Traveling in Paris with a toddler? It isn’t as hard as it sounds. In this post, I’m going to share some of the highlights of our trip and answer some of the questions I was asked regarding cloth diapering, AirBnB, and more!
Public Transportation in Paris
The plane ride to Paris was peaceful. We all were very tired from our trip in Iceland, and before we even got in the air we were sleeping: all of us!
Three hours later we landed at CDG, gathered our belongings (remember, we only traveled with carry-on luggage), and waltzed to the train. We knew from previous trips to Paris that the train would be the best and most efficient way to travel while there.
Our Comfy AirBnB Stay in Paris
Before our trip, we booked an AirBnB close to the metro station for the sole purpose of making sure we were close enough to public transportation, especially with our toddler. Our host housed us in a studio apartment located in the heart of the Latin Quarter. It had only a few amenities, but definitely what we considered essentials for our stay: a stove top (no oven), a fridge, and a washing machine. Since Scout co-sleeps with us, we didn’t have a problem having only one bed in the space.
The Latin Quarter can be rather boisterous at night, but we didn’t mind. We stayed there during our first trip to Paris and just loved the community! Scout didn’t have any problems sleeping or napping with the noise and we had access to bakeries, plenty of restaurants, street shopping as well as chain stores, and even a grocery store a few doors down from our spot. We would buy a baguette, fresh fruit, and water daily. One night, I even bought items to cook a meal for my girl! Talk about a clutch location.
I would definitely recommend booking an AirBnB for travel because it’s cheaper and provides a more authentic experience than a hotel would.
Cloth Diapering in Paris
As mentioned in previous posts, we cloth diapered the whole time we were abroad. The day we arrived in Paris would be the first time we would be able to wash our diapers, having had a previous stop in Iceland with only the airport bathroom to use. We packed enough diapers to get us through those first few travel days, even having enough to get us through our first day in Paris without scrambling to find a clean set.
Also in our bag was powder detergent, 24 diapers, 20 diaper covers, and four wet bags for this trip. This way, we didn’t have to purchase detergent while there and while we were washing the soiled items, we would have other wet bags and diapers to use. We used pocket diapers and stuff them with flats, bamboo and charcoal inserts, or a combination of them all.
The washing machine was easy enough to use and got the job done without me having to use any muscle (more on that in a later post). I also decided to wash Mark’s clothes and a few of Scout’s soiled items since they were there.
When I listed the amenities above, notice that I didn’t mention having a dryer. We knew this going there and didn’t really see this as a dealer breaker since there were drying racks on site. It did take a little while for the diapers to dry because they are of thicker, more absorbent fabric, but we didn’t have a problem with having everything clean and dry before leaving two days later in the early morning.
What to do in Paris with a Toddler
I got asked a few times, “what is there to do in Paris with a toddler?” Well, what is there to do in Denver with a toddler? Traveling in Paris with a toddler is just like any other place, really. I don’t know of any adults who weren’t once children walking around in Paris, so there has to be something for kids, even if that means just doing what adults do.
We didn’t deviate too far from what we were used to doing while in Paris. On this trip, we visited the usual suspects: The Notre Dame (which was right down the street from where we stayed), the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. We walked around different blocks, tried new restaurants, and rode the metro to get to where we wanted to be. Our trip wasn’t about shopping or doing the most, it was more so about enjoying each other in Paris; you know, where it all started for us. We wanted to give that same experience to Scout and wanted her to take it all in: the sights, the sounds, and the smells.
And not having a car seat or stroller was definitely the move. We didn’t feel like we were at a disadvantage, quite the contrary actually. It was so easy to get up and go. Mark and I took turns wearing Scout in the carrier when she was tired of walking or was sleeping, so it wasn’t too bad on either of our bodies. I would suggest only wearing walking shoes as to not complicate your balance or stability while baby-wearing. I made the mistake of wearing boots one day and while the heel wasn’t high at all, I would have felt way more comfortable in trainers.
Our New Favorite Vegan Burger Joint in Paris: Hank
Scout and I are vegan, my husband not so much. Thankfully, we don’t have to convince him to eat at vegan restaurants or try something new. Insert Hank, a vegan burger joint we found on Yelp and Google while looking for a new place to eat while in Paris. It had some pretty solid reviews, so we mapped our day out using our Maps app and had Hank as our first stop.
If you’re worried about ordering food because you can’t speak French, don’t. They have English menus on site and the people working there were fluent in English. I ordered the L’allumé and fries and shared it with Scout. And what’s lunch without dessert? I ordered a carrot cake that I ate all by myself because … I deserve. Mark had the Le Touriste with a side of fries and a small loaf of banana bread. The verdict? BOMB.
Would we do Paris with a toddler again?
I don’t see why not! She enjoyed her time, we enjoyed showing her around, and even if she doesn’t remember everything, we took plenty of pictures for her to check out later!
If you’re hesitant about traveling in Paris with a toddler, don’t be. There will be challenges, yes, but it’s truly nothing you won’t be able to handle as the child’s parent. Release your fears and go for it!
If you’d like to follow our international stops, you can start here:
What We Packed for an International Trip with a Toddler
Amsterdam, Netherlands
