3 Days in Paris with 3&1 yr old

Hi All,

I am planning a 3 day trip to Paris, March end and travelling with 3yrs and 1yr old. What will the weather be like at that time?

I would welcome any suggestions on places/areas to stay and also for trip itinerary.

From what I have read so far, it seems there will be a lot of walking, so taking a double stroller will be a must. Right? Any places that I should avoid/keep of my itineray as it will be difficult to do with kids?

Also, for all those with kids, any suggestions on what I should definitely pack for the kids.

Thanks,

Vin

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A double stroller might be difficult due to the bulky nature. Maybe you could bring two umbrella strollers and they sell those %26quot;clips%26quot; that can attach them, making the configuration much more versatile. Combi and some of the other brands, have the shoulder straps...throw one over your shoulder when the 3 yr old wants to walk.

I have never taken children to Paris, so no advice on the intinery, ect. BUT, I do have two small children...good luck:)

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Hi

Weather for end of March is really any one%26#39;s guess. We are experiencing a warmer than average February with lots of bright sunshine, but when it has turned cold you know it is winter still...

As for entertaining the little ones, the Luxembourg garden and the Tuileries both have great playgrounds. Most neighborhood parks do also...

There are puppet shows in Parc Montsouris, covered and heated in winter....

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Easiest would be 1 backpack and 1 small stroller.

Double strollers are not practical in central Paris where sidewalks are often narrow and crowded. Metro and buses are difficult with large strollers too.

You do see kids here in strollers but not that many of them. They live here, are not jetlagged and do not have to go to restaurants. Many times they are just rolled out of their apartments to be %26quot;aired out%26quot; or out of their parents cars.

March can still be cold - or it can be mild too, nobody knows and each year is different. Most of all it can be rainy.

With kids I would stay in a large hotel like Lutetia, go to Luxembourg garden, walk on large Boulevards like Boulevard du Montparnasse or Boulevard Saint Germain.

Unless I MUST travel however, I would stay home and wait for the kids to be a little older... so trip can be enjoyed by all. Good luck!

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Get a centralized hotel or at least one on a bus line. The apart-hotel might be a good option as they have small kitchen facilities. They tend to be a bit more wheel friendly.

Paris is not for the mobility-challenged. Avoid all stair places so unfortunately Louvre, Arch, Trocadero to Eiffel Tower are out. But go to Place des Vosges, Tuilleries, Champs du Mars or other parks. Street markets might get a bit congested so go right before they close. Walk Champs Elysees. Look into a open bus tour for getting around to the sights.

Single Umbrella strollers and rain gear are key things to pack. I see a lot of %26quot;bubble%26quot; kids under plastic in their strollers. Even saw a child hitching a ride on another stroller, not sure if that is safe but does eliminate the need for the second stroller.

People travel with their kids all the time. It may not be your ideal Paris trip but you will enjoy it.

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Hi;

Just a small point:

The Louvre is very much wheel accessible.

The Pyramid entrance has an elevator that takes you to the reception are. At the information desk you can get a brochure that shows all the elevators and access routes to the different collections.

For more information go to:

louvre.fr/llv/pratique/alaune_handicape.jsp…

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My mistake about the Louvre. I was there Monday with two 5 year olds and a 9 year old and they hated all the stairs. A bit young to appreciate that they were at the Louvre.

They had much more fun watching the boats and ducks at Tuilleries. Both were free (for them) but I enjoyed the non-whining section of the day much more.

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Travelling to Paris with such young children is very ....let me choose my word carefully....brave.

I would think you should try to do as much outdoors as possible, and suggest:

Jardin Acclimatisation near the Bois de Boulogne is wonderful - you can buy tickets in a book for various rides and shows.

Jardins Tuilleries %26amp; Luxembourg

Parc Floral to the South of Paris.

La Mer de Sable to the North.

Look into the City of Science %26amp; Industry which is fantastic, but don%26#39;t know if they cater for such young children.

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Are you travelling alone? A double stroller would not be fun, plus, when confronted with stairs, and you will be , somewhere, what will you do,, you will have to carry the 1 yr old and the stroller and hope the 3 yr old follows??

If it is just you travelling then I think you are in for a difficult time,, if you have another adult it would make it much easier..

If it is pouring rain you are not going to have fun, as in my world a baby and a toddler in a hotel room all day spells stress.

Could you leave one child with grandma,??I mean , the one year old would survive fine without you for 3 days, and they will get nothing out of Paris, you could go to Paris Texas for all they would care.

then you and 3 yr old could have a fairly good time, plus some one on one time would be nice for the older child.

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We have travelled with our kids, 4 and 2 extensively (not to paris though). We have been fine everytime. I think we all have developed tha habit of travelling. I dea of taking two umbrella strollers with an attachment bar is excellent. This way you%26#39;ll have an option of single and double stroller all the time. Take a backpack that can hold your stuff and still hang at stroller handles. Take a raincover for the stroller/s. Its available @ babies r us. Take buses not metros if possible. take elevator at arc. Open bus tour is doable I think. So is Eiffel Tower if you book in one of the restaurants. (Try to book now if you want too). Lunch there is far less expensive. IMO, open bus tour will take you to most places. Also try to rent an apartment instead of hotel. It may have dishwasher for all those bottles and sippy cups, microwave for warming food and refrigertor for food. Make sure it has elevator. There are some agencies that can allow you to rent on nightly basis. Just chk it.

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Hello All,

Thank you for the suggestions. I like the idea of two umbreall strollers with an attachment bar and rain covers. And of renting an apartment rather than a hotel room.

As I finalize the itinerary I will definitely be keeping in mind all the to do and to avois areas.

By all means please keeps adding to it.