Planning a household journey to Paris? I do know, it may well really feel a bit overwhelming. Between balancing the wants of youthful kids, teenagers with their very own agendas, and any particular concerns your children may need, it’s straightforward to get caught.
Let’s be actual—a six-hour trek by means of the Louvre may sound like a dream for artwork lovers however for little ones? Not a lot.
As a Parisian mother of two who’s raised children right here within the Metropolis of Gentle, I’ve acquired the within scoop on how you can preserve everybody completely satisfied. And after our household’s round-the-world journey just a few years again, planning family-friendly holidays has develop into my factor.
From navigating the metro with strollers to discovering eating places the place children are literally welcome, I’m right here to share my sensible suggestions with you.
Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning knowledgeable and parisienne since 2006 🩷
Paris with children doesn’t must be hectic—in truth, it may be the journey of a lifetime. Let me allow you to be certain it’s crammed with enjoyable, laughter, and reminiscences that’ll final ceaselessly.
#1 Household Pleasant Accomodation in Paris
➲ Learn the complete submit on Prime Household-Pleasant Motels in Paris
On the subject of household journeys, discovering the correct lodging is about extra than simply selecting an excellent resort. The space you keep in could make or break your expertise, particularly in an enormous metropolis like Paris.
Not solely would you like a cushty place with sufficient beds for the entire household, however you additionally must be sure you’re staying in a neighborhood that’s protected, handy, and affords issues to maintain the children entertained.
Now, right here’s the tough half—discovering accommodations in Paris that accommodate households of three, 4, and even 5 can actually slender your choices.
The smaller boutique accommodations all of us love? Typically, they’re designed for {couples} or solo vacationers. However don’t fear, there are nonetheless nice family-friendly accommodations if you already know the place to look.
Finest Areas for Households to Keep in Paris
➲ Learn the complete submit on The place to Keep in Paris: A Native’s Finest Picks
Many guests dream of staying close to the Eiffel Tower, imagining it’s the proper central location. However in actuality, it’s not. Particularly not for households.
The realm across the tower is kind of removed from the precise metropolis heart, and whereas the views is likely to be iconic, the neighborhood itself may be very touristy, upscale, and, as you possibly can think about, fairly costly.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra genuine Parisian attraction and simpler entry to the town’s foremost sights, you’re higher off selecting one other space.
Areas I like to recommend for households are:
- The first and 2nd arrondissement: Centrally situated and crammed with charming cafes, retailers, and easy accessibility to many main points of interest. It’s excellent for households who wish to discover on foot.
- ➲ Lodge Lumen Paris Louvre: Household suite within the coronary heart of Paris
- ➲ WS Louvre as a budget-friendly flat: self catered 2 bed room appartment
Additional reads on Paris Neighbourhoods and Lodge Suggestions:
What about Airbnb?
I like utilizing Airbnb and used it numerous instances for our household journeys. However this being mentioned, Airbnb is a bit sophisticated in Paris, as a result of the town has strict rules on short-term leases.
I fairly regularly examine last-minute cancellations, which may throw your loved ones journey into utter chaos.
I’m not saying to avoid it however all the time learn the evaluations fastidiously. Hosts with dependable data may have no cancellations of their historical past. And good for us customers, we see each cancellation of their evaluate part, making it simpler to seek out reliable choices.
#2 How one can Put together for a Household Journey to Paris
A profitable household journey to Paris France begins with how effectively your children are ready. The extra they learn about Paris, the extra excited and engaged they’ll be through the journey.
Particularly if you’re touring internationally with youthful children, Paris is for many just a few summary thriller place. So why not construct some pleasure earlier than you go? Just a little Paris hype could make all of the distinction.
Paris Themed Exercise Books & Printables
➲ Purchase it on Etsy for an prompt obtain
Once we did our household round-the-world journey just a few years in the past, I rapidly realized how a lot our expertise trusted how effectively our youngsters knew about every vacation spot. The extra they understood, the extra excited and engaged they have been.
That’s why I created the Paris Exercise Guide—to assist your children get to know the town earlier than you even arrive. It’s additionally excellent for maintaining them entertained whereas ready to board or through the flight.
Filled with enjoyable info, video games, and interactive actions, it’s designed to spark their curiosity and make exploring Paris much more thrilling!
Paris-Themed Film Evening
➲ Right here’s a listing of 23 Motion pictures about Paris to Watch Earlier than Your Journey
One thing that all the time works to prepare for a Paris household journey is a themed film evening. There are tons of movies on the market with Paris as a backdrop.
If you happen to’re touring to Paris with youngsters, listed below are some nice choices:
- Lupin (Netflix) – A unbelievable present, stuffed with thriller and Parisian landmarks. My children liked it.
