Despite its reputation for romance and sophistication, Paris has plenty to offer families travelling with children, and makes a wonderful place to spend time with your loved ones. In fact, a visit to the French capital makes an engaging destination for young people of all ages and has a fantastic choice of scientific, cultural and historic places of interest just waiting to be explored. View special offers on Paris apartments now!
Many museums and galleries offer specially designed programmes and facilities for younger visitors and encourage them to interact and participate wherever possible. Every day is a good day to see Paris and with a little planning you can turn even the shortest trip into a voyage of discovery, adventure and play, one that will not only entertain and excite, but also provide memories that could last a lifetime. From fantasy theme parks to elegant city gardens and medieval museums, we have compiled our ten favourite places to take the little ones next time you visit Paris.
EuroDisney
The first thing to know about Disney’s first European theme park is that it’s very big. If you’re planning to visit the best thing you can do is arm yourself with as much information as possible before arriving. Use the official website or one of the unofficial online guides to get the low down on which rides have the longest queues, and what not to miss. With five magical lands to discover, as well as the Disney Studio tour, a day is hardly enough to do this wonderland justice and buying a weekend or two-day pass could be advisable. Unmissable rides, educational tours and the unique world of fantasy that has made the Disney experience a hit all over the world, means you can guarantee any visit will be popular with the kids. Book your EuroDisney accommodation now!
Zoo de Paris
Close to the Bois de Bologne, Paris Zoo beckons animal lovers to discover the roaring, babbling, exuberance of creatures from all over the world. Featuring a fine collection of exotic animals, the Zoo de Paris is packed with activities and tours to suit all ages and includes a castle within its grounds and one of Europe’s most exquisite botanical gardens. More than enough educational fun to fill a single day and one of the best examples of a modern, well run zoo anywhere. Doors open at 9am and close at 5pm, from spring to late autumn, with shorter opening hours in winter.
If you want to offer the kids a more traditional glimpse of Parisian living, theres nowhere better to begin than the Jardin de Luxembourg. With pony rides, a lake with toy sailboats to hire and regular puppet shows to entertain the little ones, they’ll hardly notice that they’re in one of Europe’s most elegant public parks. Photo opportunities abound with picture book backdrops including perfectly manicured gardens and the famous carousel. When they’re hungry the restaurant closest to the lake serves refreshments and traditional ice creams.
Musee National d’Histoire Naturelle
The fantastic Musee National d’Histoire Naturelle, or Museum of Natural History, is a great place to take children. Featuring many exhibits especially designed to motivate the young to think more critically, don’t miss the giant squid display or interactive anatomy gallery. This grand old building easily has enough to fill half a day and combined with plenty of interactive areas makes it fun for kids of all ages.
Open from 10am to 6pm every day of the week besides Monday, La Vilette is a portion of the Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie technology park, aiming to help children develop scientific understanding. Featuring an assorted programme of interactive spectacles that make science a hands-on and fun experience for curious kids, La Cite des Enfants has attractions for children as young as two. Whether your young ones are interested in human physiology, climatology, or zoology, there is more than enough adventure at La Vilette for an entire day of discovery.
For nearly twenty years this giant amusement park, themed on France’s best loved comic book character, has been delighting families with its miles of roller coasters and dozens of adrenaline-filled rides. Set in thick woodland to the north of the city, the park is designed to transport visitors on a trip through time, from the days of the Roman Empire right up to the modern day, taking in some of Frances best known characters, both real and fictional. Expect all the usual suspects from the Asterix comics to be on hand to make your visit a real day to remember.
Tel: +33 3 44 62 31 31 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +33 3 44 62 31 31 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Opening Hours: Open daily between the hours of 10am – 6pm from 5th April to 5th November and between 20th December to 4th January, however do check before travelling.
Official Website: www.parcasterix.fr
The Paris Metro
This one may sound a little strange, but when we looked into the things kids remembered most about Paris, too many said the Metro for us to not mention it here. No other underground system in the world matches the Paris Metro for style and excitement. With 14 different lines and almost 250 different stations this underground labyrinth links almost every corner of the city. With more than 4 million people a day using it, busy times are best avoided, but from mid morning to late afternoon carriages are empty and you’ll have a chance to enjoy the art nouveau grandeur of many stations, especially those on the Maillot-Vincennes (or Yellow) line. Family and weekend tickets are universally available and can be purchased with museum passes.
Discover the ancient secrets of Frances past, at this former royal palace. One of only two buildings in Paris that remain from its medieval age, the museum houses works of art including the famous Unicorn tapestries and sculptures dating back to the 1300s. Downstairs is one of the best preserved Roman baths anywhere, offering a rare glimpse of how Parisians were enjoying life even as long ago as 200AD. As with most museums in Paris, special attention has been taken to make the Musée National fun for kids and there are numerous hands-on activities for youngsters.
Address: Hôtel de Cluny 6, place Paul Painlevé 75005 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 53 73 78 00
Opening Hours: Every day except Tuesday, from 9.15am to 5.45pm. Desk closes at 5.15pm. Closed 1st January, 1st May and 25th December.
Official Website: www.musee-moyenage.fr
The Pompidou Centre
As entertaining to be around as it is exhilarating to explore, the Pompidou Centre is a great place to take kids. The moment you set eyes on this elaborate modernist statement, set close to Les Halles and the Marais, you can’t help but be moved by its skeletal appearance and external escalators. Inside, the vast national library may be a bit beyond most young readers, but a trip to the top and back is an absolute must. Outside is a great place to draw breath, if you’ve had a busy day, with mime artists, jugglers and all manner of street entertainers playing to the gathered crowds.
Address: Place George Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 78 12 33
Opening Hours: Everyday from 11am to 10pm. Closed on Tuesdays and on May 1st
Official Website: www.centrepompidou.fr
Notre Dame Cathedral
Every youngster knows this gothic masterpiece from Disney’s classic animation and every kid wants to see its famous gargoyles and winding staircases. With 422 steps, climbing to the top may be beyond younger visitors, but for everybody else the Tower Tour is a must. Once at the summit, as well as a great view of the Ile de Cite you’ll be surrounded by the famous gargoyles. If you’re exhausted by the time you get back down, a children’s play area has plenty to entertain little ones and no shortage of seating for weary parents.
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 34 56 10.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Official Website: www.notredamedeparis.fr
Know of any other essential sights for Children in Paris? Why not submit a Travel Tip and share your favourite places with fellow holiday makers. Alternatively browse our wide range of Paris accommodation to book your trip today!