Traveling to Paris with kids? Here's an insider guide for what to do and where to go, tested by us and proven to be kid-friendly and cool.
Sweden in Paris
While the girls were in Paris this past weekend I dragged them to one of my favourite kid-friendly eateries in Paris, and I realised: I had not blogged about it yet!
The café in the Centre Culturel Suedois, based in a Hotel Particuler on rue Payenne in the heart of the Marais, is a little gem. In the middle of Paris the Swedes have managed to create a piece of Sweden (at least, this is what I imagine Sweden to be like)! The tables are covered in checked fresh-coloured table cloths, the furniture is made out of light wood or painted in fresh light colours, and it serves lovely sandwiches, tea and coffee at a reasonable price. The food is very un-French: carrot cakes, open Swedish sandwiches, meatballs, and so on. It is such a nice change after having eaten innumerable baguettes!
But the main attraction for me is the outside space — a big courtyard great for kids to run around in and a world away from the crowded sidewalk tables you find at most cafés in this city!
- Emilie
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Le Marchand D’Etoiles | Wowo | Pink Flamingo |
Ice Cream Island
In our family the Ile St Louis is known as ‘ice cream island’. Nestled between the Ile de la Cite and the right and left bank of the Seine, the Ile St Louis has none of the famous buildings that inhabit its bigger brother but instead has a definite attraction for kids and grown ups alike: it is covered in ice cream shops!
The most famous is Berthillon, with its main café on rue Saint Louis en l’Ile. (The photo above is actually of Courtney’s son enjoying a Berthillon ice cream when they came to visit us! How happy does he look!?!?!)
The Berthillon ice creams are sold in lots of other venues, one of which is the Brasserie de l’Ile Saint Louis a cafe right by the pont Saint Louis, which has a terrace overlooking Notre Dame and the Seine. The terrace is usually packed to the brim but you can always pick up an ice cream and sit on the bank of the river and enjoy the view. If the queue is too long, don’t fret – there are lots of ice cream shops all over the island, mostly on the rue Saint Louis en Ile.
Now, I would never try to compare french ice cream to the Italian cream, but a stop on the island for a treat is a great way to take a breather from site sighting in the centre of the city!
- Emilie
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Le Pain Quotidien | Le Loir dans la Théière | COS |
Bonpoint Restaurant
Since I have been living in Paris, Courtney has been nagging me to visit one of her favourite shops, Bonpoint. I have always resisted… too far to go I have been saying and just not my style! But a couple of days ago I got my act together, got on a bus, crossed the river and visited the legendary shop. It is quite incredible to visit, even if you don’t buy anything. There are rooms after rooms of exquisite (if expensive) children’s clothing from newborn to teenager.
BUT I am digressing as I actually went to Bonpoint to check out the restaurant in the basement; I have been desperate to write a review about a kid-friendly restaurant with charm. In true French style it is a good restaurant that happens to accommodate kids, as opposed to a restaurant catering to kids to which grown-ups can also go. But for that, it is exactly what you need. (more…)
ALSO IN THE AREA:
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| Alice à Paris | Rue Vavin | Ladurée Macarons |
