Paris vacation with toddler
Paris is a beautiful country, and it has been a popular tourist destination for centuries. The country has a rich history, great food and wine, and wonderful cities to explore.
The climate in Paris can be described as temperate. This means that it has an average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night. It also has four seasons: summer (June to August), fall (September to November), winter (December to March), and spring (April to May).
Many people visit Paris’s many famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. If you’re looking for some fun things to do during your trip, consider taking a tour of one of these landmarks with your friends!
Paris vacation with toddler
Louvre Museum
In 1546 the Louvre was initially built on the former grounds of a 12th Century fortress as the residence of King Francis I, a great collector of art. Centuries later the majority of his collection would be turned into a museum, first opened to the public in 1793.
The newest addition to the structure is the beautiful, unmistakable glass pyramid. Construction was finished in 1989, and it now serves as the entrance to the museum.
Apart from Francis’ hoard, most of the exhibits post-French Revolution were from the royals or confiscated from the church. There are also works that the French Army looted from regions they’d conquered during the Napoleonic Wars.
This is the second largest museum in the world, and it’s divided into 3 sections; Richelieu, Sully, and Denon wings.
This monster museum has over 35,000 pieces of art in its collection. The 3 wings are each divided into over 70 rooms where art objects and paintings are showcased. You’ll also see beautiful sculptures on display in the museum’s huge halls.
One of the oldest artworks at the museum is the Ain Ghazal, found in Amman, Jordan, and is suspected to be around 9,000 years old.
Easily the most famous exhibits include Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, Les Noces de Cana by Paolo Veronese, and the Venus de Milo statue among many, many more. After all, it is the second-largest museum on Earth.
This is a great day out for kids and families looking to see some of the most famous artworks ever created.
The Pavillons of Bercy – Museum of Fairground Arts
The Pavillons of Bercy – Museum of Fairgrounds Art is housed in old wine cellars built by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel from the Paris’ Bercy era. It covers just over 3.7 acres.
The museum is divided into 4 main sections: the Theatre of Marvels (Theatre du Merveilleux), Vegetal outdoor area (Theater de Verdure), Venetian Rooms (Salons Venitiens), and of course, the Museum of Fairground Arts (Musee des Arts Forains).
This is a private museum and while it is open all year round, you need to book in advance for a visit. Trust me, its worth every penny.
The guides provide captivating tours that will take you out of time, have you witness a show by an old automaton, and even ride a vintage carousel.
All the spaces at the museum are open for rental in case you want to hold a private event there.
Entrance charges for individuals are adults (€16), children under the age of 12 years (€8) and kids under 4 years of age get in free!
Most tours are in French but English speakers get an English leaflet explaining the exhibits. If you book a visit during the summer, English language tours are offered.
The museum is only a short 4-min walk from the Cour Saint-Emilion station and a 9-min walk if you are coming from the Dugommier Metro station.
Sacré-Cœur
The construction of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica started in 1875 and finished in 1914, but would not see use until its consecration in 1919.
It represents both a cultural and political monument representing France’s penance after losing the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.
Sacre-Coeur was designed by architect Paul Abadie who defeated other 77 architects in the competition for the contract to design the Sacré-Cœur catholic church.
At 725 feet (298.5 ft for the towers and 426.5 ft for the Montmartre hill that the church is built on,) it’s second only to the Eiffel Tower in height – and probably tied for second in terms of Paris’ most recognizable landmarks.
Sacre-Coeur is adorned with 4 instantly recognizable domes and has a form of a Greek-style crucifix.
Its design was inspired by the Byzantine and Romanesque architectures, and the Saint-Front de Périgueux cathedral.
The white stone used to build the church has a very unique quality in that it is capable of cleaning itself.
When rain falls on the stone, it creates a chemical reaction, causing the stone to produce calcite. This substance cleans the stones leaving the building looking cleaner every time it rains.
This is a great place to visit with kids just to see their jaws drop at the sight of this gleaming white monster. The Sacré-Cœur church is free to visit though you won’t be allowed to enter the chapels.
To get to Sacre-Coeur, you take the Paris metro including the line 2 metro, and alight at Anvers and then walk the rest of the way, you could also take a bus if you don’t feel like walking (buses 30,31,80, and 85).
During a family trip, the journey may be a little tour to get to Montmarte. If you need some support consider one of the many Paris tours that make stops at the top of the hill.
Paris Zoological Park
President Albert Lebrun inaugurated the Paris Zoological Park on June 2nd, 1934. The very next day, its doors were opened to the public.
It’s the largest zoo in Paris stretching across 36 acres, and divided into 5 biozones; Patagonia, Europe, Amazon-Guyana, Madagascar, and Sahel-Sudan.
