Paris with children - the 20 top highlights for families

Paris with children - selected tips

Paris has many highlights in store for children. Wondering what to do in Paris with kids? Here is an overview of the top activities for families.

Most of the places worth seeing in France's capital are also suitable for a visit with children. Click here for more tips: Paris sights

The Eiffel Tower is the landmark of Paris and the top sightseeing attraction - even children are impressed by the building.

• Eiffel Tower and Seine river cruise

• Tour Montparnasse viewpoint

• Disneyland

• Palace of Versailles

• Louvre with Mona Lisa

• Berges de Seine Park

• Parc Zoologique de Paris

• Treasure hunt through Montmartre

• Champs Élysée

• Catacombs of Paris

• Stade de France stadium tour

• Grévin Wax Museum

• France Miniature

• Chocolate Museum

• SEA Life Paris

• Jardin d'Acclimatation

• Café des Chats (Cat Café)

• Grande Galerie de L'Evolution

• L'Atelier des Lumières

• Parc Astérix

Tip: To explore Paris with its many great sights at the lowest possible price, we recommend the Paris Explorer Pass from Go City

Cool activities for families in Paris:

1. Eiffel Tower and Seine River Cruise

If you're visiting Paris with children, the view of the 324-meter-high Eiffel Tower is a must. The city's landmark will thrill the kiddies.

If you want to take the kids up to the top of the tower, you'll need a ticket. For the ascent, you have the choice between stairs and a lift to take you to the top.

A nice way to end a day in Paris with the kids is to take a boat trip on the Seine. During the river trip, you and the kids can sit back and enjoy the great view of Paris from the water.

If you want to visit the Eiffel Tower and take a boat trip on the Seine, it's best to buy a combined ticket for both activities.

For tips on how to save money when visiting the Eiffel Tower, click here: Paris Eiffel Tower

2. viewpoint Tour Montparnasse

View over Paris

The Tour Montparnasse is an office building over 200 metres high with a roof terrace. From here you have a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Paris skyline and the Eiffel Tower. It's especially beautiful here in the evening at sunset.

Tip: Download the free Magnicity app for your visit. The app has lots of interesting stories and facts about Paris. This way you can tell the kids even more exciting facts.

3 Disneyland

A visit to Disneyland is also a must in Paris with children. Here you can meet the popular characters from the Disney films together with the kids, and the many rides provide fun and thrills.

Disneyland offers highlights for all ages. The very young will be thrilled by "Alice's Curious Maze", "Dumbo" or the "Flying Carpet". Older children dare to ride the roller coasters.

Various events take place at Disneyland throughout the year. If you're going to Paris with the kids for Christmas, don't miss the Christmas parade.

You can plan a whole day for the theme park to make the trip worthwhile. If you want to spend more time at Disneyland with the kids, book into one of the in-house hotels. That way, you're only a stone's throw away from all the park's exciting attractions.

Tip: Travelling by train from the centre of Paris takes just over half an hour, and Disneyland even has its own train station.

4 Versailles Palace

Versailles Palace near Paris is one of the most famous palaces in the world.

Wondering if a visit to Versailles Palace is worth it with kids? Or whether the excursion will test the little ones' patience?

Versailles is located just outside the city centre, so if you're visiting Paris with children, you can plan half a day or even a whole day for this trip.

It's best to book a combined ticket for the palace and the gardens, the kids will love the fountain show. Together you'll explore the state rooms, the famous Hall of Mirrors and Marie Antoinette's private estate.

You'll learn about the French monarchy and King Louis. In the gardens, the children can move around safely as they please, passing impressive fountains and sculptures.

5 Louvre with Mona Lisa

The glass pyramid was built between 1985 and 1989 and serves as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum.

A visit to the Louvre is also worthwhile when exploring Paris with children. Visits to museums don't have to be boring if they are well planned. The family-friendly audio guide guarantees that the kiddies won't get bored in the world's largest museum.

The best place to start is the most famous work in the Louvre - the Mona Lisa.

The Mona Lisa is the most famous work in the Louvre. Accordingly, it is always crowded in front of the inconspicuous painting.

