Last update: November 13th, 2024 at 06:45 pm
Affiliate Disclosure: This post on Paris for kids contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own.
Are you looking for the best things to do in Paris with kids? Whether you want to ride carousels all day, enjoy a perfect Paris picnic, or head to Disneyland, we’ve got you covered here!
Please use the following menu to find what you need quickly. If you want a little peek first, start with our short video (90 sec.) that will answer the burning question of “what to do in Paris with kids?”.
Whether you’re in the City of Lights with young children or those in their early teens, you’re in for a blast. Plus, if you haven’t already figured out where to stay, check out this selection of the best Paris hotels for families.
Tip: If you’re planning to spend 5 days in Paris, check out this 5-day Paris itinerary.
Table of Contents
Paris Kids Video
The 15 Best Things to do With Kids in Paris
Let’s not waste any more time and get into what to do in Paris with kids, from day trips to Monet’s Garden to Eiffel Tower views; you won’t be short of activities.
Seine Boat Cruises
I am a big fan of taking a boat tour during a first Paris family vacation. It is a great way to get your bearings (you can see a lot of the major sites from the boats – the Eiffel Tower included). It is also a wonderfully low-key activity if you are jet-lagged.
There are numerous companies that run boat tours along the Seine. Regardless of which Bateau Mouche you choose, a boat ride is one of the best kids’ activities in Paris (enjoyable for parents, too!). Personally, I have always found that when visiting Paris with kids, mine are the happiest when kept on the move.
Popular Paris boat tour operators include Bateaux Vedette du Pont Neuf, Bateaux-Mouches, and Bateaux Parisiens. Most Seine boat tours offer commentary in various languages, but some also offer dinner and special event Seine River cruises.
Alternatively, the Batobus is a basic hop-on, hop-off boat transit system that runs along the Seine. It has 9 stops along the river connecting the major tourist sites.
Family Friendly Seine Dinner Cruise
On one trip, in search of fun things to do in Paris with kids, I decided to try an evening dinner cruise on the Seine. We chose the boat Le Calife because of its kids’ menu option (see photo below). This boat cruise also consistently receives good reviews (see Le Calife Tripadvisor reviews).
The food on Le Calife is very good (not amazing), but we thought they provided a very nice experience. It should be noted that there is not a ton of room to move around on the boat. If you have a young child with you, you may want to bring along a couple of activities for the 3-hour trip.
The cruise runs from 8 pm to 11 pm. If this is too late for your family, Le Calife also offers a Seine lunch cruise on weekends. Something to consider if you have just flown in from North America, however, is that 8 pm Paris time will feel much earlier with the time difference.
Tip: Not all seats on Le Calife are equal in terms of viewing opportunities, so be sure to arrive early for the best selection.
Luxembourg Gardens
These lovely gardens in the 6th Arrondissement are not to be missed during family vacations in Paris. Not only is the park a beautiful place for a stroll, but it also has one of the best playgrounds in the city.
Oh yes, and I almost forgot the most important part – the playground is fenced. For parents navigating Paris with toddlers, this place is a real sanity-saver.
Directly outside the playground are a puppet theater and carousel. On weekends, Wednesdays, and during the summer, the park has pony rides, carriage rides, and little boats available to sail on the Grand Basin in the center of the park.
Learn more about Luxembourg Gardens by clicking here or see recent Tripadvisor reviews.
Note: If you are looking for chic children’s clothing in Paris, this area is also home to many lovely stores. Along Rue Vavin, you will find Petit Bateau, Jacadi, and more.
The Eiffel Tower
When researching Paris attractions for families and kids before our very first trip, I read an article that suggested visiting the Eiffel Tower without even introducing ascending it as an option. Although we have always ended up going up the tower, I really like this idea if you are traveling to Paris with a toddler or a very young child.
Option A: Enjoying the Tower from Below
By taking the Paris Metro to the Trocadero Station just before sunset, you can enjoy a fabulous view of the tower. For kids, there is a beautiful double-decker carousel, gelato, and crèpe stands. From this lovely vantage point, you can join the crowds in a collective “Ahhhh!” as the twinkling tower lights are turned on at dusk.
We tried this on our first trip to Paris (when my youngest had just turned five), and it was magical. I only wish we had stopped there. If we had, it would have been the perfect evening in Paris.
