Paris is an amazing place to take kids of all ages, but the key to enjoying 3 days in Paris with kids (or really any length of time) is to plan ahead, not overbook yourself and to make sure that you allow for plenty of downtime for your kids to run and play in one of Paris’s beautiful gardens and parks. When planning your trip, it is best to remember that you will not be able to see and do everything that Paris has to offer, so pick a few must-see places and then leave the rest of your time available to explore the city at your family’s leisure.

 

3 Days in Paris with Kids: Arrival in Paris

The first lesson and probably one of the most important lessons we learned from our Paris trip was to not book any excursions on the day you fly in. A multitude of things can happen that are out of your control (delayed flights, lost luggage, awful traffic, transportation strikes, etc.) In order to start your trip off on a stress-free note, give your family time to get settle and if you are up for it, take a walk around the city and enjoy the sights and sounds of Paris. 

With that being said, we hadn’t quite learned that lesson yet! We arrived in Paris mid-afternoon. Our flight was delayed getting in and the airport was crazy. It took much longer than we expected to gather our luggage and purchase our Navigo Decouverte pass. (The Navigo Decouverte pass is available to tourist and can be used for the RER train to get you into the city as well as for the public transportation system during your stay. ) Once we were on the train we realized it would take almost an hour to get into downtown Paris and from there we would have to take a bus or cab/uber to our Airbnb.

The airline delays and unexpected transportation delays were enough to cause stress; however, we also had a looming deadline for a late afternoon tour that added to the pressure of getting to our Air BnB by a set time. Luckily for us, we booked our Seine River Boat Cruise and Eiffel Tower excursion through Viator (a TripAdvisor company). We relayed our delays to them and our guide reassured us that our Airbnb was close to the pier for the riverboat cruise and we could meet them there. Needless to say, they helped take the stress out of our afternoon and the rest of our night was amazing!

Tip #1:

For more information on the Navigo Decouverte pass, transportation around Paris, as well as, recommendations on where to stay in Paris, check out my Ultimate Guide to Visiting Paris with Kids.

 

SEINE RIVER CRUISE

A cruise on the Seine River is a great way to see many of the highlights of Paris from a different perspective, plus most kids love boats! There are a variety of river cruises that can be booked from a sightseeing cruise, to a cruise with lunch or dinner and drinks, to a combo tour that takes you on the cruise and then to other attractions. If you are looking for something mellow to do the first day you arrive in Paris, this is definitely an option! It was the perfect way to start our Paris adventures and our daughter, like most kids, loved being on the boat!

THE EIFFEL TOWER

We booked a night tour for the Eiffel Tower through Viator in combination with the above-mentioned river cruise on the Seine. Due to the sun setting late during the summer, we were able to see the sunset over Paris, as well as, the Eiffel Tower light show (it starts at 10 pm and runs once an hour every hour). The light show does make for a very late night for little ones, but our daughter was beyond amazed with it. While some families would prefer to take in the Eiffel Tower from the ground and enjoy the park around it, we did enjoy going up into the tower and using the binoculars on the viewing platform to look out over the city.

Tip #2:

If you have time before or after your Eiffel Tower tour, make sure to check out the park and the Eiffel Tower Carousel. Your kids will enjoy the break and you will have the opportunity to grab several classic Paris photos with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Tip#3:

Leave your stroller at home. It’s a short walk from the river cruise to the Eiffel Tower. Your kids will have fun running along the piers and enjoying the gardens around the Eiffel Tower and you will enjoy not having to hassle/keep up with a stroller for this little adventure.

 

3 Days in Paris with Kids: Day 1

 

PALACE OF VERSAILLES

The Palace is an amazing site to behold and is something you definitely do not want to miss! Although we were tempted to do a full day tour we knew that our daughter would have no patience for that. We opted for a skip-the-line guided half day tour with pick-up from our Airbnb through Viator. Viator was on time and they provided our daughter a car seat, as well as, headsets for all tour participants so that you could easily hear the guide even if you were not standing near them.

Our daughter’s favorite part of the Palace of Versailles was the gardens, as she was able to run and play and the weather outside was beautiful! After we wrapped up at the gardens we ate lunch at a local restaurant near where our driver was going to meet us to take us back to our Airbnb. We loved seeing the Palace and grounds and can’t wait to go back to see more of it.

