Seeing Paris with Kids
Last updated: May 1, 2018
Ah, Paris! The city of light, love, and . . . children? Yes, for all its sophistication and refinement, Paris is actually a fantastic city for kids with no end of things that will interest them. From open spaces to zoos to theme parks, Paris has just as many kid-friendly attractions as just about any major American city and the great thing is that most of these places will appeal to grown-ups as well. As one of our members points out:
“As far as having children in Paris, you will love it. Parisians and the French in general love children and will give them all kinds of attention.”
So here are some ideas about what to do with kids in Paris as well as some ideas about where to stay and what to eat!
What to do in Paris with Kids
It doesn’t matter whether they’re in their home town or thousands of miles away, animal, clowns and fairy tales always seem to be big favorites with kids who travel and luckily, Paris is full of them. And if you get really stuck about what to do in Paris with your kids, we have an idea!
“I would like to reinforce the following activities which my 3 year old daughter really enjoyed:
- La cité des enfants - they have a special place for kids that age
- La gallerie de l'évolution - she enjoyed seeing the big animals
- Jardin de luxembourg - she loved the playground, very different from those in Brazil
- Cirque diana moreno - she enjoyed a lot the show, specially the first part with the 10 tigers. She also enjoyed going on the carrousel near the Notre dame and seeing the Louvre pyramid.”
“I think they would like the Notre dame, (from the fairy tail) and champ elysee, the huge shopping mall. Of course Disneyland Paris is great for the kids also in the neighborhood is Park asterix, based on asterix and obelisk”
“there is also a couple of zoos you can go to but we found the old zoo near notre dame was the best. there is the official website for paris tourists (sorry i forget what its called) that has a childrens section with what to do. we were there for a month and never ran out of things to do and see.”
Keep in mind, though, that just because something seems like a “grown up” attraction, doesn’t mean the kids won’t love it. Here are some ideas for tackling those places in Paris which, on the surface, may not seem like kid-friendly attractions:
“The challenge of the steps leading up to Sacre Coeur and the view from the top.”
“The Louvre.”“Museums can be overwhelming so when I travel with kids, I go to the gift shop and pick out 2 or 3 postcards of things the kids want to see then find those things. When you are done, leave. The guards are great with kids if they show them a postcard and ask where the item is. Scavenger hunt at the Louvre. there are also a number of merry-go-rounds in Paris- try to find them (8 or 9- several are double decker).”
“There's also a lot of carousels in Paris, and I think we rode on 3 of them!”
“For something a bit out of the way, you might visit the Museum of Science and the Museum of Music out in Parc de la Villette in the 19th district.”
“Long time since we visited the Museum of Science & Industry but it wasn't stuffy and absolutely amazing and so educational - 15 years on our boys still talk about it”
“I'd strongly recommend the Cité de Sciences et de l'Industrie. It is great fun for all ages and the park around it has lots of sculpture the kids can climb on and enjoy as kids, not just look at it. The Cité De La Musique is also fun and your kids are old enough to enjoy it. You go through with interactive headphones that start up as you enter an exhibit. It follows you so there is no particular order and you can't get lost. You can start it over by walking back into the room or approaching that exhibit. It's one of the neatest audio guides we've used. The Cluny Museum (Musée de Moyen Age) is small and interesting. Right outside is a very nice garden with a play area for kids. Dad can run across the street and buy lunch from a street vendor, bring it back and you can have a picnic in the Cluny Museum garden and let the kids run around and play for an hour.”
“If they like castles, the Chateau de Vincennes is at the end of Metro line 3 and you can get there with one Metro ticket. It has the highest medieval castle keep in Europe and is quite spectacular. So easy to get there . . . Take line 1 to the end, walk up the stairs and the castle is right on your left. You just have to walk in. Another great kid favorite is the Place Igor Stravinsky by the Pompidou Center. The fountains have colorful water sculptures. I've also seen people climbing in them in the summer but expect that is discouraged.”
“There is also the "Musee de la Magie" but I find it's a trifle expensive. In the middle of an area with lots of history though.”
