I called the open time between when school got out and when we left for the States "Camp Paris 2018" (see first post here). I worried about keeping the kids busy and there are still a ton of sights in Paris on my list. So, off we went. And, I will add, we didn't wait in line anywhere. Maybe the first week of July is the best time to visit Paris? Who knows!?
It wasn't all good news. The girls staged a mutiny after the first week, refusing to go to another monument or museum. Sigh. So, we spent more days than I care to admit to watching movies, crafting and hanging out around the (very warm) apartment. Such is summer, I guess.
Here's a breakdown of the places we DID see ...
Parc Zoologique de Paris (also known as Zoo de Vincenne)
Link: https://www.parczoologiquedeparis.fr/
Price: 50€ for 1 adult, 2 kids
Summary: Loved it!
Even though it was 40 minutes on the metro from our apartment (on the opposite side of the city), the ride felt quick. Maybe because we were so excited. With no lines at the ticket booth, we walked right in. The zoo is medium-sized and laid out in an easy-to-navigate circle. We saw so many animals: hippos, manatees, zebras and a funny toucan. Even some babies! We were just losing steam by the time we hit the gift shop, which had a great selection of cute things. All in all a great experience.
Nearby: Located in the same area, there's an aquarium and a really snazzy park with a large lawn and rental boats, so you could easily make a full day.
Centre Pompidou
Link: https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en
Price: 14€ for 1 adult, 2 kids (kids are free)
Summary: Liked it!
All the galleries at the Pompidou are on the top three floors and it doesn't take long to get through them. Modern art isn't really my bag, but it was just "weird" enough to hold the girls' interest and keep us entertained. And we had a few really funny conversations. We ate at the little cafe on the main floor, and people-watched for a while.
Nearby: There's a Yogurt Factory just steps from the front door, for froyo. And we walked passed Les Halles (my least favorite area here, it's basically an underground Times Square) to the kitchen supply store E. Dehillerin where Martha and Ina and all the chefs visit when they're in Paris.
Petit Palais
Link: http://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/
Price: 13€ for 1 adult, 2 kids (kids are free)
Summary: Loved it!
Built just after the Eiffel Tower for another World Fair, the Petit Palais has been on my list to visit for years. And an Impressionist exhibit was just the excuse I needed to head over. We quickly entered and walked the small but very well-curated exhibit. I love the story it told and they offered an activity sheet for the girls and plenty of interactive areas. Plus, their permanent exhibit, though small, was delightful to walk through.
Nearby: The Grand Palais is across the street (so far no exhibits that have enticed me, I'm hoping for something awesome this winter), and the Champs Elysees up the street. We walked across the river toward Les Invalides for lunch.
Aquarium Paris (at the Trocadero)
Link: http://www.cineaqua.com/index.php/en/
Price: 48€ for 1 adult, 2 kids
Summary: Kinda lame. Skip it.
I was warned this aquarium is small, old and unimpressive but since it's in our neighborhood, I decided we needed to check it out anyway. I should have listened. Yes, it was nice to see some fish and other sea creatures. And they had lots of jellyfish, which were beautiful. But it took us about an hour to see everything. It's in dire need of an update, including most of the habitats/tanks. Plus, other than the zoo, it was the most expensive thing that we saw.
Nearby: The Eiffel Tower is right there. Plus, the Passy cemetery, which is a mini Père Lachaise.
Believe it or not, there is still a ton of places on my list that I want to see and do. Paris is big like that. But the second week the mutiny was in full effect, so we concentrated on packing, cleaning, sorting and watching a few favorite movies.
Related posts:
Camp Paris planning post
More posts about "Adventure"
It wasn't all good news. The girls staged a mutiny after the first week, refusing to go to another monument or museum. Sigh. So, we spent more days than I care to admit to watching movies, crafting and hanging out around the (very warm) apartment. Such is summer, I guess.
Here's a breakdown of the places we DID see ...
Link: https://www.parczoologiquedeparis.fr/
Price: 50€ for 1 adult, 2 kids
Summary: Loved it!
Even though it was 40 minutes on the metro from our apartment (on the opposite side of the city), the ride felt quick. Maybe because we were so excited. With no lines at the ticket booth, we walked right in. The zoo is medium-sized and laid out in an easy-to-navigate circle. We saw so many animals: hippos, manatees, zebras and a funny toucan. Even some babies! We were just losing steam by the time we hit the gift shop, which had a great selection of cute things. All in all a great experience.
Nearby: Located in the same area, there's an aquarium and a really snazzy park with a large lawn and rental boats, so you could easily make a full day.
Centre PompidouLink: https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en
Price: 14€ for 1 adult, 2 kids (kids are free)
Summary: Liked it!
All the galleries at the Pompidou are on the top three floors and it doesn't take long to get through them. Modern art isn't really my bag, but it was just "weird" enough to hold the girls' interest and keep us entertained. And we had a few really funny conversations. We ate at the little cafe on the main floor, and people-watched for a while.
Nearby: There's a Yogurt Factory just steps from the front door, for froyo. And we walked passed Les Halles (my least favorite area here, it's basically an underground Times Square) to the kitchen supply store E. Dehillerin where Martha and Ina and all the chefs visit when they're in Paris.
Link: http://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/
Price: 13€ for 1 adult, 2 kids (kids are free)
Summary: Loved it!
Built just after the Eiffel Tower for another World Fair, the Petit Palais has been on my list to visit for years. And an Impressionist exhibit was just the excuse I needed to head over. We quickly entered and walked the small but very well-curated exhibit. I love the story it told and they offered an activity sheet for the girls and plenty of interactive areas. Plus, their permanent exhibit, though small, was delightful to walk through.
Nearby: The Grand Palais is across the street (so far no exhibits that have enticed me, I'm hoping for something awesome this winter), and the Champs Elysees up the street. We walked across the river toward Les Invalides for lunch.
Link: http://www.cineaqua.com/index.php/en/
Price: 48€ for 1 adult, 2 kids
Summary: Kinda lame. Skip it.
I was warned this aquarium is small, old and unimpressive but since it's in our neighborhood, I decided we needed to check it out anyway. I should have listened. Yes, it was nice to see some fish and other sea creatures. And they had lots of jellyfish, which were beautiful. But it took us about an hour to see everything. It's in dire need of an update, including most of the habitats/tanks. Plus, other than the zoo, it was the most expensive thing that we saw.
Nearby: The Eiffel Tower is right there. Plus, the Passy cemetery, which is a mini Père Lachaise.
Believe it or not, there is still a ton of places on my list that I want to see and do. Paris is big like that. But the second week the mutiny was in full effect, so we concentrated on packing, cleaning, sorting and watching a few favorite movies.
Related posts:
Camp Paris planning post
More posts about "Adventure"
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