This week, Lina and Oliver discuss how to entertain children in Paris.
Even if you're not visiting with kids, you'll find some good tips in this episode. As usual, everything is written in full, with links and more details, on the website here. Below is a short version.
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1. Atelier des Lumières – an art gallery, housed in a large industrial space, where paintings by famous painters (such as Van Gogh, Chagall and Monet) are projected on the floor, walls and ceiling. It feels like you’re inside the artworks.
2. Palais de Tokyo – an expansive art museum, near the Eiffel Tower, with plenty of space and lots of interesting exhibitions.
3. Aquarium – an aquarium in central Paris? It doesn’t get much more fun that that.
4. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature – a fun, adventurous museum which you might not initially consider, but there’s a full-size stuffed polar bear. What more could you ask for?
5. Deyrolle – technically a shop, but you are welcome to visit. It’s off the beaten path and stuffed full of fascinating creatures.
6. Natural History Museum – nothing short of stunning. An exceptional interior and captivating exhibits.
7. Zoo – across the park from the Natural History Museum, this is a compact zoo, which has been entertaining families for over 150 years.
8. Greenhouses – five tropical greenhouses with plants from across the world.
9. Maze – yes, you read that right, a maze in central Paris. Amazing.
10. Natural Science Museum – weird and wonderful. The displays will leave you spell-bound.
11. Bateaux Mouches – avoid walking too much and getting tired. The most thrilling and beautiful way to see the best of Paris.
12. Pony Riding – in Parc Monceau, Luxembourg Gardens and the Champ de Mars, which also offers go-karting.
13. Jardin d’Acclimatation – not a garden, but an amusement park. Fairground rides and rollercoasters galore.
14. Big Zoo – in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes. Exceptionally good, for a city zoo.
15. Ice skating at the Grand Palais – returning after a long closure. Is there a more beautiful place to ice skate in the world?
16. Ground Control – not especially central, but worth the commute. A huge abandoned train depot that houses diverse food stands, with interesting shops and games.
17. Comptoir Général – a roomy, buzzing canal-side club by night and restaurant by day. Keep your eyes peeled for the pirate ship.
18. Crèpes on the go – if in doubt, pick up a crèpe and go.
19. Pain d’Épices – a charming, independent toyshop in one of the most beautiful passages in Paris.
20. Red Wheelbarrow – three connected bookshops, next to the Luxembourg Gardens, including a shop for children’s books only. You’re sure to find our books there.
21. Le Bonmarché – an iconic, Left Bank department store which sells children’s books, toys and clothes. What makes this place different is it offers a babysitting service.