Our recommendation: Choose one or more suitable areas from the museum information sheet that you would like to see beforehand. The exhibition is so huge that even after a few days you haven't seen all the works of art. This is, of course, utopian, especially with children.

6 Park Berges de Seine

If your kids still don't know what to do with their excess energy, then head for the Berges de Seine Park. Here the little ones can run and run until they're tired. How about a walk and a family picnic along the way?

A visit to the park is a great balance to sightseeing in Paris with children.

A visit to the Berges de Seine Park is one of the free activities for families in Paris and is easy on the wallet. Berges de Seine, as the name suggests, is located right on the famous Parisian river and has several playgrounds.

7 Parc Zoologique de Paris

At the Paris Zoo - there is a lot to see here, photo: depositphotos encrier

In good weather or bad, the zoo in Paris is one of the best places to visit with children. Yes, you read that right! Even when it's raining, we recommend a visit to the Parc Zoologique de Paris. Many animals like to cool down and are more active than usual.

Tip: If it does get too wet for the kids, retreat to the "Tropical Greenhouse" or the "Europe Vivarium"; it's also dry in the giraffe house.

The Paris Zoo is huge, with around 3,000 animals living in an area of 14 hectares. Highlights include the sea lions, jaguars and the many animals normally at home in the tropical rainforest.

8 Treasure Hunt through Montmartre

We stroll through the narrow streets of Montmartre in the evening.

Now it gets mysterious. You and the kids go on an exciting treasure hunt through Montmartre. For two hours, you will immerse yourself in the bohemian atmosphere of the famous Parisian district, always following in the footsteps of famous personalities such as Dali or Picasso.

At the beginning of the treasure hunt, the kids receive a booklet with questions and riddles to answer along the way. So the tour around the impressive Sacre Coeur is sure to be a successful family outing in Paris with children.

9 Champs Élysée

The Champs-Élysées is world famous. To be honest, however, the street itself is not particularly beautiful. Still, it's exciting to thumb your nose at the shop windows of the luxury shops

The Champs Élysée in Paris is home to the luxury boutiques of world-famous brands. It is one of the most famous streets in the world. At first glance, this doesn't sound like a place you should visit in Paris with children.

But: there are one or two shops for the kids here. Take a look around the Disney Store or visit L'Atelier Renault. There you can look at the latest car models together.

Tip: The Champs Élysée is a great place to window shop in Paris with kids, even if you don't want to buy anything.

10. catacombs Paris

The catacombs of Paris are a spooky place to visit.

Another top highlight for Paris with kids is the catacombs. Creepy factor is guaranteed here. The "underground" of Paris is one of the destinations for older kids or teenagers who are brave enough. Accessible is an approximately two-kilometre-long area of tunnels and galleries.

We recommend using the audio guide. During your walk through the Parisian underworld, it will share with you the exciting history of the underground labyrinth and provide you with lots of useful information.

11. stadium tour at the Stade de France

The Stade de France is very impressive, photo: depositphotos yorgy67

A behind-the-scenes tour of the Stade de France will get the kids buzzing if they're into football. The Stade de France is France's largest football stadium and many major championships have been played here.

The little ones will explore the changing room, the private boxes and walk onto the pitch through the tunnel that is usually reserved for the players. In the stadium museum, you and the kids can learn more about its history and outstanding events of the past.

12th Grévin Wax Museum

Ladies' man Johnny Depp as a wax figure - it's fun to take photos and selfies with the actors and stars - Photo: Ramin Shirazi

On Boulevard Montmartre, you and the kids can admire the wax figures on display at the Musée Grévin. You should plan at least 1.5 hours for the tour, maybe a little more.

In the wax museum you will meet famous sportswomen and sportsmen, celebrities from film and television and historical characters. There are more than 200 exhibits to see.

13 France Miniature

The miniature park France Miniature is absolutely worth seeing, photo: depositphotos packshot

Just outside Paris is the miniature park France Miniature. At the amusement park, you and the kids can look at replicas of famous buildings and landmarks.

These include the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles and the Stade de France. There's no shortage of fun and games either, and the kids will be thrilled by the numerous rides.

