I'm planning to be in Paris from August 4-8th. We will be travelling with a toddler (2 years old). I am looking for an affordable 1 bedroom apartment suite (where I can close off one room so my daughter can nap in the afternoon and maybe one of us can escape to explore!) and in a central location, either arr 4,5,6. Any specific recommendations? I am hoping to spend around $100-$150 euros. I have read some things to do with toddlers, like Luxembourg Gardens and Jardin des Tulleries. We will already have been in France for 1 week, so we will be over the jetlag. We plan on just exploring some of the sights by foot and picnicking where we can. Any other suggestions for other things to do? Would the Modern Museum in George Pompidou be a good one to take a little one to for a quick saunter? What about the restaurant at the Orsay Museum? Any reviews? Has any one tried the hammam in the latin quarter? I was thinking I could escape for a few hours!
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
719 posts
Hi Wendy, I'm headed to France with a 2 year old and 7 month old in a few weeks. We are spending 6 of our 19 days in Paris, and we're in the Marais. Apt. is 130 euros per night, but I'm not sure of layout, since my wife booked it. PM if you want more details. If you like, you can reach me when we return in June and I'll give you a report of what worked (and didn't) with our daughters.
Having been to Italy with my first daughter when she was 10 months, I would recommend one major site per day, then a lot of lounging/playing outside if possible. If he/she'll sleep in a stroller, then that's the perfect to cozy up to a café in the afternoon and enjoy some time together.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15585 posts
Luxembourg Gardens, maybe, (there's a pond where little ones sail their boats) Tuileries, not even that. At Luxembourg, the grassy areas are roped off. The paths are gravel. But a couple of blocks from the Pompidou Centre is the Anne Frank Garden and there are more little ones there, and a little playground, suitable for toddlers. You'd probably be better going to the Bois de Boulogne or the Bois de Vincennes, where there's a zoo. I'd avoid the Orsay Museum restaurant. Every time I've gone by it (to get to the toilets), it's packed.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I recommend the Luxembourg Gardens and the Tulleries which also has a pond where kids sail boats. I would not recommend taking a 2-year old into the Pompidou museum, but the colorful Stravinsky fountain outside of it should be very entertaining for her. Lots of kids there. It's a bustling, crowded area though, so be aware.
There is usually a carousel near the Eiffel Tower and there is a small one in the Marais right outside the St. Paul metro station - and you may find them in other parts of town too Parisian kids seem to love them. Parc Monceau is wonderful for kids also - if you happen to be in that part of town.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10196 posts
There are play areas for different ages in the Luxembourg Gardens, including toddlers. There are also poney rides, merry-go-round; Parc Monsouris has the same. My kids liked the Marrionettes, but at age 2 you will probably have to hold your child on your lap so she's not overwhelmed while the children laugh and yell at the puppets!
Our boys were too active to take anywhere that required decorum. So my advice for the Pompidou, or any museum, is to keep her up and active until she drops from fatigue at nap time, put her in her stroller to sleep, and enjoy the museum.