1 Family Highlights of Paris & Disneyland · Highlights of Paris & Disneyland ® 2 BEST FAMILY...

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Page 1: 1 Family Highlights of Paris & Disneyland · Highlights of Paris & Disneyland ® 2 BEST FAMILY EXPERIENCES Strolling along the Seine is a highly enjoyable way to take in Paris’s

1 Family Highlights ofParis & Disneyland®

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BEST FAMILY EXPERIENCES

Strolling along the Seine is ahighly enjoyable way to take inParis’s iconic, sweeping vistas,identify the main sights, and

absorb the laid-back atmosphereas lovers walk hand in hand,anglers cast their lines, bouquin-istes (secondhand-book dealers,see p. 163) peddle their old editions, and rollerbladers andcyclists dodge passers-by—especially on Sundays during

Few cities evoke as much promise and passion as the Frenchcapital. The mention of its name is enough for people to go

starry-eyed as they dream of walking along the banks of the RiverSeine, stopping in café terraces, eating in some of Europe’s finestrestaurants, and introducing their children to the cultural attractionsof one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.

Paris has always been the city for me; first as a teenager, when myparents unexpectedly extended our holiday in Brittany to Paris andDisneyland (I remember walking across the gardens on the Champs-Elysées, dodging the sprinklers on the flowerbeds, and being wowedby Disney’s fireworks display); then as a happy-go-lucky student onmy year abroad; and now as an ex-pat who still hasn’t seen everythingthere is to see – even after eight years.

I’m not alone in my enthusiasm. The French government reportsthat the world’s most visited attractions last year were the Louvre (7.6million), the Eiffel Tower (6.4 million), the Pompidou Centre (5.3million), and Versailles (3.3 million) – proof that Paris and its suburbsare simply inexhaustible in their ability to charm.

For many families Paris is about discovery, the memories your family makes, and the broader history you, the children and the cityare part of. But don’t let yourself get stuck in the city centre for thewhole of your trip – the Île-de-France (the region in which Paris lies)brims with activities for families, be it the parks and forests on theouter edges – Bois de Boulogne and Parc de la Villette; Versailles – theSun King’s Palace; Parc Astérix – a thoroughly French theme park; orDisneyland® Resort Paris, where the frivolous fun Walt Disney dedicated his life to bursts into action inside a fast-moving resort thatyou could easily spend two days in.

Placing both feet firmly on the ground again, visiting with children, especially babies and toddlers, can be frustrating in the citycentre. Restaurants (unless you aim at the top end) rarely have highchairs or clean toilets, and the Métro with its narrow turnstiles andnever-ending staircases is unsuitable for buggies. However, onceyou’ve accepted this and brought along the necessaries (wipes, baby-carriers, etc... see Children’s Kit p. 20), you’ll find Paris a delightfulcity – whatever the weather or the time of year.

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the summer months whenstretches of the quaysides areclosed to cars, and the river’sedge becomes a beach with activ-ities for youngsters. See ParisPlage, p. 24.

Ambling around the open-airor covered markets (marchés)to buy fresh food – perhaps a ripe’n’ creamy Camembert, somesaucisson, or a pumpkin-goldmelon for a picnic. For marketlistings see each chapter.

Meeting Mickey and Friendscan be the highlight of anyyoung child’s trip to DisneylandParis. To make the magic lastlonger, book a DisneylandResort® hotel where the charac-ters make regular appearances,and sometimes join you forbreakfast. See p. 234.

Watching a movie in the openair in July and August at Parc

de la Villette. Parisians turn upin their thousands, picnic basketand blankets in hand, to watchfilms projected onto Europe’slargest inflatable screens. This isthe ultimate way for your familyto soak up the easy-going atmos-phere that reigns in Paris duringthe summer months. See p. 140.

Cheering on the jockeys inthe famous and classyHippodrome de Longchamp,in the Bois de Boulogne (the siteof the Prix de l’Arc de TriompheGrand Prix) or the Hippodromed’Auteuil (see p. 22) is funthroughout the year, but evenbetter on Sundays in April andMay when huge picnic areas areset up between the tracks, withcandyfloss, games and attrac-tions for children. See LesDimanches au Galop, p. 22.

Pulling faces at the gargoyleson top of Notre-Dame – takingphotos of family members imper-sonating one, then deciding whowas most convincing. See p. 186.

Getting to the top of the EiffelTower never fails to impress andis something everybody shoulddo at least once in their lives. Atnight, the tower sparkles like agiant Christmas tree, every houron the hour for 10 minutes. Seep. 77.