Unfortunately, my eldest child knew that going up the tower was an option and was desperate to do it. We purchased tickets at the base for the stairs to the 2nd floor, followed by the lift to the top. This particular ticket combination can only be purchased at the tower from a separate line (no long waits).
The kids loved the stair climb (it took us about 25 minutes). Frankly, though, they were interested in checking out the view from the 2nd floor for about 5 minutes. We then had to stand in a very long line to take the elevator to the top. After about 30 minutes, we bailed (we were only halfway through).
Anyway, if you can pull it off, I think viewing the tower from below at dusk is a great idea. If you are visiting during the day, the Champs de Mars lawn beside the tower is perfect for a Paris picnic.
Option B: Going Up the Tower
On another visit to the tower when my kids were older, we pre-booked online tickets to the very top. Honestly, though, I find the view from the second level much nicer as it is unobstructed (less cage-like). You can get an idea of the different perspectives from the photos below.
If you have the time, visit the 1st-floor interactive space. It has a unique transparent floor, touch screens, a children’s play area, restaurants, and shops. Although I have yet to do it, I think it would be a glorious place to enjoy an overpriced glass of rosé.
*Online tickets for the Eiffel Tower are booked by date and time slot. The elevator tickets become available 60 days in advance (at 8:30 Paris time). You can alternatively book a ticket to take the stairs to the second floor 14 days out. Tickets for the stairs to the 2nd floor, plus the elevator to the top, are only sold at the base.
Although I know it’s a little old school, I really like Rick Steves’ post on how to visit the Eiffel Tower, and I encourage you to read it before booking. Please also remember to bring identification for each member of your party when visiting the tower (even for children).
Book tickets online at: www.toureiffel.paris.
What to do if the Eiffel Tower is Sold Out
Eiffel Tower sold out for your dates? No need to panic. There are still several options.
- Same-day tickets are always available at the Eiffel Tower ticket booth. You may just have to wait in a rather long line. If you want some exercise, the lineup to buy a ticket for the stairs is usually short (and cheaper).
- Tour companies pre-book priority access tickets. On sites such as GetYourGuide and Viator, you will find all kinds of Eiffel Tower ticket options.
Jardin des Tuileries
It is a big, sprawling, manicured garden, yes, but the Jardin des Tuileries is also one of the top things to do in Paris with kids. It’s a great space for them to run, shout and get their beans out. It also has a wonderful fenced playground, a trampoline park, a carousel, and often a gelato stand or two.
The Jardin des Tuileries is sandwiched between the Louvre and the Musée de L’Orangerie Impressionist Gallery. It can make a great reward for kids after doing a museum visit.
From late June until late August, the park also becomes home to the Tuileries Fairground, one of the best Paris things to do with kids. This temporary amusement park offers over sixty carnival rides and attractions. The Ferris wheel is also a great way to get a fabulous view of the city.
Learn more about Jardin des Tuileries by clicking here or see Tripadvisor reviews.
Paris Museums with Kids
On our first visit to Paris, I chose to only take my kids to the Musée de l’Orangerie. It is the perfect size to be able to just duck in for a short visit. Within its boutique-sized galleries, you will find classics by Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso, Rousseau, and Matisse.
The Tuileries trampoline park, playground, and carousel are also close by. This “incentive” can really go a long way in getting kids to hold it together in the museum.
On a more recent visit to Paris, we did a more immersive private tour of the Louvre. Context Travel has excellent guides and offers all kinds of Paris tours (small group and private) that are perfect for families. See Context Tripadvisor reviews.
The beauty of booking a family Paris museum tour (specifically designed to engage children) is that they tend to be more concise. They are typically shorter and contain more of a story-telling component to keep young minds engaged. You can find many options for family-friendly Paris museum tours (both group and private) on sites such as Viator.com and GetYourGuide.com.
Most Paris museum tours include skip-the-line admission. Alternatively, if you purchase the Paris Museum Pass, you can also skip the line with kids (under 18s are free). The Paris Museum Pass is good for 55 museums and monuments, including the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, and Versailles.*
*It should be noted that the Paris Museum Pass is actually included with the Paris Pass (2+ days). The Paris Pass is a pricier pass that covers most of the city’s top attractions. Not confusing at all, right?
When planning visits to Paris museums with kids, keep in mind that they generally close one day a week. For example, the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays year-round.
