‘P’ is for Paris. ‘P’ is also for parents. But is ‘p’ also for your progeny?
The tried-and-true Paris itinerary doesn’t exactly scream kid-friendly. Can you cart your stroller to the top of the Eiffel Tower? Are there sensory-safe spaces in the Louvre? Is there any restaurant that happens to have a chef being puppeteered by a rat with culinary capabilities?
Parents don’t immediately envision Paris as the go-to city for a European family vacation, but you’d be surprised just how many things to do in Paris with kids there actually are.
After all, ‘p’ is also for possible and your railway au pairs at Trainline are here to show you where to find the most kid-friendly activities in Paris.
Image Credit: Getty Images, davidf. Image Location: Paris, France
Everything parents in Paris need to know
Hesitant to take your family to France? Turn that je ne sais pas into je crois pouvoir with these tips for finding the family-friendly Paris your scrapbook will thank you for.
Is Paris a good place to visit with kids?
Yes, Paris is an excellent place to visit with kids if you plan your trip around their needs. Try as they might, it’s a faux pas to let the little ones scale the outside of the Eiffel Tower, which is probably the reason so many parks in Paris have safe playgrounds suitable for kids. Many restaurants have menus for the discerning palate of a toddler (read: chicken fingers and mac 'n cheese) while many family-friendly hotels are keen to provide cribs, toys, and advice on which kid-focused attractions to visit.
What is Paris known for with kids?
Most kids are introduced to the same Parisian landmarks that adults are, albeit through fun characters like Madeline, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Rémy from Ratatouille. One of the major things Paris is known for regarding children is having its own Disneyland location just outside of the city. And let's not forget that many legendary Disney locations are to be found in Paris.
How far is Disneyland Paris from the city?
You can reach Disneyland Paris by car from the center of the city by traveling the A4 east for 40 minutes. But the train is also a convenient option that requires no lugging around car seats or stopping for potty breaks. The Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station is a 9-minute ride from Charles de Gaulle airport and brings you right to the theme park’s front gate. From the center of Paris, just add on a 35-min journey on the RER B line from Gare du Nord north to the airport.
Are there kid-friendly restaurants in Paris?
Yes, you can take your kids out to eat in Paris without getting parent-shamed for them making noise or saying “gross” when they figure out what escargot is. Many cafés (like Petite Forêt), major chains (like Hippopotamus), and mom-and-pops (like Loulou) welcome families to dine together.
How many days in Paris is enough with kids?
As with any family vacation with little ones, their age and your patience will extend or shorten the trip. If you plan one big activity per day for little ones under 10, you can see a lot in three days without getting stressed. You can stay between 5 and 10 days to see and do it all, but no matter how old the kids are, week-long vacations are taxing so be sure to schedule downtime eating baguettes and cheese in one of Paris’ many green jardins.
Where are the best places to stay in Paris with kids?
Five-star parents deserve five-star treatment that spoils their kids, too, so our luxury pick for places to stay in Paris with kids is Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel. The ‘Rosebuds’ amenities include everything from video games to cribs. Les Jardins de la Villa is lighter on the wallet, though you’ll surely spend those savings by taking advantage of their babysitting service arrangements. Ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Batignolles is our budget pick that’s close to the metro and beside a park with a playground.
Image Credit: Getty Images, rhkamen. Image Location: Jardin du Dragon, La Villette, Paris
A Paris itinerary with kids of different ages
Whether you’ve got rugrats in Paris or are taking the high schoolers on one last family vacation, add these metro stops to your Paris itinerary.
Jardin du Dragon
Closest metro station: Porte de la Villette
Look for the colorful dragon flying overhead and you’ll find a sprawling park with a playground suitable for up to 13 year olds.
Catacombs of Paris
Closest metro station: Saint-Jacques
Millions of skeletons deep beneath the streets of Paris—just the “hardcore” experience your teen wants to go back home and brag to their friends about.
Image Credit: Getty Images, stockcam. Image Location: Catacombs, Paris
Paris Sewer Museum
Closest metro station: Alma-Marceau
If the catacombs are a bit too spooky for the little ones, a visit into the Paris Sewer Museum is free for kids under 18 and is a quirky attraction where your tween can make all the poop jokes they want.
Jardin d'Acclimatation
Closest metro station: Les Sablons
A fantastic amusement park not far from the Arc de Triomphe and Foundation Louis Vuitton—a great alternative for families not visiting Disneyland Paris.
Paris Zoological Park
Closest metro station: Porte Dorée
Over 3,000 animals await in this sprawling city zoo that’s free for kids under 3 and relatively cheap for the rest of your herd.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Stephane Debove. Image Location: Promenade Plantée, Paris
Promenade Plantée
Closest metro station: Bastille
If you’re going to repurpose a railway line this is how you do it: this open-air footpath takes you above the streets of Paris and gives your little runners a safe space to tire themselves out.
Rugrats on the rails
Before you jet off to France, download the Trainline app to conveniently store train tickets for your whole family. Queue up kids movies set in Paris that you can stream thanks to free on-board Wi-Fi. Lucky enough to be in Paris over the holiday season? Check out our article on Christmas in Paris for kid-friendly ice rinks and Christmas markets.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Jean-Luc Ichard. Image Location: Eiffel Tower, Paris