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From outdoor activities to cultural discoveries and unusual and immersive experiences, keep your curiosity alive this back-to-school season and embark on some memorable family outings!
To soak up some culture this autumn, pop into the museums to admire the permanent collections or pick your favourite themed exhibitions from the temporary displays.
The Musée en Herbe is a firm favourite with children, and it’s easy to see why: it’s designed especially for them and showcases art in a fun and engaging way. This season, it invites young and old alike to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Pokémon with its exhibition “Admirez-les tous” (Admire Them All), running until 3 January 2027. A fun immersion into the world of these famous creatures.
This season, the Atelier des Lumières offers a poetic journey into the world of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, running until 13 September 2026. Alternating with this until 20 September 2026, visitors will also be invited to explore the ‘Renaissance’ exhibition, which brings to life the paintings of masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo.
Do your children love street art? Take them to the crypt of the Church of La Madeleine to discover over 200 works as part of the free Street Art Madeleine II exhibition from 1 to 11 October 2026.
Reopened in June 2025 following extensive renovation work, the Palais de la Découverte – situated in a wing of the Grand Palais – has launched a new space dedicated to families, the Palais des enfants, which features a fascinating and fun exhibition on the theme of Transparency, running until August 2027!
To keep everyone happy, there’s nothing quite like a family day out at the Musée de l’Illusion or the Paradox Museum Paris, the Musée des Arts Forains (by booking only), at the Chocolate Museum, at the Paris Aquarium, or even in the dedicated galleries of major museums such as the Louvre Studio or the family area at the Musée de l’Orangerie, for example. There, they learn whilst having fun and enjoy visiting cultural venues!
For budding scientists, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is a must-visit! This season, it is hosting the ‘Magie’ exhibition, a temporary exhibition combining illusions with explanations of mechanisms and cognitive and scientific biases, running from 13 October 2026 to 1 August 2027, and the ‘Dogs and Cats’ exhibition (extended until 7 March 2027), where children can learn more about their pets! The Val d’Oise Archaeology Museum, located in Guiry-en-Vexin, takes a look back at the time of Clovis, transporting visitors back in time on a fascinating immersive journey until 21 February 2027.
For something a little more original, the Biblis en folie event will be bringing libraries and media centres across Paris and the Île-de-France region to life from 2 to 4 October 2026. Activities, workshops, talks… Keep an eye out for the programme in your neighbourhood!
Over at Bercy Village, Science Expériences invites you to discover an immersive and fun 850 m² exhibition. Part museum, part amusement park, this unique venue lets you discover science in a whole new light!
Young enthusiasts of history, the monarchy, architecture and gilded details… will be in their element in the History Gallery of the Palace of Versailles, which tells the story of how this iconic palace was built, commissioned by Louis XIV, the Sun King!
The Jardin des Plantes is one of Paris’s cultural and natural treasures that never ceases to amaze us. This autumn, the famous garden – home to the National Museum of Natural History – is presenting a new ‘Tropical Autumn’ season, featuring an exhibition dedicated to the treasures and secrets of palm trees in its Grandes Serres from 15 October to 23 November 2026. To mark the Museum’s 400th anniversary, The Grand Gallery of Evolution is presenting a stunning exhibition of 300 works bridging the gap between art and science as part of the ‘Artists at the Museum’ exhibition from 23 September 2026 to 7 March 2027. Amateur historians should note that the Comparative Palaeontology and Anatomy Gallery is closed for renovation until sometime in 2027.
For a truly spectacular experience, head to the Château de Vincennes for the second edition of the Nuits de Lumière from 15 October to 8 November 2026. This immersive night-time tour showcases 15 light installations and monumental projections on this stunning 800-year-old monument. A little earlier in the season, the Paris-Vincennes Hippodrome is organising an unmissable event for fans of magic: the Harry Potter™-themed DroneArt Show on 30 September, 1, 3, 7, 8 & 10 October 2026. 1,200 illuminated drones will bring the story of the famous wizard to life in an unforgettable night-time spectacle.
Aspiring athletes and animal lovers are invited to join in on 20 September 2026 for the Paris Zoo Run. In a zoo still asleep at dawn, young and old alike can take part in 5 or 10 km runs, fun activities for children or a charity walk. It’s an original way to explore the zoo whilst supporting the conservation of the white rhino.
