Paris with a 6 year old

We took our four-year old last year. There are carousels everywhere. Also many parks with climbing structures. The Eiffel Tower is exciting. The canal boat tour is fun. There has been a lot of discussion here about the attractions at the Tuileries and the Luxembourg gardens.

Food is easy - croissants, and pan au chocalat; croque monsieurs; as much cheese as he is brave enough to try.

He'll have a great time!

Oh, and watch "The Red Balloon" before you go.

There is a wonderful playground for children at the Luxembourg Gardens that I highly recommend. There is a low fence around it where you can sit in comfortable chairs and watch while surrounded by beautiful trees and lush gardens. You can also go into the playground with your child if you'd like. There is an admittance fee for children and adults but it is well worth it. There are bathrooms, a carousel, puppet shows and a cafe right there. My son loved this playground!

On our first trip to Paris my dtr was 5. On this adventure we toured the sewers of Paris. Now 19 years later she still remembers it. A wonderful, different sightseeing destination.

There is an aquarium at Trocadero. Many of the museums have kid oriented programmes.

This site has a bunch of fun ideas...
http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/France/paris.htm

For food - Crepes are easy and satisfying - ham and cheese - cheese only etc
Hippopotamus Restaurant chain has kids fare - they are everywhere in Paris - and have continual service so you can eat early.

Hot dogs are available at boulangerie and sandwich shops - quiche can be good it they are adventurous. Panini sandwiches are around a lot too -

We took our 6 year old to Europe last summer and she loved Paris the best. We rode the Metro everywhere- (lessons on sticking together). She agreed to try a bite of everything and many of the cafes we went to had a kid menu. I second the Jardin du Luxembourg. We spent a lovely day there playing at the playground. I even have a video of a French girl "telling her the way it should be" when my daughter did not properly exit a piece of equipment. Baguette sandwiches are usually a big hit.

There are kid-centered things everywhere as the "fertile french" get tax breaks for having more than two children. We took in a couple of movies (version originale)and let her take lots of pictures.
It may seem that he doesn't appreciate some of the experiences but don't be suprised if things start to dribble out as time passes when you return. Have a wonderful time!

For a future trip to Paris, I found the following book on Amazon: Paris with Kids!

http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Kids-Open-Travel-Guides/dp/1593600623/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211518880&sr=8-1

I must say I am pleased and find it to be a valuable resource.

Steve,
We took our son to Paris when he was 10- a little older than yours- but his favorite pasttimes were sailing little sailboats in the fountain at Tuileries Garden with the French children, riding the ferris wheels and carousels, "playing" with the street performers that tend to congregate in front of the Louvre and eating from every single crepe stand we passed! We are returning this summer and he is now 17! I'm sure he has different interests now! Ha!
Whatever you do, slow down and enjoy!
Lisa

Thanks for all the helpful posts. We are close to our departure date and one of the most fun has been reading these with him and following posted links. He always wanted to go deeper to see what he was going to see.

When I was on a RS Paris tour in 2001, our guide Patrick brought his family in one evening to show his 2 small kids around Paris. He took them to the Eiffel Tower. The next day he told us how his kids were totally uninterested in it and preferred to ride a little rinky dink carousel across the street, he was fairly disgusted as he related this to us! It was pretty funny. You might run into the same thing -- though there are pretty nice carousels all over town. There's even one and some other cute amusement rides on the sidewalk above the St. Paul Metro stop.
I hope you and you child enjoy Paris!