- Untouchables – A heartwarming story that additionally highlights Paris. (on Amazon Prime)
- Emily in Paris (Netflix) – A enjoyable, mild collection that’s excellent for Paris-lovers.
- Beneath Paris (2024, Netflix) – Although it’s a bit controversial (even my teenager discovered it a bit trashy), it nonetheless made for a enjoyable film evening.
For youthful children, strive these movies to introduce them to the magic of Paris:
- A Monster in Paris – An enthralling animated film with a singular Parisian twist. (on Amazon Prime)
- Ratatouille – The story of a rat with desires of turning into a chef in Paris. (on Amazon Prime)
- The Hunchback of Notre-Dame – A Disney basic set in certainly one of Paris’s most well-known landmarks. (on Amazon Prime)
- Woman Bug – A enjoyable, superhero present set in Paris that youngsters love. (on Amazon Prime)
Books and Journey Guides for Youngsters
Child-friendly journey guides are one other nice approach to put together your kids for the journey. Interactive books filled with enjoyable info and video games might help them get enthusiastic about what they’ll see in Paris.
These are the perfect ones:
#3 Getting Round in Paris
➲ Learn the complete submit on How To Use The Parisian Metro in 2024
For me, determining how you can get round a brand new metropolis is all the time the largest fear—how you can get from the Airport into city, how lengthy it can take, which ticket we’d like, security issues, and naturally, comfort.
However right here’s the excellent news: Paris is surprisingly straightforward to navigate.
The Paris Metro covers the whole metropolis, and regardless that Paris is a significant capital, it’s smaller than you may assume. Even when you’re staying on the outskirts of city, it often takes not more than 20 minutes by Metro to achieve the town heart.
With frequent trains and well-marked stations, getting round is easy as soon as you already know the fundamentals. Let’s begin by moving into Paris.
Airport Transfers to Paris
➲ Learn the complete submit on 5 Methods to Get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris
Whether or not you arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport within the north or Orly Airport within the south, moving into Paris is pretty easy. Each airports are related to the town by direct prepare providers.
From Charles de Gaulle, you possibly can take the RER B, and from Orly, the Metro 14—each heading solely in a single path: Paris.
Shopping for tickets is simple, both at merchandising machines or ticket counters. Simply needless to say children below 4 journey without spending a dime, kids aged 4-9 get a reduced fare, and from 10 years previous, they’ll want a full-price ticket.
My Tip: Take into account a Non-public Switch
➲ Get a free Quote in your switch right here
Right here’s one thing I discovered the onerous approach: when you’re arriving in Paris with children, particularly after a protracted or in a single day flight, think about reserving a non-public switch.
It’s extra reasonably priced than I anticipated and simply so handy. An actual game-changer. Particularly after a red-eye flight with drained excited children and exhausted mother and father with restricted head area.
You organize your pick-up forward of time, guide automobile seats if wanted after which your driver is ready for you on the gate.
- English-speaking drivers
- Flat, pre-paid payment
- Flight monitoring for delays
- 24/7 Buyer assist + free cancellation
Utilizing the Metro in Paris & Ticketing
➲ Learn the complete submit on How To Use The Parisian Metro in 2024/2025
The Paris metro system covers the whole metropolis, making it the simplest approach to get round. I typically get questions on security and from my year-long expertise, I by no means had any points, neither throughout daytime nor at evening.
The metro will not be a dodgy place. It’d scent a bit, and also you do must deal with your belongings, however that’s about it.
Essential when you journey with a stroller: the Metro will not be barrier-free and most stations don’t have elevators. Therefore, you have to to hold your stroller fairly a bit. When coming into the station, you additionally might want to contact an agent so that they open the gate for you, however don’t neglect to validate your ticket.
Which Metro Ticket is the Finest?
➲ Discover all Ticket Choices right here: How To Use The Parisian Metro in 2024/2025
There are completely different ticketing choices out there, however for many vacationers, a bundle of 10 tickets (often known as a “carnet”) is the perfect worth.
Youngsters below 10 get pleasure from a diminished fare, and kids below 4 journey without spending a dime. You possibly can both load the IDF Mobilities App in your cellphone to purchase tickets or decide up a Navigo Straightforward Carte on the station. Every traveler will need to have their very own journey card, whether or not bodily or digital.
For journeys exterior the town, like Versailles or Disneyland, you’ll must buy a separate ticket on the merchandising machine.
Beginning in January 2025, ticketing will develop into easier, with one common ticket legitimate for each Paris and the encompassing area.
#4 Finest Actions in your Paris Household Journey
Paris is stuffed with actions that cater to each kids and teenagers, so regardless of the age of your children, there’s lots to maintain them entertained. For a full overview of the perfect issues to do, check out these posts:
However earlier than I current you with the 5 actions that my children and I feel are the good in Paris for households, let’s not neglect concerning the prime sights.
