Things to do with kids in Paris

Things to do with kids in Paris

1. Eat11th arrondissement

   Caffe Panem

   Pasta and bruschetta featured in this small family-run café that serves good and cheap coffee (90 cents for an espresso cup), croissants and great home made sweets such as tiramisu (standard and with chestnut purée). Evenings feature pasta and toasted bruschetta.

   Closed · opens 8:30 am tomorrow·€8-20

2. See12th arrondissement

   Jardin Yitzhak Rabin

   Nestled in the centre of the Parc Bercy (below) is a lovely, and truly peaceful, garden with several waterworks and other high-quality landscape-art pieces. If you are one of the many people visiting the 12th on business it would be well worth an hour of your time between meetings and dinner to explore the mound, the fountain, and the bridges, and to watch children play in complete peace, much like the peace to which the garden's namesake dedicated his life.

3. See5th arrondissement

   Jardin des Plantes

   The Paris Botanical Garden, founded as the royal medicinal garden in 1626 by King Louis XIII's doctor, contains over 10,000 species. The grounds also include a small zoo known as La Ménagerie, and the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, which includes the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution (where you can see thousands of naturalized animals from all over the world) and the Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée (same thing, but with skeletons).

   daily summer 07:30 - 20:00, winter 8:00 - 17:30·free

4. Drink13th arrondissement

   La Dame de Canton

   La Guinguette Pirate

   Known for years as the Guinguette Pirate, this Chinese junk has been rechristened with her maiden name. The restaurant and bookings are still the same, with equal parts world music, chanson français and concerts for kids.

   daily 19:00–00:00

5. See14th arrondissement

   Les Catacombes de Paris

   Catacombs of Paris

   One of the most eye-popping sights of Paris, the catacombs represent a network of labyrinthine tunnels, first excavated in the Roman period, that now house the remains of over 6 million burials removed here from the various overcrowded cemeteries and charnel houses all over Paris in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Well worth a visit: the atmosphere is suitably morbid and gloomy (without being too scary), the dark tunnels containing neatly stacked piles of skulls and long bones. There is a limit to the number of visitors allowed within the Catacombs at one time (200 persons). So, if you arrive just after opening, you must wait until someone exits, approximately 45–60 minutes, before anyone is admitted. Steep stairwell on the exit of the catacombs. Can be challenging for the elderly or the unfit. Tickets can be purchased online which allows you pick a date & time and to skip the long line.

   Tue-Sun 09:45-20:30; last admission 19:30; closed Mon and public holidays·Adults (audioguide incl.): EUR 31, Reduced rate (audioguide incl.): EUR 25, Children (8 to 17 yo): EUR 15; Adults (same day “last minute”): EUR 15, Reduced rate (same day “last minute”): EUR 13, Children (under 18): free; Audioguide: EUR 5

6. Do8th arrondissement

   Lido de Paris

   Le Lido

   The most famous cabaret celebrates spectacle revues. Children ages 4 and older are welcome. Casual elegant dress code. Coat and tie appreciated. Shorts, athletic clothing and tennis shoes are not allowed.

   Daily, 09:00-02:00

7. See7th arrondissement

   Musée Rodin

   A museum dedicated to the life and work of the great sculptor. The house contains an extensive collection, which is unusually well presented in a spacious building with big windows that are open in nice weather, which makes this museum double pleasant.

   Tue-Sun: museum: 10:00-17:45, park: till 18:00; ticket office: till 17:15. Closed Mon·Admission €5, with discount €3, garden only €1, family ticket €10 (2 adults+1 child, museum+garden), visitors under 18 free

8. See1st arrondissement

   Musée en Herbe

   The little brother of the original Musée en Herbe in the Bois de Boulogne, this museum is also geared to children. They have games and hands-on exhibits, so you won't have to supervise quite as closely as in other museums. Arts workshops are available as well, but you'll need to reserve a space in advance.

   Daily 10:00-19:00·€4 for the exhibitions, €8 for the workshops

9. See12th arrondissement

   Palais de la Porte Dorée

   Housed in an amazing Art Deco building, purpose-built for the 1931 Colonial Exhibition, featuring an elaborate frieze across the front facade that depicts the achievement of French overseas territories. It houses an Aquarium and an Immigration Museum. The aquarium can be seen in about an hour and is popular with families with small children.

10. Do10th arrondissement

    Palais des Glaces

    Grand palace with two theatres, the Palais des Glaces (Palace of Mirrors) features two shows, often two comics, simultaneously, and sometimes shows for children.

    Mon-Sat, 11:00-18:30

11. See6th arrondissement

    Palais du Luxembourg

    Visitable only by reservation and then only one Saturday every month. A richly decorated palace built for Marie de Medici in the early 17th century, which is now the French Senate. For those interested in seeing a Parisian monument normally unavailable to the public, or for those interested in the inner workings of the French Government. The large Luxembourg Garden is open to the public year-round. The garden is home to the Medici fountain, a children's playground, and vintage toy boats for hire that children push around in the Grand Bassin duck pond (a 90-year tradition).

    Closed · opens 10:03 am tomorrow·free

12. See14th arrondissement

    Parc Montsouris

    Considered one of the most colourful Parisian parks, a local favourite, the Parc Montsouris was opened in 1878, having been designed by Alphand for Baron Haussmann. A large man-made lake and waterfalls are surrounded by long stretches of gently sloping lawns. Bronze statues are to be found studding the grounds, amongst the 1,400 trees, including such exotic varieties as the giant sequoia and the ginkgo. The park is featured in the film Cléo de 5 à 7. It is popular among families (there are two playground areas for children) and students.

13. See12th arrondissement

    Picpus Cemetery

    Cimetière de Picpus

    A must for anyone interested in the history of the American Revolution. This small cemetery includes three mass graves from the French Revolution, plus a section that includes many of France's most noble families that lost members during the French Revolution and consequently have a continuing right to be buried there. In the farthest right hand corner is the tomb of General Lafayette, the friend and fellow soldier of George Washington. Beside him is his beloved wife plus other members of her family, the de Noailles, who were almost completely wiped out during the French Revolution because of their closeness to the Court. Since 1834 the American flag has apparently flown continuously over his grave, even during the German occupation of Paris during World War II. Well worthy of a visit.

    Tue-Sat 14:30

14. Buy11th arrondissement

    Puzzle Michèle Wilson

    Hand-made wooden puzzles, games, brain teasers and original playing cards by a French artisan featuring jigsaw puzzles for adults and children since 1975.

    Tue-Sat 10:00-19:00

15. Buy5th arrondissement

    l'Epée de Bois

    The name of the store and the street it's on both translate to the "wooden sword", and you find those here along with any number of wooden toys for children ages 1 to 10. They also have books and games.

    Mon 13:30-19:30; Tue-Sat 10:30-19:30; Sun 11:00-13:30

16. Eat7th arrondissement Not mapped

    Le Voltaire

    Le Voltaire has always been tres chic and with customers like Helene Rochas and the Rothschild family, you know you are dining with the right set. Peaceful wood paneling and lighting that flatters, it is an intimate and romantic setting, where newcomers feel that they belong to an exclusive club. Be sure to dine upon the tenderloin in pepper sauce.

17. See

    Cité des sciences et de l’industrie - La Villette

    Science museum primarily for children.

18. Eat6th arrondissement Not mapped

    Padova

    Good and big Italian food in this family-style restaurant.

    Tue-Sat 11:00-14:00 and 19:00-23:00

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Paris (CC BY-SA 4.0).