Tips for Visiting Paris with Kids (After 6 Trips!)
People tend to say that visiting Paris with kids is a bad idea, often portraying it as quite unfriendly to kids, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Paris can be one of the most wonderful cities to visit with kids. Yes, really.
There’s an abundance of things to do with little ones of all ages, and the reason we always come back with ours. We’ve visited Paris with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and now school-aged kids, as we live in France, in the city of Annecy, so Paris is a train ride away.
Is Paris a Good Place for Kids?
There are plenty of kid-friendly activities, from parks and playgrounds to museums and attractions. The city is very walkable, so you won’t have to worry about renting a car, and taking public transportation is also an option and can be fun too.
The food, the culture, the breathtaking sites that I once thought were just for a romantic getaway, I was wrong! Paris is a city for all, and I’m so glad we took the plunge and brought our kids along too. Paris has a little something for everyone in the family!
There are a few things that I advise you to do when planning a family trip to Paris, as it can make or break your trip!
1. Prebook Your Transportation from/to Airport
Many will tell you to just take a train as it’s faster and convenient. I can’t disagree that it might be faster during the rush hour, but I suggest opting against it for a few reasons.
First of all, it’s very rare to have a hotel or apartment rental right by the RER station, which means that you might need to switch trains on the way. That’s not a problem technically, but considering that almost no metro station has elevators, you will be dragging your suitcases up and down the stairs, and with the kids, it can be extra difficult.
Secondly, and most importantly, Paris is a big city, and while it’s relatively safe, pickpocketing is common, especially on the metro. Unfortunately, families with luggage are often targeted as the parents have to manage the kids on top of the luggage, and they’re not going to run after the person. In fact, I was carrying my child and a bag, and that’s how I lost my phone in London a few months ago.
You can grab a taxi from the airport, but they won’t provide car seats (they’re not required, so it’s up to parents), and you might need to wait a while. You can reserve a taxi with a car seat in advance via the G7 taxi app, a car will show up with car seats and you don’t need to bring your own.
2. Store Your Luggage
The vast majority of flights arrive in Paris early in the morning, so naturally, you cannot check in that early. Using Paris luggage storage, you not only have a safe and secure place to store your goods, but also allow you to explore the city and, even more importantly, beat the jetlag.
I always try to hit a playground or do something active, so everyone stays awake and switches to the new time zone (if arriving from the US).
3. Bring a Travel Stroller
Paris is a big city that requires a lot of walking. With long distances in between attractions, or even as mentioned earlier, when changing metro lines, even adults get tired after an entire day. This is why I always recommend a good and lightweight travel stroller, even for older kids.
When kids were smaller, two single strollers were the best for navigating metro and narrow pathways. These days, when the kids are 4 & 6 we bring one stroller and the kids switch when they’re tired of walking.
Don’t attempt to bring a full-size stroller to Paris as there’s simply not enough space on the sidewalk to make it work, and in crowded areas it will be even harder to maneuver. You’ll also need to carry it up and down the stairs on the metro, so trust me,
4. Prebook tickets in advance
If possible, prebook tickets to all attractions in advance. Some places, like the Catacombs, for example, have to be booked in advance while others, like the Arc de Triomphe, can be booked on arrival, but then you will have to wait in line.
With little kids, avoiding lines is a priority. We made the mistake of not prebooking Arc de Triomphe and waited an extra 30 minutes in another line. Note that all kids under 18 are free to most museums and monuments (except the Catacombs again), but most places require you to have the “free child tickets” anyway.
5. Plan for Sundays
Make sure you have all the snacks, diapers, milk, and other random items on a Sunday. Almost all stores close on Sundays at lunchtime. You’ll still be able to get what you need
6. Pack a Noise Machine
One thing to say about Paris is that French buildings have squeaky floors and aren’t always soundproofed. Especially in Paris, you can often hear the neighbours bang around, and during the summer, when windows are open, it might be loud outside.
Pack a noise machine, even if you don’t use it at home, if you want your kids to go to bed at a normal time.
Whether you’re visiting Paris with kids in the winter or summer, there are so many amazing things to do in Paris with kids that you won’t be bored or overwhelmed.