And sometimes, with kids, it’s the littlest things that make them happy:
“A 4-year-old should also enjoy going on the subway and taking a river cruise.”
“My grand-son loved to ride on the bus last year.”
And of course, if you get really desperate, there is that old standby, Paris Disneyland:
“ . . .for a four year olds, most impressive would probably be Paris Disneyland! We just took the train and had a great time exploring Disney and meeting the French version of Mickey! They still remember Mickey and the Eiffel Tower. But they have forgotten about Sacre Cours, Notre Dame and Chartres Cathedrals...”
Outdoor Attractions in Paris for Kids
Even though Paris is an urban metropolis, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of wide-open spaces for them to run amok in! With dozens of parks and tons of garden space, there’s no reason for them to feel hemmed in!
“Jardin du Luxembourg. During the summer months, there is more activity for kids...and they even have puppet shows!”
“I'm sure you'll find many such places, all great fun. Your 7-year-old may enjoy brief visits to the many playgrounds hidden all over Paris and the older ones will surely find something of interest in the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens.”
“we travelled there in may with our TWO year old son and found that paris is VERy child friendly :) I lived there for a year (years ago) and didnt realise just how much there is to do!! the luxembourg gardens playground was where we went everyday. it cost a small amont to get in but has toilets etc. there is an area for under 7years and a huge area for 7+years just amazing!!”
“the park Bois de vincennes is a park with an zoo and a castle.”
“The Tuileries Gardens (my personal favorite place in Paris) has little sail boats the kids can rent. There is also a fun fair or carnival there in the summer with rides, cotton candy, games, etc. It's perfect for kids, especially if they've just left the Louvre and need a break. There is also a permanent playground with all sorts of climbing apparatus farther back in the Tuileries near the Jeu de Palm. There are gardens and playgrounds all over Paris. It's a great place for kids. Any time they need a break, just ask for the nearest garden and you'll be fine. There is one between Notre Dame and the Seine, just across the Seine with great views of the church if you take photos, by Invalides, near the Eiffel Tower and most museums. You'll notice them as you walk around and you'll see plenty of Parisian children enjoying them. Join the party . . .”
Eating in Paris with Kids
While Paris certainly doesn’t have the plethora of children’s restaurants that America does (don’t look for Chuck E. Cheese anywhere), there are still plenty of places to take the kids out for dinner! Just make sure you do some planning first so your kids feel comfortable going out to eat in a place where the customs might not be exactly the same as they are back home. And remember, dining in Paris doesn’t always have to be in a formal restaurant as you’ll see from these answers:
“Try Au Chien Qui Fume in Les Halles. It may be tough to squeeze 6 people in at some of the sidewalk bistros. There is a decent food court underneath by the Louvre. Our kids were able to point at what they wanted and all seemed to enjoy their choices.”
“For hi-end eats with kids I recommend "Fouchets" (spelling may be off) on the main Mega Blvd. It has a lunch side overlooking the street. Also recommend the "Pied de cochon" (worlds best onion soup) Also recommend the "Metropole" Its great Seafood. Also lunch at the Eiffel Tower then walk to Napoleons Tomb and other near-by Museums.”
“Restaurant seating shouldn't be a problem as they can just pull tables together. Three tables for two gives you a table for six. We've also eaten at places with large round tables for families. You can also ask at your hotel for suggestions. We've found some of our favorite restaurants that way.
Favorites are: breakfast at Paul's Boulangerie on rue de Buci with larger tables; other meals at (1) La Bastide d'Opio can combine seats, (2) Au Clocher de Montmartre has large tables and (3) La Corniche is Tunisian and has a local clientele of large families. They are great with kids.”
“For meals- try to let the kids choose lunch then you choose dinner. French restaurants can be welcoming for kids and they get to practice their Company manners.”
“Eating doesn't have to be stuffy at all. As mentioned many of the museums have good cafes, and you will be there at a time of the year when it'll be very nice to nosh outdoors. There are some fun cafes - with lots of seating - in the Tuilleries that could easily accommodate 6. You might stand a better chance at some other places by eating earlier rather than later in the evening. Same for lunch - go at an off hour.”
