Paris with small children

[gibbylod]

It's been a while since I've posted or participated on this board but I'm hoping you can help me.

I'm traveling to France next month to visit family in the south of France. However, I will be traveling alone with my 2.5 yr old and 10 month old and our flight lands in Paris where I have 0 family to host us. I've tried to look for hotels to spend a couple nights (giving the girls a break from traveling before taking the train down) but this is my first time traveling with both girls, alone, and I'm not familiar with Paris at all so I'm scared to book something and then find out that the hotel is hard to get to, has nothing around that I can take my girls to, etc.

Can anyone recommend a kid-friendly hotel in Paris? And perhaps even ideas of what I can do with them there?

Or do you think I'm making a huge mistake, that I should just power through and take the train directly after our flight? 

Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated. I'm extremely nervous about this trip and how it will be for the girls. 

[gigem]

I would power through, when I travel alone with the kids (they are just 15mo apart, now they are almost 3 and 18mo) I just cannot deal with making a stopover like that..... get the luggage, get into a taxi, unload at hotel, unpack a small bag, find food for one night, get back into taxi to train station, drag luggage to train. Especially since you land at CDG Roissy and then there is the train station right just a few long people movers away from terminal 2E (you are coming in from the US?). Plus you can keep your luggage cart from the baggage claim... trying to find a luggage cart at the train station sucks and the elevators take forever and are super tiny (Gare Montparnasse is terrible if you have luggage!), and there are soooo many people rushing to the train when it arrives....

But if you decide to stay a few days in Paris then of course there are so many things to do- depending somewhat on where you stay. I've never had to stay in a hotel in Paris but regarding things to do, I asked a similar question about what to do with kids under 3 in Paris over on the Travel board about a month ago, also you should cross-post over there I think you will get a lot more replies with advice.

PS tagging anna7602 because she gave me lots of advice regarding my Paris with kids question, and I think she will be able to tell you where to stay- (anna7602 hope it is okay that I've tagged you!)

Have a great trip!

[gibbylod]

That's kind of what I was thinking too with the train being easier to get to from the airport. I just wasn't sure about putting my kids through a 5 hour train ride after a 13 hour flight (flying from Costa Rica). I didn't know there was a Travel board. I will repost there. Thank you!

[anna7602]

If you do decide to break up the trip, I would go with an AirBNB over a hotel. That way you have a kitchen to make simple things, a separate sitting area to hang out in after the kids are asleep, etc. lovelyshoes just stayed at an AirBNB in Paris that she really liked, central to lots of points of interest. I think frlcb may have recently been looking at kid-friendly places to stay in Paris as well?

With a 2.5yo and a 10-month-old, I don't think I would plan to do anything more ambitious than go to some parks. Both of my kids love the playground at the Jardin de Luxembourg (which has a paid entrance), but they also played happily at the free playground in Champ de Mars and have had fun running around on the grass at the Place des Vosges. My son, 11 months old when we were last in Paris, did okay at some kid-focused museums like the one at Parc de la Vilette and the science one that's off the Champs Élysées (I can't remember the name, near the Grand Palais), but we mainly went there for my 7-yo DD's benefit. I wouldn't go out of my way in your shoes. On rainy days, DS had just as much fun (or more?) playing in the toy section of big department stores like BHV and Le Bon marché or at the Disney Store on the Champs Élysées.

They key for you, if you have a double stroller, will be to stay somewhere that is completely walkable or to be on a good bus route. Navigating the Paris Metro with any stroller at all is a huge PITA, with a double stroller, I've had friends who needed to remove the wheels from their behemoth stroller just to get it through the subway gates, not to mention it being a solidly 2-3 person job to get it up and down stairs.

[gigem]

Apr 8, 2016 9:27:11 GMT -5 gibbylod said:

That's kind of what I was thinking too with the train being easier to get to from the airport. I just wasn't sure about putting my kids through a 5 hour train ride after a 13 hour flight (flying from Costa Rica). I didn't know there was a Travel board. I will repost there. Thank you!

