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

[creekster]

Just in case anyone is thinking about booking flights, a few great deals to Paris are out there right now. This is from Scotts deals, to which I subscribe:

I know I know, this is like the second time in 3 days I've sent out cheap flights to Paris.

I try not to repeat a destination this quickly but prices just dropped a good $100 or so off already really-cheap fares to Paris, so I figured you'd wanna know. Apologies if France isn't of interest to you!

These fares are good enough that I wouldn't be surprised if they're gone by tomorrow if not later today. Book fast if you can!


TO:

Paris (PAR)

FROM:

Atlanta (ATL) - $399
Boston (BOS) - $340
Denver (DEN) - $407
Los Angeles (LAX) - $393
Miami (MIA) - $394
New York City (JFK) - $351

WHEN: Cheapest fares are in April through mid-May and August through mid-October

NORMAL PRICE: $750+
AIRLINE: American Airlines, British Airways, or Delta/Air France

BUY BY: I think these fares will be gone within 36 hours, if not sooner

[kccougar]

Yep. About the only time we have a break from soccer, bball, football with our kids. 6 days in Normandy. 6 in Paris.

Wow. We'll be there just a week. Arriving on 3/31 and leaving 4/7. We'll spend a couple days in Normandy, including a swing out to Mont Saint Michel and the rest of the time we will be in Paris.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Wow. We'll be there just a week. Arriving on 3/31 and leaving 4/7. We'll spend a couple days in Normandy, including a swing out to Mont Saint Michel and the rest of the time we will be in Paris.

I envy you this. If you haven't already done so, read a book or two by Stephen Ambrose (e.g. D-Day and/or Pegasus Bridge). Be sure to spend some time at the American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc, which is more interesting than the Omaha or Utah Beaches. We also enjoyed walking alongside the Bayeux Tapestry, although the kids remember it more for the fact that the museum was filled with two busloads of Romanians who farted steadily and loudly.

Have you got a place to stay in Normandy? Five of us stayed at La Ducrie, a small Norman castle run by two UK'ers--charming hosts, which the kids loved, esp. a bathroom from which one could look out an arrow slit whilst doing one's business.

[Blueintheface]

You could set up a card table in the middle of the basement with some sparkling cider and an assortment of cheeses from Smith's then sit back and admire your new investment. It would probably have the same effect.

à votre santé!!

[hostile]

Wow. We'll be there just a week. Arriving on 3/31 and leaving 4/7. We'll spend a couple days in Normandy, including a swing out to Mont Saint Michel and the rest of the time we will be in Paris.

My wife/travel agent figured out a while ago that if she doesn't get me out of the country then work tends to intrude unpredictably. This way I can say I am unavailable.

[hostile]

I envy you this. If you haven't already done so, read a book or two by Stephen Ambrose (e.g. D-Day and/or Pegasus Bridge). Be sure to spend some time at the American Cemetery and Pointe du Hoc, which is more interesting than the Omaha or Utah Beaches. We also enjoyed walking alongside the Bayeux Tapestry, although the kids remember it more for the fact that the museum was filled with two busloads of Romanians who farted steadily and loudly.

Have you got a place to stay in Normandy? Five of us stayed at La Ducrie, a small Norman castle run by two UK'ers--charming hosts, which the kids loved, esp. a bathroom from which one could look out an arrow slit whilst doing one's business.

I've read dday and plan on Pegasus Bridge. We have accommodations but I'm not sure what they are.

[Moliere]

Just booked my flights

Ended up paying $700/flight. Couldn't do any of the crazy deals since we are flying into Paris and flying out of Geneva, however $700 was pretty low for a multi-destination flight.

[Green Monstah]

Next summer, I'm taking my family (four kids) to Europe. My oldest is obsessed with Paris, so we'll spend four days there, but I'd also like to spend four days somewhere else.

Part of me wants to go somewhere a little more laid back (less traffic, fewer people), but the range of ages (3 to 16) will mean we will have to give and take a bit.

If you could pick any city in Europe outside of Paris, Rome, and London for a kid-friendly vacation, where would you go? What would you do there?

