Paris, The unmissable bits ?
Discussion
In a moment of 'not' thinking 
it through properly, i booked some eurostar tickets to the above city for a week at the end of August, now i'm wondering what the heck to do there with 2 kids (12&7) no accomodation booked yet so possibly flexible, was hoping to do eurodisney for a couple of days at the end before being stuck in London for 3 days on the way back but as said on the other thread the prices are a p**stake 
.
Anything that really should be done that stands out, apart from up the tower ?, probably have a root about the Louvre and Montmartre then sup lots of beer, coffee and cake but it could be a bit boring for the kids, It looks like there are some good parks, any idea's or experience of them.
Also whats best place to try and find a cheapish hotel or maybe even an apartment for a week ?
Is it easyish to get about on the Metro, buses etc not being able to speak any french
it through properly, i booked some eurostar tickets to the above city for a week at the end of August, now i'm wondering what the heck to do there with 2 kids (12&7) no accomodation booked yet so possibly flexible, was hoping to do eurodisney for a couple of days at the end before being stuck in London for 3 days on the way back but as said on the other thread the prices are a p**stake .Anything that really should be done that stands out, apart from up the tower ?, probably have a root about the Louvre and Montmartre then sup lots of beer, coffee and cake but it could be a bit boring for the kids, It looks like there are some good parks, any idea's or experience of them.
Also whats best place to try and find a cheapish hotel or maybe even an apartment for a week ?
Is it easyish to get about on the Metro, buses etc not being able to speak any french
You dont need to speak French and the metro is a piece of piss to navigate. Bits of it get busy when you'd expect but most is easy going.
I dont have kids & it depends on how col they are with museums but..
Rodin museum is a must, theres a medieval museum which may be good for the kids, sacre cour for a run around too. The parks are good, theres often travelling fun fairs etc.
There are metro and museum passes which are well worth it.
Get the kids in a boat ride on the seine too I would have thought, and notre dame.
I dont have kids & it depends on how col they are with museums but..
Rodin museum is a must, theres a medieval museum which may be good for the kids, sacre cour for a run around too. The parks are good, theres often travelling fun fairs etc.
There are metro and museum passes which are well worth it.
Get the kids in a boat ride on the seine too I would have thought, and notre dame.
Paris Catacombs are pretty interesting but might not be suitable for kids, depends how much they are bothered by spooky underground tunnels full of bones!
http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm
I'd recommend a river cruise; it's a relaxing way to see the sights. There are plenty of tours operating from the river bank around the Notre Dame area; I think we just hunted around for the cheapest and they leave at regular intervals.
Eiffel Tower is a must, especially at night. If you don't want to pay to go twice, then I'd personally opt to go at night. The view is just as good and the queues are shorter.
Eating and drinking is pretty expensive. Unless you're not too bothered by the prices then it pays to find places away from the tourist traps. We made the mistake of going to a restaurants right round the corner from Notre Dame itself. I asked for a large beer and it ended up being a litre and cost 17 Euros! Beer from the many generic sreet cafes is also pretty pricey.
Navigating the Metro is a piece of cake. It’s very logical and if memory serves me correctly you can buy tickers from automated machines.
http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm
I'd recommend a river cruise; it's a relaxing way to see the sights. There are plenty of tours operating from the river bank around the Notre Dame area; I think we just hunted around for the cheapest and they leave at regular intervals.
Eiffel Tower is a must, especially at night. If you don't want to pay to go twice, then I'd personally opt to go at night. The view is just as good and the queues are shorter.
Eating and drinking is pretty expensive. Unless you're not too bothered by the prices then it pays to find places away from the tourist traps. We made the mistake of going to a restaurants right round the corner from Notre Dame itself. I asked for a large beer and it ended up being a litre and cost 17 Euros! Beer from the many generic sreet cafes is also pretty pricey.
Navigating the Metro is a piece of cake. It’s very logical and if memory serves me correctly you can buy tickers from automated machines.
MiniMan64 said:
I'm in Paris for the last week of August too, see you there! 
(Or hopefully not since you've got kids as I'm there for my honeymoom!)
You may not be saying that in 9 months (Or hopefully not since you've got kids as I'm there for my honeymoom!)
