boat trips in paris

Captain_Jack_3

Hi,
I am going to Disneyland paris for 4 days and then on to Paris its self . I have a 7 year old son and like the idea of a boat trip. All the ones I have looked at seem to include a meal at the Eiffel tower which would be difficult with my son. Does any one know of good boat trip?
Also Eiffel tower any tips on avoiding the queues to go up it?
Any other suggestions for good child friendly activities.
Taxis
How to avoid being ripped off?
I would very much appreciate help
thanks Captain Jack

PeteMc

You can take the Bateaux Mouches or Bateaux Parisien without a meal, just turn up and buy the tickets.

Avoiding queues at the Eiffel Tower? Difficult, perhaps a rainy Tuesday morning in November. Otherwise go for the walk up rather than the lift, its generally quieter.

Paris is not wonderfully child friendly but you could try Parc de la Villette as the exhibitions are more interactive and there are play areas.

No reason why you should be ripped off in a Parisien Taxi (anymore than London, Manchester or Newcastle). Just pick a signed one and make sure the meter is running in the correct zone (a, b or c). Explanations are on the window in English as well. For general ripping off, just take the same care you would at home. Paris petty crime is probably less than the UK.

Try and learn a few words of French, it will make your time much easier outside of Disneyland and Parisiens appreciate the effort.

Enjoy yourself!

trisontana

If you want a good view of Paris and can't face the queues , why not try the Tour Montparnasse. This rather ugly 59 story office block has a viewing platform on the roof. You get good views all round of the whole of Paris. I think it's open till midnight. Here is some information :-

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=110509

ajmcc_2

Captain_Jack wrote:

Hi,
I have a 7 year old son and like the idea of a boat trip. All the ones I have looked at seem to include a meal at the Eiffel tower which would be difficult with my son. Does any one know of good boat trip?

http://www.batobus.com/english/boat-cruise-paris-seine.html

Hop on - Hop off. 8 stops along La Seine from Jardin des Plantes to Tour Eiffel.
1 - day Pass: €11 (€5 for children under 16)

annie-c

I second the bateau-mouches for lazy day trips. The open top bus tours in Paris are a little pricey but there are about 4 routes that you can hop on and off over 1-2 days, you get headphones to wear for an English commentary and they help you get a really good feel for all the major sites without having to do too much legwork.

The French are great with kids in ordinary restaurants so you'll be able to take him anywhere for food - the Latin Quarter is lovely and bustly in the early evenings.

The Notre Dame is absolutely beautiful - one of my favourite places- and if you pay to climb the bell-tower then the guides usually orgainise you into groups to ring the enorrmous bell by pulling and pushing it to get it swinging - great for little and big kids!

The Sacre Coeur can be reached either by steps or by funicular railway - which is really cheap - the price of a single metro ticket I think, and is good fun. There are also lots of street entertainers around there and the Montmartre area, though you'll want to keep him (and your wallet) close as it gets really busy..

When are you going? In late July/August, don't they make the banks of the Seine into a beach area with kiosks and entertainment? Never been then, but heard it's good for families.

Hope you have a lovely time!

Annie

jockettuk

the boat trips are nice at night.. there are lots of different boat trips like others have said you just go down and book a ticket..

are you going on a package trip.. we did this and it was all organised for us on top of the disney trip..

pjran

The metro might be really exciting for a 7 year old especially if you don't live in the city, mine certainly enjoyed it.My kids fell asleep on the river cruise....so did I.

Have a great time.
Pj:rotfl:

Backbiter

trisontana wrote:

If you want a good view of Paris and can't face the queues , why not try the Tour Montparnasse. This rather ugly 59 story office block has a viewing platform on the roof. You get good views all round of the whole of Paris. I think it's open till midnight. Here is some information :-

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=110509

The best free view of Paris is said to be from the top of the Samaritaine department store, which faces the river on the right bank not too far from Notre Dame. Having said that, the view from the top of Notre dame takes some beating.

Can definitely recommend the Bateaux Mouches river trips, which last around an hour and a half, and leave from Pont de l'Alma. There no metro station there - it's a bit of a walf from the nearest one. Haven't been on one for a few years but they were always reasonably priced.

trisontana

Unfortunately the Samaritaine store has closed and it will stay that way for several years. This is because extensive building work has to be carried out because of fire regulations.

Captain_Jack_3

Hi,
Can I thank everyone who has offered me help and advice on a trip to Paris with a 7 year old. It makes me feel alot more confident about the whole trip.
The boats and the metro will be enjoyed by my son, anything that involves vehicles. Nice to know that meals in Paris will be less of an ordeal than expected.
Thanks for suggestions and info about Notre Dame, Taxis, boats , and things to do .
Its my first posting and I have been so impressed with the help I have received.
Forgive me if thanking everyone individually is the done thing, I am new .
Once again thankyou, I hope to have a lovely time with my son.:T

rockhopper_3

Hi

My husband and I have just come back from Paris - I agree with what other posters have said, but thought I'd add my thoughts...

Going up the Eiffel Tower was more of an ordeal than a pleasure, even though we went at night when it is supposedly quieter. It took 2.5 hours to go up and down, and that's with spending 10 mins at the top! We queued the entire time and it wasn't much fun. If you really want to go, don't bother going right to the top - it's not that different and would knock 1.5 hours of queuing off! I would go to the Tour Monparnasse in future.

If you want to get out of the city take a trip to Versailles on the train, wouldn't bother going in the palace with a 7 year old (unless he likes endless audiotours of state rooms...) but the grounds are great, it only costs 1 euro, and you can hire boats on the lake.

The gardens at the Rodin museum are also only 1 euro to go in, and if you go right to the back there are sandpits and nice wooden recliners for a snooze....

We took the metro/RER/trains everywhere - v easy. If you buy the Paris Visite pass you get discounts to the Bateaux Parissienne and the Tour Monparnasse.

Have a lovely time,
Rockhopper