It was with some trepidation that we decided that our five year daughter was old enough to experience a trip by Eurostar to Paris.  Living just over an hour from Ebbsfleet, we chose to pick up the train there.   The station is small with little in the way of entertainment other than watching the Eurostar trains shoot through the station, but the upside is that getting through check in and security takes barely 5 minutes and it is just like jumping on a UK train, with the advantage of knowing exactly where to board in order to locate your reserved seats.  The journey in Leisure Select was very relaxing, helped by the aperitif of a glass of chilled champagne followed by a tasty lunch. Our daughter was happy with her choice of sausage and mash, not to mention the chocolate macaroon for pudding.

On arrival at Gare du Nord, we were relieved to have got metro tickets in advance as the queue for tickets was extremely long.  We had a very quick journey to Chatelet Metro where we were staying at the Novotel Paris Les Halles.  This hotel is in a great location, just a short walk from the Louvre and not only on the metro but also the RER line (direct to Disneyland – one of the prerequisites of our trip!)  Be sure to follow the hotel directions, as there are a multitude of exits for Chatelet, but as long as you exit at the right one, you emerge from the underground bang opposite the hotel.  The 4 star Novotel is a large modern hotel that was perfect for our needs.  The breakfast was excellent, and a major indulgence with a hot and cold buffet, copious amounts of coffee, not to mention the delicious chocolate croissants. 

After the obligatory day at Disney (fun was had by all,) we decided to educate our daughter on the more refined aspects of Paris.  We took the metro to the Eiffel Tower and after a pleasant stroll in the gardens to ensure we had seen the view from all angles; we took a boat cruise along the Seine.  We were lucky enough to have perfect weather and sat outside while listening to the commentary which is helpfully provided in English. In poorer weather the glass covered seating area still offered superb views.  This is a must for first time or even regular visitors to Paris and at only £11 for a one hour cruise, it was excellent value.

As the weather was so good and our daughter was keen to find the nearest park, we headed for the Luxembourg Gardens.  We soon discovered the child friendly elements – a huge playground, pony rides and a vintage carousel.  For those simply wanting to take in the atmosphere, there is plenty of it here with local Parisians enjoying the sunshine.  It is a perfect place for people watching.  However we were treated to a very dirty look by one very smartly dressed Parisian lady when our daughter, who’s reading of English is still quite limited, and French non existent, was unable to read the “keep off the grass” signs.

This was but a small blip in our otherwise perfect trip to Paris, a city that definitely has something for everyone.

Posted in: France, Paris | Author: Sarah