See also this post on the most family-friendly museums in Paris.
Cooking Classes in Paris for Kids
Why just buy pastries when your budding little chef can learn how to make them during family vacations to Paris? The city has a number of cooking schools that offer pastry and cooking classes for kids, including Cook’n with Class, Cooking Baz’Art and Le Cordon Bleu.
My daughter absolutely loved her French desserts workshop at Cook’n with Class. This school is located quite close to Sacre Coeur, so you can possibly do both on the same day.
Of all the activities for kids in Paris that we have done, this is the one that my daughter speaks most highly of. Learn more on the Cook’n With Class website or read reviews here.
Alternatively, La Cuisine Paris offers private 2-hour classes for families (plus group classes for ages 13+). It is conveniently located in the 3rd arr., close to Notre Dame. See Tripadvisor reviews.
Jardin d’Acclimation
A great way to spend a day in Paris with kids is to take in the attractions at Jardin d’Acclimatation. This fun little park has amusement rides, a train, an adventure playground, wacky mirrors, a puppet theater, a water park, trampolines, and a farm.
While I was a little tentative about taking my kids to an amusement park in Paris (it didn’t feel very cultural), there was enough that felt French to curb my guilt. By French enough, I mean that we enjoyed French snacks, watched a puppet show at the quintessentially French marionette theater, rode on the carousel, and watched French families enjoying picnic lunches that seemed to consist of little more than chocolate biscuits, wine, and cheese.
Please note, like many amusement parks, this Paris kids’ attraction is a little overpriced. Learn more about the Jardin D’Acclimatation or see reviews on Tripadvisor.
Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou is located in the fashionable Marais district. It has a Children’s Gallery inside, but it’s also great fun outside. The area surrounding the center has a lovely outdoor space for an impromptu picnic, artistic fountains, many cafes and lively street entertainers.
If you are looking for things to do in Paris with toddlers, this area is especially nice because there is a large pedestrian-only section where your little one can run around, leaving you relatively stress-free.
We have a personal bias towards Le Marais and believe that it is one of the best areas to stay in Paris with kids. We have often started our days by exploring the city with coffee and pastries in this very spot.
Learn more on the Centre Pompidou website or read Tripadvisor reviews.
Notre Dame de Paris
As I’m sure you know, a devastating fire destroyed much of Notre Dame’s roof in April of 2019. Stunned by the loss of such a treasure, donors from around the world came together to provide financial support so that she could be restored to her former glory.
The grand re-opening of the Notre Dame is set for Dec. 8th, 2024. This target narrowly missed the earlier planned date of Apr. 2024 (5 years from the fire). There are also plans to redo the gardens and plaza around the cathedral, to be completed by 2027.
Personally, I still think Notre Dame is worth taking a peek at from the outside, even during the reconstruction period. There are some interesting information boards on the outside that explain the reconstruction process. You also may want to take a peek at this little video from CNN.
The cathedral is located on Île de la Cité. Also, on the island, you will find Paris’s famous flower market (or bird market on Sundays). Learn more about the Paris Marché aux Fleurs et Oiseaux here or see this post on the Top 10 Markets in Paris.
If you cross the little bridge behind Notre Dame over to Île St. Louis, you can sample some of Paris’s best ice cream at Berthillon. The lineups here can get very long (especially in the summer), but if you are willing to pay a little extra (a 2-tier pricing system), there are usually tables available inside.
Now, I really love Berthillon, but I have to admit, on our most recent trip, my delectable boule de chocolat was so minuscule that it was almost comical. My kids much prefer the petal-shaped gelato offerings from Amorino. With over a dozen locations in Paris, it won’t take you long to stumble upon one. (There is one around the corner from Berthillon.)
Disneyland Paris
I have a lot to say about our visit to Paris Disneyland. From a cultural perspective, I felt a little guilty about taking my kids there and wondered if we should instead be going to the more authentically French Parc Asterix — but I’ll admit that I was also a little bit curious to see the French version of “the happiest place on earth”.
Well, I want to start by saying that my kids loved it. It is a smaller version of the California or Florida parks, but the layout is more or less the same. That said, I will quote my son, who commented upon our arrival, “Mom…..I have never seen so many parents smoking!“
Even as a child, I remember being impressed by how perfect and clean everything was at Disneyland California. Disneyland Paris is a little rougher around the edges and just feels a little grittier. It seems to be missing the attention to detail that good old Walt was famous for.
