When you think of planning a trip to Paris, you often hear, “Paris is for lovers.” While that may be true, it is also a pretty cool place to visit as a family. Paris and family, two words that just go together. In fact, there are so many cool things to do in Paris with kids, you might just have a hard time deciding what to add to your “must-do” list.
To do: Visit Paris with Kids!
Paris has berets and baguettes, croissants and crepes, towers and gardens… plenty to keep the most active imagination engaged.
What are Some Fun Things to Do In Paris With Kids in 2024?
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If you are planning a vacation of a lifetime to visit Paris with kids, be sure to plan your trip around some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Add in a lot of good food with pastries, macarons, and baguettes, and your kids may never want to go home again!
What are cool things to do with kids in Paris? During our five days in Paris with our girls, we visited many of the major tourist attractions, ate plenty of French food, and navigated the Paris’ metro system.
Amy, Misha and Kristen loved Paris, and from that experience, here are their top 15 fun things to do in Paris with kids.
>> Related: Plan the Perfect Disneyland Paris Day Trip from Paris
15 Fun Things To Do In Paris With Kids
1. Discover the Louvre with a Scavenger Hunt
Have you ever thought about experiencing a scavenger hunt in the Louvre as a family in Paris? It is a blast. When you are short on time (because who can really see ALL that the Louvre has to offer in one day or even two days?) a scavenger hunt is the perfect solution.
Visiting the Louvre is one of the great attractions in Paris with kids.
While we may not have stopped to see all that there was to see in the Louvre, the ThatLou Scavenger Hunt (which stands for Treasure Hunt At The Louvre) had us finding clues at some of the most popular pieces of art in the museum.
We met up with Annie from ThatLou and she immediately helped us skip past the long lines to enter the Louvre. Once inside, she explained the rules of the game to us and another team from Mexico City; for the next 2.5 hours, we raced through the Louvre searching for our clues. (By the way, we had the fastest time and finished first!)
Did you know that the Louvre will start to limit the number of visitors each day? Laurence des Cars, director of the Louvre, has decided to limit daily entries to 30,000. Be sure to get your tickets well in advance.
2. Learn about Paris on a Walking Tour
Walking tours are a fantastic way to discover the history and interesting facts of a city. It is also one of the great things to do in Paris with family (or without) that encourages you to slow down and take in your surroundings.
If you want to dive into the history of Paris, check out the Wego Walking Tour with Paul and Paulina. Paul and Paulina’s tours are fantastic and consistently rated among the top tours in Paris.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Paris with kids?
3. Hop On and Hop Off the Bus to Learn More About Paris
Purchase tickets for the Hop On Hop Off double decker bus and enjoy a relaxing tour of the city.
You may find that the top level of the bus is full as you begin your tour, but with people hopping on and off all of the time, seats will open up.
After a few days of being on the go, the bus was a relaxing way to still sightsee. That is definitely something you need to consider when you travel in Paris with kids (or anywhere).
4. Climb the Stairs of the Eiffel Tower
Ever since our youngest daughter was three or four years old, she was infatuated with all things Paris and continually stated that someday she was going to be a fashion designer in Paris.
On Kristen’s visit to Paris, we emerged from the subway and walked down the street toward the tower; she was so busy looking around at all of the sites, she hadn’t yet noticed the Eiffel Tower.
I nudged her, “Kristen, look up, up!”
Cue the music. She gave a quick intake of breath and then a happy sigh, “Ahhhhhhhh!” Dreams do come true.
You could actually take an elevator to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, but what is the fun in that? Get your tickets to climb the stairs—674 steps to be exact!
According to Travel and Leisure, visiting the tower at 1 am is the optimal time for the finale of a stunning light show.
5. Buy Art in the Montmartre District
The Montmartre District is simply amazing and often bustling with artists and tourists. Photographers are often vying for a tourist-free photo of Le Consulat Cafe. As we visited this district of Paris with kids, we were met with the sounds of “La Vie En Rose” being played by a street musician. Simply magical.
Our girls enjoyed checking out the tourist shops and then the artist stalls at Montmartre. They each purchased an art piece; Amy employed the art of bartering. Misha just paid the price.
6. Visit the Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre
The Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre is one of the loveliest of chapels to visit while you are in Paris with kids. You will find it to be light and airy and maybe not so musty-smelling as many other chapels.
It is free to visit the cathedral during its opening hours from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. Access to the Dome is outside the Basilica and on the left and does require a fee to visit.
Be prepared to climb 300 steps as there is no lift available! But the panoramic view of Paris? Simply stunning.
The Basilica was recently approved as a National Historic Monument on December 8, 2022.
7. Enjoy a Picnic Lunch in the Shade of the Notre Dame Cathedral
While damaged by fire on April 15, 2019, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral and the surroundings have been closed to the public. We were able to visit the cathedral with our girls in 2018 and enjoy the gardens, find a quiet spot for a picnic, and watch couples take their wedding pictures.
