Children in Paris

For additional information on children and children's events, refer to the Paris Tourist Office website.

Shopping for children's clothes

Bonpoint is an upscale boutique babies and children.

Be sure to pick up the map at the front desk to guide you through this 1710 building of distinction.

Bonpoint also has shopping points at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.

Their "fin de series" -- end of the season store is located at 42 rue de l'Université  in the 7th arrondissement; telephone: 01 45 48 05 45.

Bonpoint is found around the world and has nine Paris locations that follow the Bonpoint concept and additional specialty stores in Paris.

More historical information soon. If you have found an upscale children's boutique, please e-mail me with information.

Bonpoint

6, rue de Tournon 75006

01 40 51 98 20

Bonton

While searching for an outlet store, I found instead this darling store with clothes for the small baby to 10 year old child. They also carry furniture and toys.

Bonton is found around the world (three addresses in New York) and has three addresses in Paris.

If you want to take your child for a haircut, they also have a coiffure for children. Their website gives you the current prices.

I visited the boutique located in the 7th arrondissement.

Bonton

82 rue de Grenelle 75007
Telephone : 01 44 39 09 20
Open: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Salon de Coiffure
82 ru de Grenelle 75007
Telephone: 01 44 39 12 01
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Care for your baby while you shop

Printemps

While in the children's department of Printemps one day, I stepped off the elevator, looked to the left and spotted mothers and babies in a little room.

The lighting is bright and the room cheerful and easy to find.

In this little room sponsored by the French magazine Parents was a sink, microwave, changing table, chairs and high chairs.

Printemps provides a kit (at no charge) at their information counter on the lower level as well.

Inside this kit, you will find a liter of milk, water, a baby bib and spoon, and something for "mom" to read.

To obtain the kit  go to the information counter ("Espace Printemps Service") between the Polo Ralph Lauren and Timberland stands in the children's department.

When you exit the elevator on the "-1" level (below RdC - ground floor) in the "Maison" building you will see the "Espace Bébé" to your left. Walk straight ahead

There you will see a counter with chairs. If you reach the lingerie section, you have gone too far.

Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette on the other hand was not so easy to find.

It too provides a nursery with similar amenities and overlooks the street, has subtle lighting, has soft drinks available but offers no kit.

Blédina, baby food specialist, sponsors the Galeries Lafayette nursery located on the 5th floor behind Jacadi.

For more information read the article "Changer les couches on Champs-Elysées".

C&A

A readers suggests that this clothing store across from Printemps also has a changing room. I will check it out.

Bonpoint

6, rue de Tournon 75006

01 40 51 98 20

Bonpoint is an upscale boutique babies and children.

Be sure to pick up the map at the front desk to guide you through this 1710 building of distinction.

Bonpoint also has shopping points at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.

Their seconds store is located at 82 rue de Grenelle in the 7th arrondissement; telephone: 01 45 48 05 45.

More historical information soon. If you have found an upscale children's boutique, please e-mail me with information.

Jardin des Plantes - dragon made of aluminum cans and plastic bottles - entrance closest to Seine, Quai Saint Bernard and Place Vallhubert

 

Vaux le Vicomte is a special place for children with many activities organised specially for them. Easter egg hunts, riddles, treasure hunts, costume tours, theatre… Everything is designed to enable them to discover this page of French history. Riddle Books: Riddle books allow younger children to discoverthe castle, the customs of the period and help them find their way around the exhibits. Older children can discover the amazing story of Nicolas Fouquet by following a trail that them through the different rooms of the castle and to the four corners of the gardens designed by Le Nôtre. Booklets available in english and dutch. Costume visits : In order to experience life at the King’s Court and discover the history of the castle, children can visit its state rooms and formal reception halls dressed as Princes, Princesses and Musketeers. (Costumes available for hire on weekends, bank holidays and during school vacations: 4 €). – Vaux le Vicomte website

Musée de la Poupée

Impasse Berthaud , 75003 Paris
Metro: Rambuteau, Bus 29 - 38 - 47, Car park Beaubourg - Wheel chair access

