Just back from Paris and DLP. We werent sure if the kids would enjoy the 3 days in Paris but they loved it. We had intended taking the bus from CDG to Paris and then a taxi to hotel, but ended up in a shuttle bus with some Japanese tourists, cost us 40E for 2 adults and 2 kids, but the driver dropped us right outside the hotel. I know he touted for business at airport, but it was worth it. Stayed in the Opera area for 1st night, but headed to Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel Tower for 1st evening. Loved Sacre Coeur, great views of city only thing that put me off are the guys that hang around the funnicular railway trying to sell plaited wrist straps or whatever they were. There were a lot of police around on the evening but next day when we went back in daylight, not so many and we found it rather intimidating. Took the kids to see the Eiffel tower at night. they loved it all lit up and sparkling, I have to admit my favourite view of it is after you get off the metro at Trocadero and just look down at it, I cant understand why guidebook etc.. tell you to get off at Bir-Hakeim as the walk to it is not as nice. Headed to DLP lunchtime 2nd day. Spent 4 days there, kids loved it. Back to Paris and stayed in Montparnasse Area, lovely here, walked down San Michel to Notre Dame (my kids thought the hunchback really lived there) had a wander round cathederal, then headed for Eiffel Tower, Queued for about 45 minutes to get tickets for the top. Have to say staff there weren%26#39;t too pleasant, not rude but not friendly mind you it was pouring at this stage so our humour wasnt great either. When we got to 2nd stage thought it wasn%26#39;t signposted very well where to go to get lifts to top, found them in end. Although it was raining the view was quite good, pointed out all the sights to kids, The sun was starting to come out now so everyone cheered up. Only spent about 20 mins at top as it was really busy. Headed for Champs Elyees and the Arc de Triomphe. Another great sight, kids loved being on to of Arc looking down. Headed back to hotel to clean up and eat and early night. Last day, up early breakfast in cafe near Notre Dame, river cruise on Seine, quick lunch on Boulevard Raspail and car came to collect us for airport. Nightmare trip, apparently there was some student demonstration and the police closed a lot of roads, the driver kept trying to take short cuts but nothing was working. Took 1 1/2 hours to get to CDG but made it in plenty of time. All in all a good week, now have given kids a taster of Paris and they are keen to go again.
|||
Do tell us where you ate, names of hotels, what you and the kids loved the most, the least what would you do for sure again the next time what do you wish you had done but couldn%26#39;t squeeze in Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for the report.
|||
We stayed 1st night at Bar Western Opera Aida, which was a really nice hotel, clean and functional, but a bit off the beaten track for us. It was very quite around there at night, so we took a taxi back from Eiffel Tower at night. 1st night we ate around Sacre Coeur, just around the corner from where all the artists are, a lovely little italian which was very reasonable. With 2 kids and a vegetarian husband you cant go wrong with Pizza and pasta!! We stayed 2 nights at Villa Luxembourg in Montparnasse, which was lovely - really quirky room, it had an upstairs!! which freaked the kids out. Our 1st night there we ate at an Italian on Rue Vavin called La Mammma, it was such good value for money and pleasant staff. Breakfast was eaten near Notre Dame in just a small cafe which the kids enjoyed again because we ate outside. I know you can do it in London, but it wasnt the same they said. 2nd night we ate at a resturant near our hotel called Hippopotomus, which apparently there are a few of them, not quite a chain I think, Again it was tasty food, something for everyone and not expensive. With kids its not worth risking new food on them, I think anyway. Stick with what you know and smiles all round. Lunch was picked up along the way in small cafes. we didnt have one bad experience. We were sorry we didnt do the Eiffel tower at night as the queues werent so long then. We would also have gone to Sacre Coeur earlier in the evening, would have like the kids to see it in twilight, as opposed to daylight and nightime. We didnt get to the Louve which is on our list for next time. It really was a whirlwind trip as we werent sure the kids would enjoy it but they surprised us, they really loved it.
No comments:
Post a Comment