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- Paris
- With kids
Paris with kids
A family trip in Paris is packed with adventures, from quaint carousels and mind-expanding museums to spooky catacombs
The perfect journey to Paris
The French capital isn’t just for lovers. A city break in Paris with the kids in tow is just as memorable, whether it’s that first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower or the taste of a chocolate éclair. Travelling with kids, you’ll see the city anew and notice all kinds of details, from the climbing walls by the Seine to the waft of crêpes in the Marais. It’s a giddy whirl of parks, playgrounds and world-class museums, with picture-book landmarks and a food scene that delights all ages. Take the train and it’s just 2 hours 16 minutes direct from London, while our lowest fare finder will help you bag the cheapest tickets.
Must-see sights
Book attraction tickets with Musement to avoid temper-fraying waits, and break up itineraries with tactical breaks and detours, whether it’s stopping for a quick ice-cream or to snap a crucial selfie.
Marvellous museums
The sheer scale of the Louvre is guaranteed to impress, while its Studio is a family-friendly space to get creative. Admission is free for under-18s but do book ahead: if your kids are early risers, swerve the crowds by rolling up at 9am. In Parc de Villette, the vast Cité des Sciences will spark their imagination, with its children’s zone, planetarium, and mission to Jupiter’s moons. Over at the Natural History Museum, the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution houses dinosaur bones, otherworldly corals and a Noah’s-Ark parade of stuffed beasts. Finally, sign up for a tour of the Musée des Arts Forains, crammed with fairground memorabilia and vintage rides to try.
Landmarks and attractions
Even toddlers will be awed by the Eiffel Tower, which punctuates the city’s skyline. Book ahead for the lift to the top (pricy, though under-fours go free), or tackle 674 stairs to the second-floor viewing terrace. Content to admire it from afar? The tower’s backlit after dark, with scheduled hourly ‘sparkles’. Back at ground level, visit the gargoyles at Notre-Dame, calling at Berthillon for ice-creams, or delve into the eerie, skull-lined Catacombes de Paris. For a great mix of nature and culture, head to La Villette, where kids will adore the mini-farm, dragon’s-tongue slide and playful ‘Little Villette’, which comes alive at weekends with movies, activities and more.
Budget-friendly adventures
You don’t need to spend a fortune to see the best of Paris. Instead of forking out for attractions, explore its neighbourhoods on foot: Canal Saint-Martin is a great place to start, with its locks, boats and bridges. The FlashInvaders app turns any stroll into a search for aliens, while younger kids can be rewarded with a spin on a manège (carousel); don’t miss Trocadéro’s gilded example, backdropped by the Eiffel Tower, or the chance to ride on a dodo’s back at the Jardin des Plantes. In summer, meanwhile, the Seine’s broad banks become an all-ages playground, thanks to Paris Plages’ super-sized games, trampolines and climbing walls.
Things to do in Paris
Boat or bus tours are a smart way to cover more ground, while when it’s time to let off steam, make a break for the nearest park or playground. There’s also plenty to impress eye-rolling teens, from art museums and vintage stores to Angelina’s iconic hot chocolates.
Parks and playgrounds
You’re never far from a green space in Paris, from picnic-friendly squares like Place des Vosges to epic swathes like the Bois de Vincennes, complete with a moated castle and stellar playground (don’t miss the monumental slide). By the Louvre, the Palais-Royal is a must: though there’s no playground, kids can play in the sandpit and balance on its stripey columns. The statue-dotted Tuileries Garden is nearby, with a playground and trampolines; like the equally lovely Jardin de Luxembourg, it has model boats for hire to sail around the pond. For an even bigger treat, take them to the Jardin d’Acclimatation, a small, calm amusement park that won’t test parental nerves too much.
Tours and boat trips
If everyone’s legs are getting tired, a boat trip could be the answer. Do as the locals do and take the Batobus, which offers one or two-day passes (from €23 for adults, €13 for under-12s, and free for under-fours). Its nine central Paris stops suit sightseers, taking in big-hitters like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame. On land, the Tootbus is another handy option: a fleet of open-topped, hop-on, hop-off electric buses, with a 20% discount for Eurostar travellers and audio guides for kids. Paris ‘fixer’ Zoë Petit’s family-friendly city guides also come highly recommended, whether you opt for an in-person tour or download an itinerary.
Paris with teens
Take art aficionados to the Musée Picasso or Musée de l’Orangerie (compact enough to wander on their own, and free for under-18s) or the hip Fondation Louis Vuitton, housed in Frank Gehry’s futuristic glass pavilion. The Centre Pompidou is closed for major works from summer 2025, but is still worth a detour to see its famous ‘inside-out’ façade. If fashion is their scene, wander Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, or book at least two weeks ahead for Dior’s dazzling in-store museum. In the Marais, there are rails of bargains at vintage stores like Free‘P’Star, while Montmartre’s awash with selfie spots, including the Sacré-Coeur’s steps.
