Paris (France) travel tips/suggestions... with kids

[MarkGrace]

Shopping Stuff:

One of the days we went out to the flea market Les Puces, which is reportedly the biggest in the world. The place was absolutely enormous. One side of it is just crappy clothes and shoes and what not, but the other side if kind of antiques and vintage stuff. That side was really cool.

We also hit Galeries Lafayette and Printemps twice. Both places were a lot of fun, especially Lafayette. It has this incredible grocery store/food section, with cheeses, chocolates, cured meats, and on and on. It also has a terrace on the rooftop with great views of the city and free access. We went up there on both visits to the store. It also hosts a free fashion show on Fridays, which we hit up the day before we left. I thought it was kind of lame, Mrs. Grace thought it was kind of fun.

[MarkGrace]

One other thing I wanted to mention in the general section was that people were really kind and friendly. My wife knows just a handful of things in French, and I know absolutely nothing. But we tried our asses off, and people responded very well. Most of the time they'd just laugh and say, "it's ok, in English." And there were several occasions where we'd go out to dinner and the French people sitting near us would strike up conversations asking us where we were from, how we were enjoying our trip, etc. We really enjoyed those interactions.

Anyway, I'm sure there's some noteworthy stuff I left off that I'll remember later, but that's it for now. Overall, it was a fantastic trip and we had so much fun. Paris itself is just remarkable. The culture and the architecture and the art and the Siene and the lights; it's just all so moving and awe-inspiring. Having been there once now, I can't imagine going through my lifetime and not seeing the place. Paris is spectacular and I can't wait to get back.

[Donuthole]

Cool report, Grace. I hope to make it there someday.

[cougjunkie]

I am not sure I would enjoy Paris. I am not a big foodie and I hate museums.

[ERCougar]

Great reports, everyone--this is the first time I've read this thread.
Paris is by far the coolest city I've visited.
I agree on the food--like NYC, it's hit or miss and usually overpriced. However, I think the boulangeries and patisseries (and creperies and cafes and fromageries, etc) are more often very good than not. For this reason, the way the average visitor should hit the food scene is to focus on these--leave the sit-down restaurants for the really wealthy.

[Mrs. Funk]

One other thing I wanted to mention in the general section was that people were really kind and friendly. My wife knows just a handful of things in French, and I know absolutely nothing. But we tried our asses off, and people responded very well. Most of the time they'd just laugh and say, "it's ok, in English." And there were several occasions where we'd go out to dinner and the French people sitting near us would strike up conversations asking us where we were from, how we were enjoying our trip, etc. We really enjoyed those interactions.

Awesome report, MG. I love Paris. It is my experience as well that all it takes is showing respect for the culture and the language. I encountered many kind, generous souls in France. Glad you had such a great trip. I'm jealous of all the food—I was far too poor last time I was there to do the kind of eating you detailed.

[old_gregg]

what's a minimum amount of time one would want to spend in paris? we're trying to decide if we'd like to try and make it there after a week or so in london next summer, or if it should be its own trip the following year.

[Mrs. Funk]

what's a minimum amount of time one would want to spend in paris? we're trying to decide if we'd like to try and make it there after a week or so in london next summer, or if it should be its own trip the following year.

I think 5 days at least, if you want to hit most of the major stuff. Paris is huge and the landmarks are pretty far apart from each other. I could probably spend 3 days in just the Louvre.

[filsdepac]

Good report Mark, glad you had a great time. I didn't realize that was your first trip, so must have been amazing. Your remarks made me want to go again soon even though we were just there in June. That was my wife's first time and she was blown away, it exceeded her already sky high expectations.

So where did you stay in the 7th if I may ask? We liked our place but a view of the tower sounds awesome.

You didn't eat at Billebaud in the 7th did you? We loved it. I found the food to be pretty reasonably priced, except for the crappy exchange rate. But if the rates were like there were 10 years ago, it'd be great. I liked that the tax and tip was already included (not to mention no stupid SF Health tax).

Welcome back to reality.

[filsdepac]

I am not sure I would enjoy Paris. I am not a big foodie and I hate museums.

But there are lots of topless shows

[MarkGrace]

Good report Mark, glad you had a great time. I didn't realize that was your first trip, so must have been amazing.

The lady that showed us into the apartment said, "I'd love to have the experience of discovering Paris for the first time, but I was born here so it's not really possible." Kind of a great thing to say to kick off our trip.

So where did you stay in the 7th if I may ask? We liked our place but a view of the tower sounds awesome.

Here's the place: http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_137.htm

It had this tiny little balcony that looked right at the tower. Pretty cool.

You didn't eat at Billebaud in the 7th did you? We loved it. I found the food to be pretty reasonably priced, except for the crappy exchange rate.

No. I actually looked through this thread while there and noticed that you mentioned this place, but we didn't make it over. The only place we ate dinner in the 7th was Cafe Constant, which I wouldn't recommend.

[filsdepac]

The lady that showed us into the apartment said, "I'd love to have the experience of discovering Paris for the first time, but I was born here so it's not really possible." Kind of a great thing to say to kick off our trip.



Here's the place: http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_137.htm

It had this tiny little balcony that looked right at the tower. Pretty cool.



No. I actually looked through this thread while there and noticed that you mentioned this place, but we didn't make it over. The only place we ate dinner in the 7th was Cafe Constant, which I wouldn't recommend.

Good deal, I think I saw that one but wouldn't meet the minimum stay. If that room were a hotel, it'd probably have better decorations, but would cost almost twice as much.

[MarkGrace]

I agree on the food--like NYC, it's hit or miss and usually overpriced. However, I think the boulangeries and patisseries (and creperies and cafes and fromageries, etc) are more often very good than not.

In some ways I actually prefer NYC as a food city. There was a ton of great food in Paris, but the culture is a bit more homogenous than NYC, and that's reflected in the food. In NYC you can eat the best of about every cuisine in world, and you can find great stuff at nearly every price point. That comment comes with the huge caveat, however, that I have a lot more experience and familiarity with NYC.

I was amazed how much Paris changed when you'd get just a few streets away from the major stuff. Prices dropped, people were less comfortable speaking a little English, etc. I'm sure there are some great places that are more moderately priced once you get further into the neighborhoods, but I just didn't really know where to go for stuff like that. A buddy of mine who served a mission in Paris spent a day with us a there, and he took us by one of his apartments and areas he was in. We ate at some random cafe that was great and priced much more reasonably than a lot of the stuff where we spent most of the time. I wish we could have had more experiences like that.

[il Padrino Ute]

The lady that showed us into the apartment said, "I'd love to have the experience of discovering Paris for the first time, but I was born here so it's not really possible." Kind of a great thing to say to kick off our trip.

Was your response "That would explain why you're such a snotty termagant."?

[MarkGrace]

Was your response "That would explain why you're such a snotty termagant."?

Why would that have been my response? I already said I thought it was a great comment.