Paris, France (Kara Schwabauer)

We ended up buying my son a scooter on the first day in London and he used it everywhere... Many kids his age and older are on scooters, so we felt a little bit like a local.

— Kara Schwabauer

More about your oliver guide: Kara Schwabauer
Trip type: Family, City
Activity level: easy
Ideal length of trip: 4-5 Days

to & from

Chunnel from London, travel first class. We traveled with our 3 1/2 year old son and 18 month old daughter.

Where to Stay

We stayed in the Vendome area, perfect location!

Where to Eat and Drink

Le Relais de l’Entrecôte-various locations, best steak and frites, ever! Although it has become more popular and now they have locations in the US, it's still a real treat! Go for a late lunch, order a bottle or red wine and request a table by the window, oh so Paris!
Bistrot Vivienne-cozy little Fresh bistro. The owner is great, don't miss the duck foie gras.
Chez Flottes-we brought the kids, great food and service, we all enjoyed the cheese plate.
Ladurée-a can't miss, we stopped by one at least once a day to keep the little ones happy!
Yannick Martin Gustative Corner-beautiful, but small, bakery with amazing bread and sweets. Seemed to be a local favorite, many school aged children stopped by in the morning.
The Bar at Hotel Costes-beautiful people, beautiful waitresses, and they are SO young!

What to Do

With small kids we didn't over plan, one thing a day.
Bateaux Parisiens for a boat tour, sit up top, open deck. Great views of the city, loved seeing the different angles of Notre Dame. Didn't hurt that it was a perfect spring day without a cloud in the sky.
Walk around the Louvre, didn't want to venture in with little kids, but they had a great time running around the pyramid.
We rode the carousel at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, kids loved it, my husband and I were dizzy and happy to skip going up the Eiffel Tower with little kids.
Rodin Museum, small museum with beautiful gardens, don't miss the Gates of Hell.
Marmottan, small museum in a cute neighborhood. It is all of Monet's personal artwork.
Notre Dame-easy to do a quick walk through with kids if you don't stop and read everything. My son loved lighting a candle. So much history in the process of building it.
Jardin du Luxembourg-beautiful for a nice walk, but even better with little ones, the playground is amazing! My kids didn't want to leave.

inside scoop

Check out thefork.com.
UBER everywhere!
Speak French as much as possible, if you it's only hello and thank you, the French do appreciate it.
When traveling with kids, get a babysitter!