Things to do in Paris With Kids

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Children looking at a map by the Eiffel Tower

An efficient public transport system, a relatively compact center and oodles of parks, museums and family friendly hotels and restaurants make Paris a great choice for a city break with your little adventurers. We’ve put together a selection of our favorite things to do in Paris with kids, from climbing the Eiffel Tower to magic shows beneath the streets.

Park life

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With over 400 green spaces, you’re never very far from a park in Paris. Many are close to major attractions like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, providing ideal opportunities to break up your sightseeing itinerary with some ultra-kid-friendly activities.

The Jardin du Luxembourg’s central location is far from being its only draw. Over 56 acres kids can enjoy pony rides, puppet shows and one of the city’s biggest playgrounds. The Grand Bassin lake in front of the Palais de Luxembourg is particularly charming. Here, kids can rent old-fashioned toy wooden sailing boats and push them out into the water. On Sundays, members of the Luxembourg Nautical Club add their eclectic selection of (silent) motor boats, sailing vessels and submarines to the mix.

On the banks of the Seine, the Jardin des Plantes is home to the Ménagerie – one of the oldest zoos in the world. Its 600+ inhabitants include ferociously cute red pandas and endangered species such as snow leopards and giant Aldabra tortoises. Wander the wooded pathways to spot the animals in their log-cabin homes. If the Ménagerie’s critters are feeling particularly camera-shy during your visit, there's always the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution, a natural history museum on the edge of the park, where taxidermy beasts share space with giant dinosaur fossils, meteorites and thousands of plant species.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a little off the beaten track in the 19th arrondissement, but well worth the pilgrimage. Less crowded than the city center parks, it contains 60+ acres of hilly terrain and woodland that’s perfect for little explorers. Kids can feed the ducks in the pond, enjoy a picnic with superb city views, run the 63-meter length of the Eiffel-designed suspension bridge and discover the secret grotto with its magical (albeit artificial) waterfall.

Natural highs

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Kids love to climb, right? Great news! Paris is full of opportunities for natural highs that will keep them entertained. Why take the lift all the way up the Eiffel Tower when there’s a perfectly good set of stairs that goes all the way up to the second floor? That’s 674 steps in total: a dream come true for energetic kids everywhere. Footsore parents will be relieved to learn there’s a glass elevator to shoot you the rest of the way up to the observation deck on level three. And a bar when you get there.

The Arc de Triomphe is a little more forgiving, with a mere 284 steps to reach the summit. Up here, kids can get snap-happy with arguably some of the finest photo opportunities in Paris, including uninterrupted views down the broad Champs-Élysées boulevard to Place de la Concorde. There are also great views of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré-Cœur basilica, balanced like a little fondant-icing decoration atop Montmartre.

To reach the basilica, take the easy way up: Montmartre’s funicular railway takes you all the way to the top in just 90 seconds and your kids will love it! Once at the top, grab a well-earned chocolate crêpe and sit on the steps watching the street entertainers and admiring the views. Kids can also pick up a unique souvenir here: a caricature of themselves by a local portrait artist. Also recommended is a short tour of Montmartre’s atmospheric streets aboard the adorable petit train: kids love it and it’s an absolute godsend for foot-weary parents.

Museums and shops

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Paris has a number of dedicated children’s museums. Musée de la Magie is a mesmerizing treasure trove of magic and illusion in the Marais district. It's set in the cellars of the Marquis de Sade’s former home, but don’t let that put you off! Kids will love the weird and wonderful exhibits and free magic show. Entry also includes access to the adjacent Musée des Automates, with its fascinating (and occasionally creepy) collection of around 250 antique automated puppets and toys.

The Cité des Sciences (CSI) is Europe’s biggest science museum and counts a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and even a submarine among its many attractions. Here, kids from as young as four or five years old can get involved in fun interactive exhibits and play areas across six thematic zones. You could easily spend a day here and in the surrounding Parc de la Villette. This sprawling playground has dozens of sculptures and themed gardens to explore, as well as open-air cinema and live music in the summer months.

The higgledy-piggledy high shelves and Harry Potter-esque interiors of iconic English-language bookstore Shakespeare and Company will appeal to little bookworms everywhere. A huge and eclectic selection of books for kids, teenagers and young adults means there’s something for everyone here. Continue the, ahem, educational theme with a trip to Le Bonbon au Palais, a classroom-themed candy store in the 5th arrondissement. Here, presented in apothecary-style jars, are tempting French candies in all shapes, sizes, colors and flavors. Children will be like, well, kids in a candy shop. It’s a guaranteed hit and may just provide the sugar boost everyone requires to get back to the hotel without a toddler-style meltdown.

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Sun sets behind Notre Dame Cathedral
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Is Paris in May a good idea?

