Paris, France

Paris is suprisingly family friendly. There are wonderful parks and activities for young children all over the city, the streets are flat making it easy to walk with a stroller, and there is great public transportation. While the locals will expect exceptional behavior from kids in restaurants and elsewhere, we have plenty of creative tips for mealtime.

Travel Tips for Paris with Kids, Babies and Toddlers

Emergency Numbers

SAMU (Ambulance): 15
Police: 17
Fire Department: 18
SOS Medecin (doctor house calls): 01 47 07 77 77
SOS English Language (3pm-11pm): 01 46 21 46 46
Children's Emergency: 08 00 05 12 34

Jump to kid-friendly activities, hotels, shopping, restaurants, and hospitals.

Activities

Centre Pompidou

Address Place Georges Pompidou, 75004 Paris France, Tel +33 (0)1 44 78 12 33, Hours daily 11am-10pm, except Tue and May 1, Tickets advance tickets (highly recommended), Notes Junior Pompidou Website ; Pompidou Center organizes movie screening for kids every Wed at 2:30pm Website

The Centre Pompidou houses the National Museum of Modern Art, Children's Gallery, movie theaters, cafes. The building itself, with it's bright colors, exterior escalators, and modern design will fascinate kids, as will the nearby outdoor fountain and the street performers in the plaza in front of the Centre

Eiffel Tower

Address Tour Eiffel, Champ de Mars, 75007 Paris France, Tel 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 23, Cost Children under 3 are free. Kids from 3-11 get a discounted rate. Rates range from 4.50€ to 11.50€ based on how high you want to go, and there is a reduced rate for taking the stairs, Hours every day, making it a good destination for Sundays and holidays. Hours change seasonally. Website

Because it is such a recognizable icon, the Eiffel tower is often a popular destination with kids. Even toddlers will enjoy the tower and the long elevator rides.

La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

Address 30, ave Corentin Cariou. 75019 Paris, France, Tel 33 (0)1 40 05 70 00, Metro Line 7, station "Porte de la Villette", Arron 19th Website

The immense science and modern technology museum has special sections for children called La Cite des Enfants and Techno Cite. There's also an aquarium, a submarine, and a planetarium. The adjacent park (La Villette) has one of the most successful playgrounds in Paris.

Luxembourg Gardens

Address Jardin du Luxembourg 75006 Paris France, Hours depend on the month, opening between 7:30am and 8:15am; closing between 4:45pm and 9:45pm

The Luxembourg Gardens is the largest park in the city. It is also jam packed with activities for kids.

There are daily marionette shows (schedules change frequently, but mostly in the afternoons on weekdays). A classic carousel. A pond where you can float a rented toy boat. Pony rides.

Musee de l'Orangerie

Address Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris France, Tel + 33 (0)1 44 77 80 07, Hours Every day except Tues 12.30-7pm, 9pm on Fridays, Tickets available at FNAC stores or by pre-order on the FNAC Spectales Website Website

The Monet exhibit at the Orangerie is truely immersive, with immense paintings surrounding you on four walls in each of two rooms. This is a great way to help kids understand what Monet was trying to accomplish without dragging them through a huge museum (skip the rest of the collection ...

Musee des Arts Decoratifs

Address 107, rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris France, Tel +33 (0)1 44 55 59 26, Hours Mon-Fri 9am-1pm & 2pm-6pm, Cost Adults 8€, under 18 are free. Website

This recently re-opened museum houses 12,000 vintage toys along with a collection of furnishings, textiles and decorative objects. The education department hosts activities for children, sometimes in English. The gift shop sells reproductions of vintage toys.

Musée du Louvre

Address 99, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris France, Tel 01 40 20 51 51, Hours 9am-6pm every day except Tues; until 10pm on Wed & Fri, Metro Palais-Royal-Musée du Louvre station, Notes Lines can be long, we recommend that you buy Louvre tickets online, Kids Louvre for Kids Website Website

For children, perhaps the most wonderful parts of the Louvre are the foundations of the old château and the Egyptian wing. Start with the one or two sections you can't bear to miss and then head to these standbys. Don't forget to bring some food for snack ...

Paris Sewer Tour

Address 93 Quai d'Orsay, 75007 Paris France, Tel 47.05.10.29, Hours Sat-Wed 11am-5pm, Metro Pont de l'Alma

Older kids (those in the "gross is good stage") might enjoy a tour of the Paris sewage system where they can see (and smell) what happens to refuse in the "City of Light." It is a fascinating process, and the Paris Sewer Museum takes you through 500 yards of the ...

Seine River Cruise

Cheapest Batobus is the least expensive option. The Batobus runs from April to Nov, 10:00am-9:00pm and has eight different stops, making it a reasonable way to get between sites

A cruise down the Seine River is a beautiful way to take in Paris's wonderful architecture. Toddlers will love exploring on a daytime boat ride, while older kids might appreciate a special nighttime dinner cruise. Cruises are best booked ahead to ensure that you get exactly what you want ...