Tip #4:

On certain days a train will run from Paris out to the Palace of Versailles (easiest and cheapest way to get to the Palace)  and on certain days they have water fountain and musical garden shows. Unfortunately, the way our scheduled work, neither of those were available on the day we went. Nevertheless, we still enjoy the tour and the gardens. The Palace and grounds are huge so don’t expect to be able to see everything even if you do a full day tour. If your kids are older and especially if they are interested in history, take the time to find a tour of the most important places that you want to see on the Palace grounds.

Tip #5:

The Palace of Versailles does have stroller parking. You are not allowed to take the stroller inside the Palace; however, you are allowed to take it into the gardens. If you think your kids may be worn out by the Palace tour or if you think your child might need a place to sit prior to the tour beginning, feel free to bring a stroller. 

 

PICNIC IN THE PARK OR ALONG THE SEINE RIVER

After a long day of sightseeing (and maybe a nap), there is nothing better to do than a relaxing picnic dinner along the Seine River walkway, in the Champ de Mars,  or dinner in one of the many parks that Paris has to offer. It’s a quintessential Parisian thing to do and now we understand why. It gives you a way to get away from the hecticness of the city while still being in the middle of the city.

Tip #6:

It is perfectly ok to sit in a park or along the Seine River and openly drink a glass of wine as long as you are well behaved. The rules and enforcement surrounding public drinking in the parks are muddy at best. If you are respectful, the officers will leave you alone. So grab a glass of wine and snack on cheese or fruit while watching the kids run and enjoy themselves. Before you head to one of the picnic spots, stop at your local patisserie or boulangerie for fresh bread and a local Fromagerie for cheese or stop at the local market. If you don’t feel like shopping take advantage of one of the many food stands/carts along the parks and enjoy crepes and desserts until your heart is content.

 

3 Days in Paris with Kids: Day 2

 

LUXEMBOURG GARDENS AND PLAYGROUND

These lovely gardens and playground located in the 6th arrondissement are not to be missed! We spent hours at this park enjoying the music of a local orchestra and taking in the beauty and peacefulness of the gardens and the grounds of the Luxembourg Palace. There are small sailboats available to rent (for a couple of Euros) that kids can sail on the Grand Basin in the center of the park. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed this and was only able to be lured away by the promise of time at the playground within the Luxembourg Gardens. 

The playground within the Luxembourg Gardens is thought to be one of the best playgrounds in Paris. It does have a small entrance fee and the playground is fenced with several play structures for all ages. Directly outside the playground are a puppet theatre (Les Marrionettes du Luxembourg) and carousel where the kids can play jeu de bagues, a game where they try to spear rings onto a metal stick.  On weekends, Wednesdays, and during the summer, the park has pony rides and carriage rides.

Tip #7:

For a fun afternoon, bring a picnic or take advantage of the small food and crepe stands and enjoy lunch in the shade of the trees or lounge in the sun.

 

THE LOUVRE MUSEUM GROUNDS

The Louvre is undoubtedly a Paris must-see but we knew our daughter would not have the patience to deal with large crowds and spend hours looking at paintings. Instead of spending hours within the Louvre we choose to walk the grounds to see the amazing architecture and fountains. 

Tip #8:

If you are set on seeing the Louvre look into kid-friendly tours that give you the highlights and let your kids engage and interact with the tour guide. 

Tip #9:

Strollers are allowed. Walking sticks, folding stools, strollers, baby carriers, and wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge from the visitor assistance area (located beneath the Pyramid).

 

JARDIN DE TUILERIES

The Tuileries Gardens can be found adjacent to the Louvre. While not as amazing as the Luxembourg Gardens, it is still a fun place to spend time (and the playground here is free). It’s also close to Angelina on Rue de Rivoli, that is said to have some of the best hot chocolate and desserts in Paris. We personally thought the hot chocolate was like drinking fudge, but our daughter loved it! The desserts were great though! If nothing else, stop by Angelina and get your hot chocolate and desserts to go so that you can enjoy them why exploring the Tuileries Gardens.

 

ARC DE TRIOMPHE

After visiting the Jardin de Tuileries you can wander over to the Arc de Triomphe. You can safely access the Arc de Triomphe from a pedestrian underpass that goes under the Charles de Gaulle. On the day we visited, a military event was being held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was very crowded so instead of going up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe we decided to just walk around the base (which is free) and move on.

