How to make the most out of a day trip in Paris???

[buzybee]

Whats the best way to make the most out of a day trip in Paris, bearing i mind we have a 6 year old with us too!

We'd like to pack in as much as possible but dont want to waste time either as its a once in a life time opportunity! :)

We'll be there middle september.

[devilspawn]

Best time is August..........all the parisians have left then...

[buzybee]

LoL^

[jno]

boat ride along the Seine perhaps? Unless it's a very arty six-year-old I'd probably give the Louvre a miss, and I suspect the queue for the Eiffel Tower might be a bit long. You could get into Notre Dame and the Sainte Chapelle though and maybe one of the big fancy department stores. Good restaurants of course but again they might be wasted on a chiild - you could take food with you or get some in a supermarket and eat it in a park.

(It's true Parisians leave in August, but it also means a lot of shops and retaurants are closed.)

[sitges]

I was going to answer this, but can't think of a thing to say. You can hardly do anything in Paris in a day. I would go along with Notre Dame and San Chappel. The 6 year old would probably like the park in the left bank area as there are a lot of things for small kids, including a merry-go-round and a puppet show.

[Buenchico]

(Multi-part post):

Notre Dame???
For a 6 year old???!!!
I can't think of any easier way to bore a child!!!!

The following suggested route assumes that you're using Eurostar but it can easily be adapted if you're flying to Paris:

At St Pancras (or Ebbsfleet/Ashford), buy Paris Visite tickets, for unlimited travel on RER and Metro trains (and buses if you like) within central Paris. Doing so will cost you slightly more than if you bought the tickets which Parisians buy, but it will save you lots of time queuing for tickets at Paris Nord.
http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/paris_vi site.php

[Buenchico]

When you enter the concourse at Gare du Nord, turn left and look for the 'RER' signs. (RER trains provide a 'limited stop' service, so they're quicker than the Metro). Look for Line B, with the signs indicating travel towards Robinson and Saint R�my l�s Chevreuse. Take the train for 2 stops to St-Michel Notre-Dame. Explore the area around there, (including viewing Notre Dame from outside) and possibly wander into the adjacent Latin Quarter for a bite to eat. (The area is packed with caf�s, bistros, restaurants and fast-food outlets). Then go to the quay which is just across the Seine tributary from Notre Dame, to board the Batobus:
http://www.batobus.com/english/8escale.htm
That's a hop-on, hop-off river bus service (which is far cheaper than the many guided tours on offer and much better with an excited youngster, who'll want to talk about all of the sights, rather than listening to a boring guide).

You could break your journey but I'd suggest staying on all the way to the Eiffel Tower. (The journey takes about an hour and there are loads of sights to see. Make sure that your 6-year-old has the camera strap around his/her neck, so that it can't fall into the river, and then put him/her in charge of taking the photos!).

[Buenchico]

When you get to the Eiffel Tower you'll have to decide whether to actually ascend it. The queues tend to be lengthy but it's a superb view from the top. (Given the low boredom threshold of a 6-year-old, it might be better simply to get some photographs).

From the Eiffel Tower, walk over the adjacent river bridge to the imposing Palais de Chaillot. (Time for a few more photographs from your junior photographer!).

Then go to Trocad�ro Metro station, which is adjacent to the palace. Take Line 6, for 3 stops, to Charles de Gaulle �toile (which is at the end of the line). That brings you out immediately alongside the Arc de Triomphe. Time for some climbing now, up the steep stairs, for a great view from the top.

The Arc de Triomphe is at the top of the Champs-Elys�es, so it might be time to explore a few of the fashionable shops (or simply to get a drink in one of the many caf�s).

[Buenchico]

Then (assuming that the weather is good) return to Charles de Gaulle �toile station and take a Line 1 Metro train towards La D�fense. Alight after 2 stops, at Porte Maillot. Cross the road to where you can catch the little train which runs into Le Jardin d'Acclimatation. (You can also go one stop further on the Metro, to Les Sablons, and walk down the road to get there).
http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/
This is a superb park which is really relaxing for grown-ups but heaven on earth for a 6-year-old. There's a small children's zoo and loads of rides and other activities. Admission is fairly cheap for everyone and you can buy a very-reasonably priced wristband for junior to have a ball! This is definitely no seedy theme park. It combines loads of safe fun for kids with beautiful grounds and excellent restaurants for adults, in a way that only the French can do.

