Anonymous wrote:OP here - we travel frequently though we haven't been to Europe in 2 years (Paris actually). One of the reasons I want to go now is that he can sit on our lap on the plane. Our tickets are actually going to be free using points. This isn't going to be a once in a lifetime trip for us but I also worry that we are just going to end up exhausted the whole time if he doesn't sleep well and of course the hassle of the airport, flying, etc. I'm fine with not going to restaurants every night.

Then go! We just returned from 2 weeks in Europe with a 7-mo and - while it had its challenges (terrible sleep, etc.) - it was overall a great experience. I would highly recommend getting an apartment (that's my favorite way to stay in Paris even without kids) - it's so much easier to deal with a small child when you have play space, laundry facilities, and a kitchen.

OP here - we travel frequently though we haven't been to Europe in 2 years (Paris actually). One of the reasons I want to go now is that he can sit on our lap on the plane. Our tickets are actually going to be free using points. This isn't going to be a once in a lifetime trip for us but I also worry that we are just going to end up exhausted the whole time if he doesn't sleep well and of course the hassle of the airport, flying, etc. I'm fine with not going to restaurants every night.

20:20 here: About the costs... I also loved that our cost to travel with our child were minimal because we did not buy a separate seat for him at the time. We also were able to stay in a 2 guests bedroom hotel room, since 2 and under (sometimes 3) are free.

But we also travel a lot and since he turned 2 traveling has become much more expensive. The airplane ticket alone is usually over 1k. Plus, hotel room costs.

We actually visited Paris during this summer (son is almost 4) again and although we had fun, wasn't nearly as "magical." It was too hot, too crowded and as a 3y old, he is much more of a handful now. But still easy going relatively speaking.

While we were there when he was 18 months he just went with the flow: took naps on the go, went to bed late, dinner late, etc. He was (still is) a child who can do that. Not all children do well with changes.

Anonymous wrote:It could be great or really hard. Will you look back and regret the funds spent if it is a bust?

I think this is a big part of the question. If you vacation internationally all the time and the question is just "we want to go to Paris this time, but is there any reason to avoid Paris with a 1 yo?," go and make the most of it, bearing in mind the limitations of traveling with a 1 yo. If you're not loaded and want to make the most of your trip to Paris because you can't easily afford to go back later if you miss out on things you really wanted to see and do, I would wait.

It could be great or really hard. Will you look back and regret the funds spent if it is a bust?

No, I wouldn't. I'd leave him at home with family/ sitter.

I went with a 18m old also in November and we had a blast. We did the main museum (it was my first time), lots of parks, lots of cafes and were treated very well in all restaurants. The only real child program we did was when we visited the Science Museum for children (cite des infants) - minimum age is 2 but I just took him anyway. He had a wonderful time http://www.cite-sciences.fr/fr/cite-des-sciences/contenu/c/1248104303612/cite-des-enfants/

We walked a lot and he also loved all the Christmas decoration throughout the city, specially Champs Elysees (lots of little rides for young children).

It was truly a magical trip!

This might help you:

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/04/ten-great-things-to-do-with-kids/

I would do it to go visit family/friends, not just for random touring. Unless your kid's schedule runs really late, you'll be having to eat dinner before many restaurants start dinner service. If I were going to tour Paris with a 1 yo old, I would want it to be during warmer weather, so we could focus on outdoor activities and sites where a stroller/baby on your back will be more welcome.

We did it last year with our 1 year old. We travel all the time, and I have to say, I wish we would have waited. Now that our son is 2, it would have been so much better now. We basically went to a lot of playgrounds and cafes, but restaurants really did not want children, even early, and our best nights were the ones where we got a babysitter.

I don't know, honestly. We were in Paris in October last year and it rained the WHOLE TIME. That was annoying enough for just us - I can't imagine having to trek around with a stroller or Ergo, too. We just got back from two weeks in Europe with our baby (sounds like our kids are very close in age if your baby will be 1 in November) and it was tough. Baby was great during the day and just napped wherever we happened to be, but was a very difficult sleeper (that was new) on the trip, so my husband and I were both exhausted the whole time. Baby was also not a great eater on our trip... if you are still nursing I would wait to wean until after your trip.

Would you do it? Any recommendations for places to go, places to eat? We've been to Paris before and are going in November.