The zoo has over 2,000 animals from 180 species residing there, including jaguars, penguins, manatees, and zebras.
The park is one highlight of the city and should be on your itinerary when you are touring the city. The Paris Zoological Park is one of the most child-friendly places in all of Paris. There are activities for kids of all ages. For wee ones aged 5 years and below, they can enjoy the Animo-Mimes and the hair or scales game.
Children aged 6 –12 years can participate in one of 4 teams solving Park Puzzles, and the Crime Scene at the Zoo, using clues to find the identity of a naughty animal that has eaten park supplies!
Older children get to learn all about biodiversity in the game The A-Z of Biodiversity – it’s surprisingly engaging.
For when you or your kids get hungry, there are picnic areas, 2 on-site restaurants, and fast food stalls. When the day is done head over to the souvenir shop for some spoils.
For visitors living with disabilities, the park is designed to provide ease of access throughout. There are also rental wheelchairs for those who might need them on-site.
Wood of Vincennes
The 2359.3-acre woods are the 2nd largest in Paris after the Bois de Boulogne. It is located on the 12th arrondissement edge, east of Paris.
For nature lovers, it’s a wonderful location to explore with your family on foot, by bicycle, or by boat on the lakes.
There are many points of interest scattered across the wood of Vincennes. Its most notable monument is the Chateau de Vincennes, a towering example of medieval military architecture which is open daily.
The castle was built in 1336 by King Philip VI, and work would continue under several rulers until it was finished; Jean II (1319-1364) and Charles V (1338-1380).
The Chateau is a former hunting lodge that was used as a royal residence before being changed into a state prison. It not only offers great views of Paris, but it’s also a great source of information on the history of the city of Paris.
The Wood of Vincennes offers a lot of suitable and fun activities for kids such as pony rides, boat hire, and cycling. You can tour Lake Daumesnil which has 2 islands (Bercy and Reuilly) which are connected by a bridge.
To get to the wood you can easily find the entrance to the park which is marked by the unmissable Golden Gate. The nearest metro station is also known as the Golden Gate and is not far from the actual gate.
Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes was created by Dr. Guy de la Brosse and Dr. Jean Heroard in the 17th century as a medicinal garden for royalty.
It is home to the oldest zoo in Paris, the Natural History Museum, and the Paris Botanical School.
In the 18th century, the garden was converted into a museum and research center. it’s on a 75-acre piece of land and is at the high point of the 5th Arrondissement.
It has grounds for jogging, relaxing, and exploring with your kids, make sure it’s part of your itinerary when you visit the city!
The Alpine Garden has over 3000 species of plants from all over the world. The rose garden has hundreds of rose trees and bushes. There is an Australian greenhouse and a Mexican greenhouse, they are all parts of the History Museum.
Go and find the monument that was erected to honor the director of Gobelins dye factory, Michel Eugene Chervel, the scientist whose work on the color spectrum led to the rise of impressionist art, and he also invented margarine!
Admission into Jardin des Plantes will cost you a fee of 6 euros for adult and 4 euros all for others. You can get to Jardin des Plantes via subway (line 7, 10min), taxi (3 min), bus (line 67, 10 min) or on foot (25 min) from the city center.
Jardin d’Acclimatation
The Jardin d’Acclimatation was opened by Empress Eugenie and Napoleon III on the 6th of October 1860.
It is a 47-acre amusement park located at Bois de Boulogne in Paris and was originally called the Jardin Zoologique d’Acclimatation.
Here’s a great place for kids to go wild or for the family to kick back and chill. The park is home to lush greenery and offers perfect spots for picnics, there are also relaxing lounge areas and a couple of restaurants where you can take a break.
The Park has a lot of activities that you and your kids can participate in such as the flying chairs ride, a small animal petting zoo, play mini-golf, and the nearby children’s museum where they can play antique games.
Entry to the park will only cost you €5.20 for adults and kids over the age of 3 years. You will need a ticket for every attraction you want to visit. However, you could opt for the day pass at €35 per head and let your young ones knock themselves out with rides.
The Park is easily accessible from the city center via the Les Sablons metro station (line 1). From the station, you only have to walk a short distance to get to the park.
There’s a narrow-gauge train that is used for transporting guests into the park from the entrance, perfect for getting young kids in the mood. All aboard!
Place du Trocadero
The 10,000 square meter Place du Trocadero was a garden made for the World’s Fair hosted in Paris in 1937. It’s located opposite another World’s Fair creation; the Eiffel Tower, across the Seine, in Paris.
The garden is covered by immaculate lawns and trees and offers a magnificent view of the “Iron Lady”.