Paris is always a good idea. But Paris in May could well be the good idea to end all good ideas. Offering perfect sightseeing weather – sunny skies, almost no rain and very little humidity – Paris in May is a joy to behold. Temperatures which seem to rise by the day trigger a wealth of spring blooms alongside a sense of good cheer that even the surliest of Parisians can’t fail to get caught up in. Weather aside, Paris in May is able to boast a busy calendar of events and lengthening daylight hours in which to enjoy them to their max. Whilst the start of the city’s high season, there’s nowhere near the number of visitors as in July and August. The result? A happy balance between T-shirt wearing weather and entrance line lengths – which can of course be avoided by exploring with Go City! When in Paris... Paris has no fewer than four public holidays scheduled for May: Labor Day (May 1), World War II Victory Day (May 8), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter) and Whit Monday (or Pentecost, 50 days after Easter). Expect some shops and restaurants to be firmly closed for each. It’s best to check in advance though, with the Louvre’s mighty galleries closed on May 1 but open the rest of the month. Other museums may have reduced hours. What does this mean for anyone visiting Paris in May? It means the chance to see the city from the eyes of its residents. Many love nothing more than using their free days to head to the banks of the River Seine or one of the city’s multitude of green spaces. Spots on the Place du Vert Galant at the tip of Notre Dame Cathedral’s Île de la Cité are fiercely fought over because of its views across to the Louvre and the 18th-Century Hôtel de la Monnaie. But there’s no shortage of other potential picnic locations in a city with over 400 parks. Take a stroll Alternative activities on the Île de la Cité include a stroll among the stalls of the Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market. A stone’s throw from the stained-glass windows of the Church of Sainte-Chapelle and the ancient stonework of La Conciergerie, it has a particular significance on May 1. By tradition, the date is marked by giving a sprig of lily of the valley to loved ones. Every Sunday, it turns into a bird market alive with chirruping. The pleasant weather makes May in Paris a great time of year to pull on the walking shoes whatever your interests. The river’s banks are a good place to start, with a guided walking tour along the Seine full of fascinating stories from the city’s extensive history. Anyone who knows Paris a little already can instead explore the hidden gems of Le Marais, a residential area filled with historic sites such as Place des Vosges, once home to Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables. Sun and sea – of a kind Hitting the sidewalks of the French capital isn’t the only way to discover the city. Visitors have been getting a bird’s eye view from the top of the Eiffel Tower since 1889. But those seeking elevated views of the tower itself can opt for the Ballon de Paris Generali instead. It’s the world’s largest helium-filled balloon. The adventures can continue beneath the waves at the Aquarium de Paris in the Trocadero Gardens opposite the Eiffel Tower. Concentrating on lifeforms found in French waters – which include islands in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea – 60 tanks provide habitats for 7500 individual animals, including 50 sharks and 2500 jellyfish. Night owls will love the fact that the nearby Palais de Tokyo stays open late at least once a week. It’s home to the Paris Museum of Modern Art, one of two major contemporary collections in the city. The Pompidou Center is the other. Sample cordon bleu menus With café and restaurant tables again a firm fixture on the Paris streets after the chill of the winter months, May is also a great time to get to grips with the city’s famed food scene. For a lunch on the go that would make any Parisian proud, look no further than jambon-beurre. A ham sandwich with an added touch of class, both bakeries and cafés prepare this half-baguette containing butter and jambon de Paris ham in vast quantities each day. If you’re after a more leisurely midday meal the croque monsieur may be the answer, sharing many of the main elements of a jambon-beurre but with extra sumptuousness supplied by a béchamel sauce and a light grilling. Your tastebuds also won’t want to miss the Fête de Pain (Bread Festival) the week either side of May 16. An annual celebration of Saint-Honoré, the patron saint of bakers, it has the city’s artisans sharing their skills with the general public. Just add cheese for a perfect bite to eat! Major May events Around the same time, sports fans begin descending on the Bois de Boulogne for the opening rounds of the French Open Glam Slam tennis championships at Roland Garros. However, there are still plenty of other events for those who don’t know their Halep from their Barty or their Federer from their Nadal. The Printemps Des Rues street festival on the Canal Saint-Martin’s Quai de Jemmapes creates a magical atmosphere suitable for all the family. Dance, music and theater all come together for just one weekend to mark the coming of spring to the city’s streets. It’s the upmarket Saint Germain-des-Prés neighborhood that’s the main location for one of the city’s foremost music events – Festival Jazz. Its stages bring together new talent and household names wherever they might be found. There’s always a strong contingent of American musicians, alongside those hailing from as far afield as Cameroon and India. The Villette Sonique Festival at Parc de la Villette sees crowds welcoming not only jazz greats but also rock and post-punk experimental acts. Better still, it’s free to attend many of its outdoor daytime concerts! What to do in Paris in May May in Paris can more than hold its own against the other months of the year. Continuously improving weather, a relaxed holiday atmosphere and brilliant events mean a vacation at this time of year will be remembered for all the right reasons. And whilst Paris in May is the start of peak vacation season, with higher accommodation costs, don’t forget that by traveling with your trusty Go City app to hand you’re going to make substantial savings on admission to many of Paris’s top attractions!
Ian Packham
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Eiffel Tower vs. Arc de Triomphe: Which Paris Landmark Wins?