“One of the more fun things to do it to have some street food - inexpensive, very good, and can be eaten on the go for lunch. For instance, ham and cheese, and Nutella and banana crepes are delicious, filling, fun, and won't break the bank. You can also picnic.”
“Do be cautious of the kids ordering soft drinks!!! Unlike the US, where soda is cheap and they often refill the glass for free, Coke and other soft drinks can be very expensive in French cafes. I'd encourage them to have water with meals, and pick up sodas at the markets for a treat during some R&R time.”
When eating with kids in Paris it’s good to know the local schedule, especially with American kids who might be used to an earlier dinner time:
“One of the greatest problems is with the evening meal. French restaurants open a 7:30 pm (you might find an occasional 7:00) which is really too late to eat for most young children. Cafés and Brasseries are open all day which will possibly make dining a bit easier if not simpler. I am sure you already have a good supply of crayons, paper, and silent entertainment or activities to occupy your child at the dinner table which can make an evening meal go much smoother.”
General Tips for Seeing Paris with Kids
And, if you’ve never been there before, these Trippy members offers some general advice for bringing your kids around Paris and they have one word for you: Stroller!
“Make sure you bring a stroller as you probably will do a lot of walking as well.”
“The strollers were lifesavers for us --- but you should use the lightweight one like the Umbrella stroller. It is so much more easier to carry around the subways and around Paris itself...”
“an umbrella-stroller is great. Very light and easily folded.”
Where to Stay in Paris with Kids: Hotel vs. Apartment
And as for places to stay, the general consensus is apartments over hotels, especially for big families. In addition to the money you’ll save, it makes eating in Paris a lot easier and gives the kids a sense of having a base in a strange city. Just make sure you choose the right Parisian neighborhood so both you and your children feel safe.
“I would try and do an apartment. There are many good sites. They are a little on the upscale side, but still way less than a hotel. There are hotels, many 3*, that have triples, but finding two triples may be tough.”
“You should look into renting an apartment instead. Try homeaway.com, vrbo.com. They would give you a kitchen and great base of operations. I rent and have never had a problem. The Metro is fast and fun. Look in the 5th or 7th for reasonable rates.”
“I too would suggest the apartment route, which is what we did last March. In our case we stayed in the downtown area and walked to just about everything (Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle, the Pompideau Centre and the Louvre were all within 10 minutes walking distance). Two bakeries within 90 seconds walk of the front door, etc. The only thing I would caution you of is that location is important. Most people tend to stay in the Marais area (which is we were) or near Montmartre, which I would be cautious of (climbing the hill after a day of touring is not something I would want to do).”
“There are a few things you need to check out if you are doing an apartment. e.g., is there construction in the building or outside as you generally can not get a different room. You usually will not be too far from a metro stop. The closer to Isle St. Louis the better. I would avoid the 9th (red light area) arrondissement and, as mentioned, the area around Mont Martre/Sacre Coeur (not convenient to get to and from). I would also avoid places that are close to Gare du Nord or Gare St. Lazarre, not bad areas but they are working neighborhoods and noisy. If you are using VRBO, make sure you do some double checking with people who have used the apartment as you are dealing direct with the owner of the property.”
“I'd definitely look into an apartment - for cost as well as space. You will be there during high season and 2-3 rooms would be very, very expensive (although you don't mention budget as an issue).”
“To be 'en famille' you could also consider to stay in a flat'hotel for instance, have a look at citadines.com/uapa/apafrpar0... the "Paris Louvre" could be a suitable solution”
“My cousin and husband are seriously considering visiting Paris next spring with their soon to be 2 yr. old son, my godchild. To be practical they are considering booking an apartment for the week they'll be there and Citadines is one they're researching. There's a location at St. Germain so it'll be highly convenient. I think if you've got small kids an apartment is wiser to stay than in a cramped hotel room. The apartment actually is cheaper than a hotel room too in many instances.”
