Paris with Kids: A Real Life Guide to Exploring the City of Lights as a Family.
- Cyndi
- Apr 2, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 13, 2025
Paris is a dream—romantic, historic, elegant. But as a parent, you might wonder: Can this glamorous destination also work with kids? After a recent trip with my 10-year-old daughter, I can confidently say QUI! With a few key strategies, Paris can be just as magical for families as it is for couples and independent travelers.
We tried hard for it not to be a typical "check off the list" trip but it was my daughter’s first adventure to the City of Light, and my goal was simple: to savor it slowly. From tasting chocolate mousse to navigating the Metro, we experienced Paris in a way that felt authentic, enriching, and yes—fun for the family!
Here’s how we made it work—and what I’d recommend for your next Parisian adventure with kids.
The Art of Slowing Down in Paris
Paris is a walking city, and we leaned into that, regularly tracking more than 25K steps! But some of our best moments happened when we weren’t trying to check anything off the list. Whether we were wandering the Seine or chasing big black crows in the Tuileries Garden, we made room in our days to simply be.
If you’re traveling to Paris with kids, especially for the first time, resist the urge to overschedule. Even for a travel advisor who preaches this regularly, it was hard to resist because there are simply so many things you’d like to experience. Remember that the museums, landmarks, and sights aren’t going anywhere but your energy and your patience might be!
We also timed each day with a break back at the hotel to rest and recharge!
Seine Strolls and Sparkling Nights
We did both a daytime walk along the Seine and a classic evening river cruise, and I highly recommend this combo. The river is like the city’s spine—it orients you and offers iconic views without the crowds.
✨ Pro Tip: Bundle up if you’re cruising at night—it’s breezy but breathtaking, especially when the Eiffel Tower starts to sparkle.
Book a Seine River Cruise with Champagne and a visit to the Eiffel Tower.
And Speaking of Sparkling…Le Tour Eiffel is dazzling from all points of view!
No trip to Paris is complete without visiting its iconic iron lady. While the tower itself is impressive, it's almost better to see it sparkle from afar.
✨ Pro Tip: If you are planning to visit the tower, book tickets in advance to get the time slot you would like and to avoid long lines. Consider visiting early morning or evening when it's illuminated (after dusk). If visiting at night, as we did, bring extra layers—the wind can make it quite chilly, especially at higher levels.
Also, if you need to take a cab from area, don't let them overcharge you (they will try). If you walk a few blocks from tower, you be able to catch one for less and without the hassle. The Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel hotel is less than a 5 minute walk and has a taxi stand in front.
Louvre: Amazing but Manage Expectations
We booked 9 AM entry tickets and yet…the museum didn’t open until 11 AM due to an unexpected delay. Standing in line with a kid? Not ideal.
Still, we made it work. The Couture and Fashion exhibit woven into the museum’s collection was a surprise hit with my daughter.
This delay served as a reminder to not over book you itineraries as you never know what might slow you down.
✨ Pro Tip:
Go early (but be prepared for delays)
Prebook your tickets and use the Carousel entry to avoid the long lines outside the museum (note: there will still be a queue inside underground but pre-booking allows you to bypass the outside line)
Let your child pick a few “must-sees”. Create a scavenger hunt for your kid to spot famous works, statues, or colors—it keeps them engaged.
You will get your steps in on this visit! There a lot of stairs so you will move up and down as you wind around the museum.
Kid-Friendly Museums in Paris Beyond the Louvre
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Europe's largest science museum with numerous hands-on interactive exhibits
Features a real submarine, impressive planetarium, and special "La Cité des Enfants" section
Hidden gem in the Marais district combining historical exhibits with live magic shows
Collection includes fascinating optical illusions and antique props
Distinctive "inside-out" architecture with external colored pipes that capture children's imagination
Dedicated "Galerie des Enfants" features rotating interactive installations for the little ones.
Cuisine: Boulangeries, Picnics, and Sweet Treats
Parks and Picnics
The Tuileries Garden was a highlight—open space and chairs to lounge in. Strategically located between the Lourve and Place de la Concorde, it was a great stopping spot to people watch. Tourists and Parisians alike enjoy the beauty of this park. I can't want to come back when everything is in bloom!
We’d grab a jambon beurre sandwich from a boulangerie, maybe a pastry (or three) for a picnic. Other family-friendly green spaces include Jardin du Luxembourg and Parc Monceau, which have playgrounds, pony rides, and sailboats on the pond.
