Paris in a day

DeeGee75

In a fit of pique yesterday I booked day trip from Ebbsfleet to Paris by Eurostar for the week before Easter, because my 5 year old son has been telling me about the tunnel "That's so long it goes to France"

We have a long old day, arriving Gare du Nord at 11.23 and leaving at 20:20.

All the boy wants to do is travel in the tunnel and see the Eiffel Tower.

What other things do you suggest we do with a 5 year old? I lived near Paris for a year, but went to town to do mundane day-to-day stuff, rather than the sightseeing. I also don't imagine he'd be too impressed with the art galleries (though he might like a ride up the escalators at Beaubourg).

martindow

Cite de Sciences maybe although I'm not sure a 5 year old would get from it compared to an older child

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cit%C3%A9_des_Sciences_et_de_l%27Industrie

DeeGee75

Not sure myself. It's a bit far out if we're going to see the Eiffel Tower as well, isn't it? Especially as I think he'd like a boat ride too and I can get that gratis with Tesco Clubcard.

I was half considering an open-top bus tour, but then saw that I'd be dropping the best part of a ton on that. I don't imagine there's a public-service bus like the 11 in London that ticks off most of the sights as it goes past, is there? I can probably point out the main sights.

DeeGee75

Answering my own question:

http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=balabus&fm=gif

But not on a Wednesday!

PompeyPete

Let the little lad have a bit of fun on the train while it's in the tunnel.
Buy him some goggles, snorkle, and flippers. Pop him in his swimming trunks, and let him run though a couple of carriages.;)

maman

I'd definitely take him down the Seine on a boat trip and be prepared to supplement the commentary specially for him.


Then I'd take him for lunch somewhere (other than McDonalds!!) where he could maybe practise a few words and/or into a baker so he could ask for baguettes/cakes.


Other options might be a stroll up the Champs Elysee and talk to him about the Tour de France and maybe Montmartre/Sacre Coeur as the view from there is good and he'll probably enjoy the little funicular.

peachyprice

The little funicular railway up to the Sacre Coeur is good fun and you can see for miles from up there.
There's the ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde.
The parks have great playgrounds for little children.

HHarry

Jump on to the Batobus (sp?!) it's the hop-on hop-off boat bus up and down the river.

brightonman123

when I went, there were artists selling personal comic sketches by the notre dame cathedral.


get food/drinks in places away from touristy areas, to avoid being ripped off. Not sure if they charge extra for table service, rather than staying at the bar.