PARIS FOR FAMILIES 07/18/15 — 07/22/15 Schedule Saturday 07/18 Paris Notes: Take it easy while you conquer jet lag, seeing the city from the Seine and from above at the Eiffel Tower. The Rodin museum is nearby if you want a little culture. MORNING Batobus Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France http://www.batobus.com/ A great way to get your bearings after arriving on a red-eye. This boat makes regular stops along the river, so you can hop on or hop off. Bateaux-Mouches Port de la Conférence, Pont de l’Alma, 75008 Paris, France http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/ Cruising the Seine, a round-trip cruise from the Pont de l'Alma versus the hop-on/hop-off Batobus. AFTERNOON L'Avenue 41 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France http://www.avenue-restaurant.com/ Chic brasserie with great people watching and a nice outdoor terrace. Eiffel Tower Eiffel Tower, Avenue Anatole France, Paris, France Paris' iconic tower is a busy landmark, so buy tickets ahead of time to skip the line or make a reservation at one of the restaurants within the tower (58 Tour Eiffel or Les Buffets is the best bet with kids). There's also a skating rink in the winter. Musée Rodin Musée Rodin, Rue de Varenne, Paris, France Great grounds and famous sculptures including The Thinker and The Kiss. EVENING Les Cocottes 135 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris, France http://www.maisonconstant.com/ Casual and cool, perfect for a family meal to pair with an Eiffel Tower visit, but they don't take reservations so expect a wait at prime time. Sunday 07/19 Paris Notes: Spend the morning on a scavenger hunt of the Louvre with our favorite guide, then get your sillies out with sweets, park time and shopping. Stroll across to the d'Orsay for a late afternoon culture kick before dinner. MORNING Louvre Museum Louvre Museum, Paris, France The world's most visited museum is also the world's most overwhelming place with kids minus a great guide. We love Paris Muse and Context Travel for families. AFTERNOON Le Café Marly 93 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France http://www.beaumarly.com/cafe-marly/accueil Famous eatery overlooking I.M. Pei's pyramids at the Louvre, but it's somewhat formal for young children (better for school age and older). Le Fumoir 6 Rue de l'Amiral de Coligny, 75001 Paris, France http://www.lefumoir.com/ Bistro food the kids will eat and a cool clubby vibe parents will like (it was formerly a speakeasy). Angelina 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France http://www.angelina-paris.fr/ Famous for their hot chocolates and pastries, but expect a queue. Tuileries Garden Tuileries Garden, Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France Prime play time for kids, with toy boats to sail, space to run and carnival rides during the summer. Rue Saint-Honoré Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France Not for the weak of heart, the high-fashion labels along Rue Saint-Honoré include home-grown French designers as well as international brands. Colette Colette, Paris, France If you hit one shop, this is it: a cult-favorite concept store with fashion, accessories, books and more. Musée d'Orsay Musée d'Orsay, Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris, France Even young kids will recognize some of the famous works here, including Van Gogh's Starry Night, Degas' ballerinas and Giverny's Giverney gardens; prepurchase tix online to skip the queue. EVENING L'Ami Jean Restaurant L'Ami Jean, Rue Malar, Paris, France Belly busting bistro eating gone upscale. Monday 07/20 Paris Notes: Today is devoted to our favorite 'hood, the Marais. Check out the museums, eat at the cafes and pop into some trendy shops and playgrounds full of gorgeous French families. MORNING Centre Pompidou Pompidou Center, Paris, France Contemporary art, kids' programming and a great restaurant on the roof. Picasso Museum Musée Picasso, Rue de Thorigny, Paris, France Reopened following a massive renovation, smaller and easier to navigate with kids. AFTERNOON 105 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France http://www.pinkflamingopizza.com/ Tiny pizza shop where you can eat in a retrofitted VW bus or they'll deliver to local parks. La Favorite La Favorite, Rue de Rivoli, 4th arrondissement, France Classic café in the Marais, great brunch or casual dinner after an afternoon of museums and exploring. Place des Vosges Place des Vosges, Paris, France This gorgeous square in the Marais is the city’s oldest, has a great playground and is surrounded by hip cafes and shops. Marais Shopping Rue de Hit Rue Vieille du Temple and the surrounding lanes for the hip Marais fashion and home boutiques. EVENING Le Soufflé Le Soufflé, Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, France Old school spot for classic souffle. Be sure to make a reservation since it's small and books up. Tuesday 07/21 Paris Notes: Kids love the gory history of the Conciergerie, so spend your morning on the Île de la Cité then fire up on ice cream and head to the Left Bank. MORNING Conciergerie