Paris w/a baby?

[cottoncandy]

Hi! I'm a lurker who has always thought about creating an account, but I live in London and with the time difference I miss out on all the good stuff;-) But here I am, getting all crazy and creating an account anyway.

Anyway, my I'm going to Paris next month with my husband and 9 month old and wondered if anyone had any tips. How stroller friendly is the public transportation? (I've been to Paris before, but never paid attention.) 

Any hotel recs? I'm mainly interested in shopping, so hotels by the big shopping areas would be ideal. Any other tips or recommendations are welcome! Thanks!

[hz80408]

If you plan on taking the metro; it's not stroller friendly at all. I would bring a collapsible/umbrella stroller and be prepared for one of you to hold your baby and the other to carry the stroller.

Buses are much easier

[cottoncandy]

Thanks! I guess we'll dust off the umbrella stroller...

[anna7602]

I agree that buses are much easier. The bus system is actually excellent in Paris. There's probably some app for this, but you can pick up a detailed bus map booklet at any kiosk or bookstore (FNAC, Gibert Joseph, etc.). I can't think of any subway stations off the top of my head that have elevators and the escalators usually only go up, not down.

At 9 months, it's hard to recommend anything particularly kid-friendly. I would just pop the baby in an Ergo or carrier and go off to explore. At that age, DD was pretty happy to accompany me to any museum out there as long as I was wearing her. If you like shopping, you will find plenty of adorable baby clothing and toys in Paris. Rue Vavin, by the Jardin du Luxembourg, has a bunch of cute children's stores all on the same street. If you feel like drooling over some high-end baby/kid stuff, I recommend the top floor of the Bon Marche department store.

[cottoncandy]

Oct 1, 2013 18:20:19 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

I agree that buses are much easier. The bus system is actually excellent in Paris. There's probably some app for this, but you can pick up a detailed bus map booklet at any kiosk or bookstore (FNAC, Gibert Joseph, etc.). I can't think of any subway stations off the top of my head that have elevators and the escalators usually only go up, not down.

At 9 months, it's hard to recommend anything particularly kid-friendly. I would just pop the baby in an Ergo or carrier and go off to explore. At that age, DD was pretty happy to accompany me to any museum out there as long as I was wearing her. If you like shopping, you will find plenty of adorable baby clothing and toys in Paris. Rue Vavin, by the Jardin du Luxembourg, has a bunch of cute children's stores all on the same street. If you feel like drooling over some high-end baby/kid stuff, I recommend the top floor of the Bon Marche department store.

Thanks Anna! We pretty much only do buses here, but I've never used them in Paris so I'm happy to hear they are excellent. And thank you for the children store recommendations. I have not been to Bon Marche in forever and it's on my list.

[lolo]

And come play on the IL board. Lots of people are on Euro time zones.

[hz80408]

The RAPT website is excellent to figure out how to use public transit; including bus routes www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_5000/accueil/

We prefer taking buses to underground when traveling bc you get to see so much more of the city then!

[Deleted]

I think I carried DS3 most of the way around Paris. It was easier than a stroller. I was a little tired but it was easier than worrying about strollers and such. I just used the hip carry hold on my sling.

[Shreddingbetty]

The first time we went to Europe with Dd she was 4 months old. We had the stroller and we decided that that was the last time we would travel with a stroller anywhere. We also did have an Ergo with us then but she still sort of disappeared in there so we didn't carry her a ton then.
Ever since we have just had the Ergo and it has worked out well. DD is almost 3.5 and we just got back from Europe. We still used the Ergo some but not as much since she is pretty happy on daddy's shoulder but she was on my back for hiking a few times. In mArch we were in Rome and walked everywhere so she spent a fair amount on my back.
I wouldn't even bother with a stroller in Paris at least not if you want to use the métro. Our first year with her in Paris we just didn't use the métro and walked a lot since the weather was great.
I must admit we have never actually used the bus there, we always use the métro so I don't know much about it but my aunt (who lives in Paris) uses the busses a lot.

[msturtle143]

Only been to Paris once before baby and I think with a 9month old you'll do fine with a baby carrier. My little is so light though (on the low % for weight). She'll be 3 years old when we go to Paris in May and I am thinking of bringing ours or renting something like a Kokopax for her.
I would have done an Ergo if she were 9 months old.

[travelingturtle]

We took our son and used the stroller on the metro. There were a few times it was annoying (broken elevators, one really crowded train, and when we didn't take the elevator in a location we really should have) otherwise it was really not that big of a deal having the stroller. But, we use the subway a lot here and even though the trains are never as crowded here as they were in Paris, we're used to getting to stops and having to carry the stroller up or down the steps. We didn't bring our huge stroller we use in Germany, we had our Uppa Baby G-Luxe, which is a pretty big umbrella.

For some reason, we never used the buses there, but will next time.

Also, my son generally hated carriers. I'm sure that's one reason we never used them too much when we traveled with him.