Immortalising your childrenwith a portrait painted at Place du Tertre is cheesy butfun. The café-lined square inMontmartre, once frequented bypainters like Toulouse Lautrec, isjam-packed with modern artistsready to caricature your youngsters

Enjoy the bustling markets

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and give you something fun tolook back on. See p. 112.

Taking the boat along theCanal St-Martin from Bastille tothe Villette quarter, past tree-lined quays and old working-classareas – now gentrified and ratherhip. Canauxrama, see p. 139.

Feeling sombre in theMémorial des Martyrs Français dela Déportation de 1945 (Deporta-tion Memorial) on the tip of Îlede la Cité. It movingly bringshome the fact that the Nazi geno-cide took millions of lives, manyfrom Paris. See p. 188.

Walking up the Champs-Elysées past chic shops, cine-mas, car showrooms, and caféstowards the Arc de Triomphewhere you can see the grave ofthe unknown soldier and climbthe arch for spectacular viewsacross Paris. See p. 60.

Getting dressed up for a gour-met family treat in the Crillonpalace hotel’s restaurant LesAmbassadeurs (or their lower-key and less expensive brasserieL’Obélisque). See p. 70.

Catching a puppet show inthe Théâtre des Marionnettes,smack-bang in the heart of theLuxembourg gardens makes for awonderful Gallic giggle, whetheryour children speak French ornot. See p. 161.

Taking the funicular to the topof the Butte de Montmartrefrom where you can visit theSacré Coeur basilica, take insweeping vistas of the whole ofParis, and watch talented streetperformers. See p. 104.

Bike riding along the CanalSt-Martin, lined with cafés andshops, up to the Canal del’Ourcq and Parc de la Villettewith its open spaces and fabu-lous children’s science museum,or beyond to the Marne river.See p. 140.

Strolling on top of a con-verted viaduct on thePromenade Plantée. Pack a pic-nic or some games for the Jardinde Reuilly (see p. 140) or furtheron in the Bois de Vincennes (seep. 140), or come down to groundlevel near Bastille and look inthe interesting shops under theviaduct arcades. See p. 140.

Riding the transparent esca-lator tubes on the side of thePompidou Centre is almost asfun as seeing the works of artinside. Watch in wonder as therooftops get closer and closer, andlook to see which lucky devilshave rooftop gardens. See p. 124.

Tucking into Oriental pâtis-series and couscous inside theParis Mosque (Mosquée de

Blanc à Manger at Les Ambassadeurs

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Paris). On a sunny day opt for a table in the white-and-bluetiled courtyard where cheekysparrows fly down to beg forcrumbs. See p. 184.

Taking a boat trip along theSeine is a relaxing way to admireParis’s beautiful quays and mon-uments. It’s also the best way tosee the sculptures and under-bellies of the bridges. BothBateaux Parisiens (see p. 87)and Bateaux Mouches (see p. 87) companies offer commen-tated tours. You can also use theBatobus boats like a bus servicealong the river. See p. 49.

BEST CHILDREN’SPLAYGROUNDS &PARKS

Jardin d’Acclimatation in theBois de Boulogne is one of thebest parks in Paris for familieswith children of all ages: you can

pet animals, get soaking wetunder sprinklers, test the roller-coasters, take a relaxing boatride, swing off climbing frames,and navigate remote-controlledboats. Take time too to go boat-ing on the lake and laugh atyour funny forms in front of thedistorting mirrors. A handymini-train transports familiesfrom Porte Maillot to the Jardin.See p. 245.

Jardin de LuxembourgYoungsters love riding on thebacks of ponies and donkeys,and playing in the enclosed playarea and sandpits. Older chil-dren can try their hand at agame of chess if they’re braveenough to take on the ageingregulars. See p. 160.

Jardin du Palais RoyalCardinal Richelieu’s former gar-dens are exceedingly pretty, sur-rounded by covered arcades, andshaded by trees. Young childrenwill enjoy climbing on the mod-ernist black-and-white pillar-sculptures near the frontentrance. If you have older onesinto photography, get them totake some arty shots of the sculp-tures and shadows cast betweenthe arcade railings. See p. 65.

Jardin Tino Rossi With theInstitut du Monde Arabe (see p. 176) on one side and theSeine in the other, this pictur-esque park is a skateboarders’paradise. See p. 194.

Parc de la Villette This is amust-see for families with chil-dren of any age. The park area ismade up of wide open lawns,

Enjoy the open space at Parc de la Villette

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perfect for kicking a ball aroundin, and enclosed parts sur-rounded by plants for a secludedread or picnic. Different playareas target children from babiesto 12-year-olds, featuring climb-ing frames, swings, andcarousels. See p. 246.