Tip #10:

It is possible to take an elevator up to the viewing terrace if you have mobility issues or very young children; however, to get to the very top be ready to climb a bunch of stairs via a tight spiral staircase (think no strollers, but you can use a baby carrier for little ones). The views at the top are supposed to be amazing and it’s definitely something I want to do next time we go back.

 

3 Days in Paris with Kids: Day 3

 

NOTRE DAME DE PARIS CATHEDRAL AND TOWERS

This is the one attraction that we did not book a skip-the-line tour for and I sincerely regret it. In the summer the lines can be ridiculous (think 3-hour wait to just get inside). Our daughter was not down for that length of wait (especially in the heat without shade) so we ended up not seeing the inside of the cathedral; however, we will definitely be making it a priority on our next visit and will be booking a skip-the-line tour.

We did, however, get to go up into the towers to see the gargoyles and the city from the top of the cathedral towers. In order to reserve a time and not have to wait in line, download the app Duck-the-line. First thing in the morning, look at the available times for the tower tours and book one. The times will be booked up quickly so don’t wait until midday in order to choose an afternoon time. Arrive a couple of minutes early and proceed to the left side of the building. They will call your group/time a few minutes before your scheduled time and in you go.

Tip #11:

If you go up the towers, be ready to climb a lot of stairs and keep in mind there are not a lot of places to rest on your way up or down. Our daughter did well heading up and climbed about 80% of the stairs; however, after that she was exhausted, meaning my husband carried her the majority of the way down.

Tip #12:

Outside of the Notre Dame Cathedral, in the plaza, you are very likely to find a man feeding the pigeons. If you are willing, he will teach you how to feed the birds so that they will land on you and fly around you. Our daughter loved it, but we did make her wash her hands directly after as some pigeons can transmit diseases.

 

SACRE COEUR BASILICA

This beautiful basilica is perched up on a hill with sweeping views of Paris. At the base of the hill, you will find kids playing on a carousel (cost a couple of Euros) and a playground (along Pl. Saint-Pierre to the East of the Funicular). You will also find people enjoying Nutella crepes or for wine and a meal, jump across to the restaurant across the street. 

If you are up for the climb or your kids have the energy to burn, you can climb the roughly 200 steps to the basilica entrance. If you would rather avoid the climb in its entirety, you can take the Montmartre funicular. We somehow missed the fact that there was a funicular until after we had made the climb. We can definitely say we climbed those steps and we got to enjoy the views of Paris in the process! Make sure to bring water as the hike up can be hot in the summer! Once you get to the top, don’t be discouraged by the line, as it goes very quickly. Entrance is free, but they do ask for a small donation as you enter. Once you get inside you will be enamored with the beautiful stain glass, artwork, and statues.

Tip #13:

Guided tours are not allowed in the basilica; however, the basilica offers a free audio tour that you can download on your phone in advance. If you still have energy left from climbing the stairs up to the basilica, you can climb the stairs up to the dome. Access to the Dome is located outside the Basilica on the left. Note, its 300 steps to climb to the top of the dome and there is no lift!

 

MONTMARTRE

This artsy and fun neighborhood is set in the 18th arrondissement. Its main attractions are the Sacre Coeur Basicila and Moulin Rouge (absolutely worth going to a show if you can get a night out sans kids); however, this neighborhood has so much more to offer than a brief stop at the main attractions. Upon leaving the basilica you can wind your way through the neighborhood and side streets. There you will find artist shops, bakeries, small restaurants, and beautiful views. Make sure to take time to peruse the work done by local artists at the Place du Tertre. There you can buy paintings and illustrations directly from the artist (vs. a tourist shop) and even have your portrait made.

Tip #14:

The majority of the streets and sidewalks are cobblestone, so keep that in mind if you plan on bringing a stroller. If your family is interested in the history of Montmartre, there are plenty of walking tours that you can sign-up for in advance. We choose to forgo the tours and explored Montmartre on our own. Our self-guided adventure ended with a glass of wine at an outdoor restaurant and then dessert from a local bakery that we took to a secluded garden to enjoy. Yum!

 

We hope you love your time in Paris as much as we did! For more information on visiting Paris with kids, make sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to Visiting Paris with Kids. It will give you guidance and tips on everything from places to stay, transportation around Paris, and what to eat. Additionally, it will give you information on other things to see and do in Paris, as well as, much more!