And right here’s a key tip: I strongly suggest reserving your tickets upfront for these standard points of interest. They’ll promote out rapidly, or worse, you may find yourself ready in lengthy strains—one thing no child enjoys.
Plus, are you able to think about the frustration when you acquired to the Eiffel Tower solely to seek out out it’s bought out? To avoid wasting your loved ones the trouble (and potential meltdowns), right here’s a listing of essentially the most standard sights in Paris that are inclined to promote out, and that I urge you to pre-book:
Costs might fluctuate and it’s all the time greatest to match. In case you are reserving lengthy upfront, you is likely to be fortunate and get tickets from the official websites, in any other case, GetYourGuide or Viator are very dependable options.
1. Take a Cruise on the Canal St.Martin
➲ Learn my full Assessment: Canal Saint-Martin Cruise: Discover Paris In another way!
A Canal Saint-Martin cruise is such a refreshing different to the standard Seine cruise and affords a totally completely different aspect of Paris. It is without doubt one of the greatest household points of interest in Paris.
You begin on the Seine, however quickly sail into the quieter Canal Saint-Martin, passing by means of 7 locks and even going by means of an underground vault beneath the Bastille—how cool is that?
My youthful son, who was 9 on the time, completely liked it. The entire expertise felt like an journey, particularly with the locks and tunnels. The cruise ends within the La Villette space, away from the standard crowds, and it’s a singular approach to see Paris with children.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing a bit completely different, a Cruise on the Canal Saint Martin actually is. You can also simply mix it with a go to to the Science Museum or the Park de la Villette.
2. Jardin d’Acclimatation
➲ You possibly can prebook the limitless go right here or by a easy entrance ticket on website
The Jardin d’Acclimatation is a unbelievable, extra reasonably priced different to Disneyland and is ideal for households with youthful kids, particularly these below 10.
It’s filled with playgrounds, a bit zoo, a pond the place you possibly can hire boats, and even has a department of Angelina (sure, you possibly can get pleasure from their well-known sizzling chocolate whereas the children play!).
There are additionally merry-go-rounds and some light and not-so-gentle rides, which my children liked once they have been youthful.
We spent a variety of time there, and certainly one of my favourite issues was the playground space—it’s surrounded by free deck chairs, so you possibly can fully chill out whereas your children have the time of their lives. It’s a gem for household enjoyable in Paris!
3. Disneyland Paris
➲ Guide your tickets to Disneyland right here upfront
For a lot of a household journey to Disneyland Paris is a no brainer when on the town—and truthfully, it’s a brilliant enjoyable day journey out of the town.
Disneyland is very easy to achieve from Paris, with one direct prepare taking you straight into the magical world of Disney.
Additionally learn: How one can Get from Paris to Disneyland
If you happen to’re a hardcore Disney fan, I’d undoubtedly suggest spending not less than one evening there.
With two parks—Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park—it’s robust to see every part in simply in the future.
However when you’re simply on the lookout for a enjoyable, magical time out, it’s an ideal and simple day journey from Paris. Both approach, it’s an excellent thought so as to add a little bit of Disney magic to your Paris journey.
4. Looking House Invaders
➲ Be taught concerning the story behind the House Invaders in Paris
Attempting to find House Invaders in Paris is such a enjoyable and interesting exercise for the entire household. These little mosaic aliens, impressed by the 70’s arcade sport, are hidden everywhere in the metropolis.
It’s a unbelievable approach to encourage children to go searching and up as they discover Paris, all the time looking out for a brand new House Invader.
With over 1,400 unfold throughout the town, recognizing one is like discovering a secret piece of avenue artwork. You possibly can even observe your finds utilizing the FlashInvaders app so as to add a little bit of pleasant competitors to your journey.
In case you are planning a household journey on a price range, you’re keen on to listen to that that is an fully free exercise.
It’s an ideal approach to combine sightseeing in Paris with a little bit of enjoyable, and to distract them, when a stroll seems longer than anticipated. Talking from expertise.
5. Paris-Themed Escape Sport
Positive, escape video games aren’t distinctive to Paris, however they’re such a blast—particularly whenever you do them with your loved ones. It’s the proper approach to bond and share some laughs.
We love them, and our favourite firm is The Sport in Paris. What makes them stand out is that they provide just a few settings which can be uniquely Parisian.
For instance, they’ve one set within the Paris Metro and one other within the Catacombs—each of which we’ve completed as a household and completely liked.
And don’t fear concerning the language barrier; all of the video games can be found in both French or English, so you possibly can play comfortably in whichever language you favor.
#5 Child-Pleasant Eating places in Paris
➲ right here’s my listing of Enjoyable Eating places in Paris
There’s a rumor that French children are exceptionally well-behaved and eat every part, however let’s be actual—it’s not true.