Hotels

Citadines Paris Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Address 53 ter, quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris France, Website

The Citadines Serviced Apartments in paris offer a compromise between the flexibility and services of a hotel and the extra space and amenities of an apartment. Rooms are clean and functional, and while you won't find luxury sheets, you will find amenities like a kitchen and high speed internet ...

France Apartements

Tel 33 (0)1 56 89 31 00, Website

We have used this rental apartment company twice and both times we've been very pleased. France Appartements has locations in many different price ranges, sizes, and neighborhoods. Prices drop for longer stays. When we've needed to make changes, or run into difficulties, the office staff has been helpful ...

Hotel de la Tremoille

Address 14 Rue de la Tremoille, 75008 Paris, France, Tel +33 1 56 52 14 00, Notes Book "double superior" or larger to accommodate a crib, connecting rooms available, children 12 and up are considered adults, babysitting available Website

With 93 completely renovated luxury rooms, many large enough to accommodate a complementary crib (a find in Paris) the Hotel de la Tremoille provides true luxury. The central location is close to shopping and tourist attractions. The hotel also has one of the few restaurants in the city with High ...

Hotel Therese

Address 5/7, rue Thérèse - 75001 Paris France, Tel 33 (0) 1 42 96 10 01, Website

This well located hotel in the 1st (close to the Tuileries) puts you in the center of right bank shopping at a reasonable price! Rooms are large-ish (for Paris). Charming rooms begin at $160/night.

Medical

American Hospital

Address 63 Blvd Victor-Hugo 92202 Neuilly France, Tel 01 46 41 25 25,

If you need emergency care and are most comfortable visiting an English speaking hospital, consider the American Hospital. Located just outside of Paris, this is a private hospital so inquire about insurance and costs.

Hopital Necker (Children's Hospital)

Address 149 Rue de Sevres 75015 Paris France, Tel 01 44 49 40 00, Arron 15th Website

One of the largest Children's hospitals in Paris

Restaurants

Berthillon Ice Cream

Address 31 rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile 75004 Paris France, Tel 01 43 54 31 61, Hours Wed-Sun, Metro Pont Marie, Saint Paul or Cardinal Lemoine Website

Known as the best ice cream in Paris, this is a great place to stop in after a visit to Notre Dame. We highly recommend the excellent Sorbets. If you visit on a day when Berthillon is closed, there are nearby shops serving their ice cream.

Chope D'alsace (LA)

Address 4 Carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006, Paris, Tel 01 43 26 67 76, Hours 7 days, Metro Odeon

This traditional brasserie is casual enough to accommodate kids and is one of the few places in the 6th open for Sunday night dinner.

Georges

Address Centre Pompidou, 6th floor, 19 rue Beaubourg, 75004, Paris France, Tel 01-44-78-47-99, Hours Wed-Mon noon-1am, Metro Rambuteau, Notes reservations recommended, book in advance by fax at +33 (0)1 44 78 48 93 Website

One of our favorite tricks for eating out with the kids is to find an outdoor dining option. There's usually more for the kids to watch and do, often a way for them to get up and move without making everyone around us crazy, and people tolerate a litte ...

Gosselin

Address 258 boulevard Saint-Germain, 75007 Paris France, Tel 01 45 51 53 11, Notes 125, rue Saint-Honore, Paris 1er

Widely known as one of the best bread bakers in Paris (their baguette is award winning). This bakery also has excellent sandwiches prepared to go and beautiful pastry. This location, close to the Orsay museum, is the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch or a bite to eat ...

L'as du Fallafel

Address 34 rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France, Tel (33-1) 48-87-63-60, Hours Noon-Midnight, closed Fri night and Sat, but open Sunday when everything else seems to be closed, Cost Fallafel is about 4€

Fallafel might just be the perfect food, and L'as du Fallafel makes some of the best Fallafel sandwiches I've ever eaten. This is a very casual place with indoor seating & a popular takaway window... perfect for kids.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

Address Rue de Montalembert, 75007 Paris, France, Tel +33 1 42 22 56 56, Hours Mon 12n-3:30am, 11:30am-3:30am; Tue-Sat 11:30am-3:30am; Sun 11:30am-12am, Notes Reservations not accepted Website

Hire a sitter and leave the kids behind. Depending on whether you're the plan-ahead type or like to show up at the last minute & don't mind waiting in line, this restaurant's no-reservations policy is a curse or a blessing. The 37-seat restaurant, where every seat faces the ...

Les Editeurs

Address 4 Carrefour Odeon 75006 Paris France, Tel +33 1 43 26 67 76, Website

This fashionable cafe is the perfect place to see and be seen or to take a break from your Left Bank shopping or on your way to the Luxembourg Gardens. Snag an outdoor table if you can and watch all of fashionable Paris walk by while you rub elbows with ...

Poilane

Address 8 rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris France, Hours 7:15am-8:15pm Mon-Sat Website

Poilane's earthy sourdough loaves can sell for up to $100 each in the US and Canada. Stop by the shop and see what the fuss is about for a lot less money. While you're there, try the apple tarts (the best I've ever tasted) and the raisin ...

