visiting Paris with kids a fun time for the family
The Best of Paris In 5 Days - How To Enjoy The City of Lights with your Family
Visiting Paris with kids is such an amazing experience. You’ll surely enjoy. Hope you find this helpful!
Paris exceeded all of my expectations with its rich history and beauty. The City of Lights and (Love) isn’t just for adults, it can be fun for kids too! My small children had a great time touring and exploring the city by choosing activities and landmarks that were accessible to all ages.
Here are our tips and recommendations so that you can create the perfect Paris vacation for the whole family.
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visiting Paris with kids
Paris Essentials That You’re Going to Need
There are a few Parisian essentials that you will need to take with you so that you will ensure yourself a good trip you will make the most out of. Whether it’s your first time or your 5th time, you should consider the following:
Read up on Paris. You will have a better experience and appreciate the city more if you read a book or two.
A guide book because that will provide maps, itineraries and suggestions to local spots for dining purposes and otherwise. So if and when your phone dies or you have a bad internet connection you don’t have to worry.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the city. I would recommend taking with you a good pair of tennis shoes as shown here, so that you can easily coordinate it with different outfits (jeans v. dresses).
Carrying a small French dictionary and phrasebook would also be a good idea since French is the official language in France.
A travel adaptor is a must in Europe to plug into the outlets so you’ll need to purchase yours ahead of time to take with you. This one (link) also includes USB ports to plug into the converter.
visiting paris with kids
Planning Your 5 Day Itinerary In Paris-
Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Musée de l’Orangerie & Musée de Orsay, Seine Dinner Cruise
The Eiffel Tower and Carousel
(1 to 2 hours)
I prefer to stay as close as possible to the Eiffel Tower. It’s personally my favorite sight to see and I like to see it every day that I am staying in Paris! Even though I take multiple trips (from different views to gain another perspective) it’s the first thing on my list. After all, it is the most visited monument around the world.
And if you choose to stay at a hotel with a view you’ll also be lucky enough to see the light show the Eiffel Tower puts on after dark right from your balcony. Truly a magical sight should you choose to be visiting Paris with kids.
visiting paris with kids
visiting paris with kids
Pro Tip: Take the stairs inside the tower to avoid the lines. Or even better consider reserving a spot in line with a prepaid ticket that will get you to one of the higher level viewing points that are not accessible by stairs (and to avoid all that work!)
Recommended Experiences (especially with kids!)
Skip The Line: Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets with Host
Skip the line: Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor Tickets
Dinner Cruise With Stunning Views, including the the Eiffel Tower
Then take the kids to the lovely carousel right by the Eiffel Tower! I was surprised to find them in several touristy places around the city!
Address: Prom. Quai Branly, 75007 Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower just puts you in a good mood and you’re ready to move on to the Orsay Museum!
Musee de L'Orangerie and Musee de Orsay
visiting paris with kids
Pro Tips:
If you have little children this would be the perfect time for a nap. After visiting the Eiffel tower, taking a ride (or a couple of rides like my kids did) on the carousel and snacks in between, my kids were due for a nap.
I also had coloring books and electronics with me to alleviate any boredom.
Create a scavenger hunt around the museum!
To save some time while you’re there, try making a list of what you want to see.
The museum is least crowded off-season but if you do visit during high season the afternoons are usually better and make sure to just line up in the right queue.
We would also recommend these experiences for a more efficient way to spend and enjoy your time!
Seine Dinner Cruise
A Seine Dinner Cruise on the Seine River is quite a magical way to end your first day in wonderful Paris!
The Bateaux Parisiens provide live music as you indulge in a 3-course meal. You’ll take in the views of Paris and its iconic landmarks Eiffel Tower, The Parliament, Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Grand Palais and more.
Hours: 8:30 PM every day
Address: Port de la Bourdonnais – 75007 Paris
Recommended Cruise: Bateaux Parisiens Premium Seine Dinner Cruise
Day 2 - Jardin du Luxembourg, The Champs Elysees and The Arc De Triomphe
Jardin du Luxembourg
A great way to start off the day is outdoors in a wonderful space for a picnic with the kids. Jardin du Luxembourg, also known as Luxembourg Gardens, is ideal for little ones. They have one of the best playgrounds for a small fee to enter. There is a carousel as well as games, animals, a puppet theatre, and pony rides. You can also rent a model sailboat to sail on the Grand Basin in the center of the park. The kids loved it. Take a stroll through the gardens and you can enjoy the cafe and food stands. You’ll also find some lovely boutiques for children along Rue Vavin.
The Champs Elysees
Take a walk down one of the most famous streets in the world, often described as “the world’s most beautiful avenue.” Many travelers visit for the important monuments on this legendary street as well as the incredible shopping, restaurants and luxury boutiques. You’ll find all of the upscale stores you can think of and the famous Laduree for their macaroons as well as other delightful treats of Paris.
Adress: 75, Avenue des Champs Elysees, 75008, Paris.
Website: http://www.laduree.com
The Arc De Triomphe
The Arc De Triomphe has a spectacular view of the city but the lines are often long. Still worth visiting even if you have little ones with you and can’t climb to the top. But do try to watch the sunset. During the summer, the sun sets down right in the axis of the Arc de Triomphe. This spectacle brings lots of attention.
Tip: You can also skip the line to get that view with this access pass (insert link here).
