When people come visit from out of town (to either San Francisco or Paris) besides the list of things I suggest to do I always include happy little experiences. So I thought it would be nice to document all the “happy” things we like to do in Paris. I’m starting with the Champ de Mars. (Not all of them will be kid friendly but this one is.) In front of the Eiffel Tower there is a giant park called the Champ de Mars. Besides being a nice place to picnic the park has hidden gems all over it. Some of the things we like to do there:
See the Marionette Show. There is an very old Marionette House where they put on live shows. It is so adorable you’ll want to die. It’s usually open on the weekends and once during the week. Our kids love this and beg to go every time we walk by.
Ride on the Carousel. There are carousels all over Paris but this one is particularly charming because it is cranked by hand by a sweet old French man. There is a game where all the kids hold sticks and try to “catch” the metal rings as they go by on their horses.
Ride the Go Carts. On the weekends there is a little track with go karts set up for kids to race. I didn’t take pictures of this but its just as cute as you might imagine.
Lay on the Grass. Grab a crepe or a cotton candy and hang out in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and watch people taking pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Just a tip: I usually avoid going under the tower itself. It’s really crowded and will kill the vibe of your pretty day at the park.
ps: A sad little thing happened this morning. Moses fell off a stool and broke his clavicle. He is doing ok now but it was a little scary going to the emergency room at 7am. So far strong pain meds and newly downloaded videos have been the best cure.
Logan
August 16, 2011
The boys are so, so, SO cute. Sending Moses (and you) some good healing vibes!
Ashlea Walter
August 16, 2011
Oh no, poor Moses! Get well soon.
Loved this post – great, family-friendly, charming ideas.
NY_NKE
August 16, 2011
We love happy things! Thanks again for the nice tips and inspiration. Your boys look so cute. Hope Moses is doing fine.
Tina
August 16, 2011
Poor Moses! I prescribe many happy things for him in the future while his poor little bones knit together…
One of my most favourite days ever in Paris was one I spent on my own during a stopover. I’d been there recently so felt no need to go to any of the museums or other tourist attractions. I took a Metro stop to a foodie street, bought some summer peaches and cherries at the market (from the fruit stall with the longest queue), far too much pastry for one person and then took myself to Champ de Mars to tuck into it all. It was glorious.
Abby Noel
August 16, 2011
Such fun! You guys look so french in your neutral grays & stripes. Sorry to hear about Moses. Feel better soon buddy!
catherine
August 16, 2011
Poor little Moses! I broke my collar bone when I was in kindergarten and luckily I don’t remember any of the painful bits, but I do remember getting to stay home from school for such a long time and getting to spend all day in my parents’ bed with tons of pillows and my mum bringing me juice and puzzles in bed. Thinking back on it, it was pretty fun!
marissa (stylebook)
August 16, 2011
oh, wishes for a speedy recovery!!! your guys are the absolute cutest, and it’s so cool that they get to experience paris as little ones.
Jillian
August 16, 2011
Feel better Moses and get well soon! Broken bones are no fun. Hope he gets out and about to enjoy a last bit of summer before Sept.
Yvette
August 16, 2011
I love your posts about Parisian activities. Missing Paris….
Sorry to hear about Moses! So scary, esspecially in a foreign country. Wishing him a quick recovery!
Tiffany
August 16, 2011
Oh dear! Glad he is OK and praying for a speedy recovery.
Charlotte
August 16, 2011
Hand turned carousel, how is everything in Paris so cute?
Hope Moses feels better soon.
Jessie Lucas
August 16, 2011
Just look at how fun that day looks. Makes me want to hop a plane 🙂 I hope that Moses has a speedy recovery! Take care!
Alexis
August 16, 2011
Roman’s sweater and little boots are killing me—too cute! I’d bookmarked the marionette show to see when we visit Paris in the fall, I hope it’s running then too. (Sending positive, healing thoughts to Moses. Poor little guy!)
SuzyMcQ
August 16, 2011
Lovely, sweet park post, Such wonderful advice for those with kids and without. Thank you.
Sending happy, healing thoughts to your sweet son, Moses.
Leilani
August 16, 2011
I really enjoy your posts. I’m realizing that as they come up in my Google Reader, I’m always reading yours after the other blogs I’ve subscribed to, saving ‘the best for last!’ I am hoping Moses will feel better as soon as possible.
Jess
August 16, 2011
This looks like so much fun! The boys look like they are loving life! Hope Moses gets better soon!
Angela
August 16, 2011
Living vicariously thru you. Hope the little guy feels better soon.
Collins
August 16, 2011
love the carousel!
Jeanne
August 16, 2011
I hope your little Moses feel better soon. On a lighter end, I like the way your striped shirt fits. Do you mind if I ask where you got it from?
Emily
August 16, 2011
How delightful- until the very last paragraph. Hope Moses gets well soon!!
Collins
August 16, 2011
Aw…poor Moses. Bless his heart. Hope he feels better soon!
