La Fête des Mères in France comes a bit later than the US and UK, and this year it lands on a long weekend. If you’re spending Mother’s Day in Paris, here are 5 untraditional ideas to spend a memorable day as a family.
1. Golf, Climb or Save the World
La Défense is usually thought of as Paris’ business center, but did you know CNIT Move offers a host of activities for a lively day out? Try an escape game at Team Break, an immersive adventure where you and your team (3 people minimum) must complete a given mission to save the world – in 60 minutes or less! If you prefer physical challenges to mental ones, test your rock-climbing skills at Blocbuster, an indoor climbing gym with 1400m² of artificial walls (and a sauna to soothe those aching muscles). Or, check out the Be Better Center, which houses the biggest indoor practice golf course in Europe, offering 18 holes, 11 practice posts and personalized 3-D swing analysis.
When: Open 7 days/week, check WEBSITE for details
Where: Move CNIT, 2 place de la Défense, 92053 La Défense
⛳️ For more ideas on where to practice your golf swing, read our article on the 5 best courses in Paris to learn golf.
2. Skipper Your Own Boat in a Canal
Discover a new side of Paris by renting an electric, self-drive boat from Marin d’eau Douce and exploring the Canal Saint Martin or the Canal de l’Ourcq. These boats don’t require a permit, and allow you to follow a set itinerary, which lasts from one hour to a whole day. You can even order hampers for picnics or apéritifs in advance, moor at a pier and take a break on the grass to eat and play pétanque, badminton or Mölkki (skittles). Boats accommodate from 5-11 people, so the more the merrier!
When: 7 days/week, 10am-10pm
Where: Bassin de la Villette, 37 Quai de la Seine, 75019 Paris
3. Spend a Day in the Country
About an hour south of Paris, the beautiful Château de Chamarande inaugurates its Escapades Insolites, a program of activities, shows and concerts in the courtyard of the castle. On the program for Sunday, May 28: Les Kaléidophones, an outdoor installation mixing sounds and dance; a funk music concert from Ceux Qui Marchent Debout; and delicious picnic and snack food from the mobile chefs of Mijote et Sucrine. Be sure to take a stroll around the public gardens of the domain, the largest in the Essonne region.
When: Escapades Insolites, every Sunday from May 28 – July 30, 2017, park open 9am-7pm
Where: Domaine départemental de Chamarande, 38 rue du Commandant Arnoux, 91730 Chamarande
4. Go Treasure Hunting
Turn Mother’s Day into a cultural outing with a twist on a regular visit to the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. For kids who might drag their feet at the idea, make it an adventure by booking an interactive treasure hunt with That Muse. Choose a museum and a theme (Beauty + the Bestiary, Animals in Art, Skull Scouting, etc.), get your briefing and map, then follow the clues to find the “treasures” on display. A trip to the museum has never been this exciting!
When/Where: See WEBSITE for details
5. Pop Champagne at the Movies
If your idea of a great day out is something a bit calmer, head over to the Pathé Cinema at the Beaugrenelle Shopping Center, a state-of-the-art movie theater with 10 screens, luxurious seating (that you can reserve in advance) and a range of treats, including hot dogs for the kids, and champagne for the adults. With the stores and restaurants open all day Sunday, you can even fit in some shopping at Sephora or pick up some hard-to-find items at the Marks & Spencer’s food hall. Vive les mamans!
When: Sunday hours: Shops – 11am-7pm, Restaurants 11am-midnight, Cinéma – 9:30am-midnight
Where: 12 Rue Linois, 75015 Paris