Telephone: 33 1 42 72 73 11 Fax : 33 1 44 54 04 48  Email : musee.poupee@noos.fr
 

Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Closed Mondays and holidays

Admission: Adult - 6 euros

Over 65, unemployed and students under 26 - 4 euros

Child 3 - 18 and handicapped - 3 euros

As soon as you walk in through the shaded entry, you enter the past. The permanent exhibit begins around 1800 and follows the periods of the children's interest in dolls:

--the French madam dolls that taught how to socialize;

--the child's identification with the baby doll;

--the "baigneurs" when the child plays the mama, and the dolls were submersible;

--the Barbie-style period where the child's doll takes on all of the above roles

A new room has been set aside providing the fascinating clues as to how dolls have been put together during the late 19th century and 20th century -- what makes them tick: straw? felt? porcelain? etc.

The dolls presented demonstrate their many uses through time as teaching elements and household amenities.

Museum and storytelling - Wednesday 4:30 p.m. with a reservation - 10, 8 or 7 euros

The Museum has a doll hospital that repairs dolls, babies, and softies.
You can also find clothes and accessories for dolls and an appraisal of your doll can be made by appointment.

Free estimate on presentation of the damaged dolls.

For information on guided visits, storytelling, and other activities in French, visit the museum’s website which is available in English.

Musée de la Poupée

Acelluloïd crobat and clown (from the museum's website)

Musée de la Batellerie

place Jules Gévelot
78700 CONFLANS-SAINTE-HONORINE

The following information is taken from the Paris Île-de-France website:

The Conflans museum is nowadays one of the most important museums devoted to the history of inland navigation in France.

The great national museums (musée de l'Armée, de la Marine, des Arts and traditions populaires, des Arts and métiers) have entrusted Conflans with a number of major works from France's river heritage. The collection of reduced-size models of boats, numbering some two hundred or so, is another of its great treasures: models, both old and new, commemorative plaques, toys, site models, scientific reconstructions and copies.

Train : RER A, Conflans Fin d'Oise

Open: January 1 to December 31 - 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

English documents available

Standard rate - Adult, Full price : 4,10 EUR
Reduced rate : 3 EUR
Group rate : 3 EUR
Child rate : 1,50 EUR
School groups rate : 1,50 EUR

Recommended for children from 3-12 years of age

Musée de la Batellerie

Fun things to do with a 16-18 year old:

Get money-saving ideas and start enjoying Paris and Ile-de-France to the full: sign up to pidf.com (Paris-Ile-de-France official tourist office website). What's in it for you? You'll get a passport with a newsletter, travel notebook, money-off coupons and your own account to simplify procedures… perfect for those on the move. Sign up on their homepage.

• Rollerblading on Friday night or Sunday afternoon

• Biking around Paris

• Visit the sewers of Paris

• Take the girls shopping at the main Etam (available in English, click on British flag)

• Movie tour - behind the scenes at Le Grand Rex, the largest movie theater in Europe. The tours are available in English.  1 Boulevard Poissonnière, 2nd arrondissement, Metro: Bonne Nouvelle. Their website is available in English.

• Free internet when you eat sushi at LôSushi Pont Neuf, 1 rue du Pont Neuf, 75001, telephone 01 42 33 09 20 www.losushi.com

• Skateboarding - six different locations

• Free internet connection at one of the 62 computers when you order sushi at LôSushi Pont Neuf. 1, rue du Pont Neuf (1st), Telephone: 01 42 33 09 09

Toy stores

I haven't started counting the toy stores in Paris yet, but I can tell you that they come in all sizes. On the left bank there is a toy store that isn't a toy store, it's a collector's dream of dolls and stuffed animals.

Near the metro Censier-Daubenton, the toy store on the little street, up the little steps, is a little treasure full of books, learning toys, fun things at a child's eye level. It's not the type of store that you walk in and do a quick eye sweep to check out the contents.

You can also find large stores with everything imaginable. Shelves are stacked high with pinks and blues and much the same in each one. However, there is one store that I have found that stocks all of the standard items, but you venture from one little store front to the other so it makes it more fun. Plus it's in a nice location -- a renovated covered passage way or gallery.

