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Musee National du Moyen Age (Hotel de Cluny) –
This museum is a double whammy. It combines nicely preserved ruins of Gallo-Roman
baths with a fancy medieval mansion and exquisite goodies from the Middle
Ages. After you've checked out the ruins of baths, models of the frigidarium
and the chateau, move on to the dazzling stained glass panels, crosses of
solid gold, silver reliquaries, Visigoth crowns, gold and enamel jewelry
decorated with precious stones. Save the best for last, the incomparable Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. The tapestries are displayed in
a darkened room, and you and walk up very close to them, close enough to
see the amazing details of flowers and trees, and all kinds of animals (one
tapestry alone has 11 rabbits, one fox, two dogs, one lion cub, and the
unicorn). |
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 Outside
the museum, in the gardens, inspired by medieval designs, are benches,
and a small playground with climbing structures and bouncy things,
perfect for toddlers. |
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Jardin des Plantes– |
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Natural
History Museum (Museum d’Histoire Naturelle) – The gallery
has a spectacular display of animals lined up Noah’s ark style, but
not all exhibits have labels in English, a negative if you’re not fluent
in French. |
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After
you’ve been to the museum, there’s plenty of open space in the
Jardin des Plantes to let the kids run. |
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Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) – If you've seen enough Paris museums for the day and the kids need
a change of pace, head for the Luxembourg Gardens, the largest green space
on the Left Bank, and one of the most stellar public parks. In summer, there
are tons of green chairs where you can flop down (while the kids run around),
and lots of benches and places to picnic. |
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At
the Grand Bassin (large shallow pond), rent small sail boats (boats
have colorful sails in red white and blue or pirate motifs) and launch them
on the pond. |
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Look
for the small scale Statue of Liberty, a model by the original sculptor. |
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The large play areas with colorful climbing structures are good for kids
of all ages. Little ones with enjoy the carousel and pony rides. |
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There
are also classic Punch and Judy puppet shows regularly (next to the
carousel). Check the newspaper for times. |
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Le Bon Marche – It's truly fun shopping in this
historic department store in St-Germain. The lower level has a great selection
of lovely kids clothes for boys and girls, and French toys. |
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Don't miss the Epicerie, one of the most
beautiful supermarkets in Paris. Here you can stock up on a boggling collection
of chocolates or everything you need for a picnic – freshly made sandwiches,
cheese, bread, fruits, cold drinks, fabulous pastries and cookies. |
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And, there's a small park next to Le Bon
Marche, in Square Boucicaut, right next to the Sevres Babylone metro stop,
with benches and a little kid's playground. |
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Catacombs (1, place Denfert-Rochereau) –
The sight of thousands of bones and skulls can be scary or fascinating (or
both). The Catacombs tend to produce one reaction or another, so it isn’t
a visit for everyone, especially young children. But if it does appeal (my
boys loved it), it is a memorable walk through underground tunnels under
the streets of Paris, and your kids will get incredible bragging rights. |