When we do back to back (Africa Europe US) all in 24hrs travel time it seems to be hardest on us adults than on the kids (in my experience). I just want to get where I am going and then collapse. I think they will enjoy the train, not as restrictive as a plane- there is family seating, a small cabin where people won't scare you down for making noise haha, and you can have a table with 4 seats together, 2 facing each other on each side. Usually closer to the bathroom/change table also.  

[gibbylod]

Apr 8, 2016 10:40:19 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

If you do decide to break up the trip, I would go with an AirBNB over a hotel. That way you have a kitchen to make simple things, a separate sitting area to hang out in after the kids are asleep, etc. lovelyshoes just stayed at an AirBNB in Paris that she really liked, central to lots of points of interest. I think frlcb may have recently been looking at kid-friendly places to stay in Paris as well?

With a 2.5yo and a 10-month-old, I don't think I would plan to do anything more ambitious than go to some parks. Both of my kids love the playground at the Jardin de Luxembourg (which has a paid entrance), but they also played happily at the free playground in Champ de Mars and have had fun running around on the grass at the Place des Vosges. My son, 11 months old when we were last in Paris, did okay at some kid-focused museums like the one at Parc de la Vilette and the science one that's off the Champs Élysées (I can't remember the name, near the Grand Palais), but we mainly went there for my 7-yo DD's benefit. I wouldn't go out of my way in your shoes. On rainy days, DS had just as much fun (or more?) playing in the toy section of big department stores like BHV and Le Bon marché or at the Disney Store on the Champs Élysées.

They key for you, if you have a double stroller, will be to stay somewhere that is completely walkable or to be on a good bus route. Navigating the Paris Metro with any stroller at all is a huge PITA, with a double stroller, I've had friends who needed to remove the wheels from their behemoth stroller just to get it through the subway gates, not to mention it being a solidly 2-3 person job to get it up and down stairs.

I looked at AirBnB first too, but felt overwhelmed because I have no clue where things are, plus I thought maybe it'd be nice to have breakfast included, though I don't know if hotels do that in Paris.

Regarding the stroller situation, how is it navigating the streets of Paris with a double stroller? would it be easier if I take my single and put baby in a carrier?

[anna7602]

the sidewalks are not as much of an issue for a double stroller as just getting in and out of places, like stores and restaurants. Is yours side by side or in-line? (Not sure if these are the right terms as I've never owned a double stroller. But I did have two different friends visit us while we were living in Paris who came with double strollers and getting around with them was sometimes challenging.)

[gigem]

Apr 8, 2016 11:26:19 GMT -5 gibbylod said:

Apr 8, 2016 10:40:19 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

If you do decide to break up the trip, I would go with an AirBNB over a hotel. That way you have a kitchen to make simple things, a separate sitting area to hang out in after the kids are asleep, etc. lovelyshoes just stayed at an AirBNB in Paris that she really liked, central to lots of points of interest. I think frlcb may have recently been looking at kid-friendly places to stay in Paris as well?

With a 2.5yo and a 10-month-old, I don't think I would plan to do anything more ambitious than go to some parks. Both of my kids love the playground at the Jardin de Luxembourg (which has a paid entrance), but they also played happily at the free playground in Champ de Mars and have had fun running around on the grass at the Place des Vosges. My son, 11 months old when we were last in Paris, did okay at some kid-focused museums like the one at Parc de la Vilette and the science one that's off the Champs Élysées (I can't remember the name, near the Grand Palais), but we mainly went there for my 7-yo DD's benefit. I wouldn't go out of my way in your shoes. On rainy days, DS had just as much fun (or more?) playing in the toy section of big department stores like BHV and Le Bon marché or at the Disney Store on the Champs Élysées.

