A Day Out in Paris with Kids

Whilst on holiday in France, we decided, that since we were only an hour from Paris, we would drive in and visit the sites. We had done a little preparation, we looked on the Time Out website at great places to visit with kids and knew we wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower, Arc Du Triomphe and the Jardin Du Luxembourg. If we could fit in any more sights then that would be a bonus.

My husband spoke with a friend who lives in Paris and he said that in August it would be ok to drive in and he was right. We set off about 8.15am and were in Paris for 9.15am, there was very little traffic even along the notorious Champs Elysee and we found a parking space easily in the Quai Branly Museum car park near the Eiffel Tower, it cost around £20 for the 12 hours parking, which for such a big city seemed reasonable and cheaper than getting a train.

Top of our list was to see the Eiffel Tower, although we weren't going to go up it as we thought it would take too long and with only the day in Paris we didn't think we'd have time. However, when we got there, the queue went down quite quickly so we decided we would. We had intended to go all the way to the top but as we got to the front of the queue they stopped selling tickets for the top, so we only went to the second stage. If we had booked beforehand, not only would the queue have been quicker but we would have been able to go to the top with less trouble.

It was just €9 for adults and €4 for the children to the second stage so €26 which at the current exchange rate meant it was only £18 which is really good value for an attraction as big as the Eiffel Tower. The view from even the second stage was amazing so don't let it put you off if you can't go all the way to top.

After we'd been up the Eiffel Tower, the children had quick ride on the carousel which sits just across the road from the Eiffel Tower, they have these at a lot of the main attractions in France and they are so beautifully decorated it always makes for a great picture and a wonderful childhood experience for the children.

Afterwards, we decided that we would head to the Jardin Du Luxemberg as we'd seen some great information about sailing little wooden boats on the pond, the Metro that would have taken us there was closed and with two little pairs of legs and the weather being so warm we decided to get a Taxi there with a view to walking back. Using the Uber app, we got a ride about 15 minutes across town, it was a quick and easy way to get there, the driver was polite and offered us water and to help us in and out of the car, so well worth considering.

As it was almost lunchtime by this point we sat and ate ham and cheese crepes in the park, sitting in the shade was a welcome relief from the hot midday sun. Although they weren't cheap we hadn't expected anything less from being in Paris, even water is expensive.

Afterwards, we headed to the pond, the children could see the little boats dotted around and were like moths to a flame and they found the lady who was hiring them out. It cost €3.50 for half an hour with the little boat which for how much excitement it generated and the disappointed sighs we encountered  when we had to give it back, I would say it was money well spent. You also get a stick to push the boat into the middle and then hopefully the wind takes it the rest of the way, there was a slight breeze which was great and it moved them along like little colourful ducks.

The adults and children alike enjoyed it and it gave us half an hour to collect our thoughts and enjoy the moment, we've never encountered anything like this before and I feel there are many missed opportunities for things like this in the UK.

Once our thirty minutes were up, we headed towards the Cathedral Notre Dame, we had a lovely gelato from an amazing shop called Amorino, there were plenty of flavours to choose from and they even shape your ice cream into a flower. We carried on walking through the streets towards Notre Dame bustling with food outlets and restaurants, we stopped and had a cold drink and did some people watching. 

My son had started watching the Hunchback of Notre Dame that morning so knew where we were going and it made it all the more exciting having seen it in a Disney movie of course. Although the front is beautiful I now know after seeing another picture on Instagram that the back is actually equally, if not more beautiful and I wish we had been to see that side of it too. 

The queues for the cathedral were really long and and again it came down to time, although i'm sure it is impressive we have visited many cathedrals in France now and they are all kind of the same on the inside. 

We took a slow walk down the Seine on our way to the Louvre, there are some wonderful little shops along the way and many beautiful building to be seen, small street sellers selling gifts and paintings as well as the obligatory cafes and bars that France do so well.

Walking through the Cour Carrée was impressive, the beautiful buildings are ornately carved and you could see the glass of the Louvre through the gates, it was impressive and certainly something to behold. I would have loved to have had the time to go in and see the Mona Lisa but probably 

for the best as the children aren't quite at an age to enjoy such things, unless it's near the gift shop anyway.

Afterwards we walked through the Jardin Des Tuileries which is between the Louvre and the Place Du Concorde, during the summer there is a fair on and the children both instantly spotted the large ferris wheel, we headed on over to have a look and it wasn't too expensive so a little bit tired from our walking we thought it would be a welcome rest, as well as give us another look above the beautiful buildings. It was well worth the money though and meant we could see the Eiffel Tower, Mon Martre and a different view of Paris to the one we'd had earlier.

