|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Eiffel Tower – The Eiffel
Tower is a "must see" for kids in Paris, not just at a distance,
but up close. When you stand under it, waiting to buy your tickets, it's
just spectactular, all those curly cues in the structure. Take the elevators
to the top, or dine in the Jules Verne restaurant if you feel like a splurge
(the kids will remember it). And don't miss seeing the Eiffel Tower at night,
all lit up. In summer, on the hour in the evening, there is a magical ten
minute show of twinkling lights. Check out the official Tour
Eiffel Web site for more information.
Tip: The lines to buy tickets
get long in the summer, so go early in the day. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Champs de Mars Park – After you've been up the
Eiffel Tower, go out to the Parc du Champs de Mars, a huge big grassy area
where children can run to their heart's content. This is also the perfect
place for a picnic (grass and benches). Even in the height of summer, the
Champs de Mars won't feel crowded. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Playgrounds – You'll find three playgrounds in the Champs de Mars. At Avenue
Anatole France, in the middle of the park, there's an old-fashioned carousel,
little play area with sand box, and cafe, where parents can relax, have
a cold drink or coffee, while the kids play. In the southwest section, allee
Pierre Loti, check out the large playground with colorful climbing structures,
slides, and imaginative play areas. For toddlers, tucked away in the southeast
corner is a small playground, perfect for little ones. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Pony
rides – On the same corner with the carousel, small children
will enjoy a pony ride on friendly, well-tended ponies. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tour of the Sewers (Quai d'Orsay at Pont de l'Alma) – Paris
sewers conjures up Les Miserables and Jean Valjean making good
his escape. Victor Hugo knew a sewer inspector, so he wrote accurately
about the sewers in Paris. Take a quick self-guided walking tour through
a real section of Paris sewers. Go through tunnels and walk over gratings
where you'll see the sewer water flowing right under your feet. Along
the way, you'll find out about the fascinating history of the water system
in Paris (e.g. how is the sewage transporated under the Seine ...) It
doesn't really smell in the sewers, but is a little dank, so don't wear
your best shoes. The self-guided tour brochure is in multiple languages. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bateaux Mouche – Ride the bateaux mouche
on the River Seine at sunset or at night for a great view of the city all
lit up. The views of the Eiffel Tower in all its splendor is a kid favorite.
We took the Bateaux Mouche on a rainy October night. When we rounded the
Ile de la Cite, there was Notre Dame, beautifully illuminated, all the bells
pealing. It sends shivers up my spine just to think of it. (Pick up the
boats on the right bank, east of the Pont de l'Alma). |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Musee de l’ Armee (Army Museum) –
While I went shopping, my husband took our boys to the Army Museum. This
museum has riches galore, cannons, mortars, armor, swords, daggers, souvenirs
from Napoleon’s time, including his hat and sword. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Next
to the museum, at the Hotel Des Invalides is Napoleon’s Tomb (Tombeau
de Napoleon), for an added bonus. Very impressive. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Tip: Both the Musee de l'Armee and Napoleon's Tomb are free
with the Paris Museum Pass. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canal Excursion – For a change of pace and a different
boat excursion through tree-lined waters, take a ride on Canal St. Martin
to Parc de la Villette. A two and a half hour hour excursion leaves from Quai Anatole
France (near the Musee d'Orsay) to Parc de la Villette. For information
and schedule, click
here. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Musee d'Orsay – Step into the Musee d'Orsay and
step into 19th century Paris, literally – the building was once a cavernous
railway station. The collections are also 19th century French – big
monumental paintings, and a whole slew of Impressionists, Manet, Monet,
Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, who painted popular life and landscapes.
Tip: Free with the Paris Museum Pass. |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Pictorial
history of the Impressionists, artists Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt,
Cezanne, Seurat, Gaugin, plus 21 activities – paint the sky
like Monet, cut out paper water lilies, draw a still life, bake
cookies with sprinkles like Seurat, and learn how to spot each
artist's work. Filled with lots of Impressionist paintings, good
for older kids. (Chapter book, with illustrations)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Little Katie
gets in the picture, when she climbs into an Impressionist painting,
and joins the family eating lunch in the garden. She picks a bouquet
to bring back, but her adventures have only begun. A delightful
story about paintings you'll see in the Musee d'Orsay – The
Luncheon and Fields of Poppies by Monet, and The Blue
Dancers by Degas, and fun for little kids. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
It's
the 1889 World's Fair. Jack and Annie go on an airy bike ride
over the Paris rooftops to meet Gustave Eiffel, the "Magician
of Iron," and engineer of the Eiffel Tower. (Easy reader)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Before you visit Napoleon's tomb, read about his spectacular rise from humble beginning to conqueror of Europe, and his spectacular fall, ending up in exile. (Chapter book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(More children's
books on other Paris and France pages) |
(Magic Tree House)
