A guide to Paris for families

While Paris is known as a honeymoon destination, there’s more to do in the French capital than drinking wine and kindling romance. Paris is packed with kid-friendly activities, cozy family hotels, and attractions fit for the whole family—in fact, there are so many sights to see and treats to eat that we recommend spending at least a week here.

Paris has an extensive public transport system, consisting of buses, metro lines, and the RER. Kids up to four years travel free, while those under 10 pay half price. Keep in mind that most metro stations don’t have an elevator, and buses can only take up to two strollers at a time. If possible, travel with a baby carrier instead. For greater convenience and comfort, it’s worth booking private transport options like this tuk-tuk tour. A nice in-between is the Big Bus Tour, where you can hop on at dedicated stops and hop off anytime.

When booking tickets for attractions, make sure to clarify that you’re bringing a child to avoid paying unnecessary fees. Most museums in Paris offer free admission to those under 18, and others have discounts for children.

If you’re a first-time visitor to Paris, it’s best to spend your nights in the heart of the city. Staying in the 1st arrondissement means you’ll only be a short walk away from the Louvre Museum and plenty of open green spaces, like the Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Palais Royal. Some hotels, like Le Relais du Louvre, have dedicated family rooms, and the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal even offers babysitting services.

For a calm and serene stay, check out the 6th arrondissement. Located near the Luxembourg Gardens, you’ll find many playgrounds scattered around this neighborhood. The Hotel du Danube Saint Germain’s family accommodations have adjoining rooms, great for both privacy and safety. Tucked in a quiet alleyway, the Relais Christine offers complimentary bicycle rentals, so you can go for a family ride along the nearby Seine River.

While the 12th arrondissement is a distance away from the city center, that also means you’ll avoid sky-high prices and jostling crowds. This peaceful district boasts rolling landscapes, like the Bois de Vincennes, and you’ll be 30 minutes away from Disneyland Paris via RER. If you’re planning to be in Paris for a while, we recommend a serviced apartment like Apart'hotel Bastille Gare de Lyon Paris, which comes with a personal kitchenette so you can whip up a meal with fresh produce from Marche d’Aligre nearby.

Read our guide to the best arrondissements to stay in Paris for more recommendations.

The best restaurants in Paris fill up fast, so it’s best to make an advance reservation to avoid having to tow your kids around looking for another spot. In Paris, lunch is typically from noon to 2:30 p.m., while dinner starts as late as 7:30 or 8 p.m. For more flexibility, check out brasseries like Brasserie Les Deux Palais, which tend to have all-day services.

Don’t expect high chairs to be a given. Either carry a portable high chair or look for a restaurant that has one on hand—these are also more likely to be family-friendly. We recommend La Trattoria Dell'isola for its authentic pizzas and pasta, as well as excellent service. Introduce your kid to the wonders of Indian food at New Jawad Longchamp, or soothe your picky eater with Il Etait Un Square’s burgers and tartares.

With more than 421 municipal parks and gardens, Paris’ green spaces have more than just flora and fauna. While the Luxembourg Gardens are certainly worth a visit, venture to other parks like Bois de Vincennes, where your little ones can go horseback riding near a real-life medieval castle. Embark on an outdoor adventure at the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, which features bridges, waterfalls, and grottos to explore. And in summer, the Jardin des Tuileries transforms into an outdoor carnival known as Fête des Tuileries.

Your children will love roaming around the Parc Zoologique de Paris. Look out for opportunities to get up close and personal with these friendly creatures—we’ve heard you can even enjoy breakfast with giraffes. There’s also a smaller ménagerie located within the Jardin des Plantes, which is home to animals like the red panda and Malayan tapir. For an underwater adventure, head down to the Aquarium de Paris - Cinéaqua, where you’ll find the largest shark tank in France.

Every visitor to Paris checks out the Eiffel Tower, but did you know that you can actually climb to the top of the tower? Don’t worry, it’s not a literal climb—simply take an elevator ride up to the summit viewpoint and you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the entire city. This is an ideal spot to play a game of “I spy” with the kids as they try to spot landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

Or surprise the kids with a trip to the 15th arrondissement’s Parc André-Citroën, where you’ll find the world’s biggest tethered balloon. As you soar into the sky and soak in the view, take the chance to teach the kids about the environment—the Ballon de Paris Generali actually gathers data about the city’s air quality and changes color depending on the results.

While art museums like Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie are captivating to adults, your kids will appreciate attractions more in line with their interests. Marvel at dinosaur skeletons at the National Museum of Natural History—we recommend the Dinosaurs Family Tour, which includes a fast track ticket, a personalized tour, and a dedicated guide.

Aspiring scientists will love the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, which even has an interactive section dedicated to children. Musée de l’Illusion and Musée de la Magie will keep the little ones entertained with optical illusions and magical feats. Or introduce your kids to the world of art through a moving light show at the Atelier des Lumières.

Paris is home to some of Europe’s best theme parks, including, of course, Disneyland Paris. Your kids will love seeing their favorite Disney characters come to life, and adults and children alike will enjoy iconic rides like Space Mountain and Phantom Manor. Get a one-day or multi-day ticket to hop between Disneyland and the Walt Disney Studios Park next door. Our guide to Disneyland Paris also has more tips.

Parc Astérix is a local favorite, based on the French cartoon character Asterix the Gaul, and nearer to the city is Jardin d’Acclimatation, which even has an educational farm with goats, donkeys, rabbits, and more.

Not for the faint of heart, the Paris Catacombs is a subterranean labyrinth lined with the bones of approximately six million Parisians. Even the most bored teen will find this macabre experience fascinating. Save hours of waiting time with a skip-the-line tour, where you’ll journey through the tunnels with an English-speaking guide. You’ll even get special access to restricted areas closed to the general public.

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