After we got off we enjoyed some Barbe Au Papa (candy floss to you and me) we kept on walking up towards the Champs Elysee, legs were wary at this point and the children both did amazingly well to walk as far as they did.  

You could see the Arc Du Triomphe from the bottom of the road and as we got closer it's grandness only grew, I didn't realise you could walk to the top so when we drove round it later that evening it was amazing to see people stood on top, definitely one for next time we visit. It is an imposing feature and so beautiful stood in the Place de l'Etoile, a rather unbelievable piece of road that I couldn't help but close my eyes as hubby drove round it.

We'd found a restaurant that sounded nice from some reviews and headed that way but it was shut for refurbishment, typical! So we walked a bit further round the corner and found another one. The thing about Paris is there isn't a shortage of food places whatever your taste. After some food and a well earned rest we headed back to the car, 12 hours of pretty much solid walking round had tired everyone out and so we were all ready for home. 

There is so much more to see in Paris so I have no doubt we will be back, if you are visiting and have a few days then you could also visit the Natural History Museum, the Pompidou Centre which is a building turned inside out, Sacre Coure which is on top of Montmartre Hill and has amazing views of Paris as well as the Paris Catacombs for older children.

It was without a doubt the highlight of my holiday, so many memoirs made in one day as well as for me ticking one thing off my bucket list, i'd love to go back though and it has made me hungry to visit other cities around Europe.

French Inland Beach Fun

We've been on holiday to France many times over the last few years, one thing we have found is that whether you are by the coast or inland, there is always a way to find a beach to visit.

France is dotted with lakes which have small sandy spaces next to them, often with play areas, picnic spots and much more.

This year we found one that was close by to our holiday gite, Base De Loisirs - Jumieges Le Mensil is a smaller version of the one we have visited the past few years but still had everything needed for a visit to the beach and a day out.

With its blue lagoon like water and small but perfectly adequate beach, it is a great place to take the children for some sand castle building and water splashing fun without the worry of tides and deep water. There are lifeguards on duty too, for that extra piece of mind. 

As well as the beach this particular lake had a park, cafe and a Go-Ape style tree top adventure park, the water sparkled like diamonds on our visit and there were plenty of picnic spots around to have lunch.

After lunch we explored the rest of the park, which included a huge bouncy castle play area, exercise equipment and climbing frames, a great way to burn off some energy. Both of the children along with all the adults enjoyed a great day out

Without a doubt, I think that these inland beaches are a great source of enjoyment and I only wish we had some in the UK, we've always had so much fun visiting them and hope to visit a few more this week.

French Flash Sticks Review

My son has been learning French at school and as we are due to go on our annual holiday to France next month, it seemed a great opportunity to try out some Flash Sticks, these are sticky notes, like Post-it Notes with French words on them.

Below the words it has the pronunciation of the French word, as well as the word in English and a picture of the word for younger readers.

The stickers come on a card which also has the words on the back, we made it a fun game to go round the house and stick the stickers everywhere whilst going through the words.

For the verbs and others words that didn't have a home, we put them on the fridge or window, so things like world we put on the window to the garden.

Both of the children can already count up to ten in french but it is good to have the numbers there as a reminder to practice.

There is also a really handy app, great for the kids to use, all they need to do is open the app, scan the post-its and a video of the word being spoken is then played, so they can hear how it is supposed to sound. It is also handy for myself and my husband who often get it wrong.

Overall we have found these really useful so far, we are always trying to teach our children about everyday objects, things we find at the supermarket or animals and things around us when we are out and these are a great addition to the home to allow us to keep the momentum up. I certainly don't think it will be long before we are on to the next set.

The sets are £4.99 each and are available in Spanish, Italian, German and BSL too.

NB: We were sent the Flash Sticks to review, all opinions are mine.

Crushed - Fruit Pouches Review

As a busy mum on the go, sometimes I have days where I forget about myself and eating five a day evades me. After I was diagnosed Fibromyalgia, I knew my diet should be better than it is, but comfort food is a strange thing and you just want sugar, usually in it’s worst form.

So, when I was sent some Crushed fruit pouches to try, I looked forward to having some fruit in my bag, something that I could take with me when I got those sweet cravings and that wouldn’t get battered and bruised as the day went on.

Usually you think this sort of thing is for children, but they have been invaluable for me during my recent house move, meaning I can have fruit on the go, easily and most of all quickly.

The pouches are an easy and accessible way to transport fruit, in your handbag, schoolbag, or lunchbag.

Best of all the Crushed pouches are tasty, the Strawberry & Apple have a little zing to them and the Apple & Banana are nice and smooth, my daughter has tried both and loved them equally meaning they really are a hit for both adults and children alike!

Containing one of your five a day and with a long shelf life they are the perfect store cupboard and fridge staple for when the fruit bowl is running low. 