These details, however, did not bother a 5 and 8-year-old even in the slightest, and they had a wonderful time. I had a better time once I discovered that I could order a glass of wine with lunch.
Learn more about Disneyland Paris or read Tripadvisor reviews.
How to get to Disneyland Paris
Traveling from Paris to Disneyland Paris can be done as a day trip. You simply need to hop on the RER A train (at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, Auber, Chatelet les Halles, Gare de Lyon, or Nation station) and hop off about 40 minutes later at Marne-la-Vallée station (right outside Paris Disney Gates).
Tickets that include both gate admission and transportation from Paris can be found on Viator.com.
Versailles with Kids
To be 100% honest, my kids enjoyed the grounds of Versailles more than the palace itself. The palace can get very crowded, and lines can be very long. On our visit, I heeded some excellent advice and enjoyed the grounds first – leaving visiting the palace until one hour before closing (at which point we whipped through very quickly)*.
*Note: Tons of sites mention visiting Versailles at opening to avoid long lines, but if you have just arrived in Europe from North America, it can be hard to get kids going in the morning. 9 am in France might be feeling like the middle of the night until you are over your jet lag. This is why we chose to visit near closing instead.
One of the most popular places for kids at Versailles is not the palace itself, but rather, The Queen’s Hamlet. Marie-Antoinette ordered her Hamlet to be built in 1783 to get away from the Court at Versailles and to enjoy the charms of peasant life. Kids can peer into the little cottages and visit the farm, where they will find sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, and more!
As little legs can tire quickly (and a day trip to Versailles is a big adventure), you should consider a little help to get you around the grounds. Options include golf carts, a mini-train, and bike rentals (with kids’ bikes and baby trailer options available).
Learn more about the Palace of Versailles or read Tripadvisor reviews.
Picnics in Paris
Enjoy lunch in plain d’air in one of Paris’s beautiful parks or plazas. On our most recent trip, I brought along a picnic blanket specifically for this purpose. We spent a beautiful afternoon at Place de Vosges – and yes, I just might be holding a glass of wine in the photo. When in Paris…
For more family picnic spot suggestions, see this post on the best spots for a picnic in Paris written by a local.
Paris Family Perfume Workshop
Did you know that there are a number of Paris perfumeries that offer workshops where you get to create your own custom scent blend? Candora Atelier de Parfums offers not only classes for adults but also family classes that can include kids as young as 6.
Learn more at: candora-fragrance.com.
Visit Monet’s Garden
Take a day trip to Claude Monet’s garden and house in Giverny. The gardens are approximately one hour away by train trip or car from the center of Paris. Admire the water lily ponds and bridges that inspired some of his most famous works before touring his colorful home.
Tip: I highly recommend going to see the Impressionist collection at the Musée de l’Orangerie in the Tuileries before going to the gardens to get a special close-up look at Monet’s work before seeing the setting in which they were painted.
“Jardins de Claude Monet (3)” by B@rberousse is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Do a Paris Family Photo Shoot
In most families, there is one person who is conspicuously missing from family photos. In ours, it happens to be me since my husband has zero interest in taking photos. If I can cajole him into taking a photo with me in it (making me feel slightly narcissistic), I am rarely in focus.
One of the best things I have ever done while on vacation is to set up a short family photoshoot with a local photographer. I love using Flytographer for this because they make organizing the shoot so easy.
With Flytographer, you simply input your destination, choose your photographer (from a carefully curated selection) and pick your package. Flytographer offers four different photography packages that run 30-120 minutes ($285-$650 USD) and include 15-60 high resolution, fully edited photos.
Click HERE to receive $25 off your first Flytographer booking or gift card purchase.
Saving Money in Paris
While we can help you answer the question of what to do with kids in Paris, we can’t do anything about the fact that the city is expensive. However, we do have tips to help you save during your days out in Paris.
Discounted Attraction Passes
- If you plan on visiting a lot of attractions in Paris with children, you may want to look at the Go City Explorer Pass. It conveniently includes access to almost all of Paris’s top attractions (including Paris Disney), but you get to pick and choose which ones to visit (by hand-selecting 3-7 attractions, with savings of up to 50%). There is also a Go City All Inclusive pass if you want don’t want to miss a thing on your Paris family trip. This pass comes in 2, 3, 4, and 6-day options.
Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Paris with Kids
I sincerely hope that you have the most wonderful family trip! If you have more questions about things to do in Paris for kids, feel free to comment below. I love hearing from you.
40 Responses
Suzana
What a fabulous advices! Thank you so much. am planning a trip with my two kids (7 and 9) at the end of august, and now I am looking for good kids frendly hotel.
Tara Cannon
I’m sorry Suzana! I just noticed this. I hope you had a wonderful trip to Paris. Where did you end up staying?
Megan
Hi! Thanks so much for all this wonderful info! I am working my way through the links in this one and the “kid-friendly Paris hotels” post. 🙂 We are planning a 10 day trip to Paris/Normandy for late spring / early summer of 2023. Travelers will include myself and my husband (mid 30s), our 3 kids (8, 5 1/2, and 3 at the time of the trip), and my parents (early 70s). When would you recommend going to maximize nice weather but also avoid the crowds? I’ve heard somewhere in April/May/June, but am curious when it gets too busy and/or too hot to be as enjoyable. Merci beaucoups!! 🙂
Peter Boffo
Hi Tara –
We’re planning a Paris trip with our teens next week, and you have some great ideas and suggestions we’re using! Thank you! Your site is really well organized and really detailed.
Tara Cannon
Hi Peter,
I’m so sorry I didn’t see this comment! How was the trip? What did I miss on my list that you loved?
Isabel
Hi! What a fantastic guide, thank you!!
My husband and I are planning a trip to Paris this summer for 4-6 weeks although we will be working for most of that time. You mention in another comment that there are great day camps in Paris. Do you know or any for our 2 year old son? Or any other child care recommendations?
Tara Cannon
Hi Isabel,
First of all, may I say that I am very envious that you will get to spend so much time in Paris (albeit working..but still). As your son is quite young, I think finding a day camp might be challenging, so childcare would likely be your best option. Have you tried posting on a Tripadvisor forum for Paris? I often get help from those. Even more helpful might be searching for an expat forum?
Although it was quite a while ago, the owner of a baby gear rental shop in Paris called Baby’Tems (Camile – https://www.babytems.com) wrote a post for me on the best baby/toddler friendly cafes in Paris. I bet she is really dialed-in to what your options may be. Why don’t you try dropping her a line via her contact form to see if she can help (feel free to use my name/site).
Aline Sproten
Hi Tara, I have been living in Paris for 10 years and I think your list is nice. The cooking class and the bird market are great ideas, the kids get to see a different side of Paris. In case you’ll come back with your kids, I have made a guide with children friendly restaurants in Paris that you can find here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5e3dd82705046d00268f944e
Tara Cannon
Hi Aline. Thank you for this. Although we should have been in Paris last week, we will try to book the trip again for next year. Thank you for this list! 🙂
Aimee S Palacios
I came across your site in my family-friendly Paris search. Thank you so much for the great tips as well as the book suggestions! 🙂
Tara Cannon
Hi Aimee! I’m so glad you like it. At this very moment, I am actually in the process of updating it, so my apologies if you notice that things are moving around. 🙂 I am heading to Paris again in March, so please check back again for updates. Cheers! Tara
P.S. Please also feel free to reach out directly if you have questions ([email protected]).
Pallavi
This is such a wealth of information. Thanks so much! We are planning a trip (for my 40th) with our 2 girls aged 8 and 10 yrs this fall – the tentative dates are Nov 28-Dec 5.
Here’s the problem – my 10 yr old is into history/art and would enjoy this trip but, my 8 yr old hates museums (unless there are kid programs/scavenger hunts like they had in the museums at London). So, we would need to break it up with some outdoor/interactive stuff (playgrounds, amusement parks, cooking class etc.) That being said, Nov end I am guessing we will have to do only indoor activities due to the weather.
Are there any day trips, other cities/countries that we could combine with the Paris trip?
Thanks!
Tara Cannon
Hi,
What a great place to spend your 40th birthday together!
Your timing is excellent since I am also planning a return trip to Paris in March. My assumption is that we could have less than ideal weather (and be spending more time inside).
