are building a medieval castle - using only medieval methods - like a living museum - look it up . Took my then 11 yr old years ago - she loved it .
Provins - a world heritage sight also set up as a living museum - jousting shows etc
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1075 posts
IMHO age 9 is old enough to not worry so much about "kid friendly." I took my 8 and 11 year olds to Europe last summer and they did mostly "adult" stuff that appeals to everyone. I'd do what you want to do, and check out books and videos about it in advance to show the 9-year old to whet their interest.
Posted by
Chicago
8090 posts
We are hoping to take our 9 year old granddaughter to Paris next year when she is 10 -- we are providing her with guidebooks and books about Paris so she can plan what she wants to see. Just watched Hunchback of Notre Dame in preparation for climbing the Tower which alas is not to be.
I'd get her planning -- my kids always came up with ideas that had not occurred to me and we saw a lot of stuff we would have missed without their input. I would consider Mont St. Michel -- it is not crowded those times of year and it is a pretty memorable thing. St. Malo is also interesting although it would not be swimming season then and the neolithic sites near Carnac in Brittany were very interesting to us.
Here was MSM in October when we did it:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/mont-st-michel-is-that-a-real-place/