Currently available in store from Waitrose and online from Ocado at £3.50 for 4 they work out a lot cheaper than some of the similar brands available.

NB: I was sent these to try, I was under no obligation to write a review however I feel they are a great product and wanted to write about them.

Château De Coucy

France is steeped in history, from châteaus to world war one battlefields, there are some beautiful places to visit and whilst on holiday, we stopped at the charming Château De Coucy.

Once upon a time, this magnificent castle was the 3rd most visited monument in France, after Versailles and Mont St-Michel. At that time, a 54 meter keep stood over the landscape, this magnificent and gigantic architectural masterpiece was wiped off the face of the earth by German Soldiers toward the end of WW1.

The whole town was once within the walls of the castle and even today you have to drive through the gates to get in and out of the town.

Looking over the walls to see how far we can see, the views from up here were stunning.

The kids were absolutely historical seeing this goat looking out through the wall, there were lots of them about but this one did make us chuckle.

It is sad to see it as ruins but it is still a beautiful place and so much history to absorb, around the site, there were lots of models, pictures and information showing out how it would have looked at different points in time.

Here is the keep as it looked prior to the war and here it is after, very sad but it is a price that was paid.

The view was stunning from every angle of the castle and the brick work was beautiful.

I loved these flowers within the wall, like natures own picture frame.

Down in the caves it was very cold and you can see where they store all of the bits of castle that have yet to be displayed.

The castle was huge and it certainly gave us lots to talk about and run around and see, amazing to think about all the people that have lived and visited here.

It really was a beautiful castle and well worth the five euros entry fee!

Pretty Peeling Paint and Beautiful Buildings

France is full of beautiful buildings and one thing that makes them stand out is their gorgeously coloured shutters, bricks and shapes.

I adore snapping the beauty of the towns and the simple things such as roof tops and shutters!

Someone tell me I am not the only one to be found snapping such simple every day objects!

Word of the Week

I think my word of the week this week is pride, for so many reasons. Firstly, my son got to go to the cinema for 100% attendance, he also took part in his French class end of year performance. He has picked it up so well and I am really excited to see him use it when we go to France in a few weeks time.

We  went to my daughters nursery to see where she would be going in September, she was extremely well behaved and the nursery nurses who currently look after her have nothing but the highest of praise for her. She has such confidence in fact so much so she went and stood with my son in his French performance and counted to 10 with them, in French!!!

My son has also been asking to do things round the house, making his breakfast and helping me tidy things away, my daughter insists on helping me set the dinner table and I couldn’t be more proud of the two lovely young children they have become!

I am really looking forward to what I expect to be a glowing report for my son, his teacher is constantly telling us what a lovely young man he is and how he is the perfect student and role model. He came home with yet another star of the week certificate last week and after a rough start in school life he has blossomed.

My heart is bursting with pride for my two wonderfully kind, caring and enthusiastic children, what more could a mother ask for. 

Linking up to Word of the Week with The Reading Residence

Hareem Trousers Wish List

I have an old pair of hareem trousers I bought about two years ago but they have seen better days. They are really comfy for lounging in and are perfect with a pair of flip flops for summer trips to the beach and I particularly love wearing them in France as lot's of French ladies seem to wear them.

So I have been on the look out for some for a while now and with my upcoming trip to France edging ever nearer I have been on serious hareem watch.

First I love these from Next, £22 isn't a bad price and I love the colour, perfect for chilling in.

Next these from H&M, they are only £12.99 and although they look baggier they come in some funky and slightly OTT colours and prints. I'd probably opt for plain black but there is a coral red and leopard print.

Next and a brand I have been following for years now, I love everything that Hush do. These trousers look so beautiful and it's probably the gorgeous blazers and t-shirts they team them up with that makes me want them more. These are a little more expensive at £49.50 but sometimes quality pays right.

And finally these from Marks and Spencer, super price at £18 and hopefully the quality you'd expect from Marks too. 

I'm not sure which pair to go for, but I definitely need to pop in to town and gab a pair before I go away either that or do I risk trying to find some in a French market whilst we are over there? Hmm decisions.

Cunard Mediterranean Competition - Toulon, France

I saw this fab competition over on the Love Chic Living and decided what a great time I could have finding and pinning pictures of one of my favourite countries to visit.

I love France for it's rustic looking houses, I love windows and doors with peeling gorgeously bright coloured paint, the baskets for shopping and gorgeous over the top furniture.

So my Pinterest board is quite heavily inspired by my love of the rustic french look. Hope you like...

Follow The Mummy Diary's board Cunard Mediterranean Competition - Toulon, France on Pinterest.

I Don't Speak French...

...I just try my hardest to teach my children the language of a country I love.