That's for the tips all, i've try and have a good root about and try and sort out some kind of plan before heading over.
Seconding the Catacombs. Absolutely amazing place - a little macabre, but done with tons of respect for the dead. I'd recommend everyone to go there.
Avoid the Louvre unless you have a ton of time - it's absolutely massive and a bit of an expensive pain if you're just dashing in to see the mona lisa.
Monmartre remains one of my favourite areas. It's a little tourist tacky in the main square at the top and in the immediate vicinity to the Sacre Coeur, but the streets a few hundred yards away have some brilliant shops and some quality, well priced bistros.
Bateau mouche tour on the river is expensive, but surprisingly worthwhile. Food ok, tour guides very comprehensive.
Avoid the Louvre unless you have a ton of time - it's absolutely massive and a bit of an expensive pain if you're just dashing in to see the mona lisa.
Monmartre remains one of my favourite areas. It's a little tourist tacky in the main square at the top and in the immediate vicinity to the Sacre Coeur, but the streets a few hundred yards away have some brilliant shops and some quality, well priced bistros.
Bateau mouche tour on the river is expensive, but surprisingly worthwhile. Food ok, tour guides very comprehensive.
If your kids are able to cope with it I would suggest you take them to the Opera whilst there, but only if it is something ‘fun’ like Carmen or Magic Flute.
River trip on the Seine (sp?)
Don’t forget that EuroDisney is only a short train ride away and I am sure that a 7 ad 12 year old will be thrilled to arrive there when they think that they are about to be dragged back to Versailles for a second day...
River trip on the Seine (sp?)
Don’t forget that EuroDisney is only a short train ride away and I am sure that a 7 ad 12 year old will be thrilled to arrive there when they think that they are about to be dragged back to Versailles for a second day...
Re costs.
Over £25 for a hot choc, an espresso and a couple of chasers two years ago at the foot of the Church of Our Lady.
A lot of people have said that the Metro is a must. I disagree in that we bought a 3 day pass but never used them as it was so quick to walk to most places and you get to see so much more of the places you are visiting than just the tourist traps.
Over £25 for a hot choc, an espresso and a couple of chasers two years ago at the foot of the Church of Our Lady.
A lot of people have said that the Metro is a must. I disagree in that we bought a 3 day pass but never used them as it was so quick to walk to most places and you get to see so much more of the places you are visiting than just the tourist traps.
IROC-Z said:
Eating and drinking is pretty expensive. Unless you're not too bothered by the prices then it pays to find places away from the tourist traps. We made the mistake of going to a restaurants right round the corner from Notre Dame itself. I asked for a large beer and it ended up being a litre and cost 17 Euros! Beer from the many generic sreet cafes is also pretty pricey.
If you walk just over the bridge to L'Île St-Louis, there is a superb traditional French restuarant called "La Brasserie de L'Isle Saint-Louis", which is not too expensive.Edited by Alex on Tuesday 5th July 15:58
Rude-boy said:
Re costs.
Over £25 for a hot choc, an espresso and a couple of chasers two years ago at the foot of the Church of Our Lady.
A lot of people have said that the Metro is a must. I disagree in that we bought a 3 day pass but never used them as it was so quick to walk to most places and you get to see so much more of the places you are visiting than just the tourist traps.
I agree that walking round Paris is usually the best way BUT with a 7 year old? The days are long enough (walking) without getting from A-B by foot.Over £25 for a hot choc, an espresso and a couple of chasers two years ago at the foot of the Church of Our Lady.
A lot of people have said that the Metro is a must. I disagree in that we bought a 3 day pass but never used them as it was so quick to walk to most places and you get to see so much more of the places you are visiting than just the tourist traps.
As for prices, it depends on where you stop, tourist spots, squares, posher roads etc = more expensive. Even sitting down out front is pricier than inside etc.
Trustmeimadoctor said:
the Parisians
they are everywhere (unfortunately)
I doubt it in August.they are everywhere (unfortunately)
Last time we went we walked everything up and down the Seine. For the last couple of days we went further out on the metro, which was superb. There's so much to see I'm sure you'll fill a week without even trying.
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