Weekend Trip to Paris as a Whole Family

Paris as a whole family can be easy to plan if you and a great experience for all. We have taken two trips to Paris with our children: once when they were small and once when they were mid-sized. The first trip was one day in Paris with kids and the second was a long weekend in Paris. Both trips were filled with great memories, and it is from these experiences that I have created this Paris itinerary that will have something for everyone in your family!

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Driving to Paris and Parking in Paris

During our first trip to Paris, we thought it would be much easier to take the train to Paris from Meaux, where we were staying. However, we decided to drive and park in Paris since my youngest was getting over a cold. We wanted to have a quick escape if he really started to feel bad again. Luckily for us, he started to feel better during our trip, but parking in Paris was also quite a good experience.

We decided to find a central parking spot and thought that the Saemes Maubert-Lagrange parking garage was easy to find and wasn’t even full when we arrived in the morning of our day in Paris. Located near the Notre Dame Cathedral, this parking lot was easily accessible and made a trip to Paris as a whole family much easier.

Walking Around Paris, Bridges and the River Seine

Even if you only have a few hours in Paris, you can still have a great experience walking around town. We loved crossing the bridges and looking down at the water of the River Seine. My boys loved looking at the boats, and the scenery is just amazing with the beautiful architecture of the buildings.

There was also a very cool looking guy on one of the most interesting bikes I have ever seen! We even let our kids help us navigate whenever we would see bus stops with city map posters.

What to See and Do in Paris as a Whole Family

Hotel de Ville and Tourist Office

When travelling to Paris with kids, it is always hard to predict how interested they will be to see the sights of the town. Luckily, we felt that there were so many different things to see form churches to parks and even the occasional carousel, like the one that happened to be in front of the amazing Hotel de Ville, which was the city hall built in 1357.

Of course, like many buildings in Paris, it had  been damage due to a fire and needed to be restored in 1871. It was still quite a large and impressive building, and since it was so unexpected to find a carousel there, the boys were very excited to give it a try!

Though the carousel isn’t there all the time, you can often find some event during many times over the year It is also where you can get tourist information.

Place de la Concorde and the Fountain of the Seas and Rivers

Another interesting place we found on our self-made, walking tour of Paris was the Place de la Concorde. This square near the edge of Avenue des Champs-Élysées was once known as an execution spot during the French Revolution.

Now, it is a spot surrounded by lots of traffic in central paris. It is a means to get from one place to another , but it also contains the lovely. Fountain of Seas and Rivers. The Fontaines des Mers et des Fleuves (in French) was created in the 1800s and really gives the square some character.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris, France

We were also in the area of Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, which is one of Paris’ three, famous arcs. I also think it is a really cool thing to see in Paris as a whole family. The carriage and horses on the top of the arc give it something to make it extra special.

The boys were also interested in it, and they were actually well-behaved during our first trip. Sometimes, it is hard to find attractions that interest a 7 and 4 year old. This was one of them!

Musée de l’Armée Invalides

One museum that really impressed my husband and children was the Musée de l’Armée Invalides. Started in 1905, this weapon and armory museum has one of the most extensive, military collections with around 500,000 pieces.

These items range from cannons to swords, pistols to suits of armor and much more. My boys loved looking for items that could be used in their favorite game, Minecraft ©, especially those found as far back as the Bronze Age.

I particularly found it interesting to see painted portraits of military officials along side the costumes that they would wear for battle.

This was also the final resting place of Napoleon 1 in the Dôme des Invalides.

This magnificent building was beautifully decorated with paintings on the ceilings and also housed many statues and tombs of important military leaders.

Sainte-Chapelle

The highlight on my Paris bucket list was the Sainte-Chapelle, a church dating back to the 1200s. Originally built for King Louis IX to house the relics of the Passion of the Christ, but in present day, it is well known for its stained-glass windows.

At first glance, one might not think there is anything special about this church from the outside. It looks like many of the other churches in Paris, with similar gothic architecture and color.

However, a visit inside will prove just how unordinary it is!

When you enter Sainte-Chapelle, you start your visit in the lower chapel. Here, you can find a statue of the Virgin Mary, which was created in the 1800s during the restoration of the church. There is also the oldest, wall painting in all of Paris showing the Annunciation, which was created in the 1200s.

The Upper Chapel at Sainte Chapelle

However, the main reason for my visit was the upper chapel and the magnificent stained-glass windows. From the outside of the church, you can’t even tell that there are colorful stained-glass windows inside. This is something you notice as you step foot off the stairs to the upper chapel.

