Travel Essentials: 9 Strategies for Family Vacations, Including Advice for Kids and Elderly Travelers, Focusing on Paris
Montmartre, a charming district in Paris, offers a perfect blend of historic charm, artistic heritage, and green spaces, making it an ideal destination for a multigenerational family visit. Here's a guide to help you plan a memorable trip that caters to both children and grandparents.
Attractions
- The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, with its stunning architecture, presents a breathtaking view of Paris.
- Place du Tertre, home to a lively artist square, offers a unique opportunity to immerse in the local culture.
- The Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je t’aime) at Square Jehan-Rictus is a colourful backdrop for family photos.
- The Musée de Montmartre, with its beautiful gardens, provides a serene space for children to enjoy the outdoors.
- Consider taking a leisurely pause at Place Emile Goudeau or Place Dalida, both rich in history and calm enough for older visitors.
Activities
- Guided Montmartre tours designed for kids and families offer an engaging way to explore the district with a live guide in multiple languages.
- A Montmartre macaron baking workshop is a fun hands-on experience that entertains both children and adults.
Travel Tips
- Minimise uphill walking by using the funicular or taxis, as Montmartre can be quite hilly.
- Plan for plenty of breaks at shaded squares like Place des Abbesses or Place Emile Goudeau, which offer benches and cafés.
- Start your day early to avoid crowds, especially around the Sacré-Cœur basilica.
- Consider private or small-group family tours to tailor the pace and interests for all ages.
- Bring some snacks and water for energy-consuming walks and outdoor exploration.
Montmartre's mix of attractions and activities ensures a memorable family visit when paced and planned thoughtfully.
Additional Tips
- When planning transportation in Paris, check the metro before riding to ensure it is accessible and comfortable for all family members.
- In Montmartre, artists can create portraits of families, including caricatures and traditional charcoal, pastel, or paint portraits.
- When visiting sights with older architecture, consider whether they have elevators, ramps, or handrails.
- The district offers attractions like Place du Tertre for arts, Parc de la Turlure for playgrounds, and a massive hill for children to roll down.
- Using the bus in Paris can provide a better view of the city compared to the metro.
- To avoid paying for public restroom usage, consider purchasing a drink or snack from a small bakery while using their restrooms.
- Disneyland Paris, accessible by a 40-minute train ride, offers two parks as an exciting day trip for families.
- Dining at brasseries and creperies in Paris is recommended for families, as they offer more familiar food options for children.
- Be aware that using public restrooms in many European cities, including Paris, may require a small fee.
- To save money and have more space, consider renting an apartment in Paris through services like VRBO, HomeAway, or AirBNB, as they often come with full kitchens and in-unit laundry.
- The Musee d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower are examples of sights with fewer steps, making them more elderly-friendly.
- Purchasing tickets online for museums and galleries can help avoid long lines and potentially save money, with some museums offering student and senior discounts.
- Hop-on, hop-off boat tours like Batobus and Bateaux Parisiens are available along the Seine, offering transportation and entertainment for families.
- Buying tickets for Disneyland Paris online can help manage costs and ensure a smooth visit.