Kellie Martiensen
August 16, 2011
Hi Jordan,
I’m am in the midst of planning a similar family adventure in Paris and these post you do on your special Paris spots are invaluable. I could just burst with excitement when I read them. Thank you.
Poor Moses and poor you!! It must have been very scarey. Sending lots of love from Australia.
Kellie x
Maria @ Orchard Bloom
August 16, 2011
Looks like a perfectly lovely day!
My Traveling Troop
August 16, 2011
What fun and darling pictures! I always hear about how romantic Paris is, so it’s nice to hear how kid friendly it can be too!
Hope Moses heals quickly and feels better soon!
Sara
August 16, 2011
Oh, poor Moses!! Hope he doesn’t hurt too much, and it isn’t too sad for you. (It’s always harder on the mom ;).)
Great post. While we had a lovely picnic there while we were in Paris in June, I feel like a complete idiot now that we missed the marionettes and that carousel. Whoops! Next time…
Felicity
August 16, 2011
First of all -THANK YOU – for the gifts that you have shared in today’s post.
This is a place that I truly desire to visit and you’ve made it seem so much more delightful than I could have ever imagined.
Secondly – best wishes for a speedy recovery to Moses, I’m sure he’ll be lapping up the love for some time to come.
xx
Jules
August 16, 2011
Goodness! That must have been scary. Prayers for Moses and his speedy recovery.
Hannah @ Smith+Scout
August 17, 2011
Poor Moses, feel better soon!
When we go to Paris we always spend an afternoon picnicking in Bois de Vincennes, it’s great to just lie on the grass as you say! I love Paris parks. Great tips!
Hannah @ Smith+Scout
August 17, 2011
Poor little Moses, feel better soon!
When we go to Paris, we always have an afternoon picnicking in the Bois de Vincennes. I love the parks of Paris and just lying on the grass as you say! Great tips.
nole
August 17, 2011
Poor Moses! I hope he heals (and feels better) very soon!
Mary
August 17, 2011
Hope Moses is feeling better and heals quickly.
Thanks for the Paris commentaries. Coming there in November for a few days with one of my sons (albeit, an adult son–not sure he will want to ride the carousel :)) so I am enjoying your view of Paris.
Thelma
August 17, 2011
Aw, poor Moses- hope he is back to himself again soon!
Lindsey Gerrish
August 17, 2011
What a beautiful post, and your munchkins are adorable. Thanks for sharing. And I hope your little guys heals fast!
Mariela
August 17, 2011
Hope Moses feels better very soon!.
Pam
August 17, 2011
Get well soon Moses! You’ll be back on the carousel in no time 🙂
tasha
August 17, 2011
Poor Moses! I hope he recovers soon. Little boys are such sweet little troopers ( I have a 3 year old myself).
Amanda Blair
August 17, 2011
I am definitely referring to your blog when I finally make it to Paris… I love all your pictures and tips. You make the smallest things stand out as 🙂
Also, so sorry for your little guy that sounds terrible. Heal quickly Moses!
Linda
August 17, 2011
Your kids are very adorable. It’s good to know you have quality time with your kids. And hope that Moses will be better.
Emily Dupraz
August 17, 2011
Not exactly related to your post, but where did you find the green purse in the photos? I have been hunting for something similar for quite awhile, and your purse is exactly what I’ve been searching for!
brenna
August 17, 2011
Your boys looks so French!
Designs Good
August 17, 2011
I’m so sorry for little Moses and wish him a speedy recovery.
Thank you so much for all of your tips–I can’t wait to visit Paris and try them all out!
Kacie
August 17, 2011
Ohhh I’m so in love with your life. I adore Paris and the Champs de Mars. Thanks (again) for sharing all your little gems. I’m sorry your babe is hurt. That’s got to be just terrible! At least kiddos bones heal really quickly. Thinking good thoughts.
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.com/
teresa
August 17, 2011
I have loved viewing your blog…it’s like I go on a little adventure each time. Hugs to your little guy….my son fell out of his bunk bed {many years ago…I’m a grammer now} and broke the same bone.
Meg
August 17, 2011
oh bless his heart. i hope he feels better. that is such a nasty bone to break. you’re pictures are charming, how fun to hold on to those memories and show them one day!
tanandmeg.blogspot.com
Robin K
August 17, 2011
Love these pictures of all of you – again kisses and love to sweet Moses
Tina Fussell
August 17, 2011
Your photos are beautiful, as always! Hope your little guy feels better soon. I know it can be very stressful when your kids get sick overseas. Hugs from Copenhagen!
wakako
August 17, 2011
oh no… i hope your little one is feeling okay. it’s hurt breaking to see and feel thier pain. it truly hurts. sending you lots of warm thoughts from Los Angles!
-wakako
Jennifer Planeta
August 18, 2011
Totally thought of you and this post when I stumbled upon this at etsy today!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66830496/romantic-dreams-4×4-fine-art-photo-print
Rebecca
August 20, 2011
Beautiful entry! I love the Champs de Mars as well. Sorry to hear about Moses – I know that keeping an active boy still to allow healing can be really difficult. All the best! – Becca