Visiting Paris with the family: 20 ideas for discovering the capital with children

This article is about Paris in the “family tourism” version. This will include subjects that may interest you like which museums, which districts, and which monuments to discover with the children?

20 ideas for enjoying Paris with family:

●      The Louver Museum

A long visit to the Louvre Museum in the most touristy alleys dedicated to Italian painting or French painting would be a bit sporty with the children! At the Louvre, choose a very small section and only spend an hour there.

Children like the part of Egypt, the Primitive Arts, the Islamic Arts, and then Bonaparte’s apartments. In any case, to avoid the long queues at the entrance to the museum, enter through the Porte des Lions.

Finally, if you are looking for a fun activity to discover this great museum with your family, you can opt for a treasure hunt in the Louver with a state guide.

●      The Museum of Hunting and Nature in the Marais

The Museum of Hunting and Nature is located in the heart of the Marais, a district that should not be missed when visiting Paris for the first time.

In the museum, take advantage of the setting of a magnificent private mansion and discover paintings, stuffed animals, weapons, and decorative objects.

Not far away is the Picasso Museum, absolutely stunning! So chaining two museums sometimes is not suitable for all children so you should choose according to your preference. At the Picasso Museum, parents will love the visit and children should also be interested in the visual originality of the artist’s works.

●      The Center Georges Pompidou

At the Center Pompidou, there are often small exhibitions suitable for children. A stone’s throw away, the Stravinsky Fountain created by Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle attracts the attention of children.

And then, taking a few more steps, you will arrive at Bachir, a Lebanese ice cream parlor where the ice creams are delicious, especially those with pistachio.

●      The Musée des Arts et Métiers

You will really like the Musée des Arts et Métiers located in the heart of Paris which brings together all the inventions and trades through time. Do not miss Foucault’s pendulum or the first planes.

Before, it was possible to have brunch in the Café des Techniques located in the museum, but the latter has been closed for almost a year. Therefore, Join the Gaîté Lyrique (5 minutes walk) where you can have lunch or brunch in a very pretty setting.

Also, do not hesitate to look at the programming of the Gaîté Lyrique because there are often exhibitions adapted to young audiences. This place is dedicated to digital arts and contemporary music.

●      Le Ballon at Parc André Citroën

Of course, the famous viewpoints over Paris are not lacking! The top of the Eiffel Tower, the roof of the Arc de Triomphe, and the terrace of the Sacré Cœur are undoubtedly the most famous!

Take off in a balloon to Parc André Citroën for the pleasure of children and for very beautiful views of the Capital.

There are rarely many people but the balloon does not always take off because very favorable weather conditions are needed.

●      The Jardin des Plantes and its museums

When the weather is nice and especially in spring or summer, the Jardin des Plantes is a very pleasant place for a family outing.

The Garden is free but you can take tickets to visit the Grandes Serres or the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution. Recently, it is the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology that you will rediscover.

●      A boat-bus tour

This is a great classic that allows you to see Paris from the Seine. As a family, the advantage is that the children do not get tired.

If you don’t want to embark on a whole cruise, you can just take the water bus using your metro tickets. Along the way, you can greet Notre-Dame-de-Paris.

●      The Louis Vuitton Foundation

Are your children asking you for rides and playgrounds? Then head to the Jardin de l’acclimatation on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne.

For parents, the interest is to start with the Louis Vuitton Foundation. The entrance to the museum gives access to the Jardin de l’Acclimatation. Consult the exhibition program.

●      The Nissim de Camondo Museum and the Parc Monceau

Here is a museum that is not touristy and yet so interesting! You will discover the interior of a very beautiful mansion.

The visit is not very long and then you can move on to Parc Monceau to let the children run and play or even have a picnic in the summer.

●      The Tuileries

The Jardin des Tuileries is very pleasant to cross after a visit to the Louver. Heading towards the Place de la Concorde you will find the Big Wheel.

Not for very long it seems. But a ride on the wheel offers pretty views and the children like it.

●      Montmartre and the Sacré Cœur

If your children don’t like to walk in town when it’s flat, then in Montmartre, they will be delighted as it is steep!

At the top, in front of the Sacré Cœur church, the effort is rewarded by a very beautiful view of Paris. And on the way down there is a merry-go-round if needed.

For young budding artists, it’s always nice to watch the artists who draw portraits on the Place du Tertre.

●      The Parc des Buttes Chaumont

It has a lot of charm. Very hilly. Ideal for a picnic or a break at Rosa Bonheur where the guinguette spirit reigns.

●      The Canal Saint-Martin

So adults will appreciate the charm of the Canal Saint-Martin which will remind you of certain scenes from the film Amélie Poulain. All along the canal, you can find the best vacation apartments for rent in Paris .

Continuing to follow the water, you arrive at the Canal de l’Ourcq where in summer you can take a short trip in an electric boat and enjoy the terraces on the quay.

●      Les Colonnes Buren

So the columns of Buren are located in a small square behind the Comédie Française. It’s not a big space, climb the smallest columns that give some pretty pictures.

Nearby, you can have lunch in the Japanese quarter (a big bowl of noodles!) and if the program is worth it, then don’t miss the Musée en Herbe dedicated to exhibitions for children.

●      The Quai Branly Museum

The kids love the part about Oceania and Africa. Nearby, you can stroll along the banks of the Seine or reach the Eiffel Tower.

●      The Palais de la Découverte

Firstly, it is dedicated to children and secondly, it allows you to have lunch on the terrace of a very pleasant cafeteria when there is no crowd.

Finally, the Grand Palais is sublime so if the exhibition of the moment can please your children then go for it! The interior is monumental.

●      The Porte Dorée aquarium and the Parc Floral

This is just east of Paris. The Porte Dorée Aquarium is worth a visit for its architecture, its low price, and its fish of course!

Not far away, weather permitting, head to the Parc Floral. The ideal is at the time of jazz concerts in the summer.

Conclusion.

Have you enjoyed this first great stroll through all of Paris? To get around, the metro and buses are very practical for children. Just make sure to avoid peak hours! And about line 14 of the metro, the one without a driver. Your children will love to visit by car and enjoy the rails and the tunnels through the front window.

 

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