Starting from left to right and going from bottom to the top, the windows tell the story of the bible beginning with Genesis and ending with the Book of Kings. 1,113 scenes in all! This makes Saint-Chapelle in Paris a perfect pilgrimage for any Christian, but also one of the more unique things to do in Paris.

To add to the wonder of these amazing windows, there are also a great shrine with 22 relics of the Passion of the Christ, and 12 apostle statues spread out in the chapel.

Musée de L’Illusion

A really fun experience for a family trip to Paris is the Musee de L’Illusion. Located on rue Saint-Denis, one of the busier walking streets in Paris, the Musee de L’Illusion is worth a visit if you have ½ hour to an hour to spare. We visited after supper one evening since they were open later in the evening compared to other museums.

Museum or Fun House?

Though called a museum, Musee de L’Illusion was more of a fun house, since every part of it was meant for plan and exploration. If you are in Paris with children, this should be on your bucket list.

You can play with puzzles, walk through light tunnels, see moving objects in pictures, walk in an upside-down world, and even go in a room where the kids can be giants over the parents.

Musee de L’Illusion has so many fun things to do in Paris as a whole family. With all the fun puzzles and other items you can buy in the gift shop, you can take the illusions home with you!

Since the Musee de L’Illusion is quite small, it can easily fit on your itinerary if you are planning 2 days in Paris, so be sure to give it a spot when you plan a trip to Paris with your family.

Do you want to take a day trip from Paris? Check out the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte!

Musée des arts et métiers

One of the items on my husband’s bucket list was the Musée des arts et métiers. For science and engineer fans, this is a perfect place to learn about France’s contributions to innovation. Musée des arts et métiers is divided into 7 areas: Scientific Instruments, Materials, Energy, Mechanics, Construction, Communication, and Transport.

My husband is an engineer and loves all things having to do with science and technology. He really enjoyed going around the museum with our boys. When we arrived, he told them to look for certain objects before we entered. This helped the boys focus on what they were seeing and sparked more interest in them during the visit.

Getting Hands on at Musée des arts et métiers

There were also a few places that were more hands on. Every so often, we would run into a place where they could push a button or spin a wheel. This was helpful to add a bit more excitement to the tour.

I have to say that I am not the biggest science or technology fan. Most of this museum was lost on me, since I didn’t really understand some of the tools or concepts.

However, I did really enjoy the Communications section with the old radios, as well as the Transport section. Seeing old cars, planes, and trains was interesting to me.

Is Musée des arts et métiers for Smaller Children?

Though we saw a couple of school groups there on our visit, I wouldn’t say that this is a great museum for smaller children. They might find it boring without much for them to do. I would say this museum is more for adults and older children.

Also, all of the signs are in French, so unless you and your children know the language fluently, I would suggest getting an audio guide to help you enjoy the museum. They have these available in 7 different languages.

Pantheon

Another spot on my husband’s bucket list was the Pantheon. Located on the top of one of the hills of Paris, this amazing basilica is well worth a look. Though once used as a place of worship, the Pantheon is now a monument.

On the main level, you will see the story of Saint Genevieve’s life cycle painted on large sections of the inner walls of the building. Saint Genevieve is the patron saint of Paris and is known for saving the city of Paris from the Huns.

Graves of Many Famous French “Heroes”

The lower level of the Pantheon is also the final resting place to many notable French figures. Many great scientist, writers, military leaders, Revolutionary figures, allies to the Jews during WWII and heroes of France are buried here. Such famous people as Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire are among them.

Planning ahead so your vacation is interesting for your children!

The sculptures, monuments and paintings are very awe-inspiring. Our entire family found them quite interesting to see, but like many churches and museums, they don’t hold the attention of children for long. It might be worth researching some of the places before you visit to give your children something to look for.

During our time visiting the tombs, my children weren’t as interested, since they don’t know much about the people buried there. However, not all places need to entertain your children. After all, they need to learn that vacations are not just for them!

Visit a great place for the whole family in the Netherlands: FEC Severum Entertainment Center!

Picnic Lunch at Jardin du Luxembourg

After leaving the Pantheon, it was time for lunch. We decided to walk towards the Jardin due Luxembourg for a picnic lunch. We found a sandwich shop in between the Pantheon and the park, which was quite convenient.

This is a fantastic place to take a break if you need one during your weekend in Paris. We enjoyed looking at the Palais du Luxembourg and the 17th century fountain called Fontaine Médicis.

