KATRINA LAWRENCE
Beauty Journalist and Author of Paris Dreaming, to be released end of 2017
DESTINATION
Paris, France
WHY PARIS?
Paris is actually my favourite place to go solo, or with my mother or girlfriends (it’s such a feminine city), so I wouldn’t say that it seemed the ideal destination to take my two young boys… Nevertheless, it was really important to me that I pass on my passion for Paris (I believe everyone can benefit from having Paris in their life!), so we planned a family holiday there as soon as we felt the boys were ready (at four and six years old). I was actually surprised at how well Paris lent itself to a trip with young children.
I had to firstly let go of the Paris I knew and loved,
and accept that this was going to be a very different kind of holiday
(less dress shopping, fewer midnight flutes of champagne).
But then I found it such a joy to see Paris through the boys’ eyes.
I’ve visited the city regularly since the age of five, and it has been a long time since I’ve done the tourist clichés, like taking a barge or going up the Eiffel Tower – and I’d forgotten how glorious these activities can be (they’re popular for a reason). I also saw a different side of Paris; for example, the Army Museum (the boys are obsessed with knights), which was fascinating, albeit in a morbid way. And there are some lovely parks for kids. We spent many happy hours in the Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries and out in the Jardin d’Acclimatation, watching the boys whirl around old carousels, ride ponies and float old-fashioned sailboats around ponds, which helped to expend all that little-boy energy. It was an exhausting holiday for them in a way, as we walked everywhere, but we managed to avoid meltdowns; being Paris, there was always a chocolaterie or ice-cream shop or crêpe stand nearby, whenever a much-needed bribe was in order.
WHERE WE STAYED
I usually stay in a furnished rental apartment, but we were worried about mixing two energetic Australian boys with delicate French antiques, so we ended up taking a serviced apartment for a couple of weeks in the Citadines in Saint-Germain. This particular branch is very basic, frills-free accommodation but the location is so amazing – right on the Seine, by Ile de la Cité – that you’re out most of the time. But it was good to know we had somewhere so central to rush back to if needed – and also a kitchen in which to make our own meals whenever we felt we couldn’t possibly consume any more sauce or butter or cream.
KATRINA’S SUGGESTIONS
We actually started out at Disneyland, staying in the hotel there for a few days. I was at first worried about it eating into our time in Paris, but it ended up being such a genius move as the boys were able to acclimatise after the long flight.
Going in early summer was great for all the Parisian park and playground action, but it also meant lots of time waiting in queues – e.g. for the tower climb at Notre Dame. Also, Versailles was so hectic you could hardly move in the palace; thankfully you can now rent buggies so we spent most of our day there driving and picnicking around the beautiful gardens.
I’d probably aim to take the boys back in Spring next time, and stay in an Air B&B for a more Parisian experience. I’d still look at staying in Saint-Germain as it’s so central, but perhaps closer to the Luxembourg Gardens.
I’d also try to do fewer things (I had excitedly prepared a jam-packed itinerary) and devote most days to lolling and strolling around, which is what Paris is all about!
Images courtesy of @katrinalawrencewriter