Day 3 - Palace of Versailles
(Plan to stay 5-6 hours)
On day 3, head out on a day trip to the Palace of Versailles. It’s just 30 minutes outside of Paris. It’s best seen any day other than Monday when the Palace is closed. Purchase your Versailles tickets here in advance. You can also read more by clicking here for our Guide to Versailles.
“To the public imagination, Versailles is the epitome of opulence,” said Louise Boisen Schmidt, a Denmark-based writer.
This glamorous palace housed the kings and queens of France until 1789 during the french revolution. Enjoy the most famous places within the Castle. Explore the ordained King and Queen’s State Apartments and be sure to enter the glittering and glamorous Hall of Mirrors before ending the tour.
Plan to spend the day here and pack a picnic especially if you have kids with you. So pick up a couple of sandwiches and pastries from the closest bakery before leaving Paris. The food options at Versailles aren’t the best and they do allow picnicking in the Gardens.
Don’t walk. The gardens are vast and you’ll get tired. They offer electric golf carts for rent so if you get there early you’ll be able to rent one. You can also bike! Bikes are also available to rent in the garden, click here, then click on “Leisure and transport” to learn more.
And your kids can fall asleep on the back of the bikes like ours did.
Hours:
November 1st to March 31st:
- Palace of Versailles: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30p.m., (Monday closed).
- Gardens of Versailles: Sunday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
April 1st to October 31st:
- Palace of Versailles: Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., (Monday closed).
- Gardens of Versailles: Sunday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Day 4 - Disneyland Paris
The only thing to make a family vacation in Paris better is by taking the kids to Disneyland Paris! After a few days of exploring Parisian culture, art and history, the kids will be so excited to play and just be a kid at Disneyland Paris! You’ll visit and enjoy the magical world of Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios! There are endless attractions and thrills to enjoy. It’s also nice to compare it to the American version.
Recommended Experiences
Disneyland Paris Skip the Line Tickets
You can skip the lines by booking an advanced ticket for 3 euros (highly recommended).
I would recommend staying two or three days to fully enjoy both parks but since this is a 5 day guide we’ll move on to day 5.
Hours:
Disneyland Paris- 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Walt Disney Studios Park- 10:00 am to 9:00pm
Day 5: Louvre Museum,Tuileries Garden, Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie, Walkabout Montmartre
Louvre Museum
You can’t leave Paris without visiting the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre Museum. It’s also the most visited museum welcoming over 10 million visitors per year! Admire the Louvre pyramid in the main courtyard and some of the most famous works of art. The famous Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci witnesses a crowd of people who visit from all over the world.
Even the kids will enjoy visiting the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre Museum. They too can admire the Louvre pyramid in the main courtyard and the famous Mona Lisa. You can peak the interest of your kids with a Louvre family tour.
This scavenger hunt asks specific questions about many of the Louvre’s masterpieces. Designed to give children an entertaining background and a chance at using their “detective” skills of observation. Through the clues provided and their own answers they’ll discover an educational prize hidden somewhere under the Louvre’s glass pyramid.
Pro Tips:
It’s best to have a list of places you’d like to visit according to a map of the museum.
If you’re not fluent in french you should also consider picking an audio guide.
Recommended Experiences:
Skip the Line Louvre Museum Independant Audio Guided Tour Entrance Tickets to Louvre Museum
Tuileries Garden
There’s also a fountain where the kids can rent sailboats. In the summer there’s a garden over the northern side. For the younger children, there is a merry-go-round, trampolines, and a great playground for kids.
Visit Sacre Coeur and Montmartre
Recommended Experiences
• Montmartre Guided Walking Tour
If you’re interested in working with Chic Little Travelers, you can contact us here.
I had no idea that Paris had fun carousels for the kids! My son would love running to each one!
We love travelling with our kids and are just dying to go to Paris. We are in Belgium…so close but so far lol! I really like how you planned out the days, that will definitely give us something to think about when we visit, hopefully soon! Disneyland is number one on everyone’s list right now ?
Love this plan! Lots of great spots and all kid friendly! Thanks so much for the ideas!
Thanks this is great! How did you manage the dinner on the seine with the kids?
They provide entertainment that kept them engaged! We also keep devices on us when Jay and I want to have a conversation to ourselves lol
Disneyland Paris is on my bucket list! Thank you for including it in your Paris guide so I could get a better idea of the amount of time we should spend there. Of course, the Eiffel Tower (from the ground) and the Louvre are on our list, too!
It’s a must for families visiting Paris! Gives the kids something to look forward to and a reward for going to the museums!
Love this post. I never knew Paris would have so much for kids to enjoy too! One of the Pediatricians I used to work with said that her son did want to just live in France when they went on vacation to France.
I believe it! I had the same feelings being there. I love the lifestyle- so much appreciation for life and the arts.
Oh, j’ adore Paris. We have been there a few times and always love the city . This post made me want to go back again so bad. I am a huge Monet fan and have spent many afternoons at Musee de L’Orangerie and Musee de Orsay. It actually took us 3 visits to see the Musee de L’Orangerie because of renovations. It was closed for like 3-5 years I think. But we finally got to see it and it was amazing! Thanks for the great memories. Merci. Au revoir
I enjoyed writing it so much for the same reasons! You’re very welcome I hope we can all visit again safely soon and adore more of our favorite paintings <3