Although my youngest quite enjoys museums now (at 12), previously, we have always moved through them pretty quickly. We would never do more than one in a day, and each visit would generally be followed up with something fun as an incentive (ice cream, hot chocolate, a visit to a playground etc.) As the Louvre is so overwhelmingly large, the family tour really made our visit more enjoyable (there are many options for this).
To answer you question, I would definitely do Versailles as a full day trip. Mont St Michel is another possibility (although that is a pretty long day). As you mentioned, doing more than one city on the same trip is also an option. On our last trip we started in London and took the train to Paris. We have also done Paris and then taken the train south to Provence (although that would not make sense in November). Really, you have so many train and plane options from Paris (Amsterdam, Bruges, Antwerp etc.)
I know I have been thinking about what kind of interesting activities we can do in Paris (ideally combining fun and culture). I am thinking about the catacombs tour, the Jardin des Plantes greenhouses (they have a cool-looking holiday lights event that starts in mid-Nov. too), and the Paris Opera house (check out their “Escape from the Opera House experience – https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/visits/palais-garnier). I’ve also been dying to visit the Fondation Louis Vuitton art gallery. It is right beside the Jardin D’Acclimation amusement park (open all year). If you picked a day that wasn’t rainy, perhaps you could do both. I highly recommend a cooking class. Although there are a few options, my daughter really enjoyed Cook’n with Class (which we followed up with a visit to Sacre Coeur).
I hope this helps. Please also feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected].
Lisa
Thanks so much for your recommendations! I see your kids have grown so much now! Heading to Paris with our 8 and 5 year old in July! Now following you on social media as well 🙂
( We are From St Maarten in the Caribbean and we also have an airbnb that caters well to families with kids )
Tara Cannon
Oh my gosh…your Airbnb on St. Maarten is so beautiful! What a lovely place to live (although I’m sure the hurricane recovery has been difficult).
I hope you have the most wonderful time in Paris!
Julia
I am so happy to come across your blog. I am planning a trip to Paris with my daughter who is turning 10 next April. I am pretty overwhelmed with what I have been reading and learning. Your blog has been very helpful to at least get my head around the main things to do with a 10 yr old. Thanks!
Tara Cannon
I am so happy that it could be of help Julia. I’m sure it will be a wonderful mother-daughter trip!
Jen Maselli
I’m a travel agent who sends people to Europe regularly and I found this post so so so so helpful! This is such fantastic real world advice and I love that you shared your experience temporarily losing a kid as well as the get lost plan. My family has a “Disneyland Rule” which is, if you find yourself lost, STAND STILL. Do not move, we will find you. The meeting place is a great idea for older kids and love the business card with contact info.
Thank so much for this!
Tara Cannon
Hi Jen,
Thank you so much for reaching out. I sometimes forget how important it is to share the stuff that doesn’t work as well as the stuff that does. I put so much effort into planning our trips, but well, sometimes things just go sideways ! You are in the travel business…you know. 🙂
Your website is beautiful. Nice work !
Tara
Angie
I am so glad I found your site! By far the best advice I have found for traveling with a family! Thank you so much!
Tara Cannon
What a lovely thing to say Angie. Thank you so much. 🙂
N. Walsh
Hello, we are looking to spend a month or so in Paris with our small (3 and 7yrs) children in the summer. Do you happen to have any recommendations for child care? We will (unfortunately) need to work while we are there for such an extended period of time as well.
Tara Cannon
Hello there,
How lovely that you will get to work from Paris ! Let me ask my family travel blogger network about this to see if anyone has some solid recommendations. Do your children speak french?
Tara
Tara Cannon
Hi Again,
I had a couple of comments from my family travel blogger friends. I hope this helps. 🙂
1. Baby Chou Agency in Paris (https://www.babychou.com).
2. My Parisian Nanny (http://myparisiannanny.com).
3. Paris has some excellent summer day camps. Perhaps worth looking into.
Stephen Beech
Hello,
Wondering if you can help – I’m planning to travel Paris from Toronto, Canada with my daughter 12, and son 10 (no other adults) – I’m also a French teacher, so can only travel in July and August. What would you suggest for 1 week trip? The suggestions for kids seem to be for younger kids (under 7?) – mine are almost ‘tweens’…
Any info you can provide is appreciated – avoiding crowds, dining – hotel or vacation rental?
Thanks!