You'll want to spend quite a bit of time at Le Jardin d'Acclimatation, which will really help you unwind, while tiring junior out. From there you might need to start thinking about getting back to Gare du Nord. To do so, take Metro Line 1 towards Ch�teau de Vincennes. If you were going directly back to Gare du Nord, you'd need to change at Ch�telet Les Halles, following the 'Correspondence' signs to RER Line B, where you'd need to travel just one stop towards A�roport Charle de Gaulle and Mitry-Claye. However, you'll probably have some time to spare, so it would make sense to break your Metro journey at Tuileries and walk through the gardens towards the Mus�e du Louvre (more photographs) before reboarding the Metro at either Palais Royal Mus�e du Lovre or Louvre Rivoli.

Chris

[Ice.Maiden]

Apart from August 15th, look at this. I'm sure your 6 year old'd love it - and the adults too, as you get a bottle of champers thrown in with it....

http://www.isango.com/Product/Royal_Tour_of_Pa ris_by_Horse_and_Carriage_5087.aspx

After that, a boat ride along the Seine, to include a meal, might be good. The rest of the time, you could go shopping or visit perhaps one place of interest - maybe the Eiffel Tower, since you'd be picked up and dropped off there from the carriage ride. It might be hot in August, and it wouldn't be a good idea to walk your child all over the place. You'd have tiome to do all the above things, and, with taking photos, I'm sure you'd have a great day out.

[jno]

Chris, at Notre Dame you can go up the tower and admire the gargoyles... this has worked with one six-year-old. As far as I know, some decades later, it's still available.

[Nellea]

I'd take the Eifell tower, then Tuillerie Garden then end up for the sunset in Monmartre. This way you get the 3 eras of Paris.

http://www.twenga.co.uk

[vehelpfulguy]

>once in a life time opportunity! :)

I find it hard to believe that a one day trip to Paris is a "once in a life time opportunity".

You can fly there in about an hour.

If you are young parents, and I assume you are with a 6 year old, why do you feel you may never go back there?

The trouble is many of the delights of Paris cannot really be appreciated by a 6 year old.

Maybe go to the area around the Pompidou Centre. This is a modern art gallery, but in the streets outside there are loads of street entertainers and your 6 year old will find it very interesting (as will you).

Here is a picture of the area outside with the crowds watching an event.

http://www.essential-architecture.com/PA/005B. jpg

[buzybee]

Thanks for the advice!

We are going to be staying at Disneyland Paris and are hoping to squeeze in a day trip to Paris to!!

[Buenchico]

Thanks for the reply.

If you're staying at Disneyland you'll probably use the RER train (on LIne A) from Marne-Le-Vall�e into the city centre. Ifyou're heading towards Notre Dame (either to visit the cathedral or to board the Batobus) there's little point in changing trains. Simply alight at Ch�telet Les Halles and walk, over the river bridge, to Notre Dame (and the Latin Quarter)..

If you wanted to go direct to the Arc de Triomphe (and the Champs-Elys�es), simply stay on Line A until Charles de Gaulle �toile.

Chris

[FeedTheWorld]

Hi,
We did the same thing last year when visiting Eurodisney. Paris in a day for 2 adult and 2 boys aged 7 and 3. Buenchico's advise is very good and worth considering. Here's what worked for us. We started at the Eurodisney station using the RER A line which goes straight into Paris. We got off near the Arc de Triomph for our first visit. After a short walk we made a decision to get onto one those open-top red tour buses. That wasn't pre-planned but it worked a treat for us all day. A bit pricey (sorry, can't remember exactly how much they were) but well worth it in the end. We hopped on and off all day as it goes round all the major sites in Paris following a fixed route and regular timetable. Eiffel Tower, we didn't go up but we had a picnic in the gardens and there was a play area for the kids.
Same with the Louvre, had some crepes and coffee nearby and again the kids enjoyed the gardens. Some sites we just stayed on the bus. They have tour commentary on the bus (red headphones supplied) which the eldest enjoyed. Basically you get on and off as required all day and visit what you like. We took a Paris guide with us so I sort of knew the places I wanted to spend some time. You get a route plan and timetable so if you deviate or go off for a walk then you can still catch one somewhere else.
Two reasons why this worked for us. One, we did the same in Bristol in 2007 and we all enjoyed it. Two, the underground system is more hard work with kids than you think. In London we did not enjoy using the underground with the kids in the summer heat. It was just a bit too much for them and they were very tired quickly. Don't get me wrong, we go on long country walks with them all the time and they love it. Underground is not fun for kids but overground on a red bus, that's a winner!!
Sorry, was trying to keep this short. Get on the red bus tour!!