Paris can seem like a daunting city to visit with kids – we all know the cliches of chic fine dining establishments and hushed art galleries. But with gorgeous vintage carousels, unique parks, delicious buttery croissants and kid-friendly museums dotting the city, Paris is actually a wonderful city for families to visit!
There are a couple things that make the city especially great for family trips. For starters, the city of Paris is actually quite small, meaning you can cover a lot of territory by simply walking. Paris is also pretty affordable for a big city – most cultural activities will be free for kids under 18, and local boulangeries will offer plenty of healthy, inexpensive and quick meal options. Throw in some iconic monuments that kids will be excited to visit, and you’ll have yourself a family vacation full of memories that you will cherish for years to come.
Read on to see where to stay to get the most out of your family trip to Paris.
The 7 Best Kid-Friendly Areas To Stay In Paris
1. 1st Arrondissement
The 1st arrondissement happens to be the smallest and least populated arrondissement in Paris, but it still packs a major punch thanks to its central location and regal surroundings. From this neighborhood, you’ll be a stone’s throw from the Louvre and Orangerie museums, and the photogenic Palais Royal gardens. Bring some sketch books and colored pencils, and let kids document their way through the art collections and gardens!
The Tuileries gardens will be your temporary backyard – don’t miss the renting tiny sailboats from Les Petits Bateaux and jumping on the outdoor trampolines! Visit the wonderful toy store, Si Tu Veux, which is hidden in the gorgeous covered passageway Galerie Vivienne, and enjoy a thick hot chocolate at Angelina.
Kid & Coe pick: The Rue Saint Honore Residence
2. 2nd Arrondissement
Calling all foodie families – this central Paris neighborhood is for you! By staying around the walking street Rue Montorgueil, you’ll be surrounded by delights for the senses. Don’t miss Stohrer, Paris’ oldest pastry shop from 1730, or crepes at Breizh crepes. Feeling daring? Try the famous escargot from L’Escargot Montorgueil!
Also not to miss – the gothic Saint Eustache church, an excellent stand-in for Notre Dame while it’s off-limits for restoration, and the parks in the Nelson Mandela square – one is an adventure park for kids 7-11 where no parents are allowed! The Paris Lego store is also a fun stop – you can see mini versions of all the big Paris monuments!
Kid & Coe pick: The Leopold Bellan Residence
3. Le Marais
The centrally located Marais area is comprised of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, and great for families looking to be in the middle of the bustling city! This neighborhood is particularly fun with teens, thanks to its trendy boutiques and cafes.
Visit the painfully cute Bontemps La Pâtisserie where you can enjoy a pastry and hot drink in their adorable courtyard, and then head across the street to the fun park Square du Temple – Elie Wiesel.
You’ll love the Kids’ Gallery at the Pompidou modern art museum (technically right on the edge of the Marais) – this space consistently has wonderful interactive exhibits for kids, and the unique tube escalators are always a hit! The rooftop of the museum boasts a magnificent view over Paris as well as an upscale yet still kid-friendly cafe / restaurant. The best news is that this museum is only a ten minute walk to the famous Rue des Rosiers, where you can grab some delicious fresh falafels (don’t worry, there are chicken nuggets and french fries if needed for the less adventurous visitors!).
Kid & Coe pick: The Rue Du Roi De Sicile Residence
4. Saint Germain des Pres
The Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood is the quintessential Paris neighborhood and our top pick for where to stay. It combines charming streets, authentic restaurants and quaint shops, and also happens to be a stone’s throw from the iconic Luxembourg Gardens (an absolute must for any trip to Paris). Don’t miss a perfectly layered croissant from the La Maison d’Isabelle bakery, or a stop in The Red Balloon children’s bookstore for a sweet Paris-themed souvenir.
Inside the Luxembourg Gardens, don’t miss the Ludo Jardin playground, Paris’ oldest carousel, the iconic wooden sailboat rental in the center of the park, or the pony rides – you can easily spend a half day wandering this gorgeous park. Beware – many of the kids’ activities are open Wednesday afternoons and weekends, when French children are not in school.
