It’s truly amazing you’re taking your little one on a Parisian adventure! We did the same, and while it was a wonderful experience, it definitely wasn’t a typical vacation. We learned a lot about traveling with a baby, especially in a city like Paris, and we’re excited to share what we discovered.
Navigating Paris with a Stroller
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face is getting around Paris. It’s a city filled with captivating sights, but it can be overwhelming with a baby in tow. Don’t worry, though! You can definitely make it work. You may have heard that the Paris metro has tons of stairs and limited elevators, and that many attractions, like the Palace of Versailles, don’t allow strollers. You’ll also find that many Paris restaurants don’t have room for strollers. While this is all true, we believe a stroller is a must-have for navigating Paris with a baby or toddler.
It’s like a Swiss Army knife for your little one! It’s their bed when they’re sleepy, a changing station when they need a fresh diaper, a shield from the rain, and a portable wagon for all your baby gear. You’ll have to be creative, but we’ve got some tips to help you manage the challenges.
The Bus is Your Friend!
Skip the endless stairs of the metro and opt for the Paris bus system. We found a bus route for almost every place we wanted to go! Even if the bus didn’t go directly to our destination, we’d hop off at the nearest stop and walk the rest of the way. It’s not a big deal with a stroller, right?
Getting around is easy. You can grab a Paris bus map or simply check Google Maps to find the bus number you need. The bus drivers were incredibly helpful! We’d approach the bus stop, figure out which bus was headed in the right direction, buy our tickets on the bus, and ask the driver for directions. They were always willing to point us in the right direction.
When Exhaustion Strikes
There will be times when you and your little one are completely worn out. Maybe they’re crying, or they just can’t handle the constant change of scenery. That’s when it’s okay to splurge on a taxi! While Parisian taxis can be expensive, we discovered that Uber is surprisingly affordable. If you’re traveling with three or four people, your combined bus ticket costs might be similar to an Uber ride. For smaller groups, consider Uber Share.
Walking – The Best Way to Explore
We firmly believe that the best way to experience a place is by walking. And with a stroller, walking should be a breeze. Get your little one used to spending time in the stroller before your trip by taking long walks. This will help them adjust to the stroller and prepare you for all the walking you’ll be doing. Our little one loved taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells of Paris. When he got tired, he’d simply drift off to sleep in his stroller. It was a life-saver!
Seine Cruise for Relaxation and Sightseeing
Don’t miss the chance to take a Seine cruise. It’s beautiful, enjoyable, and offers a hop-on-hop-off option to navigate between attractions. You can visit the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Louvre, Notre Dame, and more – all on the cruise map. We opted for a two-day pass, allowing us to relax on the boat when we were tired and hop off at our desired stops.
Weather Considerations
Of course, your experience will depend on the weather. If there’s a chance of rain, be sure to waterproof your stroller and keep your little one dry.
More Parisian Adventures
We hope these tips help you plan your Parisian adventure with your little one! Keep an eye out for our next post on ‘Traveling Moms – Meals in Paris’ for more tips on making your trip even easier.
Also, check out our blog post from the perspective of our eight-month-old baby, ‘Baby’mooning in Paris – How I Made my Parents’ Holiday Unforgettable’.
We know you’ll have an amazing time! Paris is truly a magical city, and we’re confident that your little one will create some unforgettable memories.
