The Travelers
Nils-Arne Schroeder, his wife Renate Lee and their two children, Kyla (6) and Kaden (2).
The Plan
The family planned a three-week holiday, splitting the time between Paris and Nils’ home country of Germany. When in Europe, the family always flies Lufthansa Airlines. In Paris, they stayed at Hilton Arc de Triomphe – a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe. It was the first time in Paris for Renate and the children, so they were very excited. Renate wanted to visit the museums and Champs-Élysées, while the kids couldn’t wait to go to Euro Disney.
The Best Part
The adults agree that Paris was the best part of their holiday, while the kids loved Euro Disney. The Schroeders enjoyed basking in the sun on the open double-decker bus. Its flexible schedule and frequent stops (every 10 minutes in the summer) make it perfect for tourists. The bus stops at popular sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées and Notre Dame. The family purchased two-day tickets (USD 33), which allowed them to design their own itinerary and visit different museums and iconic places. Kyla enjoyed tuning into the English commentary on the bus; there’s even a Chinese-language option.
Museum Tips
Renate was keen on visiting the famous art museums. Though it was tough keeping the kids enthused, Renate managed to see the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. The Louvre was very crowded and required some patience, while the Musée d’Orsay was more manageable. Both museums have cafes and restaurants where one can grab a quick bite to eat. Splitting into groups of one adult and one child made the museum visits run more smoothly.
Château de Versailles
After a few days in Paris, they drove a half-hour to Versailles for a weekend with Renate’s brother’s family. They stayed at the Trianon Palace Versailles, Waldorf Astoria Collection, which had breathtaking views of lush lawns and gardens, and exclusive access to the Château de Versailles. Visiting the inside of the chateau was wonderful and the family also enjoyed the well-manicured garden with its historic sculptures and artifacts. For a lovely afternoon, the Schroeders recommend packing a picnic, sprawling out on the lawn and letting the children romp around the garden.