Sweet Treats & Family Feasts
Let’s just say: we ate our way through Paris.
Croissants, baguettes and pastries were a daily ritual. Picnics were our go to when restaurant timing didn’t work. And yes, restaurant timing can be a real challenge. Most restaurants don’t open until 7 PM for dinner service and if you are looking at dining at anything you may have found on social media, prepare for wait or very late reservations (10 pm or later).
If you have a young traveler, plan accordingly:
Feed them something earlier.
Book family friendly cafés and bistros (Tip: use The Fork app for making reservations online)
Restaurants Reservations
Ask your hotel concierge to help you will any restaurant reservations. Many hot spots thanks to social media will have long lines, late reso times or no tables.
Our concierge did score us a table at Chez Janou so we could skip the wait in the rain.
Keep in mind there are so many restaurants in Paris so a reservation is not needed. I recommend just strolling and you will have many options to choose from!
Memory Making Moments: Unique Experiences to Try with Kids in Paris
Create Your Own Perfume
One of our most memorable activities was a perfume creation workshop. My daughter was thrilled to craft her own signature scent, learning about different notes and the science behind perfumery. The experience combined chemistry, art, and sensory exploration, resulting in a personalized souvenir she adores!
The workshop was surprisingly educational, touching on:
The history of French perfume making
Basic chemistry concepts in accessible terms
The connection between scent and memory
In the end, we each left with a 100mL bottle of our custom creation. There are many great perfume experiences in Paris. We visited Galimard in the 9th arrondissement near Galeries Lafayette and Opera Garnier (both worth a visit).
Catacombs: Spooky, Historical and Fascinating
Families with slightly older children who aren't easily frightened, the Catacombs offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of Paris.
The Paris Catacombs, an underground ossuary, was a solution to the city's public health crisis. By the late 1700s, Paris's cemeteries were dangerously overcrowded, leading to disease outbreaks in surrounding neighborhoods. City officials decided to move millions of remains from city cemeteries to abandoned limestone quarries beneath southern Paris. Between 1786 and 1814, nightly processions transported human remains across the city, where workers arranged bones and skulls in fascinating patterns that visitors can still see today.
✨ Pro Tip:Book ahead. You can book direct for a self guided audio tour or arrange for a guided experience.
You can book direct but the official site only sells tickets 7 days in advance. It comes with an audio guide for a self guided experience.
If you would like a guided experiences, check the official site to confirm if your guide company is an official partner.
The temperature underground remains cool year-round (around 51 degrees). There are 131 steps to go down (and slightly less back up),
The Catacombs entrance is near Place Denfert-Rochereau the 14th arrondissement. It is easy to get to from the Metro. Montparnasse, the neighborhood was great for a stroll and a snack afterwards.
Eat, Play Love: Food Tour of Montmartre
Experience of of Paris' most fascinating neighborhoods with a walking and culinary tour where you'll stroll, eat, and play like a local. This allows you to step away from the tourist trail and enjoy expert storytelling and hidden gems.
Book your neighborhood walking tour here.
Capture the Magic: Family Photos in Paris
One of the most special things we did during this trip? A professional photo shoot in Paris.
We booked a session through Flytographer and had the absolute pleasure of working with Krystal, an American photographer living in Paris, who instantly made us feel at ease—even in the rain.
That’s right—it was raining. But Krystal made the whole experience relaxed and playful. The images are some of our favorite souvenirs from the trip.
To make the day extra special, we worked with Kate French (@kgsfrench.photo), a professional hair and makeup artist, who came to our hotel early that morning to help us get ready. It turned the experience into a true mother-daughter memory that we’ll always cherish.
✨ Pro Tip: Planning a trip to Paris? Book your own Flytographer session using my link.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait...Take the Trip!
Paris with kids is less about doing everything and more about sharing something unforgettable together. You don’t need to hit every museum or monument. Trust me—the memory of your child watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle or giggling with a mouthful of chocolate mousse will stay with you forever!
So if Paris is calling and you’re wondering whether it’s the right time… it is.
Meet Your Advisor
Hi, I'm Cyndi Smith, a passionate traveler and owner of Tailor Made Travel Studio. We craft tailored travel experiences for busy families who want to travel the world ease and a little bit of luxury!
Want help planning a stress-free, enriching trip for your family? I’d love to help you turn your travel dreams into something tailor made. To get started, fill out a trip request form and find time on the calendar that works for you for a quick complimentary consultation.
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