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Two women enjoy a walk along the banks of the Seine
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Cheap things to do in Paris

Paris has a reputation for being très cher – very expensive. But, au contraire, it doesn’t have to be. There are a huge number of fun things to do which don’t cost the earth. If you’re heading to the City of Light on a budget – and even if you’re not – check out these cheap things to do in Paris. You won’t regret it! Feel like a local Budget travelers are likely to find themselves in the further reaches of the Paris suburbs, meaning potentially expensive taxi fares to the world-famous landmarks dotted on and around the River Seine. However, as you might expect, there are a variety of cheaper alternatives. Not only that, but some can become attractions in themselves. A great addition to trips aboard a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus are the city’s public buses. Route 89 takes in the sights of the Latin Quarter, including the Panthéon and Jardin du Luxembourg. The north-south route 69 incorporates the Bastille, Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. When the sometimes-fickle Paris weather holds, one of the most charming ways to explore Paris is by bike. The bike-sharing stations of Vélib’ are located across greater Paris. A mix of pedal and hybrid electric cycles, they have rates starting at just €1 for 30 minutes use. Whilst covering 41 square miles, the majority of Paris’s major landmarks are centrally located, making an afternoon stroll an excellent way to absorb the city’s atmosphere. So why not wander along a portion of the Seine, or follow the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe towards the masterpieces of the Louvre? Check out the markets You’re unlikely to discover a lost artwork by Monet or Degas among the stalls of Saint-Ouen flea market, located in the same neighborhood as the Sacre Coeur and Moulin Rouge. But even if you don’t, a bit of friendly-haggling with the stallholders can still get you a bargain. One of the largest flea markets in the world, stalls hold everything from vintage fashion to diamond bracelets. There’s no better place to discover Parisians’ love of food and fine ingredients than the oldest covered market in Paris. Founded in 1628, the Marché des Enfants Rouges – or Market of Red Children, after the orphanage of the same name – is a great place to pick up some freshly-baked bread or a bunch of flowers. Should it get your stomach growling, there are also a good selection of cafés and restaurants, many of whom use produce direct from the market’s stalls. Thursdays and Sundays sees another market appearing in the park to the north of Place de la Bastille. In addition to groceries, there’s also a good number of tempting objet d’art and other trinkets you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Discover the city’s green spaces No list of cheap things to do in Paris should be considered complete without mentioning the city’s array of parks and gardens. Among one of the best is the Jardin des Plantes botanic garden. Largely formal in style, there are few better places for a romantic walk, whilst the small zoo’s collection of animals is sure to enthrall the kids. It’s easy to forget about the city beyond once inside Parc Monceau too. Created by the Duke of Chartres in 1778 as one of the world’s first public parks, it contrasts with the Jardin des Plantes because of its informal English landscaping style. But for a park like few others, head to the Promenade Plantée, also known as the Coulée verte René-Dumont. Similar to New York’s High Line, but opened a full 15 years beforehand, this elevated park gave a long-abandoned railway viaduct a new lease of life as an urban oasis. Take in the views In a city without the skyscrapers of New York or London, the Eiffel Tower has been the main vantage-point for citywide views since it was first erected in 1889. But for views of the Iron Lady herself you’ll need to turn your attention to the opposite end of the Champ de Mars and the Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower). Although its observation tower is not the cheapest thing to do in Paris, the bar on the 56th story has equally beguiling vistas plus lively conversation for the cost of a drink. Paris is also an excellent place to grab a street-side cup of coffee or plat du jour as you watch the world go by. If you’re keen to break through the frosty exterior some Parisians exude, many bars host a happy hour. Usually sometime between 5PM and 8 PM, just look for the advertising boards outside. Grab a bargain It’s unlikely you’ll have such luck with the stores of Rue Faubourg du Saint-Honoré outside of January or July, but there are several ways to feel a million dollars without having to splash that sort of cash. For instance, top department store Galeries Lafayette hosts regular 30 minute fashion shows curated by some of the biggest names in the industry and complete with catwalk models. Elsewhere, Shakespeare and Company has been supplying the English-speakers of Paris with reading material since 1951. As well as the new books you would expect, you’ll also find a treasure trove of secondhand tomes and also a free reading library. Would-be authors can even stay the night in exchange for helping out – it’s been estimated that more than 30,000 people have stayed since the store first opened its doors. Seeing Paris on a budget Just because you have a budget to stick to doesn’t mean you have to miss out on Paris’s big-ticket attractions. It’s possible to fully explore with Go City – allowing you to save on attraction admission and expensive overseas credit card charges without having to say goodbye to flexibility. Together with our recommendations for cheap things to do in Paris, Go City can help create an unforgettable vacation. You can stay up to date with all the latest tips by connecting with @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook.
Ian Packham

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