Headed to Paris with an (almost) two year old.?

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Eclipsepearl

I've been to Paris many times with toddlers. I already live in France so it's not a big trip and my husband has relatives there.

It's possible but you have to be realistic. Don't over schedule yourselves.

You need a good baby carrier and a very foldable stroller. Hopefully you have one of the better baby carriers, not those awful front packs that hang the child by its crotch. Something comfortable like a sling, wrap or pouch will work much better. You want to be able to pop the baby in and out without having a bunch of fiddly straps to do up.

The best stroller is one that you can fold with one hand. Yes, there are elevators on the MÃ©tro but they are often a long walk and/or a bit dodgy when you find one. Better to just jump on the escalators with the baby in the carrier and the stroller in one hand.

Make sure he can nap in the stroller. Don't have to haul back to the hotel when he gets tired.

Use a backpack instead of a diaper bag and have your valuables in a safe place. The child is a distraction to you and an attraction to pickpockets. No need to actually hide anything. I use a small purse that hangs off my neck in the front where I can see it.

Do not walk around Paris with your passports (if you need them for this trip). Take photocopies and/or other forms of ID. Put the passports in the hotel safe. This is what they want, more than cash or credit cards.

If your child is on formula, be aware that those sold in France are much different than those in the U.K., U.S. and Germany. You may want to bring your brand of powder with you. Bottled waters such as Vittel and Evian can be used to make them up (the water is safe to drink but some parents don't want to risk the old pipes it travels through).

Make sure he is OFF bottles before you go. Sippy cups are much easier to travel with and toddlers don't need to drink from bottles.

Eat at slightly off hours. I would go at 11:30 or 1:30 for lunch. That way, the main crowd either hasn't shown up yet or is leaving. For dinner, most restaurants open at 7pm so go right then. Better yet, find "non-stop" places to eat. Flunch and Hippo are touted for children but you can bring your child into pretty much any establishment you're dressed for.

Local hotels are nice but you might want to opt for something more "child friendly" like the Citadines or Novotel.
http://www.citadines.com/
http://www.novotel.com/gb/home/index.shtml

They're easier to child-proof than some of the mom and pop places. In room friges, children's menus and toys are some of the pluses of these hotels. Authentic charm is perhaps a compromise you'll have to make on this trip.

If you're flying, this article I wrote might be helpful. It's totally non-commercial;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a good time!

Rillifane

I notice from your other questions that you have four children but I assume you are leaving three of them with relatives and further that you are planning this trip for next October.

Please, do yourself a favor and either wait a bit before taking this trip or find a caregiver for this child while you travel.

Paris is not a terribly kid friendly city for a tourist. A two year old will dislike the plane trip, be disoriented by jet lag, and likely become cranky with long stints of sightseeing and museum going.

Dinner in Paris is usually taken at no earlier than 7:30 PM which is probably going to be inconvenient and a child of such a young age means foregoing the rich nightlife.

Moreover, even the best behaved "almost two year old" is going to be at least a bit disruptive at times and thus impose a burden on others in places like churches and museums where quiet and calm are their right.

showersinger319

You're gonna need lots of distractions for the plane ride. After that, your biggest problem is probably going to be safety. Pay extra attention to bathtubs, doors, balconies, etc. in your hotel room or wherever you are staying. Things might be different than at home, and 2-year-olds are very curious.

hunnybunch9

they will LOVE disneyland
i took my 2 year old neice in the summer and she loved it

dhbemis

It's going to be cold. Keep them bundled up!

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