8 activities to visit Paris with your family

paris en famille

Paris is a city that has everything to please. The capital is appreciated above all for the diversity of its cultural offerings. It must be said that making Paris tourismis to admire several historical sites and monuments, some of which are world-famous, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens or the Grand Palais. It is also interesting to note that the city has many museums that allow the public free access to their permanent collections - a free admission that is valid every day or at certain times of the year, depending on the establishment.

Paris is also the city of shopping and fashion. The City of Light is full of high-end boutiques whose reputation often extends beyond the French borders. One thinks in particular of the many shops on the Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne or in the Marais.

If Paris has been considered for ages as the city of love, it is also a mecca for French gastronomy. The capital abounds in restaurants, bars and cafés, whose terraces delight Parisians and visitors alike on beautiful sunny days. It is also known for its brasseries. Welcoming the public in a warmer setting, these establishments are interesting addresses for a gourmet break during a family walk, for example.

For your next stay in Paris, we have selected ... ideas for activities that will make children happy.

Panoramic view from the top of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most emblematic monuments of Paris. Every year it welcomes some 7 million visitors, most of them foreigners. The visit of the Iron Lady will delight children. As you get higher, you and your family can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the capital. An interesting alternative to admire Paris from above is to climb to the top of the Montparnasse tower. This tower also offers a breathtaking panorama of the city and the Iron Lady.

Rates :

Elevator entrance ticket (to the top)

Stair entrance ticket (to 2e floor)

Escapade on the Seine aboard a bateau-mouche (river boat)

Walking on the Seine is a family activity not to be missed during your stay in Paris. It is one of the good moments you will share with your children. At the same time, it is an original way to discover the city. From the bateau-mouche, you will be able to admire some of the most beautiful monuments of the capital such as the Eiffel Tower or the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The tour can be done during the day or in the evening, all year round. Find out about the various offers (cruise, restaurant cruise, etc.), and book your tickets on Bateaux-mouches.fr.

Rates :

The ride is free for children under 4 years old.

Visit of the Paris zoological park (Vincennes zoo)

The zoo of Vincennes makes the happiness of children as well as adults. The park comprises five biozones: Patagonia, Sahel-Sudan, Europe, Guyana and Madagascar. They extend over 14.5 hectares and are crossed by a 4 km course. This course will allow you to meet penguins or lions, but also monkeys, giraffes ... The Paris Zoological Park has a total of more than a thousand animals, among 125 species. There is an alternative to satisfy children's curiosity: the menagerie of the Plant Gardens, known to house a number of rare species.

Fares vary according to age, but also according to whether the ticket is purchased on site or online :

Admission is free for children under the age of 3.

Great discoveries at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

At La Villette, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie works to disseminate scientific and technical culture. The establishment also intends to reach a young public, including toddlers. It is in this sense that it has set up the Cité des Enfants. This structure extends over 1,700 m2 and includes two dedicated areas. The first welcomes children from 2 to 7 years old and is organized around different thematic spaces; the toddlers learn to discover and experiment, among other things. The second area is for children from 5 to 12 years old. They are offered experiments on different themes such as the body or communication, but also water games, the garden, the factory or the TV studio. The Cité des Enfants allows children to learn while having fun.

Rates :

Full price : 12 € ;

Reduced rate: 9 €.

Stroll in one of the Parisian gardens

The City of Light has many remarkable gardens. Among the green spaces that attract the most visitors are the gardens of the Palais Royal, the Montsouris park, the Villette park or the Buttes Chaumont park. The Jardin des Plantes, the Monceaux park or the André-Citroën park are equally convivial places. The same can be said for the Luxembourg Gardens, where various original attractions delight children. These include a pony or sleigh ride, but also vertiginous swings and wooden merry-go-rounds. The puppet shows are sure to delight the little ones too.

The Philharmonie de Paris and its musical awakening workshops

Renowned for the high quality of its acoustic equipment, the Philharmonie de Paris is mainly devoted to symphonic music, but also to jazz and world music. The public establishment offers musical awakening workshops every Wednesday and Friday. These fun and educational programs are designed for babies from 3 months to 3 years old, and are a great opportunity to discover and appreciate music with the whole family. So take advantage of your Parisian getaway to accompany your children in their first musical steps.

The Philharmonie de Paris also offers family concerts, organized in a playful, educational and participatory setting. The concert is a convivial moment shared with the artist. It is also an opportunity to discover new musical genres (symphonic and lyrical music, contemporary music, world music...).

Getting to know nature better National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History is dedicated to the research and dissemination of scientific naturalist culture. The various galleries provide a better understanding of, among other things, the relationship between nature and the human species. The Parisian establishment also provides relevant information on the evolution of species.

Paris and its street artists

Art is omnipresent in Paris, be it through its monuments, in museums or in the streets. A trip to the capital will allow you to appreciate fascinating works of street-art, but also the talent of street artists such as jugglers, singers or dancers. Among the must-see places of art in Paris, there is above all the Place du Tertre, on the heights of Montmartre. This typically Parisian square, located behind the basilica, is well known for the talent of its designers. It is a joy for children to be drawn or caricatured.

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