Rose Bakery

Address 46 rue des Martyrs 75009 Paris France, Tel 01 42 82 12 80, Hours Tue-Sat 9am-7pm, Notes Lunch only

This wonderful, homey bakery in the 9th serves both baked goods and savory items and often has a line out the door. A great place to stop in if you're exploring the fun Rue des Martyrs area. They're open for lunch only, and serve a small rotating selection ...

Shopping

Bonpoint Fin de Séries (Outlet)

Address 42 Rue de l'Universite, 75006 Paris France, Tel 33-1/40-20-10-55, Notes Flagship store is located at 6 Rue de Tournon, 75006 Paris France, Notes BonTon store at 82, rue de Grenelle has adorably hip clothing for babies and children Website

Bonpoint is expensive no matter how you slice it, but they have a clearance store ("Fin de Serie") at 42 Rue de l'Universite. I got a very nice winter coat there for about $50. Honestly, their kids clothes are better made than my own clothes. I plan to save ...

Chercheminippes Espace Enfant - Kids Consignment

Address 110 Rue du Cherche-midi, 75006 Paris France, Tel 01 42 22 45 23, Hours Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Metro Sevres-Babylone Website

This upscale children's consignment store accepts only the best quality used products, plus past season items. Expect to find brand names like Bonpoint, Burberry, Baby Dior, IKKS, Petit Bateau, Tartine et Chocolate, Kenzo and more at a greatly discounted price. Sizes 0-12 available. Even if you don't buy ...

Du Pareil Au Meme

Address 168, boulevard St Germain, 75006 Paris, Tel 01 46 33 87 85, Notes 120–22 Rue du Faubourg-St.-Antoine (12th Arron) has a full selection of clothing, shoes and baby gear, stocks clothing for ages 0-14 Website

With 27 outlets in Paris alone, you'll have a difficult time not stumbling into a DPAM shop. DPAM focuses on fun and fashionable children's clothing at a reasonable price. We love the baby pajamas that button up the back for around 15e (about half of Petit Bateau prices)

Galleries Lafayette

Address 40, boulevard Haussmann 5009 Paris France, Tel 01 42 82 34 56, Hours Mon-Sat 9:30am-7:30pm; Th night until 9pm, Notes Tourists are eligible for a 10% store discount and 12% Detaxe refund. Bring your passport and ask for details at the information desk Website

Galleries Lafayette has the best one stop shopping for kid stuff. Their fantastic clothing department stocks all the major brands, but it doesn't stop there. They also have an excellent toy store and children's craft department. Best of all, you should be able to get a 10% off ...

Le Château de Ma Mère (Vintage Children's Clothing)

Address 108, Avenue Ledru Rollin, 75011 Paris, France, Tel +33 1 43 14 26 03, Arron 11th

A children's vintage-clothing shop focused on ages 0-6. I cannot think of anything sweeter. Expect to find hand-knit sweaters, classic Baby Dior and more. Prices are not cheap, but you're likely to find something priceless

Monoprix

Address 21, Avenue Opéra, 75001 Paris, France, Tel 01 42 61 78 08, Hours M-F 9am-10pm; Sat 9am-9pm, Location Outlets throught Paris. Check the website for an address close to you. Website

We call this neighborhood department store "French Target" because it has a little bit of everything, including Petit Bateau onesies and sleepers at reasonable prices, cute and well made store label baby and children's clothing, diapers, wipes, baby food and even groceries. This is a great place to stock ...

Petit Bateau

Address 26, rue Vavin, 75006 Paris France, Tel 01.55.42.02.53, Hours Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Website

Petit Bateau is CHEAP in France. The little T-shirts that cost so much here are about $10 each. The PJs are still expensive (about $25), but we love them (they open in the back which makes them easy to put on & easy to check and change the diaper). Note that ...

Rue d'Alésia Outlets

Address 114 Rue d'Alésia, 75014 Paris France, Tel 33-1/45-42-55-04, Notes Alésia line 4, 3min walk, Hours Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-7:30pm, Arron 14th

On this outlet-packed street, the Cacharel Stock (address above) shop is particularly good for childrenswear. Take a walk along this street after your visit, you never know what you'll find!

Rue Vavin

Address 10, Rue Vavin, Paris 75006 Paris France,

Rue Vavin, near the Luxembourg Gardens has more than a dozen children's clothing shops. Nothing here is cheap, but it is all very fashionable. Stores include Catimini, Jacadi, Petit Bateau, Froment LeRoyer Marese and FNAC Junior.

Veronique Delachaux

Address 55 blvd Raspail, 75006 Paris France, Tel 01 42 22 53 30, Notes Check the website for other locations, also stocked at Galleries Lafayette Website

If you're pregnant, we highly recommend a stop into Veronique Delachaux, where they have some of the most fashionable maternity clothing we've seen. Prices are not cheap, but fashionable maternity clothing is so expensive in the US that the prices won't seem out of line