Today as I stood in the pet shop looking at the animals with my three year old daughter I wondered how odd I sounded asking my daughter what the animals were in French.

I am by no means fluent in French but as we go there on holiday most years I do try my best to speak the language or at least have a go at it.

Through my children I am slowly grasping more words and how to use the language, although my husband can speak it and understand it better than me his accent leaves a lot to be desired and on more than one occasion has been misunderstood.

Like with signing I always try to incorporate foreign language into our days out or even when at home? So I just wondered is it me? Do I sound like some crazy person or is it perfectly normal to practice in this way?

My son is currently doing La Jolie Rond after school and like with everything I like to keep at it at home too, we play French word games before bed, again so both the children and us adults can practice our French.

Would you look at me and think I was silly?

Chocolate Chip Madeleines

Madeleines are my favourite and whilst I am never going to get them tasting the same way as my favourite ones from France these are a lovely substitute to whip up as a Sunday morning treat.

Ingredients:

100g Plain Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
75 g Caster Sugar
2 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
90g Unsalted Butter (melted plus extra for buttering mould)
Icing Sugar to dust

Method:

1 Melt the butter either in a sauce pan or my preference in a microwaveable dish until melted (be careful not to heat to much or it will burn or worse splatter everywhere), leave to one side to cool.

2. Sift the flour and baking powder and set to one side.

3. Next either using an electric whisk or hand whisk, whisk the sugar and eggs together until thick and fluffy.

4. Gently fold in the flour mix and vanilla extract (you could also use orange water or almond extract if you'd prefer), keep folding until mixed.

5. Fold in the melted butter a bit at a time until well mixed and nice and shiny (if looks like it isn't mixing but it will just keep folding until smooth).

6. Cover the surface of the mixture with cling film and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Heat the oven to 200c or fan 180c.

7. I use a silicone madeleine mould which are easy to use,  using the remains of the melted butter in the dish or melt a little more butter and with a finger just coat each shell in the butter (if using metal tins they might need a dusting of flour too to stop them sticking) and then place a heaped tablespoon (if you are using a large mould) of mixture into each shell.

8. Then sprinkle on a few chocolate chips or if you only have chocolate just add a sprinkle of some chocolate you have blitzed or broken up (use a rolling pin and bag to smash into smallish pieces) onto the top and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

9. Once cooled slightly remove from the mould and then dust with the icing sugar and serve, we all really like them warm with hot chocolate or coffee but these are equally lovely cold.

Bon appetit x

Sun Jellies Review

A few weeks ago I was approached by the lovely people at Sun Jellies to see if I would like to review a pair of gorgeous Méduse jelly shoes.

Sun Jellies are a proud stockist of Méduse original French jellies. Based on the south coast of England they are the leading retailer of Méduse jellies.

Méduse is a French brand of jellies and wellies with a heritage dating back to 40's with the creation of the original fisherman Sun Jellies. Java jellies were created in the 70's. Both styles have been rockin' the same original designs for decades! They are the authentic retro classics. Much imitated but never bettered. All Méduse jellies are designed and made in France from 100% recyclable, soft PVC.

So what makes them great, first of all the colours, their website is like a rainbow of gorgeousness and with sizes up to 8 in most colours and up to 12 in the unisex colours there is something for everyone. If you have children they also do them from size 4 upwards so you can get all matchy matchy ;)

I went for the cyan in a size 8, normally finding shoes that fit my feet is a nightmare they are either too narrow or not long enough, these on the other hand were a perfect fit and comfy too which for a shoe made of PVC I think is pretty good going.

They also made my feet look all girly, another great bonus as far as I am concerned.

They are perfect for summer, autumn and spring. Here I have teamed them up with jeans and a long sleeved tee but with skirts, skinny jeans, 3/4 length trousers or tights they would work equally as well. You only have to look at their Facebook page for inspiration, so many ways of wearing them.

The Méduse range conjure up images of the 80s, especially the lattice jellies, they are gorgeous and I remember having a pair myself.

Best of all they are only £14.00 plus £2.00 shipping (for orders under £35), which I think is very reasonably priced so there is nothing stopping you having a pair in each colour.

I love finding a comfy pair of shoes that I look forward to wearing and I am so desperate for spring to arrive so I can wear these lots (it's just a little bit cold to go bare foot at the moment).

I'm also looking forward to getting me and my daughter a matching pair, she spent last year in 'jelly beans' as she calls them and so this year we can get matching pairs, i'll she'll love that.

So overall I love these shoes, I am waiting for pay day to buy my next pair….although I am not sure which colour to go for.

I think this could be the year of the jelly shoe, they are versatile, comfy, bright and easy to wear so which colour would you choose?

NB I was sent a pair free of charge to review, however all thoughts and words are my own.