Stephen
Tara Cannon
Hi Stephen,
I started writing that guide quite a few years ago, but on our last trip my kids were 9 and 12. Your options are certainly greater with tweens that with little ones. 🙂
I would definitely visit the museums that interest you. Most of the major museums offer some family friendly tours. Alternatively, visit late in the day – say, 3 hours before closing. The Louvre has extended hours a couple of nights a week. If you are coming from North America and have a bit of jet lag, the evenings are a great time to visit museums. We’ve done this in New York before, visiting the Whitney on a Friday night after dinner with the kids (taking advantage of our Pacific Coast jet lag – we live in Vancouver). There are also some companies such as Context Tours that offer some special family-friendly tours of Paris museums and other sights. They are really good but quite pricey. (https://pintsizepilot.com/louvre-private-tour-paris-private-tour-guide/)
My daughter frequently mentions that if we have the opportunity to return to Paris that she would love to do another cooking class. Cook’n with Class is good. I see on their website that they have a “Cuisine en Famille” class that looks quite fun, along with several other kids classes.There are also a number of other companies to choose from and as I assume that your children are bilingual, there should be plenty of suitable class options (not limited to English only).
While I have only visited Versailles with my kids when they were little, my sister visited with my nieces when they were tweens and loved the day they spent there. The grounds are very large, but they rented bikes to get around the property. It is really a full day trip from Paris with everything there is to see.
Although I hoped to skip the Eiffel Tower on our last trip (it was the Euros and the city was so busy), my kids insisted on going up again. Keep in mind that you don’t have to take the elevators up, you can take the stairs to the second tier. If you do plan on taking the elevators, buy your tickets online in advance.
We love riding the Bateaux-Mouches along the Seine. It is a really nice first day thing to do as you get a nice view of the city from the water (and perhaps your first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower).
I am huge fan of having a picnic in one of the beautiful city parks for lunch. I have a post on some nice spots here: https://pintsizepilot.com/paris-picnic-parks-places/
If you visit Notre Dame, it is fun to pop by the nearby Flower Market (or the Sunday bird market in the same spot). There is also a great ice cream spot just steps away called Berthillion.
If I returned to Paris in the summer, I would still stroll the Tuilleries Gardens with the kids and ride the large ferris wheel (it is there as part of the Tuilleries Fairgrounds in July/Aug). It provides quite a magical view of the city and is fun for kids. The Tuilleries is between two museums, The Louvre and the L’Orangerie (Monet’s Water Lillies). The gardens are also a nice place for kids to get some fresh air and freedom after a more structured activity.
I’m not sure how you feel about cycling, but there are a couple of companies that offer family friendly city tours including Fat Bike Tours. Alternatively, you could just rent bikes on your own. I explored the city on a Sunday morning and it was lovely (streets were quiet as few deliveries are made on Sundays).
We prefer to stay in a vacation rental in Le Marais (4th arr.) because we like the area. It is lively with some nice shops and good restaurants (it can get a bit noisy on Fri/Sat nights as there are lots of LBGTQ bars in the area). That said, you can’t really go wrong if you are staying in any the following arrondissements: 1,4,5,6, 7 & 8 which are all located close to the Seine. If you do go the vacation rental route, just be sure to read reviews carefully.
We primarily use Uber to get around Paris (nice clear cars – very easy).
Oh yes, one more thing. Since you have a week (perfect), I would recommend some “down time”. I have a habit of cramming our days so full of activities that I can suck the fun right out of the experience. Plan for some time to just relax and absorb the beautiful ambience that is Paris!
I hope this helps. I will add to this as I think of more things. Please also feel free to ask more questions. 🙂
Amanda C.
Thanks so much for the info! Excited to bring my daughter (9), sister, and 2 nieces (12 and 15) for a girls trip in April! I am planning to book an Air B and B. I was leaning towards near the Eiffel Tower. What are your thoughts on location?
Tara Cannon
Hi Amanda,
How exciting that you are planning a trip to Paris. I think staying around the Eiffel Tower (the 7th Arrondissement) would be a great choice. In my opinion, you really can’t go too wrong staying in any of those central arrondissements close to the Seine (#1,4, 5, 6, 7 & 8). We normally stay in Le Marais (the 4th) because it has a charming neighborhood feel and some good restaurants, but it is not for everyone as it has quite a lively night scene (LBGTQ district). That said, I try to pick a quiet place within that district as I am pretty much in bed by 10.