Hotels for families
In a city awash with romantic hideaways, family-focused stays can be harder to nab at busy times of year. For more suggestions, read our guide to hotels in Paris, or get some tips on the best neighbourhoods for families.
The best all-rounders
The Yooma Urban Lodge Eiffel scores top marks for style: a cool, curvaceous building designed by Ora Ito, with arcade games in the lobby. Rooms are practical but playful, with pod beds behind sliding doors, and the Eiffel Tower’s a ten-minute walk away. For Parisian elegance, check into Le 46 Hotel, set in the 17th, a short stroll from the Bois de Boulogne. Its Junior Suites work well for families, with a double sofa bed, while generous breakfasts add to the appeal. Finally, there’s the Hôtel Paris Bastille, an eco-minded address with chic, spacious triples, quads and suites. (It’s also close to Gare de Lyon, if you’re Disneyland Paris-bound).
Upscale stays with kids
The Eiffel Tower’s almost on your doorstep at the Hôtel Tourisme Avenue, a calm four-star that couldn’t be closer to the metro. For families, the pick of its parquet-floored rooms are the suites: Juniors come with a second bedroom and a tub in the marble bathroom, while Privilege Suites have a sofa bed or separate sleeping space. If a base close to the Marais appeals, consider Les Jardins du Marais, whose art deco-inspired suites have kitchenettes and views over the cobbled courtyard. Oberkampf’s eateries are also conveniently close: for a quick pick-me-up, try Boulangerie Utopie’s exquisite cookies and éclairs.
Where to eat with children
Although you won’t always find designated children’s menus, the city’s dining scene offers plenty of child-pleasing staples, from omelettes to pizza. Other bistro classics might well become new favourites, whether it’s duck confit or a caramel-drizzled île flottante.
Family-friendly restaurants
For speedy service and down-to-earth prices, a bouillon is always a good call. Near Montmartre, Bouillon Pigalle opens its doors at midday, with a menu that runs from chicken and chips to classic steak-frites, followed by desserts so cheap you’ll do a double-take (rice pudding with salted caramel? Yours for under €3). Baby Love Burger makes the greatest cheeseburgers in town, while if only a margarita will do, head to Pizzeria Popolare. Teens will love Pink Mamma, part of the same group, whose truffled tagliatelle and chocolate profiteroles are the talk of Tik Tok. Craving something more old-school? No one can resist Au Pied de Cochon’s onion soup, with its crust of molten cheese.
Patisserie and street food
Du Pain et des Idées is a classic spot for buttery mid-morning pastries, while nearby Mamiche turns out cookies, cinnamon knots and pillowy sandwiches. In the Marais, drop by Maison Aleph for Levantine-leaning ‘nids’: tiny nests of kadaïf pastry, filled with exquisite flavours. North of here, Bontemps’ tea salon is pastel-hued perfection, serving up dainty, ganache-sandwiched cookies. If something savoury’s called for, sample Fric-Frac’s textbook croque-monsieur, or make for one of Breizh Café’s outposts for the best Breton-style crêpes, including the classic Comté, egg and ham.
Yes, there is a direct London to Paris train which takes just 2 hours 16 minutes.
Absolutely! There are plenty of parks to explore, while the major museums and sights often have a playground close by, like the Eiffel Tower’s Champs de Mars. Most museums offer free entry for kids, including the Louvre, while fun-focused spaces like Little Villette are paradise for kids (and parents). Come summer, Paris Plages is another great reason to come, with games, deckchairs and paddling pools dotted alongside the Seine.
Paris is compact, so a long weekend will give you a taster – just come with a firm list of must-sees, and don’t try to cram too much in. For a more relaxed pace with later starts, longer lunches and time for plenty of playgrounds, five days is a good starting point.
Under-fours travel free on all public transport, including the metro, but older kids need their own ticket, with half-price fares for four- to nine-year-olds.
Generally, yes – especially early in the evening, and at more casual, café-style addresses. If we’re talking places with a clubby, late-night vibe, then it’s understandably a no.
First, check out our guide. If you can avoid school holidays, prices will be cheaper; otherwise book ahead for the best deals on hotels and fares, and remember that under-fours go free on Eurostar. Take advantage of free admission for kids at big-hitters like the Louvre, or come on the first Sunday of month, when entry’s often free for adults too. In summer, make the most of the city’s parks and playgrounds, and consider eating on the fly, with crêpes or bakery takeaways.
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