Eiffel Tower

One place that needs no introduction is the Eiffel Tower. My oldest son has had the Eiffel Tower on his bucket list for many years. Unfortunately, we were unable to visit during our first visit to Paris, because the lines for tickets were crazy long during a busy Easter weekend. The Eiffel Tower would have to wait!

Fast forward a few years! When I started to plan our family trip to Paris this year, I was sure to go on to the Eiffel Tower website to buy tickets to be on the safe side. Unfortunately, they were sold out, which meant we would have to arrive as soon as they opened to see if we could get tickets.

Can you Buy Tickets to the Eiffel Tower in Person?

Luckily, we managed to arrive just before the tour buses, so we were able to get tickets. If this is a highlight of your trip and you are traveling during holiday weekends or peak summer months, see if you can get your tickets online in advance. You might want to look a couple of months before you travel, since they sell out rather fast online.

Amazing Views from the Eiffel Tower

Originally opening in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was built to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. It now is one of the most famous buildings around the world and welcomes an average of 7 million visitors a year. Standing at 986 feet, the Eiffel Tower offers amazing views of the city below, which you can see at three different levels.

Though we have a few people in my family who are afraid of heights, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower was surprisingly not too scary. Since there were wire fences all along many of the viewing platforms, we had no worries during our visit at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

If you are really unsure of making the elevator trip to the top, you still can get amazing views from the lower two levels.

Musée du Louřve

If you are an art lover, this is the place for you! The Musée du Louřve has more than 480,000 works of art from paintings, sculptures, and more. I find it quite a relaxing place with its tall ceilings and large rooms.

From the first sight of the glass pyramid outside the entrance to infamous pieces like the Winged Victory, the Venus de Milo or the Mona Lisa, Musée du Louřve is quite an amazing place.

Tips for Visiting Musée du Louřve with Kids

A tip for visiting with children: do a bit of work ahead of time. This does not just mean buying your tickets online, which is really what you want to do. This will cut your wait time to get into the museum drastically. It might also be the only way to view the museum since Covid 19, so check their website online to be sure.

The Musée du Louřve is closed on Tuesdays and free the first Sunday of every month, which is great to know when planning your Paris itinerary.

However, it means that you should prepare your children for what they can expect to find there. After all, the Musée du Louřve is one of the world’s largest museums. That can be a lot for a child. Perhaps find some images of things that they should find during your visit, so they are paying more attention while inside the museum.

Other Ways of Visiting Musée du Louřve

It couldn’t hurt if you had at least two things to find in each of the different sections of the museum. By visiting the virtual tour of the Musée du Louřve, you can get an idea of what you might find and how the museum is laid out.

For us, we chose not to visit the museum with our children. I had visited the museum when I was in Paris without children, which was a better choice. That way, I didn’t have to focus my attention on how my kids as much as the art around me.

Sometimes, it can be stressful to take children to museums like this, but if you and your kids are up for it, this is definitely a place in Paris that you will want to visit.

Jardin des Tuileries

We added the Jardin des Tuileries to our weekend in Paris, since it was just next to the Musée du Louřve. I thought it could be a great place to take a break from doing “parent” things and let the kids play. Here, you will find a great playground for smaller to medium-sized kids with a jungle gym and many smaller playground items.

There are many trees if you are looking for a shady place, and it is wonderful to take eat a cheap baguette or a picnic lunch if you are looking for ways to save on your trip to Paris. We enjoyed relaxing there in the shade for a while, since it was a rather hot day when we visited.

They also have other attractions for children that come at a price. Perhaps your children might like to ride the carousel, hop on the trampolines, or even ride a pony. I have also heard that there is a rather large Ferris wheel there, but we didn’t find it during our trip.

Foire du Trône

If you visit Paris in the Spring, you should check out Paris’ kid-friendly fair called Foire du Trône. Located on the southeastern edge of the city, Foire du Trône is Europe’s oldest fair, originally dating back to the year 957 but really taking shape in the early 1800s. This fair has everything you would expect to find at any carnival or fun fair: rides, sweets, games.

We happened to visit during one Saturday in Paris, and we were very excited to discover that it was free to enter. We just needed to pay for the ride tickets and games we wanted to try. This can easily be a part of a cheap weekend trip to Paris, if you have a plan in advance.

How Long to Spend at Foire du Trône

For us, we only had 1 ½ hours to spend there, so we said that each child could pick three things to do. Though we didn’t get to have the full experience of this fair, it was a nice change from the museums and churches we had visited the day before. We all enjoyed it, and it was the perfect place to get an ice cream on such a hot day!! It was definitely a highlight of the trip to Paris as a whole family.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Perhaps famous from the well-known, gothic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, this beautiful cathedral is a one of Paris’ main attractions.