Pocahontas Village in DisneyThis is a tranquil spot for yourlittle ones to run around in awayfrom the queues and hype ofDisneyland Park®’s big attrac-tions. (It’s also a secluded spot tobreast-feed a baby.) See p. 216.

TOP ATTRACTIONSFOR TEENS

Autour de Midi-Minuit Thiship Montmartre jazz institutionis a cool place to be seen, with orwithout parents in tow. Dine inthe upstairs restaurant beforeheading down to the vaulted cel-lar for some serious foot-tap-ping, and music played by bothconfirmed and up-and-comingartists. See p. 115.

Catacombs See if yourteenagers are as intrepid as theysay they are by taking them 18munderground to these fascinatingquarry tunnels, filled with theremains of millions of Parisians,whose bones had to be moved inthe 18th century when Paris’scommunal graves burst. See p. 162.

Jeu de Paume At the bottomof the Tuileries gardens, thismuseum is devoted to experi-mental film and photography –

a must-see for teenagers inter-ested in image. See p. 196.

Palais de Tokyo If yourteenagers are into modern,experimental art, they’ll love theweird and wacky installations onshow in this 1930s’ Art Decopalace. Take a break in the funkyrestaurant, Tokyo Eat, wherelights look like giant floatingeggs. See p. 85.

The Twilight Zone Tower ofTerror in Disneyland’s WaltDisney Studios® Park is theirbrand new thrillseekers’ ride that plunges the brave straightdown a 13-floor lift-shaft. See p. 226.

Tonnère de Zeus In the ParcAstérix Gallois theme-park, thisis the ultimate stomach-churner:a 30m vertical drop on Europe’sbiggest wooden rollercoaster. Seep. 246.

BEST MUSEUMS

Cité des Sciences In Parc dela Villette, the science museumhas been specially designed withchildren in mind and interactivedisplays allow children tomanipulate the exhibits. See p. 247.

Musée Carnavalet Thismuseum is not only free to getinto, it’s set in two of Paris’smost lovely mansions and docu-ments the history of the city inan interesting and understand-able manner for children. See p. 127.

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Musée de Cluny If your young-sters love history, this medievalmuseum will teach them abouthow people lived in the MiddleAges, and show them the oldRoman baths built by Parisianboatmen. See p. 182.

Musée d’Orsay This formerrailway station houses one of theworld’s best collections ofImpressionist art. Treat yourchildren to lunch in the Café desHauteurs – a relaxed table-serv-ice restaurant that looks out overthe city from behind a giant,transparent clock-face. See p. 154.

Musée du Quai Branly Thisneo-cubist building by the EiffelTower is a new museum dedi-cated to non-European cultures.The views from the rooftoprestaurant to the Eiffel Tower areparticularly good – a special treatfor well-behaved children. See p. 82.

Musée Rodin Easily the mostcharming museum in Paris, thisstately home with its sumptuousstatue-studded gardens makesRodin’s statues accessible to chil-dren. If you don’t want to goaround the house, come to enjoyan ice cream in the gardens –free entry for parents with bug-gies. See p. 84.

The Louvre This world-famousmuseum is so big there’s alwaysmore to see, even if you’ve beenbefore. Children particularlylove the mummies in theEgyptology department and thecastle remains in the MedievalLouvre. See p. 48.

BEST ART SITES

Centre Pompidou The avant-garde building is as much a pieceof art as the works inside – themost important and comprehen-sive multi-disciplinary art collec-tion in Europe. The art spansfrom 1905 to today, with a sepa-rate section for post-1960sworks and a temporary exhibi-tion floor. See p. 124.

Cité de l’ArchitectureArchitecture as an art form isgiven pride of place in this vastmuseum where ceilings are tallenough to house portions ofcathedrals and a recreation of theLe Corbusier house. See p. 76.

Musée d’Art Moderne de laVille de Paris The Pompidoudoesn’t have it all; this excellentmuseum, opposite the Palais deTokyo, has a good selection ofCubist and Fauvist art. See p. 80.

Musée Gustave Moreau Forolder children looking forsomething different fromImpressionism, Fauvism, andCubism, Moreau’s fantasist style

Explore the Louvre

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2000 B.C. Lutétia thrives along a strategic crossing of the Seine, theheadquarters of the Parisii tribe.

52 B.C. Julius Caesar conquers Lutétia during the Gallic Wars.

200 A.D. Barbarian Gauls force the Romans to retreat to the fortifica-tions on Ile de la Cité.

300 Lutétia is renamed Paris; Roman power weakens in northern France.

350 Paris’s Christianisation begins.

400s The Franks invade Paris, and there is social transformation fromthe Roman to the Gallo-Roman culture.

