Page 356 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

354  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Old-fashioned fairground
carousels are situated near
Sacré-Coeur (see pp226–7)
and in front of the Hôtel de
Ville (see p104).
A fun way of inspiring interest
in the city’s history is a boat trip.
Several companies compete
from different departure points
(see pp74–5), passing a host of
riverside sights such as Notre-
Dame, the Louvre and the
Musée d’Orsay.
In a tradition going back some
90 years, children can sail toy
boats with a long pole around
the pond in the Jardin du
Luxembourg (see p174). You
could also take the family
Fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland® Paris boating on the lakes of the Bois
de Boulogne (see p247) and the
Theme Parks
large paddling pool for children. Bois de Vincennes (see p249).
The two parks of Disneyland® Other recommended pools
Paris (see pp256–9) are the are listed on p351.
biggest and most spectacular On Sundays and public
of the Paris theme parks, but holidays, many central streets,
it’s also worth considering a including the roads along the
visit to Parc Astérix, a theme Seine (between Chatelêt and
park centred around the Bercy) are closed to traffic; bikers
legendary world of Asterix the and rollerbladers descend en
Gaul. Here, six themed areas masse. The Patinoire Pailleron
feature gladiators, slave auctions ice rink has family-friendly
and rides among the many morning sessions during the
attractions. The park is situated holidays, while the winter-only
38 km (24 miles) northeast of Patinoire de l’Hôtel de Ville
Paris. Take the RER line B to is a lovely, atmospheric venue
Charles de Gaulle Airport, then with a smaller rink for children.
the shuttle bus to Parc Astérix. In summer, don’t miss Paris
Plages (see p65), when the
riverbanks are transformed into A family boating on the Lac des Minimes,
Sports and Recreation a beach and host games such in the Bois de Vincennes
The giant Aquaboulevard as boules and various children’s
waterpark is one of the best activities. The Bassin de la
places to take energetic Villette becomes a waterpark – Street Life
and Markets
youngsters. The Piscine you can hire pedaloes and
Joséphine Baker, which kayaks and cross from one bank Outside the Pompidou
floats on the Seine, has a to the other on a zip wire. Centre (see pp110 –11),
street entertainers draw the
Children’s Shops crowds on sunny afternoons.
Musicians, magicians, fire-eaters
Children’s shops abound and artists of all kinds perform
in Paris. The department here. In Montmartre, there is
stores Le Bon Marché a tradition of street-painting,
and Galeries Lafayette predominantly in Place du
(see p313) have superb Tertre (see p228), where
collections of clothes someone is always willing to
and toys. Two charming draw your child’s portrait. It’s
toy shops with very
Traditional toys for sale in Pain d’Epices helpful staff can be also fun to take the funicular
found in the atmospheric, old-fashioned Passages – Si Tu Veux up the hill to Sacré-Coeur (see
sells well-made traditional toys, craft kits and dressing-up costumes, pp226 –7), then walk down
while the delightful Pain d’Epices stocks beautiful dolls’ houses and through the pretty streets.
all the furniture and accessories to go inside them. For children’s Parisian markets are colourful
fashions, see pp317 and 320. and animated. Try taking the
kids to the food markets on

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