On our first trip to Paris with kids in 2017, we visited the amazing Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris! At that time, there were lines forming outside of the church entrance, especially with the tour groups unloaded from nearby buses. We still decided to have a visit inside the cathedral, and we were glad we did.

What to Expect at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

First, we had to go through security, which is something common in tourist attractions in Paris. However, once we were inside, we were quite amazed with all of the statues, biblical scenes, and beautiful stained-glass windows.

I absolutely loved the Rose Windows. There were three of them with beautiful colors and shapes, and it was amazing to think that they were created in the mid 1200s!

Since this first trip, a fire caused some major damages to the church, so it was under renovations on our second trip in 2022. You may want to check their website to see if the church is open for viewing during your trip!

Famous Graves of Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

Another spot that may be somewhat lost on your children is the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. If you are interested in find more graves of famous composers, writers, etc., you will want to put this cemetery on your list.

Chances are that your kids won’t know any of these people, but it is a quite and shaded area to get away from the warm summer heat. It is also not like any other cemetery I had ever been to, so your kids might just find it interested anyway. For me, getting to see the graves of Gertrude Stein, Chopin, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison were quite amazing.

Getting Around Paris

Since my family has been to Paris twice while the boys were younger, we have actually had different experiences traveling around Paris as a whole family.

Water Taxi

On our first trip to Paris, we decided that we would take the water taxi whenever we could. The boys really were excited to “take a boat ride”. It was a nice change from being in the car or walking. Though they weren’t very interested in the views, from the boat, the views were actually quite amazing. Imagine coming right up to the Eiffel Tower from the river.

The water taxi wasn’t full, so it was easy for the boys to move from seat to seat. I also liked that we got to see the French version of the Statue of Liberty, which is much smaller than the one in New York. It was an overall, great experience in Paris as a whole family.

Riding the Metro in Paris, France

During the second trip to Paris, the boys were a bit bigger and easier to get up and down the stairs to the subway or “Metro” as it is called in Paris.

They were great travelers and using the metro in Paris was so easy. There were many stops, and the walk to and from the metro was never too long. We bought 3 day passes, so it was quite easy to scan our cards for each ride.

If you have extra time in Paris…and money to spend!

On our last trip, we were on a mission to have a truly unique, family experience in Paris as a family, but it came at an extra cost!

Paris Sainte Germain vs Metz Game

One big splurge in our budget to Paris as a family was going to a professional soccer game. My two boys (and husband) love the game of “football” or soccer, and Paris Sainte-Germain is my youngest son’s favorite team. We were lucky to get good seats at their last match of the season against Metz, another team from France.

Since we don’t make these types of trips a regular thing, we thought it would be okay to do once while the boys were young. This trip happened on our second, family trip to Paris when the boys were 9 and 12. Though the tickets were very expensive (if you ask me), it was well worth having a memorable, family experience in Paris. We would just have to eat ramen and hotdogs for a month afterwards! ?

It is one thing my boys will remember the rest of their lives, and I am glad that we got to go together in Paris as a whole family.

Luckily, the game was on a Saturday night, which made it quite easy for us to fly in for the game without missing much of school or work. This means that if you are traveling there from another city in Europe, you could easily see a Paris Sainte Germain game on your 2 days in Paris with family if you are traveling during the weekend. However, some of their games are on Sunday nights, so check their schedule to be sure.

Day Trips from Paris as a Whole Family

Chateau Vaux le Vicomte

One place that was great to visit on Easter Sunday was the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte. Not only is this an amazing chateau, but they had some great, Easter activities for the kids, which had something for everyone on this long weekend in Paris as a whole family.

My husband and I got to see the chateau and grounds, while the boys got to play. I have to admit that it was extra fun getting to participate in the adult Easter egg hunt! You can read all about our trip to Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte!

Palace of Versailles

Whenever I read anything about planning a trip to Paris with kids or without, I always hear about visiting Versailles. Though the infamous gardens, “hall of mirrors”, King’s Grand Apartments and Museum of the History of France, sound extremely interesting to me, I have to admit that we have never visited it.

I don’t know why that is, but I hope that one day, we will return to France to see the former, royal residence for ourselves. I just know that it will require much more planning, but I am sure it will definitely be worth a visit!

