me and 6yo in paris

[chua]

well looks like it will be me and my 6yo son heading for paris in June. Need some recommendations for a suitable area and apartment to stay. thanks!

[denise]

:)Hi Chua, welcome to the forum.

In January I visited the Parc de la Villette and the Cite des sciences et de l'Industrie. Next to it. They are ideal places to take a child.

www.paris.org/Musees/Cite/

www.gardenvisit.com/garden/parc_de_la_villette_paris

As soon as I get the time I will post some pictures so watch this space. Just got things going on at home at the moment.

Also one of our members Paris4 posted this trip report about her trip with children and I think it is a brilliant review of Paris parks.

http://www.ourparisforum.com./index.cgi?board=reports&action=display&thread=2380

And of course there is always Disneyland Paris.

Not sure about apartments and area. Most areas are suitable, although I personally would choose one very near a park so that he/she can go and run off some energy safely and you don't have to trek a long way to find one..

Luxemberg gardens in the 5th or Place des Vosges on the 4th come to mind.

Look at the Paris guest apartment section that may give you some ideas.

Denise
love from england

[Truffaut]

Somehow, Place des Vosges just doesn't strike me as a kid-friendly park. There are kids everywhere, of course, but some parks just have more to do than others. Luxembourg would be good, but there are dozens of others, too, in less pricey neighborhoods.

[suzanne]

Truffaut,

That's funny that you said that about Place Des Vosges. The same though came immediately to my mind. The Tuilleries or Champ De Mars I think would be a better choice. I really like Butte Chaumont and Montsouris, although they are not central to tourist locations. There is a really nice park just below the Mont Marte Cathedral with a pretty waterfall and nice children's play area. They were installing a new play area at Park Monseau the last time we were they. Please forgive my miserable spelling. I'm at work. There is also a great park near your place but I'm not sure what it is called.

[denise]

:)I only mentioned Place des Vosges because we sat and watched the children play there last summer. They were having a wonderful time.

I thought that i'ts not just the big parks but if you had a square with greenery or playground next door to you, there is one in every neighbourhood, it would be useful.

I recall we went through a playground/square with statues at the top of Montmatre when we were taken round by Paris Walks. I don't know the name.

Denise
love rom England

[phread]

My favorite park in Paris is Catherine Labourre, on the rue de Babylone. It is off the main street and full of local families enjoying their 'hood. It is also walking distance to Luxembourg Gardens and Le Bac a Glace ice cream shop.

[chua]

THANKS for all your replies! Thanks for the link denise..it is really really helpful.

By the way, I found this 1br apartment at rue Custine (Chateau Rouge or Jules Joffrin metro stations). Any comments on the location?

[suzanne]

Hi Denise,

I had one of those bad first impressions of Place Des Vosges. We arrived there on a cold October morning on a large tour bus. First thing I saw was a young couple getting very cozy on a chair while an elderly man sat nearby reading a newspaper. It was weird. Then a school bell rang and a bunch of kids streamed out into the park and began smoking cigarettes. This was our first trip and 2nd day in Paris so it was all very strange to us.

I've been there several times since, and never seen the place like that, but it is my first memory of the Place and hence, I don't think of it as a child friendly sorta place.

[Jody]

The kiddo would probably enjoy the zoo at the Jardin des Plantes.I think I also saw a playground there. I'll look at my pictures and see if there is.

[PariS]

Chua, what exactly are you looking for in an apartment? If you give us some specifics (size, price range, etc.) I'm sure it'll set off a flury of busy fingers searching the net for you!

[suzanne]

I think I read somewhere that the zoo was closed for remodeling. There is a newly remodeled aquarium at the Trocadero. I have not been inside so I cannot voice an opinion.

[Jody]

I think the zoological park is closed but the Menagerie and Galerie de L'Evolution are open

[chua]

Feb 11, 2009 12:03:33 GMT -5 PariS said:

Chua, what exactly are you looking for in an apartment? If you give us some specifics (size, price range, etc.) I'm sure it'll set off a flury of busy fingers searching the net for you!

Am looking for a studio or 1 br apartment. Price range....from 80 to 100euro? Since it is just the 2 of us, I am looking for a clean apartment in a kids-friendly area. THANKS!

[PariS]

Chua, I just spent a few minutes looking at apartments (a favorite passtime... ) and found a few interesting spots:

Vacation In Paris has lots of very reasonable possibilities—here are a few:

My kids would have loved climbing up to this bed when they were six! Close to Luxembourg and right in the middle of everything—just around the corner from Odéon metro. $99 a night!
www.vacationinparis.com/apts/sub/108_photos.htm

This one is very close to Champ de Mars and has a patio for the little one to run around in.
www.vacationinparis.com/apts/sub/02_photos.htm

Paris Attitude has lots of possibilities, too. Here are some that caught my eye:

This one is on the island (St. Louis)—can’t get much more central than that. Being right by the best ice cream and gelato shops in town would be a kids dream! And there’s a little playground in the shadow of Notre Dame that would be just a few minutes walk.
www.parisattitude.com/apartment.asp?numProduit=3635

Another one on the island. No elevator, but check out the view!
www.parisattitude.com/apartment.asp?numProduit=3552

I was going to check VRBO, but the site is down for maintenance at the moment.

[kerouac]

The Trocadéro aquarium is grossly overpriced. Go to the one at Porte Dorée if you want an aquarium. Another alternative is the Sea Life attraction in the Val d'Europe shopping mall out by Disneyland.

[chua]

thank you thank you thank you!!!

[cybee]

Annette,

Good apartment finds! Some seem particularly well priced especially in those locations!

I do know how one can spend countless hours looking at apartments (as if obsessed). I spent countless hours doing this and even so had not seen three out of the four that you presented! (I guess I focused more on vrbo, which yes, I did notice was "down" yesterday (I wonder if it is back up yet).