[tooblue]

Next summer, I'm taking my family (four kids) to Europe. My oldest is obsessed with Paris, so we'll spend four days there, but I'd also like to spend four days somewhere else.

Part of me wants to go somewhere a little more laid back (less traffic, fewer people), but the range of ages (3 to 16) will mean we will have to give and take a bit.

If you could pick any city in Europe outside of Paris, Rome, and London for a kid-friendly vacation, where would you go? What would you do there?

That's quite the spread in ages and I think you are stuck with staying in the big cities. It's hard to say anything against a tour that includes London, Paris and Rome. But since you asked, and if it were me, I would head from Paris to Strasbourg, then into Switzerland and the alps, specifically to Grindelwald. Strasbourg is small, but feels like the place Disneyland gets its aesthetic from. From there, head to the alps and Grindelwald. Take the chair lift up to the hiking path that will take you to the top of Europe. It's a tough hike, albeit on a nicely groomed path, but the view is worth the effort. Maybe the scenic train ride is better with the 3-year old. After that, I would head to a beach in the south of France, or if you have to see some of Italy head straight down to Cinque Terre on the Ligurian sea.

You'll still have crowds in all those places, especially Paris and Cinque Terre. But the smaller destinations in between would give you a break from crazy traffic etc.

The village of Manarola in Cinque Terre—you can hike over the mountains from village to village along the coast, or hike to one and then take ten minute train rides back and forth between villages:



https://www.raileurope.ca/activities...och/index.html

[beefytee]

That's quite the spread in ages and I think you are stuck with staying in the big cities. It's hard to say anything against a tour that includes London, Paris and Rome. But since you asked, and if it were me, I would head from Paris to Strasbourg, then into Switzerland and the alps, specifically to Grindelwald. Strasbourg is small, but feels like the place Disneyland gets its aesthetic from. From there, head to the alps and Grindelwald. Take the chair lift up to the hiking path that will take you to the top of Europe. It's a tough hike, albeit on a nicely groomed path, but the view is worth the effort. Maybe the scenic train ride is better with the 3-year old. After that, I would head to a beach in the south of France, or if you have to see some of Italy head straight down to Cinque Terre on the Ligurian sea.

If you are in the area and looking for low key, Freiburg was one of my favorite places I went to in Germany. I don't know of lots of activities there, but the Munster is pretty cool and it is just a picturesque area nestled in some black forest hills.

[tooblue]

If you are in the area and looking for low key, Freiburg was one of my favorite places I went to in Germany. I don't know of lots of activities there, but the Munster is pretty cool and it is just a picturesque area nestled in some black forest hills.

Freiburg is lovely. So is Basel and Bern Switzerland. Berlin is great for that matter but far off the beaten path. I much prefer the smaller places that aren't as crowded with tourists. I know many will think my itinerary is crazy, but I have traveled a lot in Europe and those places are the most memorable and easy to get to.

I would fly into Paris. Stay a couple of days. Take the train (TGV) to Strasbourg early one morning. Stay the day (there's even a Holiday Inn Express on the outskirts). Rent a car, because car rentals are cheap in Europe. Drive to Basel or Bern (2 hours from Strasbourg) and make a day trip up into the Alps from one of those two cities (2 hours). Then from there drive to Cinque Terre through the breathtaking Lake Como area, Milan and northern Italy (6 hours). Stay in La Spezia taking the train into and maybe hiking from one ocean side village to the other. Then drive back to Bern, or even Geneva. Take the train back to Paris and fly home. It would be an adventure. My kids loved it, having done a variation on that trip at different times.

[SteelBlue]

Man, what a great thread. The wife and I are headed to Paris in late July to celebrate our 25th.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Man, what a great thread. The wife and I are headed to Paris in late July to celebrate our 25th.

We will be there in late May.

[BigPiney]

Man, what a great thread. The wife and I are headed to Paris in late July to celebrate our 25th.

I was there last week with my two oldest kids. Was a lot of fun.

[Copelius]

Stopped at what seemed like a hole in the wall restaurant but it was amazing. Might have been a chef's school. Ze kitchen galerie was the name of it. 4 Rue des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris, France. You won't regret it.