Marais to the Latin Quarter

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Paris, France

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.7 miles / 2.7 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: Paris, France, is "the" place to eat some fantastic food. Unfortunately, bringing the kiddos along on your trip means you may not get to indulge in an 8pm reservation at a Michelin-rated restaurant. Wander Le Marais to the Latin Quarter to see sights like the Centre Pompidou and Notre Dame, shop at some posh boutiques and just enjoy a nice walk in some adorable, quaint neighborhoods. But the best part? You can nosh on some of Paris' finest food along the way.

Tips: Especially as you get closer to Notre Dame, watch out for pickpockets. They are crafty and will use any distractions your kids provide to grab your wallet.

This route is stroller friendly, but you'll find some cobblestones and a few steps along the way.

Paris has plenty of public restrooms -- they are well marked and usually found on the busier street corners. But understand they are pretty filthy and not a place you really want to change a diaper or hang out with your preschoolers unless absolutely necessary. When you stop for a bite, make sure to use the facilities.

Points of Interest

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Rambuteau Metro Station

Here you can pick up the #11 Metro train--it runs from the Mairie des Lilas to Chatelet. Some of the most popular stops are this station, Republique and Hotel de Ville.

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Centre Georges Pompidou

Think that art museums aren't family friendly? Check out the Centre Georges Pompidou and it's circuslike atmosphere. I liken the building to something out of the PBS TV show for kids, "The Electric Company." You can take escalators to the top for the view or go inside to explore the Musée National d'Art Moderne, the second-largest collection of modern and contemporary art in the world. Because of this building's sheer size (14,000 square meters), your kids can enjoy the whimsical pieces with a lot of room to move.

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Musee d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaisme du Paris

If you have older kids, a stop at the Musee d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaisme du Paris may be in order. This collection, housed at the former Hôtel de Saint-Aignan, can show visitors the history of Jewish communities from the Middle Ages to present day. As a big fan of Modigliani's work, I was happy to see a few of his paintings displayed here.
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17 Rue de Temple

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Creperies

Start off your walk with sustenance! Grab a crepe from one of the many creperies just along the side of the Centre Pompidou on the Rue de Rambuteau. There are several to choose from (the creperies, that is)as well many varieties of crepes. I am partial to banana and nutella, myself.

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Little Italy Trattoria

If your tummy is calling for more than a crepe, walk a little farther down on Rue de Rambuteau to Little Italy. Great food, great ambiance--and it's super kid friendly. At lunchtime, you'll see local families come in for some Bolognese food and a glass of wine.
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13 Rue de Rambuteau

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Berko

Cupcakes aren't just the rage in New York and San Francisco! If you'd like to try one of hundred of varieties of cupcakes (or just get one to quiet down the kiddos), this is the place to stop.
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23 Rue de Rambuteau

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Rue de Temple

As you walk down the Rue de Temple, make sure to take a gander down the side streets. This main street, named for the Knights Templar, is cut with lovely medieval streets and alleyways.

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Clos des Blancs-Manteaux

Need to stop and run off a little extra energy? The Clos des Blancs-Manteaux is an "Espace Vert Ecologique" with a cool little playground for the young'uns.

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Rue Vielle du Temple

This is a gorgeous street for walking. If you were single (or, you know, without your kids), you'd know that Rue Vielle du Temple is the heart of Paris nightlife. During the day, you can still find plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants. But the main draw? Some great people watching. Take your time and take in the Parisian world around you.

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Rue des Rosiers

Talk about a little street with a whole lotta history! The Rue des Rosiers (or Street of the Rosebushes) is the center of Paris' Pletzl (or Jewish quarter). This street has some fabulous, trendy shops and some good eats, too.

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Kusmi Tea Boutique

Rue des Rosiers is home to some very trendy shops. One of these is the newest Kusmi Tea Boutique where you can find the tea that has been written up in some of the best foodie mags.
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56 Rue des Rosiers

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Korcarz & Fils

Have a hankering for a good pastry? Perhaps a latke hot off the griddle? This is the spot. Korcarz & Fils has been baking kosher goodies on this spot since 1946. In fact, it was the first kosher bakery to open in Paris after World War II.

And it is deeeeeeelish. Stop for a cup of coffee and a pastry for the kids. If it's a nice day, outdoor tables and chairs are available for you to sit down, drink your fill and watch all the comings and goings of the neighborhood.
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29 Rue des Rosiers

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Rue de Rivoli

This is one of the biggest shopping streets in Paris. It runs all the way to the Louvre and has all manner of boutiques and shops to tempt you as you walk. It also has a wide sidewalk perfect for strollers and roller bladers.

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Hotel de Ville

Welcome to Paris' city hall. The Hotel de Ville has plenty of history ranging from the 1300s to Mitterand's presidency. It's a wonder of Gothic architecture--and something to see. But the real reason to come around here is the courtyard in front.

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Hotel de Ville Courtyard

After checking out the pretty building, make sure to spend a little time out front. There are various events and exhibitions. During our walk, we found a carousel. Who knows what you'll see when you are there!

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Crossing the Seine

Stop and watch the boats move up and down the Seine. This quai (as well as most of its brethren), or riverbank, is home to street performers, too. If you are hoping to run into a human robot then this is the spot.

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Notre Dame Cathedral

Look out for Quasimodo as you check out this incredible Gothic cathedral. You can check out some fantastic art inside as well as climb the tower. Just beware of the lines. Notre Dame is often busy.

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Play Area

Kids need to run amok after so much walking? The park behind Notre Dame has some play structures as well as long paths to run.

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Berthillon Ice Cream

Ready for some ice cream? Walk this way to grab a cone of Paris' famous Berthillon ice cream and watch the Seine traffic near the Quai d'Orleans.

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The Latin Quarter Food Court

Adjacent to the statue of Saint-Michel you can find a wealth of small restaurants, local and ethnic, in the various alleys and cross streets off of Rue de la Huchette.

A friend of mine refers to this as the Parisian "food court." Here's the place to rest those weary legs with a good meal after your walk. You can find Greek, Italian, Turkish, Moroccan and other great restaurants. One of my favorites is the La Grange Saint Michel at 11 rue Saint Severin, a place to get traditional French fondue and raclette.

Pictures in this guide taken by: travelsavvykayt

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