Good to know: For most of the rides, a height of more than 100 centimetres is required.

14 Chocolate Museum

Your kids will love a visit to the Chocolate Museum.

Your kids have a sweet tooth? Then make sure you plan a visit to the Chocolate Museum when you're in Paris with the kids. Here they can sample the delicacies at length.

On the tour through the exhibition, you and the little ones will learn interesting facts about the history of chocolate and how it is made.

During a workshop with a Parisian chocolatier, you can delve even deeper into the secrets of chocolate production and even make your own chocolate.

15 SEA Life Paris

What else is there to do in Paris with children when it rains ? One of the most popular destinations for families is SEA Life Paris, where you can dive into a beautiful underwater world with the kids.

Equipped with an "Adventure Kit", the kiddies learn interesting facts about the creatures living in the huge aquariums as little SEA LIFE rangers. Penguins, turtles and tropical fish await visitors young and old at SEA Life Paris.

A special highlight is the marine tunnel, where you walk through the exhibition surrounded by water.

Tip: SEA Life is located just outside Paris city centre in the huge Val D'Europe shopping centre. If the weather is bad, you can pass the time with a stroll here afterwards.

One thing is important to us: we distance ourselves from so-called animal shows and from seeing animals in captivity. It's up to you to decide whether to take your children to Sea Life Paris.

16 Jardin d'Acclimatation

If you're visiting Paris with kids and your little ones need a break from sightseeing, head to the Jardin d'Acclimatation. The park has playgrounds, climbing equipment and merry-go-rounds waiting to be explored.

In mild weather, head to the water playground or take a stroll through the themed gardens. The roller coasters promise action and thrills.

Tip: At the Jardin d'Acclimatation, you can either buy a day ticket for all attractions or pay for individual rides. This way you can personalise the visit for your kids, which is also easy on the wallet.

17 Café de Chats - Cat Café

At Café de Chats you share a seat with one of the many cats. The café offers a family-friendly menu and a child-friendly atmosphere. In addition to typical French dishes, you can also order a burger or a portion of pasta for the kids.

Always in good company with the cats, of course. A visit is well worth it. You can take a breather, put your feet up and let the kids cuddle the cats.

18 Grande Galerie de L'Evolution

Another top tip for Paris with children is a visit to the exhibition in the Grande Galerie de L'Evolution. On several floors, your tour of the evolution museum will take you past a huge collection of objects from all over the world.

Games, puzzles and tablets invite the kids to participate interactively and convey the historical content in a playful way.

19 L'Atelier des Lumières

The same goes for the art exhibition at L'Atelier des Lumières. If you're in Paris with children, make sure you visit this place. Hundreds of projectors cast light and shadows on the walls to the right music. The spectacle takes place in an industrial hall and gives you the feeling of being immersed in another world.

The exhibition is not recommended for very young children, but kids of primary school age or older or teenagers will be thrilled by the light effects.

20 Parc Astérix

Parc Asterix is very popular with children, photo: Depositphotos BreizhAtao

Our final tip for Paris with kids is to visit Parc Astérix. Here everything revolves around Asterix and Obelix, the two famous Gauls. This is also the motto of the numerous attractions in the amusement park.

Parc Astérix is a great alternative to Disneyland. Rides for all ages and impressive shows await you in six different themed areas.

There are more than 40 stations to explore at Parc Astérix, and you can easily plan half a day or a whole day to keep the little ones entertained.

Hotels in Paris with children

If you're exploring Paris with children, they're sure to fall into bed tired and exhausted. Here are our tips for accommodation in Paris:

• Flats Du Louvre St Honoré (check prices here*): Just 120 from the nearest supermarket, right in the heart of Paris. Just a two-minute walk from metro line 1.

• Citadines Les Halles Paris (check rates here*): Lovingly and beautifully decorated apartments with buffet breakfast and optional childcare.

• PEPPER & PAPER Apartments (check prices here*): Accommodation with free rental bikes and garden with beautiful terrace.

• COQ Hotel Paris (check rates here*): Located in the most popular part of Paris. The Place d'Italie metro station with direct access to the Eiffel Tower and Montparnasse station is a 5-minute walk away.