Hi Everyone,
We are considering a week in Paris over school winter break. DH and I have each been to Paris once many years ago for just a day or 2.
Other than museums which are ok in small doses with boys these ages, what is there to see and do during cold weather?Sure, we can do some stuff like the Eiffel Tower, but will it be a good time to be in Paris or should we wait for some future summer? We love eating, history and architecture. I don%26#39;t like to get too cold, but we like hiking and active stuff. Do Segway tours run in winter? Indoor suggestions? Will stuff be open?
Any suggestions or thoughts welcome! Thanks!
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Hi travelfun. When are you traveling-exactly-?
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If the Segway Tours are running at this time, and I don%26#39;t think they are, it would be too cold. I%26#39;m sure the boys would enjoy a trip up to Montmartre. If they like science at all, the Arts and Metiers Museum is really interesting-don%26#39;t miss the chapel there with a Statue of Liberty, pendulum, planes suspended from the ceiling and old cars. The metro stop there on line 11 in really great too. The Louvre can be pretty overwhelming but I think they should see Mona Lisa, winged Victory, Venus di Milo and then throw in the mummy there in the Egyptian wing. Most boys, and men, enjoy Invalides-both seeing Napoleon%26#39;s Tomb and then seeing the museum there with all of the weapons. One floor has items from Napoleon%26#39;s time including his stuffed horse and dog.
The Latin Quarter is fun-you can break plates at the Greek Retaurants there at night-not lunch. Try crepes or croque monseur sandwiches for easy, fast meals.
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Thanks lpennin104, that is a good start.
Metromole - I will be arriving 26 Dec until 2 Jan.
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I%26#39;ve only ever been to Paris over Christmas. So, while I can%26#39;t compare to Paris in the summer, I can tell you its very beautiful. The temperatures are very mild compared to NYC - cold and wet but romantic. I had a winter coat with me but I didn%26#39;t really have to bundle up. I love the decorations (is Santa supposed to be dunk? He%26#39;s falling off every rooftop in Paris). And the rich, warm food is just what I crave in that weather (cassoulet anyone?).
I took my brother with me a couple of years ago (he was 11 at the time) and he loved it. We got him to eat frog legs and snails. We went ice-skating. We walked all over the place. We stopped to duck into little bars or cafes when we got cold or wet or just tired. We also took a side trip to Bruges. I don%26#39;t ever remembering being board or at a loss for things to do. The only time I was struck that everything was closed was the first Monday after Christmas - lots seemed to be shut down that day (but even then it was no big deal).
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it will probably be around 25-35 degrees at that time. no Segway tours or Seine river cruises. Kids like The Musee%26#39; de 1%26#39;Arme%26#39;e. and there is Euro Disney (but Orlando is a lot closer)
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Thanks everyone...keep it coming. Sorry to hear about the Segway tours, but maybe another time.
eastcoastgirl - I,too, was thinking about a side trip to Bruges. How many nights did you spend in each place? I was thinking 5 in Paris, 2 in Bruges? What else did the 11 year old like?
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lpennin104 has made excellent suggestions.
Other ideas :
-The catacombs
-Climbing to Notre-Dame towers
-The Grand Gallery of Evolution, National Museum History of Paris
-City of Science at Parc de la Villette (+funny cinemas)
-Palais de la Découverte
-One of the two museums of mineralogy
-Le grand Rex (The biggest movie theatre still operating in Paris) and Les Etoiles du Rex (attraction with special effects, sounds, shooting and sets all combine to provide the visitor with an adventure full of thrills and pills.)
-EOL%26#39; Modelisme (every sort of models, from radio-controlled aircraft to large wooden yachts.
-SURCOUF (giant computer shop)
-Jadis et Gourmande (chocolates in every imaginable shape and size)
-A full day using Batobus as a means of transportation
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Bruges was nice - 2 days is about perfect. It%26#39;s a town that is all about tourism - if you%26#39;re a shopper you%26#39;ll really love it. There is a nice ice-rink in the center of town and lots of outdoor food vendors (the hot wine is something else). Lots of the little restaurants have fire places in them and it all feels very cozy. I really enjoyed the various religious sights (I think I had a Rick Steve travel guide with me that I liked).
My brother loved it all and we never went on a bus tour or trekked out to Disney. He really liked wondering around, eating new food and being in a different city - he was very easy and I was very proud of his behavior and hid eagerness to speak a little French. We didn%26#39;t even have a TV in our room and I don%26#39;t think he missed it at all.
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Thanks very much everyone. These are excellent ideas and sound like a blast. It also seems apparant that we would find plenty of great stuff to do for the time of year. We are deciding between Paris and London (isn%26#39;t it good to have such %26quot;tough%26quot; choices?). Once I have done a bit more homework and made some decisions, I will post again.
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wow. I will be there the EXACT same time! So I%26#39;ll keep peeking at this thread too. One thing I%26#39;m planning on is the big New Year%26#39;s Day parade thru Montmarte.
http://www.parisparade.com/default.asp if you%26#39;d like to check it out.
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