Is Europe Better Than The US?
Hi,
My husband, our 14-month-old son, and I recently took a trip to Versailles, France. Versailles is about 45 minutes outside of Paris, and we chose it because it’s quiet and safe, especially important when traveling with a toddler. We loved it. The locals were kind, the food was delicious, and we felt safe even walking around at night. While we stayed in Versailles, we did take a quick day trip to Paris by train to see the Eiffel Tower.
Below are my thoughts on what we enjoyed and what we didn’t.
The Good
Walkability
Everything we needed was within walking distance: grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, souvenir shops, and more.
Kind Locals
I speak French, but my Cameroonian French is much more informal than the typical French dialect. Even when I stuttered or struggled, no one was rude. People were patient and accommodating, even with my husband who doesn’t speak French at all.
Family-Oriented Culture
There were children everywhere, and people regularly acknowledged and interacted with my son. That’s not something I see often in the U.S. On Saturday especially, families filled the parks, eating pastries together. It felt very warm and community-oriented.
The Bad
Smoking
So many people smoked, even parents around their children. It was a cultural shock for me and honestly hard to watch.
Late Dinners
A personal struggle, but finding restaurants open between 4–7pm was nearly impossible. Most opened around 7:30pm, which felt late for us with a baby.
Negative Assumptions About Americans
My son got a stomach bug on the second day, and when I went to the pharmacy for medication, the staff immediately asked if he was vaccinated, implying his illness was due to “how Americans handle vaccinations.” I explained (in French) that he was simply throwing up and it had nothing to do with vaccines.
Random Notes
French women often commented on my appearance when I was in athletic wear, saying things like “you’re beautiful” or “you look like a flawless statue.”
People were very active. We saw runners in the early morning and late at night.
Paris, compared to Versailles, felt overrated. It was crowded, dirty, and full of scammers. Within minutes of arriving, we witnessed a man urinate in public and another chased by police. We stayed less than two hours.
The Cost (One Week in Versailles)
Airport Transportation: 400€ ($438.50)
Airport Parking: $113.32
Toll: $20
Babysitter: 195€ ($228.71)
Train: $20
Food: $793.79
Versailles Palace: $75
Flights (Premium, Direct from DEN): $4,643.73
Hotel (Waldorf Astoria Versailles): $3,048.80
Grand Total: $10,174.84
Final Thoughts
We chose Versailles because we wanted our son to be immersed in another culture. We’re teaching him French and Spanish at home, and earlier this year we took him to Mexico. This was our first trip to Europe, and I would definitely return.
One thing I wish were more common in the U.S. is how welcoming people abroad can be to children. On our 10+ hour flights, no one was rude; in fact, people went out of their way to be kind. On our return flight, a woman even held my son for a bit to calm him down. I nearly cried with gratitude. By contrast, when we were departing for Mexico from Denver earlier this year, a woman in the row ahead of us actually yelled at my son as we were taxiing.
Overall, Versailles was a wonderful and family-friendly choice for our first European trip.
Thanks for reading.
