ARTICLES
Paris
for Kids
Traveling with the whole family to Paris? Paris is filled
with parks and museums that are fun for all ages. And for those who've had the
luck to make the move to France, summer is the time when out of school youngsters
need to be kept busy, the perfect opportunity to explore the city.
Here
are a few suggestions to child friendly spots guaranteed to please both children
and adults alike.
Disneyland in Paris The French offspring of America's
leading theme park is an identical twin of the original. It's out of the way but
great for kids and the kid at heart. Is it worth giving up a day in Paris to visit
an American (albeit with a lot of French!) theme park? The answer is a resounding
"YES"! Pure fun for the whole family. A day in which you can't help smiling from
dawn to dusk (closes at 23.00 during the summer months). Disney is at its best
as you wander around the truly magical kingdom. From Paris, take the RER, line
a (direction Marne la Vale). The journey lasts between 35 - 40 minutes. Get off
at the last stop, and the Disney Village is on one side, with the park on the
other. Our recommendation is to spend 2 days at Disney staying overnight at one
of the resort's hotels. You can watch the lit up parade at 22.30, and the fireworks
at 23.00, without worrying about catching the last Metro ride to Paris.
La
Croisiere Enchantee. Cruise the Seine for 1 hour with a children's music show
written and composed by Pierre Bluteau. The boarding at Bateaux Parisians departs
every Sat, Sun and public holidays. Tel: 01-4411-3344 for more info.
Musee
De La Poupee. Tucked behind the Centre Pompidou on an easily overlooked dead-end
road is a treasure that no doll lover should miss. This quaint six room museum
features the evolution of the doll in France, with selected references to important
dolls and stuffed animals.The displays depict different aspects of daily life
in France from Teatime to farmers'market to a day at school. Impasse Berthaud,
75003,
Metro: Rambuteau, Open daily except Mondays 10am-6pm. Tel: 01-42-72-73-11
Musee Grevin (Wax Museum). Amid light shows and disarming sound effects, paraffin personalities such as Lara Croft, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Madonna, Julia Roberts,
Ronaldo and Spiderman greet visitors. Kids will enjoy identifying their favorite
stars and sports heroes and parents can find educational value in the historical
figures and scenes rendered in wax, including the majority of the French kings,
the assassination of Henri IV, the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre, the Inquisition
and the French Revolution. 10 boulevard Montmartre, 75009, Metro: Grands Boulevards,Tel:
01-47-70-
85-05
Musee De La Magie. The Magic Museum offers an eclectic
collection of magic tricks and accessories, dating back to the early 1800s. At
the entrance, a mysterious hand emerges from a small black box, welcoming visitors
and setting the tone for visit. It's all about fun. Younger children will enjoy
the many interactive tricks: antique fortune telling machines, deforming mirrors,
as well as numerous eye and brainteasers. Older kids and parents will enjoy demystifying
some of the most famous magic tricks. Visitors are invited to attend the live
magic show: the magician speaks in French, but his tricks speak for themselves.
Ask for the free English-language brochure at the front desk. 11 rue Saint Paul,
75004- Metro: Saint Paul, Open Wednesday, Saturday and Saturday, 2pm-7pm. Tel:
01-42-77-45-62
Jardin Des Plantes. Founded in 1626 during the reign of
Louis Xlll, is a prime choice for a summer day. While adults will gravitate to
the impressive botanical garden, counting over 2,600 species of plants, kids will
revel in the zoo, which is home to bears, panthers and chimps. Don't miss the
beautiful Musee de L'Histoire Naturelle situated at the northeast corner of the
park also appealing to all ages. Place Valhuber, 75005, Metro: Gare d'Austerlitz.
The Luxembourg and Tuileries Gardens. Hanging about in parks should not
be overlooked as perfectly respectable Parisian activity. The Jardin du Luxembourg
and the Tuileries both provide shallow water basins where kids can rent and set
sail, miniature wooden sailboats, enjoy pony rides and jungle gyms. The playground
at the Luxembourg Garden is truly elaborate, and year round you can enjoy the
traditional
Guignol puppet show in a theater near the tennis courts. In the summer
months, the Tuileries is home to an amusement park.
Grande Galerie de
l'Evolution. A Natural History Museum with interactive displays.
Eiffel
Tower.Over 6,000,000 people visit per year, yes it worth the trip. Musee de
la
Curiosite et de la Magie. Located in the former home of the Marquis de Sade
a unique and enchanting collection of magican acts and props. |
