Family-Friendly Paris Attractions Everyone Likes
Gardens, Parc la Villette, Shops, Markets, Cafes Have All-Age Appeal
Most people think of Paris as a grown-up, sophisticated place. And it is. But Paris is also one of Europe’s most child-friendly cities.
Parks and Playgrounds
At Luxembourg Gardens, kids can float miniature sail boats (they’re for rent) on the round pond while the adults soak up the park’s natural beauty. Or the youngsters might watch puppet shows, as French children have for a hundred years. Puppet shows are a feature at most of the city’s other major parks, too.
Paris’ biggest zoo is in the Bois de Vincennes where animals live in settings similar to their natural habitats. Other park attractions include miniature golf, a miniature train and other kiddie rides.
At the Bois de Boulogne, boat rides a miniature train, a small zoo, a clockwork toy’s village and a doll’s house, a house of mirrors, an archery range and a bowling alley are favorite attractions.
You’ll find some surprises, too, at the neighborhood parks – like ping-pong tables (you’ll need to bring your own paddles, however, in order to play).
Amusement Parks
Disneyland Paris (about 20 miles east of the city via autoroute A4; also called Eurodisney) echoes the format of Disney attractions in the U. S. with a French accent. A steam railroad runs around the park’s peripheryand Mickey Mouse leads the parade down Main Street. Quintessentially French, Parc Asterix (about 25 miles northeast of Paris via A1 autoroute) is themed around the comic-strip character, Asterix the Gaul, who has been a favorite with French children for decades.
Cite des Sciences et de L’industre (City of Science and Industry),
Also known as Parc La Villette, this 125- acre site on the northern periphery of the city might be considered a complete destination in itself since there’s so much to see and do. Attractions include great playground facilities, such as windmill blades that are propelled by pedaling; ground level trampolines, and a dragon whose long tongue is a slide. Hands-on exhibits in the Explora, where you can pilot a plane or design a car; an “Inventorium” activity center, and the Planetarium are popular, too.
Kid-Pleasing Meals
At mealtime, try Trumilou (84, quai de l’Hotel de Ville; specialty omelets) and Perraudin (157 Rue Saint-Jacques), the sort of traditional student hangout pre-teens and teenagers love. (add other suggestions i.e. sidewalk cafes, street performers,
Pint-Size Shopping
Shops youngsters adore include Rigadon, one of the best of its kind in Europe, which specializes in puppets and marionettes. Au Nain Bleu (The Blue Dwarf, 5. Boulevarde Malesherbes) is a child’s delight of wooden soldiers, model airplanes, wind-up toys, dolls and other playthings. If it’s windy, buy kites at Le Ciel est a Tout le Monde (99, Rue Rivoli), and don’t miss Magie Modern Hatte Mayette , with its stink bombs, whoopee cushions and magic tricks galore.
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