Kid & Coe pick: The Rue du Dragon Residence
5. Eiffel Tower area
For the best views of the Eiffel Tower, consider staying in the chic 7th arrondissement. We love the area around the Rue Cler – this charming market street is chock full of culinary delights, where you can shop like a local at the boulangerie, fromagerie and patisserie while gathering ingredients for a picnic in front of the Iron Lady.
Don’t miss an ice cream cone at Amorino, where they thinly scoop ice cream to form a delicate rose-shape, or the photogenic double-decker carousel right behind the Eiffel Tower!
This neighborhood is especially fun if you want to catch the Eiffel Tower at night fall – kids will love getting to stay up a bit late to see the tower sparkling!
Kid & Coe pick: The Avenue Octave Greard Residence
6. Les Batignolles area
The Batignolles area of Paris is definitely off the beaten path, and great for families who are looking for more space or a more laid back vibe, or have an extended stay in Paris. This neighborhood is full of young local families, trendy boutiques and great food. Go shopping at the adorable boutique Les Petits Raffineurs and people watch at the coffee shop Dose.
Stroll through the charming Batignolles park, and visit the modern sprawling Martin Luther King park (there is a rare splash pad for summer months, and a sparkling water fountain!).
Kid & Coe pick: The Rue de Douai Residence
7. Montmartre
Montmartre is a wonderful neighborhood if you are looking for an artistic vibe in a village-like setting. Annexed to the city in 1860, this neighborhood has retained much of its countryside charm thanks to its winding cobblestone streets, windmills and hidden squares. The neighborhood happens to be on a hill, so there are some amazing views of the city too!
Don’t miss the iconic Sacre Coeur church, and the Place du Tertre where you’ll see today’s artists out working. Purchase an affordable watercolor of Paris – there is no sweeter souvenir!
Warning – this neighborhood is best with kids who no longer need a stroller – the hill is covered with steep flights of stairs. There is a funicular to access the top of the hill.
Kid & Coe pick: The Rue Simart Residence
Booking Your Paris Family Vacation
As you can see, Paris offers something for everyone, whether you are coming for a quick trip with trendy teens or looking for an immersive experience into art and culture for little ones.
The most popular times to visit Paris are at Christmas and in Spring, so you’ll find the accommodation rates are at their highest during these periods.
Summer holidays are also a great time to visit: you can explore the outdoor areas of the city with a lower risk of rain. You’ll also find more family homes available in the summer months, when local residents are traveling elsewhere for school holidays.
Choose where to stay in Paris with kids by picking your favourite neighborhood from our selection of family-friendly vacation homes all over the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
We can only answer this question with a resounding YES! Thanks to its compact size, affordable activities and recognizable monuments, we think Paris is an excellent choice for families. Try to read some books like the Madeline series or Paris Pop Up, or watch Ratatouille or Leap to get kids’ excited – they will be delighted to recognize monuments as they explore!
We recommend a minimum of 5 days in Paris to see the city’s museums, parks, and test as many bakeries as possible! That said, you could squeeze in the highlights in a quick long weekend, or stay for a month and not cover everything!
All of the neighborhoods listed above are safe, as is the city of Paris itself. Like in any big city, beware of your surroundings and belongings of course. Mobile phones and wallets can easily disappear if you aren’t careful! The good news is you won’t even know they are gone – the pickpockets are that sneaky!
Wherever you choose to stay in Paris with kids, you’ll find the metro transport fast and efficient, so it’s easy to get around to see all the sights.
A native Texan, enthusiastic helper, maman of two, bargain hunter, lover of art history and good eats, Zoë has called Paris home for over a decade and is a Paris family guide and travel planner. Tours with Zoë focus on major monuments and history, but also on daily life in France, French culture, street art, boutiques and specialty food shops… All the little details that make visiting a new area intriguing and fun! Best of all, tours are 100% adapted to all ages, even your petite ones.
Follow @the.petit.guide on Instagram and Facebook for tons of Paris tips, or reach out at thepetitguide@gmail.com for travel planning or tour info!
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