During reconstruction, the cathedral is still an impressive structure, and you can take pictures of it from a variety of locations:
- The small streets of the Île de la Cité
- The left bank quays
- The bridges over the Seine
- The Île Saint Louis
Once Notre Dame is reopened (hopefully in 2024), it will surely take its place once again as one of the oft-visited tourist sites in Paris.
8. Climb the Steps of the Arc de Triomphe to See the Eiffel Tower at Night
The Arc de Triomphe is an amazing structure. Get your tickets to climb the 221 steps to the viewing platform.
You will want to follow the underground passage to the arch. Don’t try to cross through traffic in the roundabout!
There will be a minor security area and ticket line. Once clear, you can climb up the narrow, circular stairways to the top. This vantage point offers the perfect view of the Eiffel Tower and a 360° view of Paris.
Even better yet, plan your visit at sunset when the Eiffel Tower lights up. The lights on the tower sparkle for 5 minutes at the top of every hour! Watching from the Arc de Triomphe is the perfect spot, it is especially magical if you are visiting Paris with kids.
9. People Watch, Picnic, and Pose at Trocadero
After you enjoy climbing the stairs of the Eiffel Tower and have explored the park around the base of the tower, cross over the Pont d’Iéna (“Jena Bridge”) to Trocadero. Besides the stunning Warsaw fountains, this elevated open space has some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower.
Walk to a nearby patisserie and order baguettes, filled with meats and cheeses, along with a few delectable desserts. Find a spot in the gardens under the shade trees and enjoy lunch. Having a picnic lunch is one of the perfect things to do with Paris with kids. You’ll love all of the people-watching opportunities as well.
Be sure to leave some time for more pictures.
10. Marvel at the Stained Glass Windows at Sainte Chapelle Monument
You find this stunning Parisian landmark on the Île de la Cité, one of Paris’ large islands in the Seine. The brilliant stained glass windows of Sainte Chapelle are simply stunning.
Each of the 15 windows in the cathedral are 15 meters high (that’s almost 50 feet!). And each tells a story with 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The windows share the history of the world.
Your kids will love picking out familiar scenes and stories from the Bible.
Tickets are required to visit the monument.
11. Explore the Jardin du Luxembourg
The Luxembourg Gardens are free to visit and enjoy. They are a lovely respite after a busy day of sightseeing. Take a moment to slow down and rest.
Your kids may enjoy a little quiet time or a chance to wander the gardens looking for treasures. It is one of the fun things to do with kids in Paris that offers a little downtime for you as well.
Some of the main features of the gardens include:
- French gardens
- English gardens
- A geometric forest and a large pond
- An apple orchard
- An apiary to learn more about beekeeping
- Greenhouses with orchids and a rose garden
- 106 statues
- Activities for children: puppets, rides and slides
- Activities for adults: chess, tennis, bridge, remote control boats
- Free photography exhibits
Restrooms are available in the gardens. If you skip the first rest area close to the Terrasse de Madame (this is a pay toilet with an attendant) and walk toward the Porte Observatoire entrance you will find a free toilet.
12. “All Aboard” for a River Cruise on the Seine
Board a river cruise along the Seine. This can be a popular and romantic way to view Paris. And then you’ll remember that you are in Paris with kids and begin to point out distinct tourist sites along the way.
If you’ve already had a chance to visit the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, or the Notre Dame Cathedral—viewing them as you float along the Seine River gives a whole new perspective on the City of Love.
In general, most of the Seine river cruises last about an hour, beginning and ending at the same point (unless otherwise noted). Most of the companies follow approximately the same circuitous route.
Most of the river cruise companies also operate dinner cruises.
Tickets may be purchased the same day and in-person. You may be able to save money by purchasing in advance.
13. Window Shop Along the Champs-Élysées
Fancy a little shopping along the Champs-Élysées as a family in Paris? You might recognize a few of these stores: Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Hermès, Swarovski, Dior Homme, Celine, Gucci, Chanel, Christian Dior, and Valentino.
Maybe they aren’t the shops you might normally peruse with your kids (or without) but if your kids are biking fans, they might also recognize this street from the annual Tour de France bike race. As one of the most famous streets in the world, the Champs-Élysées stretches from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
14. Find Your Inner Child at Disneyland Paris
We surprised our girls with a trip to Disneyland Paris while stopping for a rest at the Jardins du Luxembourg. We managed to keep our plans to visit Disneyland Paris a secret until two days before our scheduled visit! When I say we I really mean Chris. Sometimes a secret is so good it is hard to keep it in. He did good!
This is one of the BEST things to do in Paris with kids. Our girls loved it.
And talk about the ultimate way to surprise your kids with an adventure!