Remember to bring your camera or even your phone for a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background. This park is the spot where most of the pictures for Eiffel Tower postcards are taken from!
The Warsaw Fountain has 20 water cannons that offer a spectacular water display to visitors. This display is especially cool at night and during summer evenings.
Next, you should take your kids to the nearby Paris Aquarium where they can enjoy watching the 15,000 water creatures from over 500 species swim and frolic.
The lessons imparted here will help your kids better understand sea life and the part they can play in their protection.
Other attractions at the Place du Trocadero include the sculptures such as L’homme and La Femme and the gilded bronze animals.
Entrance at the park is free and you can visit at any time of the day all year round.
You can easily get there by use of the metro (lines 6 & 9), and if you are at Eiffel Tower, you can just get the ferry and cross the river.
Arc de Triomphe
Say bonjour to the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris!
The Arc de Triomphe (Arch of Triumph) was designed by the French architect Jean Chalgrin and was built between 1806 and 1836 in Paris, France.
A truly spectacular destination to see and a global landmark.
Emperor Napoleon I, commissioned the monument, which was inspired by Neoclassical ancient Roman architecture. Unfortunately for the Little Corporal, he would not live to see its completion.
It was built as a monument for honoring the memory of the lives lost during the Napoleonic wars and the French Revolution.
It later became the site for the French Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – the body of a French soldier, killed during World War I, honoring those claimed by war who were never seen nor heard from again, as well as those whose bodies could not be identified.
The Arc de Triomphe is positioned at a central point where it’s surrounded by thoroughfares, monuments, and many buildings.
It stretches from Louvre Museum to the Grande Arche de la Defense. If you want to tour this famous landmark up close, there is a fee of 13 euros for admission but for kids under 18 years and students with a visa, it is free.
Like many museums and attractions in France, unemployed, disabled peoples and their carers and 18-25 years European and permanent residents living outside the EU also get in free.
Activities at the Arc de Triomphe are very child-friendly. There is an elevator that parents with small kids can use to get to the Attic Room.
Here you will find a gift shop where you can grab some souvenirs as you enjoy the videos and display of the arch.
There’s also a place where you can park your stroller and go the rest of the way with the baby carrier if you are traveling with a toddler.
When you are visiting Paris and the Louvre, you need to make sure you take a stroll through Jardin des Tuileries.
Champ de Mars
The Champ de Mars is the sight of the Champ de Mars massacre of republican protesters on 17th of July 1791, during the French Revolution. In the years 1867, 1878, and 1889 it was exhibited at the Universal Exposition.
Originally, the park was a fruit and vegetable farm before a military school was erected nearby. This was fitting since the site was once an ancient Roman Army drilling ground known as Campus Martius. It is from “Martius” that the Champ de Mars gets its name.
It is now utilized for leisure, military parades, parties, and cultural events throughout the year. Huge live music performances are held here in the summer months.
The Champ de Mars is a great place for kids to hang out and have fun and a great place to take a breath after a hard day of exploring Paris.
There are nicely trimmed pavements where you can push your stroller as you enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower. There is a puppet theater young kids will love, a basketball court, 4 different playgrounds dotted around the park, and an antique hand-cranked carousel.
If you are coming from the Eiffel tower, it’s only a 4-minute walk away, when coming from the city center it will take you about 17 minutes by car.
Metiers Art Museum
The building where the Métiers Art Museum is housed was once a monastery. This museum is a great destination to enjoy and idle whilst taking in wonderful works of art.
This Art Museum was founded by Abbot Henri during the technological revolutionary period in 1794 – hence the museum isn’t just an art gallery as the name might suggest, but home to tons of exhibits based on science and technology. Its doors were first opened to the public in 1802.
It’s one of the oldest art museums in all Europe, as well as containing over 80,000 objects (2,500 of which are on display) and 15,000 drawings.
The museum’s galleries are divided into seven major schools: Scientific Instruments, Materials, Energy, Mechanics, Construction, Communication, and Transportation.
It is a great choice for a family that has an interest in the history of engineering, science, invention, and technological development.
It is set away from all that traffic in the more touristy bits of Paris making it a great place to visit with your kids, with a little less stress involved.
Start your trip at the Arts and Métiers Metro Station, located underground. It’s decorated with tubes of copper and huge gears which sets the mood for the rest of the tour.
Among many technological marvels is the first plane to fly across the English Channel, the Blériot XI. You can also get a look at the Statue of Liberty’s original designs.
Then there’s the marvelous Foucault Pendulum, which was formerly attached to St-Martin de Champs’ priory church, a huge device from the 19th Century that demonstrated Earth’s rotation.