Conciergerie, Boulevard du Palais, Paris, France Former palace that served as a prison during the French Revolution, famous prisoners include Marie-Antoinette. The artifacts are a little camp but kids will enjoy, and there are free tours in English. Sainte-Chapelle Sainte-Chapelle, Boulevard du Palais, Paris, France Gorgeous gothic chapel next to the Conciergerie. Notre Dame Cathedral Notre Dame Cathedral, Parvis Notre-Dame - place Jean-Paul- II, Paris, France As crowded as it is famous, Notre Dame is best visited early; note that the crypt has a separate entrance, and there's a playground on the side for entertaining kids while waiting in line. Berthillon Berthillion, Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, Paris, France Ice cream treat after touring the Île de la Cité. AFTERNOON Ralph's 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France http://ralphlaurenstgermain.com/en/#/lerestaurant Hot spot restaurant with a great garden in the Ralph Lauren store. Deyrolle 46 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, France http://www.deyrolle.fr/ Famous taxidermy shop full of oddities. Jardin des Plantes Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France Paris’ botanical garden is next to the Natural History Museum, and there’s also a small zoo to visit. Don’t miss the Labyrinth, a garden maze created in the 18th-century that’s still a hit with kids. Luxembourg Gardens Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, France Popular and picturesque park with winding paths, perfect gardens and historic fountains to explore. EVENING Relais de l'Entrecôte Saint Germain 20 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris, France http://www.relaisentrecote.fr/ Old school steakhouse for family-pleasing steak frites. Wednesday 07/22 Paris Notes: Today is for exploring beyond Paris. Choose one of our favorite half-day excursions then spend the rest of your day exploring Montmarte. MORNING Palace of Versailles Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France http://www.chateauversailles.fr/homepage Only 20 minutes by train from Paris, this gilded palace and its equally ornate gardens are a must-do daytrip, even better with a guide. Château de Chantilly Château de Chantilly, Chantilly, France If your child is a horse lover, add this to the list: the castle has Europe's largest stables, an equine museum and dressage exhibitions. Giverny Fondation Claude Monet, Rue Claude Monet, Giverny, France Visit Monet's home and the gardens that inspired his famous work; can be combined with Versailles if you want to spend a full day out before heading back to the city. AFTERNOON Hotel Amour 8 Rue Navarin, 75009 Paris, France http://www.hotelamourparis.fr/ Cute terrace seating at this hotel's restaurant, good for lunch while checking out Montemarte. Montemarte Sacré-Cœur, Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, Paris, France Wander this artsy neighborhood and explore Sacre Coeur (there's a funicular to the top for tiny climbers who tire easily). Little Train Tour Place Blanche, Paris, France A little kitsch but fun with kids, this small train takes families on a recorded tour of the hilly streets and landmarks in Montemarte. EVENING Brasserie Thoumieux 79 Rue Saint-Dominique, Paris, France All-day eatery with pizzas, burgers and the cool Costes vibe. All Activities Food & Drink Septime 80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France http://www.septime-charonne.fr/ More Information » Upscale fare from a hot young chef, great for a date night. Spring 6 Rue Bailleul, 75001 Paris, France http://www.springparis.fr/ More Information » An American chef who's created one of the hottest reservations in town, prix-fixe dinner for a parents' night out. Frenchie 5 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris, France http://www.frenchie-restaurant.com More Information » The restaurant is cozy and cool, the wine bar more hopping, and it's okay to take well-behaved children but go early. Verjus 52 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris, France http://www.verjusparis.com/ More Information » Hot spot with a tasting menu, but hit the downstairs wine bar for reasonably priced small plates. La Régalade Saint-Honoré 123 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France More Information » Traditional French cuisine in a charming setting. Le Verre Volé 67 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris, France http://www.leverrevole.fr/ More Information » Cozy wine cave with friendly service and classic French dishes, one of the hip string of eateries along Canal Saint- Martin. 111 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France http://breizhcafe.com/ More Information » Best crepes in the Marais. Cafe Charlot 38 Rue de Bretagne, Paris, France More Information » Cool spot to grab lunch while shopping in the Marais. Terroir Parisien 20 Rue Saint-Victor, 75005 Paris, France http://www.bistrot-terroirparisien.fr/ More Information » Sophisticated farm-to-table cuisine for a date night or a lunch en famile after visiting the Natural History Museum.