Let’s just say, there was much rejoicing. If you think that Disneyland Paris is only for young kids, just tell your twenty-somethings that you are going and watch their reaction.
You’ll want to check out this post on planning the perfect Disneyland Paris day trip from Paris for helpful hints, resources and tips on how to get from Paris to Disneyland Paris.
15. Find the “I Love You” Wall
An “I Love You” wall? You may not have even heard of it before. This monument dedicated to LOVE is found in the garden of Square Jehan Rictus, place des Abbesses within walking distance from Montmartre.
The girls wanted to see the “I Love You” wall, so after visiting the Montmartre District, we took off following Chris and his handy Google map app. This is one of the unique things to do in Paris with kids that they might just remember forever.
The 612 wall tiles are inscribed with “I Love You” from languages all around the world. See if you can recognize any of the languages!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Paris called the “City of Lights”?
Well, you might think it is because of the twinkly lights on the Eiffel Tower at night, but the nickname was coined because Paris was one of the first cities to install streetlights.
Why are there no locks on the “Love Locks” bridge?
The city of Paris removed all of the locks from the Love Locks bridge (Pont des Arts) when it was determined that the weight of over 1 million locks—a whopping 45 tons!—was jeopardizing the structural integrity of the bridge.
What are the residents of Paris called?
Parisians.
Who are some famous Parisians?
Victor Hugo, Charles de Gaulle, Maria Antoinette, Emma Watson, King Louis XVI, Claude Monet, Napoleon, Madame Curie, and Coco Chanel.
Will you be traveling to Paris without kids?
One of the most romantic hotels in Paris is the Hilton Paris Opera hotel in the 8th Arrondissement.
When is the best time of the year to visit Paris?
US News suggests that any time between June through October is great for optimal weather and temperatures.
Travel Gear for Visiting Paris
- Portable Charger
- Headphones, Airpods, or corded earbuds
- Cell Phone
- Tablet and Keyboard
- Cable Organizer
- DSLR Camera, Point and Shoot Camera, or Underwater Camera
- Camera battery, Charger, Memory Card
- Power Strip
- Apple Watch
- The North Face Recon Backpack for Women
- The North Face Recon Backpack
- Travelon Crossbody Messenger Bag
There are so many more items I use and recommend for travel. Click the box below to discover my Amazon Favorites.
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Final Thoughts on 15 Fun Things To Do In Paris with Kids in 2024
Surely there are more than 15 things to do in Paris with kids, but this is just the start of the list you can build to make your visit one-of-a-kind. Do you love to visit museums? How about cathedrals? or monuments? Need to try crepes or macarons? Paris has got you covered!
Our next trip will have to include climbing to the top of Notre Dame when it is reopened, a macaron cooking class, eating falafel wraps in the Latin quarter, and maybe a little more time walking slowly through the Louvre instead of racing along the corridors in a scavenger hunt.
Still, those memories are amazing. Yours will be pretty epic too!
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This post is just amazing and I found it the very best time: planning our first trip to Paris with my Daughter for this summer 🙂 Thank you so much for all the hints!
What a beautiful post for a great family European trip. Thanks for all the info.
I’ve never been to France so I definitely never realized there is so much to do with kids there! Sounds like so much fun for all ages. Thanks for sharing!
I loved reading this! I’ve been to Paris a few times (it’s one of my favorite places) and I took my daughter when she turned 16. This took me back and made me miss Paris so much!
I took my 10-year-old to Paris many years ago, and we went up the Sacre Coeur, but when I got to the top, I froze as it is so open (and I don’t like heights). He was very matter-a-fact about it and told me to wait by the door while he walked around the turret! Paris is full of great things for kids to do, and this post highlights most of them.
Paris is filled with such incredible attractions!
What an amazing post on fun things to do in Paris with kids! Can’t wait to go there with my family.
Paris is my favorite city in the entire world, I don’t have kids but I can attest that all of these ideas are fantastic at any age. I can’t wait to go back to Paris soon, I miss it so much!
Yay! I’m so happy you wrote this. And what great timing! My family and I are going to France in august. So we’ve been trying to plan it. Thanks for writing this and now I’m excited to check out the Sainte Chapelle Monument. Great article!
I think that Paris makes it a great destination for everyone and now I see that there is a lot to do with kids too! Love it.
I think I did every thing on your list when I took my kids to Paris except visit Disneyland. It is a magical place to visit with elementary school kids. When they were teenagers, it was a little harder to corral them into family outings every day.
Great post. I’ve been to Paris many times, and even if you aren’t traveling with kids these are all excellent suggestions!
Climbing up the Eiffel Tower was one of my favourite things to do in Paris. Great list you’ve put together for people travelling with the kids!
Such a useful guide for planning a family trip to Paris!
I have been to Paris, but I have yet to take the kids. This is super helpful!