Paris is a magical city full of historic attractions. A week's stay in this exciting metropolis isn't long enough to take in all the sights. However, just outside the city are some of the most popular attractions in all of Northern France. Families with kids will enjoy seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe while visiting the City of Lights, but to get away from the hustle … [Read more...]
Guide to Paris Christmas markets
November 30, 2016 By
One of our favorite memories of a Paris Christmas was touring the many Paris Christmas markets across the city. Some Christmas markets pop up fairly spontaneously from year to year, but there are a few staples you'll find to be consistent. Here's where to go to find Paris Christmas markets, plus tips for best enjoyment of these seasonal wonders. Top Paris Christmas markets: The biggies each … [Read more...]
How to visit the Paris catacombs with kids
October 24, 2016 By
One attraction near the top of my teen's list of things to do in Paris was the Paris Catacombs. This underground network lies in the heart of the city, spanning two km. It's creepy and fascinating and toured completely on one's own, unless you opt for a guide. We recommend it, as the actual visit only takes about 45 minutes and can easily be added to a Paris itinerary with teens or older kids, but … [Read more...]
Louvre vs d’Orsay museum: why you should visit both with kids
March 30, 2016 By
If you’re visiting Paris with kids ten and up, both the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay are probably on your short list. When I created our Paris itinerary with kids, I initially left the d'Orsay off of it. This was a big mistake! On recommendation by our Fat Tire Tours guide, we ended up spending a morning at this museum and it was our most enjoyable museum visit in Paris. In the battle of the … [Read more...]
Where to eat in Paris with kids…if you’re not a foodie
February 24, 2016 By
I will admit that before we arrived in the City of Lights, I was intimidated by the Paris dining scene. We don't speak much French, we're not foodies, and we don't like snails (sorry). After spending five days in Paris with kids, well, I’m still intimidated by the Paris dining scene, but we ate there happily anyway. Here’s where to eat in Paris...and how. Hit up patisseries for … [Read more...]
Paris day trip: Touring Normandy D-Day battlefields
February 15, 2016 By
In each major city we visited during our European trip, we opted to take one long day trip outside the city limits. In Paris, many options for day trips vie for attention, but for our family, a tour of the Normandy D-Day battlefields won out. We have two teens who have studied WWII history, and this tour was their pick. Touring Normandy D-Day battlefields: We opted to go through Viator for … [Read more...]
Touring Paris with Fat Tire Tours
February 1, 2016 By
While planning our itinerary for Paris with kids, I kept hearing about an English-language, Paris-based tour company that goes around on bikes. My family loves exploring cities by bike (you may remember how we gushed about Bike 'n Roll in the States), so we contacted Fat Tire Tours and set up a morning with them. We chose to try their Paris Day Bike Tour, which has been a staple at the … [Read more...]
Tips for touring the Eiffel Tower
January 29, 2016 By
Whether you think of the Eiffel Tower as cliched or iconic (or both!), it’s undoubtedly a must do on a family trip to Paris. We actually loved the time we spent at this most famous landmark, especially since we made a day of it. We started our morning with a bike tour with Fat Tire Tours, enjoyed the afternoon playing soccer and pursuing food stalls at the base of the tower, then went to the top … [Read more...]
Where to stay in Paris on a budget with kids
January 25, 2016 By
When we planned to spend five days in Paris with kids, we knew we'd be on a budget. To make it possible for us, we chose to book a HomeAway apartment rental in an outer arrondissement. This arrangement allowed us enough sleeping space for our family of five, a kitchen to cook some meals in, and a washing machine for our laundry. We already trusted HomeAway, as we use this site for ski vacations in … [Read more...]
How to plan a Paris itinerary with kids
January 13, 2016 By
With its 20 arrondissements connected by a busy metro system, Paris can feel intimating at first. The key to planning a Paris itinerary with kids is to plan your days ahead of time, grouping destinations by proximity and utilizing walking tours to bridge the gaps (figuratively and literally). When planning our five days in Paris, I started by making a list of our must-do’s, which included … [Read more...]