P.S. I love vacation rentals for Paris since it makes it so much easier when traveling with family.
Paulina Gaitan
I’m so thankful to be done with strollers! Our first trip to Paris with the kids they were 1 & barely3, so we brought a side-by-side double umbrella stroller. It was great in the streets but horrible for the metro!! I completely agree with your point on bringing the smallest stroller possible!
Tara Cannon
Oh that metro can be tough ! I was in another big city recently riding the metro (Santiago, Chile), and I couldn’t help but wonder how anyone would do it with a stroller ! It was rush hour and I could barely stand !
shabnum
Hi i will be at disney park for a few days. We have to check out at 11am and our flight is at 9pm.We will get into the city by 12 and have 5 hours to pass time and we will be doing Paris tour day before what can we do which is cost effective and easy with hand luggage? I have read we can leave luggage at airport which is good.
Elise
Thank you for this excellent post! I’ve been to Paris (but in 2002!) and am planning a trip with my two kids for next (early) June. Have you been more recently? How do you find the crowds? I’ve heard the tourist crowd situation has gotten worse in Paris (esp. in museums). My kids can get overwhelmed by a press of people (they didn’t like the DC metro, their first time on a subway). I’m figuring the best way to avoid this is to avoid some of the major museums and the metro? Thank you!
Tara Cannon
Hello there,
Thank you for getting in touch. How exciting that you will be visiting Paris with your kids. I’m not sure what time of year you are going, but the summer months can be very busy. On our first trip, I skipped the Louvre altogether for this very reason. We visited the much smaller Musee de L’Orangerie instead, near the end of the day (4pm), and it was almost without crowds (this was in August). We were in there for less than an hour and it was perfect. I have since visited the Louvre with the kids (July). It was a zoo, but we went on a private Louvre tour with a family-friendly guide from Context Travel. It’s a splurge, for sure, but it made it so much more relaxing.
We took the stairs up the Eiffel tower (no crowds) on the first trip. A friend went recently and just enjoyed looking at the tower from the park below with her 3 children (there are carousels, gelato and other things to enjoy on the ground). With little ones, I think the latter is a great way to enjoy it, or from a Bateaux-Mouche on the Seine.
Would you take Uber? We loved it in Paris. It might be a nice alternative to the Metro which I do agree can be a little stressful with kids.
The long and short of it is that yes, Paris can be very crowded. You can, however, find some nice open spaces to enjoy. We have spent many hours in squares and parks, just soaking up the Parisian vibe – which we enjoy as much (or more) than the tourist sites.
Please feel free to connect again if you have more questions. Tara
Erika
Love your ideas! Thank you. I am traveling to Paris with my 6 year old this summer and I am thinking of spending day in Disneyland too while we are there. Are there a lot of things to do in Paris on a Sunday or are most things closed? Should we go to Disneyland on Sunday instead so we can take advantage of other activities on Monday?
Tara Cannon
Hi Erika ! That is a very good question. Sundays/Mondays/Tuesdays seem to be days where things may be closed. Perhaps this list will help? (https://www.budgettravel.com/article/practical-paris-whats-closed-on-sundays-mondays-and-tuesdays_10531). Also, how are you planning to get to Paris Disney? If you are taking the train (RER), make sure to check that the route will not closed due to strike action that day (ongoing issue currently). Have a great time !
Erica Knight
What a fabulous and thorough list. I’ll be sure to bookmark it for my next trip! Thank you
Carrie Peacock
GREAT blog!! I am taking notes as I read it!! We leave in December for 10 days in Paris. We are actually staying at a condo outside of the city. We are taking our 2 daughters (6 and 12) and my niece who is 16. None of them have ever been to Paris. My husband and I have not been since high school. Anything specific that we need to know traveling there in December?
Tara Cannon
Hi Carrie. Thanks so much for your nice compliment. I have not been to Paris in the winter with kids, but I will check with some of my travel blogger friends to see if they have any tips.
Tara Cannon
Hi Carrie. I reached out to my travel blogger friends, and have yet to come across a post about Paris in the winter. I did just find this one though: https://travel.prwave.ro/top-50-things-to-do-in-paris-in-winter/
Tara Cannon
Hi Carrie, This just came up in my feed and I thought I would pass it along. https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/christmas-in-paris-the-best-things-to-see-and-do/