Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Paris: Right Bank in one day with kids

This is doable in one day.
Angelina's for hot cocoa:

Pure chocolate and thick luscious whip cream!
Work off that sugar across the street at the trampolines in the Tuileries:
Or.... rent a sailboat (also an option at the Left Bank's Luxembourg garden), ride a carrousel or a pony.  I don't have photos of those.

Visit the Louvre.   Before you go, check out the kid's programs offered.
Can you believe this is the best photo I have in my collection of the Louvre?!?
But....do not enter via the dramatic glass pyramid.  You will stand on line forever, especially if at opening time.  Instead, enter through the Carrousel du Louvre (a little shopping mall and food court (in France!).  It's located on rue de Rivoli.  I've done this 6 times and have never run into a line.  Once inside, you'll see the pretty pyramid.  I also like to go late in the day, it's less crowded.

Walk through the Palais Royal.  The garden is on one side and the black and white courtyard on the other.    I packed daughter's jump rope and she burned off energy jumping and climbing on the stools.

This is a great place to relax and get a break from the hustle of Paris.




If you still have time and energy, here are a few more right bank suggestions for kids:

Quai de la Mégisserie:  An entire street dedicated to pet and garden shops.  You'll also see the picturesque bouquinistes across the street along the Seine.




Les Arts Decoratifs:  (very close to the Carrousel du Louvre) Great toy museum, textiles and fashion.  Once, I accidentally walked into a closed area while curators were setting up  a new exhibit and got an earful of  very loud and colorful french!  Oops.

Musée de la Poupée  Not as close by, but definitely worth a visit.  Take a look at their class schedule.  Daughter took a doll making class and loved it.