They key for you, if you have a double stroller, will be to stay somewhere that is completely walkable or to be on a good bus route. Navigating the Paris Metro with any stroller at all is a huge PITA, with a double stroller, I've had friends who needed to remove the wheels from their behemoth stroller just to get it through the subway gates, not to mention it being a solidly 2-3 person job to get it up and down stairs.

I looked at AirBnB first too, but felt overwhelmed because I have no clue where things are, plus I thought maybe it'd be nice to have breakfast included, though I don't know if hotels do that in Paris.

Regarding the stroller situation, how is it navigating the streets of Paris with a double stroller? would it be easier if I take my single and put baby in a carrier?

Sorry I'm answering you all over the place.... I use a double Maclaren, side by side style, in Paris all the time and it fits through all doors and most elevators (except teeny tiny apartment building ones- so be careful of that with an AirBnB, but no problem with shops and such). BUT it won't go through a metro turnstile, and usually there is a door for handicapped riders and strollers but there isn't always an attendant to open it and anyways the steps for the metro.... someone will help you but getting help with a double is asking more than a single haha. And if I get on the bus with a double I get a ton of dirty looks, I only do that when it is a time of the day that I know the bus I'm used to using isn't too crowded. So I'm think you'd be better off with a single and the carrier, gives you more freedom and you won't be as worried- and you can take buses which is way easier than metro with a stroller.

However I can't handle not having my double stroller in the airport... unless you have few enough carry-on items that you can have the baby in the carrier and your purse, backpack etc. Also for what it is worth, when I fly AF/KLM/Delta through CDG they never give me my "gate-checked" stroller back at the arrival gate, it comes out with the luggage. 

Good luck! Keep us updated with what you decide. 

[gibbylod]

That's exactly what I was thinking. At the airport, a double would be so much better. I'll have to analyze this further.

Thanks for all the help!

[pittpurple]

Not familiar with Paris but I would just power through to be honest, unless you're talking about a proper break. I just don't think it's worth the packing / unpacking / settling / unsettling is worth it unless it's for at least 2-3 nights. And at that point, it's a long time to be on your own with two little ones. Could someone you're visiting in the south of France come up and hang out in Paris with you?

Though it depends how you travel as well - will you need some sleep yourself? If you arrive late in the day, what about just staying in an airport hotel for a night and then head to where you're going?

[marriedfilingjoint]

If you do decide to stay in Paris, we enjoyed the Louvre Bons Enfants hotel. It was very close to 3 metro stops (most apps will tell you to use Les Halles stop but that place is huge, get off at the Louvre stop instead). The staff will help you with your luggage and store your stroller for you. The Louvre is just a few blocks and you'll get to skip the line if you bring your little one in the stroller! My daughter was 3 when we went and she loved it. We also got to skip the line at the Tower at Notre Dame Cathedral but that's kind of a haul. Do not attempt Versailles alone. Eiffel Tower was her favorite but it may be too late to get advanced tickets and if so, you can count on 2-3 hours in line. It's also not super convenient to get to. But the Louvre is fun for everyone and they have activity backpacks and scavenger hunt maps in English for children, you have to ask for them at information. I think you pay a small deposit for the backpack and you get it back when you return it. Activity maps are free.

[marriedfilingjoint]

Oh I read the ages wrong, I thought you had a 10 year old, not a 10 month old. :/ I agree with the others about pushing through unless you just really really want to stop in Paris.

[gibbylod]

I'm back from my trip and thought I'd update with what I ended up doing and how it went in case someone ever has a similar question and ends up on this post (and in case any of you were curious as well).

I stayed in a B&B in the 13th arrondissement called La Villa Paris. Super cute and more personal attention than what I would have had in a regular hotel so I liked that. We had a park just in front where the kids could play. The only touristy thing we did in Paris was picnic in front of the eiffel tour (it was a quick metro ride from the B&B which was great). I ended up taking my single stroller and taking my baby carrier that way when the oldest got tired she could sit in the stroller and I put the baby in the carrier. In the end it was much easier than having to deal with a double. All in all, we had an amazing time.