Travel with Kids: Things To Do in Paris, France With Kids

Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie

Address 112, rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris France Map, Tel + 33 (0)1 53 43 43 00 Call, Website

This luxurious spa is known for its innovative treatments and La Prarie facials. There's even a kids room, "les amis d'Hippolyte," where kids age 4 and above may play at no extra charge while parents enjoy their treatment. Children under 4 are welcome too, but they must be supervised by a spouse or babysitter. more

Centre Pompidou

Address Place Georges Pompidou, 75004 Paris France Map, Tel +33 (0)1 44 78 12 33 Call, 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 more

Cirque d'Hiver

Address 110 rue Amelot, Paris Map, Tel 011-33-1-47-00-2881 Call, Metro Line 8 "Filles du Calvaire" or Line 9 & 5 "Republique", Tickets Available Online begin at 25 Euro Website

Live out every romantic image you have of an old-fashioned circus complete with acrobatics, a flying trapeze and horseback riding. The Bouglioune family have run a circus in this old-fashioned coliseum since the 1930's more

Eiffel Tower

Address Tour Eiffel, Champ de Mars, 75007 Paris France Map, Tel 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 23 Call, 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., Tickets Timed entry tickets are available for advance purchase 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. more

La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

Address 30, ave Corentin Cariou. 75019 Paris, France Map, Tel 33 (0)1 40 05 70 00 Call, 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. more

La Maison Angelina

Address 226 Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France Map, Location Across from the Tuilleries Website

Best hot chocolate ever .... Think melted chocolate bar with whipped cream. It is called l'Acricain. Terrific desserts and pretty good food too. It deffinitely a tourist destination,, but Parisians go there too. It has been around since 1903, for good reason. more

Luxembourg Gardens

Address Jardin du Luxembourg 75006 Paris France Map, 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. more

Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum)

Address 62, rue de Lille, 75007 Paris Map, Tel 62, rue de Lille 75343 Paris Cedex 07 Call, Website

The Orsay Museum can be a surprisingly fun place to visit with kids. Have a child who loves ballerinas? Hightail it to the Degas exhibit. Toddlers tend to love sculptures, and the second floor sculpture exhibits are no exception (they're also less hushed than the rest of the museum). Kids also tend to enjoy the miniature stage sets that are part of the Opera Garnier models on the bottom floor. more

Musee de l'Orangerie

Address Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris France Map, Tel + 33 (0)1 44 77 80 07 Call, 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). Best of all, they'll be able to run in the Tuileries Garden and playground before or after your visit. Lines can be long, we recommend buying tickets in advance. more

Musee des Arts Decoratifs

Address 107, rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris France Map, Tel +33 (0)1 44 55 59 26 Call, 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. more

Musée du Louvre

Address 99, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris France Map, Tel 01 40 20 51 51 Call, 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 or stop to refuel in one of the cafes, your kids will thank you, and you will earn a little extra museum time. more

Museum of Magic

Address 11, rue saint Paul, 75004, PARIS Map, Tel 011-33-1-42-72-1326 Call, Reservations Not necessary, but may be made online, Cost Adults 9 Euro, 3-12 7 Euro Website

Admission to this small magic museum includes a short magic show. The museum exhibits themselves are also interesting, especially the section devoted to illusions more

Paris Sewer Tour

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

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 city's 1300-plus miles of sewers. This tour is not suitable for young children who might have difficulty keeping their hands to themselves. more

Relais Christine

Address 3 Rue Christine, 75006 Paris, France Map, Tel +33 01 40 51 60 80 Call, Website

Located in the heart of St. Germain des Pres, Relais Christine is tucked away on a quiet street. This gem is an ideal Left Bank home-base surrounded by charming cafes, restaurants, and shops; it has easy access to Right Bank attractions as well since it is only a block from the Seine. Fantastic walking and exploring opportunities are endless in this neighborhood. A true boutique hotel - the atmosphere is warm, intimate, and inviting with an honor bar in the main lounge area. The decor is high-end but comfortable; there are a few room configurations that work for families including some units that open up to a private, grassy garden. more

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, but can also be booked through your hotel upon arrival. Here are some things to consider when booking a Seine River Cruise: more

Activities in Paris