To discover Paris in a whole new light this autumn, set off on a treasure hunt or take part in some unusual tours. And if the weather’s a bit unpredictable, hop on a panoramic bus tour through the city’s streets with Tootbus or Big Bus, along the Seine with Bateaux-Mouches® or les Bateaux Parisiens or by mini train in the Montmartre district.
A must-see for lovers of Paris: the immersive sound and light show Aura. The 50-minute experience takes place beneath the majestic Dôme des Invalides and tells the story of Paris.
The Eiffel Tower is hosting its traditional Autumn Bubble event, featuring an immersive dome, treasure hunts and special Halloween activities.
Vaux-le-Vicomte, Versailles,
Fontainebleau, Rambouillet… Set off to explore the palaces of Île-de-France this autumn on a day trip. Often surrounded by parks and forests, you can combine a visit to the monument with a relaxing stroll in the heart of nature. For example, Fontainebleau offers dog-sled rides as winter approaches, whilst Rambouillet Castle – and its Bergerie Nationale – organises amazing tours for Halloween.
A must-see and memorable outing for families whatever the season, theme parks such as Disneyland® Paris and Parc Astérix get into the Halloween spirit from early October. Thrills and fun guaranteed! As for the Jardin d’Acclimatation, it’s going Korean-style on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 during a festival celebrating ‘K’ culture’: K-pop, K-drama, K-books, K-films, K-TV, K-food, K-beauty, K-fashion, K-tech, K-gaming and K-art, before switching to Mexican time for its Dia de los Muertos festival from 3 October to 1 November 2026.
The cultural programme for the start of the autumn term includes plenty of shows to enjoy with the whole family.
The show Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Illusionist continues to be a highlight at the Théâtre des Variétés from 18 October 2026 to 17 April 2027. Theatre lovers will also be able to introduce their children to some great classics with a fresh twist. ** Cinderella** is reimagined as a manga from 17 October to 27 December 2026 at the Théâtre de la Madeleine in a version directly inspired by Japanese culture, whilst Peter Pan takes flight at Bobino to whisk the whole family away to Neverland from 3 October 2026 to 30 January 2027. Aspiring wizards won’t want to miss Potted Potter, returning to the Théâtre du Gymnase from 17 October 2026. This show, already a cult favourite, takes on the challenge of recounting all seven books of the Harry Potter saga in just 70 minutes, with plenty of humour and even a Quidditch match on stage.
Younger children will also enjoy Knights, Princess and Dragon, at the Théâtre des Mathurins from 26 September 2026 to 30 April 2027, a humorous, interactive adventure that puts a fresh spin on medieval fairy tales. At the À la Folie theatre, The Canterville Ghost, adapted from Oscar Wilde’s story, combines thrills and laughter from 26 August to 1 November 2026.
Why not introduce them to cabaret with Mon Premier Cabaret, conceived by Kamel Ouali? This family-friendly show is returning to the Paradis Latin from 25 October to 30 December 2026.
The start of the new cultural season also marks the return of musicals to the Parisian stage: once again on the bill at the Théâtre Mogador, The Lion King returns from 25 September 2026 to 8 August 2027. A highly anticipated new production is set to open this autumn: Shrek the Musical, which will run at the Folies Bergère in Paris from 2 October 2026 to 17 January 2027. And to experience literary classics in a different light, head to the Théâtre 13e Art from 11 October to 21 December 2025 to see The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, or to the Lucernaire until January 2027 to enjoy a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel ** Oliver Twist**.
Families can also embark on a musical journey with ** Alice in Wonderland** at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, where seventeen musicians and two actors reimagine Lewis Carroll’s world to the rhythms of swing, blues, reggae and mambo.
What would a new cultural season be without a circus show? For example, Cirque Bormann is still staging its show Arbre, whilst the Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione has put together its new show Volte, running from 10 October 2026! Finally, Cirque du Soleil is returning with its new show OVO at the Adidas Arena from 26 to 29 November 2026. Top-class productions!
Opt for something different! Paris has tons of amazing places, fun experiences and unusual outings to enjoy with kids.
Escape games, a cruise on the Seine, street art or an offbeat tour… Find plenty of ideas to surprise all the family for your next outings.
