Paris is one of the alluring destinations in the world with world famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre which are two of the recognisable places on the planet.
Paris also has much more to offer when it comes to places you can visit with children, a lot of which are totally free.
If you are planning a city or weekend break to Paris as a family, view our top tips for places to visit and things to do.
Start planning the best family vacation in Paris today.
1. The Louvre
The Louvre Museum is among the world’s largest museums and a storehouse of art and history. It houses more than 2,000 pieces, including the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. And although you might not think it, the Louvre is a great place to visit for kids.
Tickets and Timing
Save time and avoid having to queue for long durations by purchasing tickets online before you arrive. You can discover Louvre Tickets options here to get a head start. It is a huge museum and may get tiring to explore; hence, it is best to visit early in the morning or in the evening when the crowd is a bit less. The museum is open daily but will be closed on Tuesdays and some particular holidays.
Family-Friendly Tours
The Louvre offers many special family tours. These tours are fun-natured and children-friendly, ensuring that the child will learn while having fun. It is also possible to take an audio tour in several languages, enriching the visitors with information about the exhibits.
Highlights for Kids
- Egyptian Antiquities: The section of Egyptian Antiquities contains many artifacts of children and they marvel at the mummies. The sculptures and hieroglyphs are interesting and can make children think and ask questions about the ancient people.
- Medieval Louvre: To know more about the history of the Louvre in particular, it is recommended to visit the medieval fortress that is still preserved in the basement of the museum. This region is slightly less populated and gives a brief look into the history of the building itself.
- Art Workshops: The Louvre Museum often offers art workshops for children, during which they can make their own art through activities connected to the museum’s collection. These workshops are a nice method of adding more value to the visit and making it more engaging.
2. Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the must visit attractions in Paris. Children and grown-ups will surely have a great time due to the spectacular views that are available at the top. One can opt to use the lift to get to the second floor while for the more courageous one can climb the stairs. Adjacent to it, one can find the Champ de Mars where one can have a family picnic with a view of the tower.
3. Jardin des Tuileries
Sitting right next to the Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Garden is an excellent place to have a walk and relax. It has fountains, statues, and playgrounds, so children can play around freely in the area. Another activity you can do is take a boat ride around the pond area. This is one of the best free places to visit in Paris.
4. Musée d'Orsay
For art lovers with their families, Musée d’Orsay should be on the list to visit. Sitting in a building that was once a railway station, it has one of the largest collections of Impressionism and Post Impressionism paintings. The museum also has activities and tours suitable for families which can assist in the stimulation of the children’s interest in the artwork.
5. Notre Dame Cathedral
The interior is closed to visitors because of the restoration works that are being conducted after the fire in 2019. The outside has beautiful Gothic architecture that you can view and the surrounding area is the Île de la Cité. The Square Jean XXIII is also nearby and is a good place to chill out and watch the world go by with the bonus of the cathedral in the background.
6. Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie: Situated in the Parc de la Villette, this science museum is perfect for children and adults. Some of the facilities include the Cité des Sciences, a planetarium, an aquarium, and the Cité des Enfants Juifs, a discovery center for children of different ages. It is educational and fun at the same time, and one can easily spend the whole day here.
7. Boat Tour on the Seine
Organized trips on the Seine river are a great way of discovering Paris from the water. Numerous companies are involved in providing family-friendly cruises that have details about the city’s landmarks. The boats do not have enclosed cabins to certain extent to enable the children to move around and view the environment.
8. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Europe attracting around 15 million visitors every year.
Disneyland Paris is located near the city, and you can get there quickly and easily by train. This is the ultimate day out for children of all ages!
The park is well equipped with fun activities and entertainment suitable for all ages, hence making it the best place to visit for a day outing with family.
Plan a Family Break to the French Capital
Traveling to Paris with your family is always good fun and exciting and is the epitome of a European adventure. It is a way of having fun while at the same time learning. From the majestic artifacts of the Louvre Museum to the fairy tale land of Disneyland Paris, there is something and everything for everyone. Using the outline above, you can organize a cultural and fun-filled trip for the whole family when you visit Paris.
If you have more time and would like to explore more places in the surrounding areas view our guide to the best day trips from Paris city centre.