Whereas they could have a broader palate, perhaps having fun with runny cheese, salads, or fish, they’re nonetheless simply children. If there’s a burger on the menu, that’s what they may select.
As for his or her famously good habits in eating places, effectively, when you’re heading to an upscale spot, don’t anticipate to see any kids, as a result of French mother and father don’t usually deliver their children to these varieties of locations.
However this being mentioned, children do behave in eating places, no screaming, no operating.
General, households are inclined to go to brasseries, pizza joints, sushi spots, or steakhouses. Informal eating places, the place everybody finds one thing they like. And for youths, that’s largely something that comes with fries.
The place to Eat with Youngsters in Paris
➲ right here’s my listing of Household-Pleasant Eating places in Paris
Child-friendly eating places with playgrounds, sport areas, or drawing units are fairly uncommon in Paris—it’s simply not a part of the eating tradition right here. Whereas informal spots typically have a children’ menu, that’s often the extent of it.
In most locations, children are anticipated to dine alongside their mother and father with out further leisure or particular therapy.
However don’t fear, it’s nonetheless attainable to seek out eating places in Paris the place households really feel welcome—simply don’t anticipate the play areas you may discover elsewhere. As a substitute, give attention to discovering good meals that the entire household can get pleasure from collectively.
1. Bouillon Eating places
Bouillon eating places are informal, easy-going spots providing conventional French meals at a few of the least expensive costs in Paris. The service is all the time fast, making it excellent for households.
Whereas mother and father can get pleasure from classics like escargot or onion soup, children can dig into favorites like rooster with fries or mashed potatoes. There are a number of bouillons throughout the town, and I not too long ago ate at Bouillon Pigalle—the meals was nice, and it’s one of many few the place you possibly can reserve a desk.
2. Steak Eating places & Chains
This is likely to be a sizzling take, and I’m certain some fellow Parisians will increase their eyebrows, however I’ve all the time discovered that heading to an informal steak restaurant is a simple resolution once I’m simply too worn out to make huge choices.
My go-to? Hippopotamus. It’s a French steakhouse serving up classics like Steak Tartare, Boeuf Bourguignon, and Andouillette, but in addition burgers, a child’s menu, and naturally, steak. You possibly can customise each dish, they’re open all day, and sure—they provide out pencils and an exercise guide for the children.
It’s not haute delicacies, however generally, all you want is a straightforward meal and a little bit of peace, proper?
3. Household Pleasant Pizza Joints
I do know you’re visiting Paris and never Italy, however belief me, there are some completely unbelievable pizza locations right here. My favorites are those from the Large Mamma Group, like Felicità.
It’s extra of an Italian meals court docket with funky interiors and a brilliant informal vibe—my son even introduced his little scooter with him as soon as.
One other spot I like is Mama Shelter, with its beautiful rooftop. It’s develop into our go-to pizzeria for a relaxed household meal with nice roof prime views and scrumptious pizza.
To wrap up my suggestions for consuming out in Paris with children, there are additionally some distinctive, non-alcoholic drinks in France that your little ones may love making an attempt.
If you happen to’re trying to introduce your baby to some new and thrilling flavors, right here’s a listing of the hottest non-alcoholic drinks in France.
Wrapping Up: Household Journey to Paris
Paris is an unimaginable metropolis for households, providing a mixture of world-famous sights and distinctive actions that may preserve children and teenagers entertained.
From exploring the highest points of interest just like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe to having fun with family-friendly experiences like Canal Saint-Martin cruises, escape video games, and the charming Jardin d’Acclimatation, there’s one thing for everybody.
With a little bit of preparation—and perhaps an exercise guide or two—your loved ones’s Paris journey can be crammed with unforgettable reminiscences!
Parisienne since 2006 🩷
Professional in: Parisian Life &
French Tradition, Journey
Planning, Crochet & Meals and Drinks
Be part of me on Fb for updates and information about Paris.
Flights & Transportation:
Accomodation:
- Motels in Europe I largely guide by means of Reserving.com (examine evaluations fastidiously)
- Trip Leases by means of Airbnb or VRBO
Excursions & Points of interest:
- I guide excursions & actions by means of Get Your Information or Viator.
- Museum & Landmark tickets may be cheaper on the official web page, however they’re typically bought out.
- I like the GoCity Journey Passes for straightforward planning
- I take advantage of Tiqets for Seine Cruises as a result of with my code SALUT5 we get 5% off
Should-Haves for Paris:
- eSim card to remain on-line whereas in Paris. I used GigSky for my travels.
- You doubtless want a journey adapter to plug your units.
- Journey Insurance coverage – when you don’t have one, VisitorsCoverage is an efficient choice.
- In case your flight is delayed and even canceled, use AirHelp to get compensation.