Mona Lisa smiles for a reason

One thing I love about European schools - just 8 weeks after school starts we get a week off - Fall term break!   

We were invited to visit friends that moved back to England (from Kiev), so stopped in Paris en route for a few days.   

While Paris is fab for adults, we weren't sure how family friendly it would be?


Off to a good start when we learned it hosts 1 of the only 12 international locations of Chipotle.   

We headed straight there from the airport

Paris for a burrito?!   

Let's not judge -  there's no Mexican food in Kiev

Happy to report its almost identical - except wine instead of Margaritas

(As much as I love wine, I have to admit, it's an odd complement to a burrito)


Fabulous parks
Not only did this one have a cool climbing feature, but you were required to check your kids in for 1 hour of supervised, locked-in play - for FREE!

Wow factor sites
Given its notoriety, we had to visit the Eiffel tower with the kids.....

And given European Vacation movie inspiration, we had to go American Asshole Tourist 

The boys adamantly refused to partake - and only agreed to a quick picture after demanding 2Euros a piece 

(Quincy also specified that was the photo only price.   Should I post it anywhere, there would be an incremental fee.  Damn that Mr. A & Grade 4 Business Unit!)

While we hadn't planned to visit the Louvre (figuring it too boring for kids), Quincy announced "The world's most famous painting - Mona Lisa - is there.  We HAVE TO go!"  Hard to argue with that.

We lucked out - scalped tickets to avoid a looooong line & made a bee-line for her...

Quincy was surprised how small she was - but the part that cracked me up....

....the kids totally engrossed in the DS Audio Guides.  Sitting in front of masterpieces looking at the pictures of them on the tiny screens!

Our apartment was just a block from the cool 'inside-out' Pompidou

Logan, Q & I enjoyed the Lichtenstein exhibit

Outdoorsy
I never imagined French people sweat, but apparently they are quite a fitness oriented bunch.  There are running paths & bike lanes abound.

(a self portrait running along the Seine)

 And, we LOVED our Fat Tire city bike tour...

(thanks for the tip Zoya!)

Shopping & Style
We loved our cool neighborhood - Marais - with loads of restaurants and boutiques

The nearby falafel restaurant recommended made Logan smile 

Zoe & I especially loved all the shops.  

Zoe: "I love shopping, we are going to come home with SO MANY shopping bags!"

Zoe later: "I LOVE Paris!"

Looping back to the question: is Paris family friendly?  We say hands down "oui"

Here's to school breaks in October - wish we could import those!