466 Clovis, founder of the Merovingian dynasty and first non-Romanruler of Paris since the Parisii, is born.

800 Charlemagne, founder of the Carolingian dynasty, is crowned HolyRoman Emperor and rules from Aachen in modern Germany.

987 Hugh Capet, founder of France’s foremost early medieval dynasty,rises to power; his family rules from Paris.

1100s The Sorbonne University is founded and attracts scholars fromacross Europe.

1422 England invades Paris during the Hundred Years’ War.

1429 Joan of Arc tries to regain Paris for the French. The Burgundians latercapture and sell her to the English, who burn her at the stake in Rouen.

1500s François I, first of the French Renaissance kings, embellishesParis but chooses to maintain his court in the Loire Valley.

1549 Henri II rules from Paris; construction of public and private resi-dences begins, many in the Marais.

1572 The Wars of Religion reach their climax with the St. Bartholomew’sDay massacre of Protestants.

1615 Construction begins on the Palais du Luxembourg for Henri IV’swidow, Marie de Médicis.

1636 The Palais Royal is launched by Cardinal Richelieu.

1643 Louis XIV, the “Sun King” and the most powerful ruler since theCaesars, rises to power. He moves his court to the newly built Versailles.

1789 The French Revolution begins.

1793 Louis XVI and his Austrian-born queen, Marie Antoinette, arepublicly guillotined.

1799 Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of France.

1803 Napoleon abandons French overseas expansion and sells Louisianato America.

1812 Napoleon is defeated in the Russian winter campaign.

1814 Aided by a coalition of France’s enemies, especially England, theBourbon monarchy under Louis XVIII is restored.

Parisian History in a Nutshell for Children

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1821 Napoleon Bonaparte dies.

1824 Louis XVIII dies, and Charles X succeeds him.

1830 The more liberal Louis-Philippe is elected king. Paris industrialises.

1848 A violent working-class revolution deposes Louis-Philippe, who’sreplaced by autocratic Napoleon III.

1853–70 On Napoleon III’s orders, Baron Haussmann redesigns Paris’slandscapes.

1860s The Impressionist style of painting emerges.

1870 The Franco–Prussian War ends in the defeat of France; a revolutionrises and the Third Republic elects its president, Marshal MacMahon.

1878–1937 Several World Fairs and redevelopment add monumentsto Paris’s skyline, including the Tour Eiffel (1889) and the Sacré Coeur.

1895 Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, a Jew, is wrongfully charged with treasonand sentenced to life on Devil’s Island. The incident becomes thebiggest political scandal of 19th century France.

1898 Emile Zola publishes J’Accuse in defence of Dreyfus and flees toexile in England.

1906 Dreyfus is finally exonerated, and his rank is restored.

1914–18 World War I rips apart Europe. The Germans are defeated.

1940 German troops invade Paris. The French government, underMarshal Pétain, evacuates to Vichy, while the French Resistance underGeneral Charles de Gaulle maintains symbolic headquarters in London.

1944 Allied troops liberate Paris; de Gaulle returns in triumph.

1952 The creation, with Germany, of the ECSC (European Coal andSteel Community), the precursor of the modern European Union.

1954–62 War begins in Algeria and is eventually lost. Refugees floodParis, and the nation becomes divided over its North African policies.

1958 France’s Fourth Republic collapses; General de Gaulle is calledout of retirement to head the Fifth Republic.

1968 Paris’s students and factory workers engage in a general revolt;the French government is overhauled in the aftermath.

1981 François Mitterrand is elected France’s first Socialist presidentsince the 1940s; he’s re-elected in 1988.

1989 Paris celebrates the bicentenary of the French Revolution.

1992 Euro Disney (Disneyland Resort® Paris) opens.

1994 François Mitterrand and Queen Elizabeth II ride under the EnglishChannel in the new Channel Tunnel.

2002 France replaces the Franc with the Euro, the new European currency.

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and choice of subject never failsto impress. See p. 100.

Orangerie Monet fans shouldflock to this lovely museum,which showcases theImpressionist’s famed lilies. See p. 55.

BEST SHOPS

Christian Constant Try thedelicious ganaches at this award-winning chef ’s chocolate shop.See p. 165.

Grands Magasins GaleriesLafayette and Printemps depart-ment stores behind the OpéraGarnier are still winners for one-stop shopping with children intow, selling men’s, women’s andchildren’s fashion, homeware,jewellery, make-up, and toys.See p. 114.

Joué Club Village Inside the19th-century covered Passagedes Princes, this toy mega-storesells everything from cowboy

and Indian miniatures to modelling kits for aeroplanes,Lego, dolls, party costumes, andcuddly toys. See p. 114.