For a list of Paris toy stores, click here: List of toy stores

Cruise for small sailors (Croisière Petits Matelots) in French

The Seine boat company, Vedettes de Paris, takes the little ones on a discovery cruise to hear about the history of Paris and navigation. The French commentary is adapted to enfants and children to 12 years old.

After a one-hour cruise, the junior sailors will receive a diploma to color. 8 euros and for children less than 11: 3 euros.

Theatre for children

Marionettes/Puppet shows

Champ de Mars - Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

(7th arrondissement) Metro: Ecole Militaire - 3 euros

Champs-Elysées - Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m.

Rond-Point des Champs Elysées, angle of avenues Matignon and Gabriel  (8th arrondissement) Metro: Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau - 3 euros

Luxembourg Gardens - Wednesday and Saturday at 4 p.m. on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information read Pariscope. For help in reading Pariscope, the weekly entertainment guide: click on Pariscope.

Luxembourg gardens

Abricadabra Théâtre

Theatre for children on a péniche antipode (houseboat on the Seine named Antipode) different productions for children of different ages: 3-10; 1 or 2 years to 5 or 6; 2 years to 6 years; 4 years to 9 -- so it depends on the show.

Visit their website for more information (in French) but a unique theatre experience. Interesting website full of photos of the theatre inside the boat.

They also have a mailing list: go to "Accueil" (their welcome page and sign up under the heading "Mailing List" -- yes, that one is in English.

Abricadabra Théâtre 69, quai de la Seine in the 19th arrondissement

Telephone: 01 42 03 39 07

The Antipode - Abricadabra's theatre

photo from the Abricadabra website

Ping Pong Tables

If you have children along with you on your strolls around Paris, a good, inexpensive diversion is ping pong.

They are used on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bring your paddles and balls (or you can buy them locally). Click here for a list of some sports stores.

I will start a list of locations.

13th arrondissement

Square René le Gall

14th arrondissement

rue du Moulin and rue Didot

Two ping pong tables have been reinstalled in the park

GO SPORT

Foam soccer ball (Foot Mousse) 3,95 large or 2,50 small

Ping pong paddles and balls (Raquettes de tennis de table) - look in the tennis department

 - 2 paddles/3 balls 9,20 euros

GO SPORT  - Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Paris locations: Beaugrenelle, Chatillon, Daumesnil, Italie 2, Montparnasse, Les Halles, Porte de St. Cloud, République, Rivoli (near Samaritaine)

DECATHLON

Ping pong paddles and balls

 - 4 paddles/2 balls 17 euros

 - 2 paddles/3 balls 8 euros

 - individual paddles 3 euros

 - 10 balls in a package 1,50 euros

DECATHLON - Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Paris locations: Aquaboulevard, 4/6 rue Louis Armand (15th); la Défense Marathon, CC des 4 temps, rue des arcades (la Défense); la Madeleine, 23 blvd de la Madeleine (1st); Wagram, 26 av de Wagram (8th).

"Vaux le Vicomte : A Children's paradise
Vaux le Vicomte is a special place for children with many activities organized especially for them. Easter egg hunts, riddles, treasure hunts, costume tours, theatre…
Everything is designed to enable them to discover this page of French history.

Riddle Books:
Riddle books allow younger children to discoverthe castle, the customs of the period and help them find their way around the exhibits.

Older children can discover the amazing story of Nicolas Fouquet by following a trail that them through the different rooms of the castle and to the four corners of the gardens designed by Le Nôtre.

Booklets available in English and Dutch.

Costume visits :
In order to experience life at the King’s Court and discover
the history of the castle, children can visit its state rooms
and formal reception halls dressed as Princes, Princesses
and Musketeers. (Costumes available for hire on weekends,
bank holidays and during school vacations: 4 €)." – Vaux le Vicomte website

An interactive audio-guide in 5 languages

Visitors can choose from audio-guides to the château in French, English, German, Italian and Spanish.