Disneyland Paris

Our first trip included Disneyland Paris, since our kids were 7 and 4, which I thought to be perfect ages for their first Disney trip. Since we live in Denmark, going to Disneyland Paris was our closest option, compared to going to one of the parks in the USA or other areas of the world. However, we picked the wrong weekend to do it.

We visited Disneyland Paris during Easter weekend that year. I have never seen so many people in an amusement park, and the wait times were so long. We really enjoyed all of the rides we went on, but we had to be selective, since the thought of waiting an hour each time was too much for me.

My seven-year-old son was very well behaved, but he was bored. The lines at Disney don’t have anything to offer children as they wait, unlike Legoland for instance.

Read all about Legoland in Billund, Denmark!

What we Loved about Disneyland Paris

I can image that if we would have chosen a less-busy day, it would have been much better. This is definitely a place that I think all children should visit. My kids LOVED the Star Wars area that they had during our trip, and visiting Sleeping Beauty’s Castle was a major highlight for me! ?

Disneyland Paris also has some playgrounds, so it isn’t long lines and rides all day. However, I do love the way they make our favorite Disney classics come to life. My personal favorite rides: Peter Pan, Aladdin, Alice and Wonderland and It’s a Small World!

Where and Where to Eat in Paris

Le Champ de Mars Restaurant

(45 Av. de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France / +33 1 47 05 43 02 /  bistrotlechampdemars.com)

After visiting the Eiffel Tower, we decided to get lunch at … since it was close by. We each got a different pasta dish, which were all delicious. We are a family that likes to share food, so that is how I know this!

This was also the place where the boys tried snails for the first time. My youngest thought they were really good, which may have been attributed to the pesto sauce. He would recommend them to anyone wanting to try snails for the fist time. It was a cozy place with very friendly staff.

Le Oken Restaurant

(19 rue Rambuteau – 75004 Paris – 01 42 72 24 57 – okenparis4@gmail.com)

A true, diamond-in-the-rough restaurant is Le Oken. I’m a vegetarian, who likes to eat more on the vegan side, and Le Oken delivered!

I got the Vegan Poke Bowl, which had radishes, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, broccoli, red beets, avocados, pomegranate, green onions, and a few things I forgot about. It was so good!!

My boys had burgers that were so juicy that we almost needed a towel, and my husband got a steak. It isn’t often that we go to a restaurant that has something for everyone. You are sure to find something you’ll love there when in Paris as a whole family!

Reasonably Priced Place to Stay in Paris

Les Patios du Marais

(26 Rue des Gravilliers – 75003 Paris – 33 18 38 12 626)

During our second trip to Paris with mid-sized kids, we stayed at Les Patios du Marais in the center of Paris. We didn’t plan on leaving the city at all during our trip, so it was nice to have a centrally located spot. We went back during the day to take a nap on the night of the soccer/football game, so it was perfect.

This was also more like an apartment since we had a living room/bedroom space with a bed and a couch bed. We also had a bathroom, small kitchenette area with laundry and places for storage. Since we pack light, we had enough room for our things, but for those with many suitcases, it could have been a tight squeeze. We loved it there though and would definitely go back.

Staying outside Paris as a Whole Family

La Petardiere Apartment in Meaux, France

On our first trip to Paris as a whole family with little kids, we opted to stay outside of the city in the town of Meaux. We found a great “pension” /apartment / bed and breakfast.

We had parking, a large bedroom, a large bathroom and access to a shared living room. There was a lot of space.

We also had a quiet, shared back yard for the boys to run around if they needed to burn off some energy but the highlight was the kitchen. The owner made us a French-style breakfast every morning with meats, breads, croissants, cheeses, eggs, and more. It was such a great experience to feel that we were staying with someone in France.

Meaux had a train station, in which we could take a train to Paris if we wanted, which was also a nice option.

Is Paris a Kid-Friendly City?

Overall, we have only had great experiences in Paris. It is a terrific place to visit with kids of all ages. We were so glad that we were able to take our boys on a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Paris Sainte Germain soccer/football game. They will remember that for the rest of their lives.

Going up the Eiffel Tower was also quite memorable, but it was the times in between that really were special. The walks across the bridges, the rides on the water taxi. The laughs we had in the restaurants eating crepes and snails and entertaining newlyweds at the next table when the boys were very little. Seeing our children embracing the French culture and having chats on long rides on the metro.

Paris offers so many new things to experience. There are so many great memories waiting to be made in this amazing city. Though expensive, Paris is a great vacation destination in Europe, and we recommend seeing Paris as a whole family!

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