Nature & Découvertes Thischild-friendly and environmen-tally friendly chain sells all sortsof interesting objects, games,and gifts linked to nature andscience. See p. 66.

Place de la Madeleine Allaround the Madeleine church,gourmet food shops stimulatehunger with truffles from LaMaison de la Truffe, biscuits andfoie gras from Fauchon, caviarfrom Caviar Kaspia, and exoticfoods from Hédiard. See p. 64.

Poilâne Breadmakers sincebefore World War II, Poilânemakes delicious organic loavesand biscuits in a traditional ovenin the cellar. A small ball ofdough is taken from one batchand put into the next, creating anun-interrupted link from the firstPoilâne loaf to the one your fam-ily can buy today. See p. 164.

The Orangerie is a must for Monet fans

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BEST FAMILYENTERTAINMENT

Attending a ballet or operaLet your family rub shoulderswith the Paris literati at theOpéra Bastille (see p. 136) orgrande dame of the music scene,the 19th-century rococo OpéraGarnier (see p. 100) Whetherfor a performance of Bizet or amen-only Swan Lake, dress withpomp and circumstance.

Going to the circus All thingscircus are lapped up big time inParis. From lions, tigers, and bears(oh-my!) in the traditional Big Top (Cirque Pinder, see p. 248) to avant garde acrobatics in theGrande Céleste Cirque (see p. 248)or pioneering acts in the Cirqued’Hiver (see p. 135) – there’s some-thing for all the family.

Jazz clubs Paris and jazz gohand in hand. Try Autour deMidi-Minuit in Montmartre (seep. 115) or mosey on down to theLatin quarter where the goldenage of jazz lives on in a handfulof clubs. See p. 196.

BEST ACCOMMODATION

Aviatic Just off the beaten tracknear Montparnasse, this small,family-run hotel will pack you apicnic – ideal for lunch in thenearby Luxembourg gardens. See p. 168.

Hotel Valadon Right by LesInvalides and the Eiffel Tower,

this hotel is used to welcomingfamilies with children of all ages.Budget travellers can store food in a communal fridge. See p. 90.

Le Crillon It was good enoughfor Ernest Hemingway, PierceBrosnan, and Zinedine Zidane,and it’s good enough for you.If you fancy a splurge, thisplace comes up trumps withexcellent family facilities and agourmet restaurant to die for.See p. 67.

Paris Oasis If you would like aself-catering apartment in theheart of Montmartre, these smallbut fully equipped flats evenhave a heated swimming poolyou can use. See p. 117.

Résidence des Arts This fam-ily favourite is in a great locationon the Left Bank and offersapartments with a kitchenetteand space for three to four peo-ple. The next-door café alsoserves decent food should youdecide to eat out. See p. 168.

BEST EATINGOPTIONS

Breakfast in America Finecrispy bacon, pancakes in maplesyrup, perfect burgers, fries, andmilkshakes make this a sought-after address in the Marais, andone worth queuing at, for week-end brunch or all-day-breakfast.See p. 147.

Coco & Co Eggs in everyshape, size and form are the

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only foodstuffs served in thiship café. Opt for a boiled egg,an omelette, or oeuf-en-cocotte(egg baked with wine andcream), but expect perf ’egg’-tion! See p. 172.

Le Potager du Marais If youor your children are vegetarians(and even if you’re not) tastereigns supreme in this restaurantthat does things with vegetablesunlike anywhere else in the capi-tal. See p. 147.

Memère Paulette Large por-tions prevail in this reasonablypriced local’s haunt, which feelslike its décor (as well as themenus) haven’t changed sincethe 1940s. See p. 120.

Nos Ancêtres les GauloisPretend you’re Astérix or Obélixin this fun restaurant where meatis cooked as in medieval timesand wine is poured straight fromthe barrel. See p. 199.

BEST DAYS OUT

Disneyland Mickey Mouse andthe cartoon legends created byWalt Disney make this themepark one of the most fun thingsto do in Île-de-France. See p. 201.

Parc Astérix For a truly Frenchtheme park, Astérix the Gaul’shangout won’t disappoint chil-dren of any age. Watch the fabu-lous dolphin shows, get wet onthe log-flumes, and shake withfear and anticipation on therickety-looking wooden roller-coasters – some of the biggest inEurope. See p. 245.

Versailles The Sun King’s palaceis not only an architectural won-der; its grounds are big enough tospend several hours in and areparticularly atmospheric when thefountains spring to life and classi-cal music is played. Les GrandesEaux Musicales, see p. 249.

Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland

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