Whether you want to visit, explore, learn while having fun, get outdoors ... and whatever the age of your children, Paris has bags of activities for the whole family. Here are our top 5 reasons to take a family break in the French capital!
© Emmanuel Eyrignoux
Paris has a wealth of architecture that can be discovered in a fun and original way: storytelling tours, costumed walks, behind-the-scenes tours of emblematic places of the capital such as the Bastille opera house, the Stade de France, the Philharmonie de Paris or escape games such as Inside Opéra at the Palais Garnier or Murder Party at the Conciergerie. There's something for everyone!
Thrill-seekers can fly for real with hot air ballooning at André Citroen Park, you won't be disappointed.
The Grévin Museum, home to more than 200 true-to-life famous people, is the place to meet your favourite celebrities!
Fancy a musical outing with the kids? Why not try a music festival? Those that take place during the summer are outdoors and are one of the highlights of the season. With some festivals offering special sections for children and concerts designed for kids such as Jazz à La Villette for kids or Kidlapallooza, festivals now welcome families!
Kids and grown-ups can soak up culture in museums in a playful and original way on theatrical tours, and themed tours at the Louvre Museum or the Centre Pompidou, the Musée de l'Homme or the Musée d'Orsay. Applications such as ‘Allen enquête au Musée de l'Homme’ (in French. Available soon in English) also offer a different approach to the greatest works in the history of art. As for the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie and the Palais de la Découverte, they reveal the secrets of science and technology to children.
Theme parks like Disneyland® Paris, Parc Astérix, the Jardin d’Acclimatation and the Ile de Robinson immerse kids and adults in another world where there are thrilling rides and other fun activities to enjoy. Funfairs are synonymous with summer in Paris and popular with everyone! Pirate boat and flying chairs, duck fishing and rifle shooting, candy floss and toffee apples, big wheel, ghost train, bumping cars ... are all an opportunity for the whole family to have lots of fun at the Foire du Trône or the Fête des Tuileries.
A trip to the zoo or an aquarium to discover animals appeals to young and old alike. The Parc Zoologique de Paris, the Ménagerie in the Jardin des Plantes, and the Aquarium de Paris together house a myriad of living animal species, while the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution - Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle fascinates visitors with its parade of more than 7,000 stuffed animals. Alongside the big Parisian zoos and aquariums, Malowe Nature offers an immersive encounter with animals in the great outdoors, ideal for all the family.
Paris’s major monuments, theme parks and many cultural attractions have a reduced-price entrance fee for children and advantageous offers for families. National museums and monuments in Paris and the Ile-de-France are free for young French people and Europeans under the age of 26. Finally, Parisian transport is free for children aged under 4 and at a reduced rate for children aged under 10 and large families.
Other great ideas for families are creative workshops organized by the capital's various cultural and artistic centres, most of which are free or at very affordable rates. A great opportunity to put yourself into the shoes of the greatest artists by learning to paint, sculpt or draw in museums, get an introduction to music making at the Philharmonie de Paris or photography at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie.
When the sun shines, you can enjoy Paris with your feet in the water at Paris Plages, the summer event that transforms the capital into a real seaside resort! The Villette water sports centre, Aquaboulevard and several sailing centres offer sailing, kayaking, stand up paddle, water skiing, etc. The islands (with water sport centres) of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Val de Seine, Jablines-Annet and Cergy-Pontoise are also easily accessible by public transport.
Finding a green spot in Paris is easy. The capital is full of parks and gardens. Many of them are equipped with large playgrounds, merry-go-rounds and water jets for children to have fun while parents take a rest.
For families with little kids, a bus tour aboard a double-decker bus with Opentour by Cityvision and Big Bus Paris are a great way of seeing the sights. There are several tours to choose from, with commentary in a dozen languages. Don't hesitate to get off at one of the stops on your trip to finish your tour on foot, take a gourmet break or visit a monument!
Getting around Paris on foot allows you to fully enjoy the city and discover all its many facets. Strolling around the streets of Paris with an expert on a guided tour is an excellent way of learning all the secrets of the capital and viewing it from an unusual angle.
There's no better way to soak up the atmosphere of a neighbourhood than to amble around it at your own pace. To discover the Paris of the Parisians, far from tourist attractions, choose the outlying districts. For example, let yourself be tempted by one of the walks in the 14th arrondissement.
To discover the finest monuments in the capital, the best walk takes you along the Seine. The famous Bateaux-Mouches offer cruises taking in major landmarks, Les Vedettes de Paris offer themed cruises for children. Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf offer a night cruise ... You're spoilt for choice!
To discover an authentic and charming side of Paris, opt for the Canal Saint-Martin and its impressive locks, the Canal de l'Ourcq and its lively banks, the Marne and its famous guinguettes ... These excursions are offered by different companies, such as Canauxrama or Paris Canal.
Special events, workshops and fun activities outdoors with the family, in Parisian parks and gardens.
