Paris or Venice Mother/Young Daughter Trip??

let daughter flip a coin

I have a colleague and her husband who took their three kids ages 2, 6 and 9 to Venice and had a marvelous time. They took the older two to Paris a few years ago and had a great time there. They love to experience things through their children’s eyes.

So no help.

But I really think having a great time with a 6 year old is more about how you approach things and knowing when to take a rest. You can’t see the same things as you would with another adult. But then that is the whole point. I would go to which city you want to show her most.

You don't say exactly when you will be travelling.
I normally visit Venice before Easter, but last year went in August. The crowds were horrendous, so I think what it would be like for someone the height of a six year old - especially on the vaporetti.
My pick would be Paris, where you can find more space.
Except the ice cream would be better in Venice!

Is Francie in to Madeline books and whatnot? (I know there are more than the books now!)

I think the exact timing would be important per Lin C's comments. The vaporettos are crowded enough for an adult and might be overwhelming for a smaller kiddo.

What a fun, fun trip for you all!

Two lovely choices! I am going to vote for Venice. You don't foresee another trip like this for you two in a long time, and Venice is the more precarious of the two options. It is magical to be in a city made up of islands and bridges. A gondola ride, if you time it right, could be another magical memory. Glassblowing on Murano is memorable. You can mitigate the crowd issue by going out earlier or later, avoiding St Mark's Square during cruise ship rush hours, and focusing on the back alleys and outer islands at mid-day. It really depends on how sturdy your daughter is, and I know you'll have a wonderful adventure either place.

Paris.

Venice is great, but no where is Paris.

Paris .....

Paris…..Eiffel Tower, boat ride, gelato shops that make cones like flower petals, there are merry go rounds all over the city, crepes, all the fountains and there’s always Paris Disney.

Another vote for Paris. I have been to both, but only to Paris with my kids when they were seven (about seven years ago), and they loved it. They loved going to Versailles with the boats, shopping on our street for dinner (bread here, cheese there, pastries here, and fruit there, etc.), walking up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, and even getting there early and being in the front row for the Mona Lisa. Hopefully the tower at Notre Dame will be opened by the time of your trip to see the great views and the gargoyles and statues up there.

Paris, Paris, Paris.....hands down!