Paris with kids (it's possible and super fun)
Paris is the most beautiful city in the world – okay, we aren't objective, but we stand by it. And yes, you can go there with your lover, your girlfriends, and with kids. In fact, Paris with children is underrated. Not because the Eiffel Tower is nice and crêpes are delicious, but because the city has surprisingly much to offer the whole family; from sailboats in a historic garden to circus workshops and the best chocolatiers in the world. We’ve lined up the best spots: places where the kids are happy and you have a good time too. With a good one. coffee with milk of Red wine in hand.
When we travel to Paris by train, we discover new things every time and prefer to explore neighborhoods that are new to us. But, and this is important, we also always do our usual loop. Like the walk van Le Pigalle to Canal St. Martin, once a neighborhood where you wouldn't want to be caught dead, nowadays a bustling area. We keep discovering the nicest (coffee) spots, bars, restaurants, and creative shops here.
From Le Pigalle it is a wonderful walking route that will take you more than half an hour (although we usually allow more time for it, ergo the discovery tour). On nice days, locals sit on the canal quay for a picnic. If the weather is bad, you can come inside Hotel du Nord, a cult classic, or at 'Africa in Paris' The Comptoir Général. Don't forget to visit the colorful shops on Quai de Valmy. Picturesque!
You will probably go to Paris by train. Good idea because then it is a holiday for everyone from the moment you enter the compartment. Moreover, we have yet to meet the first child who doesn't think the train is cool. Another advantage: no luggage limit and everything at hand. However, that doesn't mean we want to flog ourselves a break – are you crazy! No no, we also prefer to travel as light as possible by train. Without compromising on comfort, convenience and sturdiness for the smallest travelers. In comes de Cybex Dragonfly. Of all the foldable buggies, this one is the smallest and sturdiest of them all. You open it with one hand and, thanks to the 'wing' system, you can fold it together easily and securely (so it doesn't open again when you are just able to load the luggage hold with suitcases and bags). It is also useful that you can control it with one hand thanks to the crossbar, but the handles give you the opportunity to take a quick step; desirable over the bumpy streets of Le Marais (aka the nicest neighborhood in Paris). The luggage net is spacious and handy (hello shopping session) and, perhaps, the best feature: The buggy can be quite flat, so your little one can have a good nap in it.
Your mini can fit in it from the age of 6 months and, cleverly, your car seat also fits in it, if you do go by car; then you have two in one.
Paris on a Dutch-style granny bike, with a Dutch guide who tells the kids a fun fact at every monument; this is how you should start a weekend in Paris. Paris by Bike has been around for fourteen years and is run by Yvonne and Britt, who provide daily tours from their boutique in Le Marais. Kids tour is especially for families: sturdy Dutch-style bikes with seats for the little ones, or individual children's bikes for those who already ride independently.
In a few hours, you cycle past the Palais-Royal, the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, the Seine, Notre Dame, and the Centre Pompidou — but also through the narrow streets and hidden gardens and little shops that you would never find on your own. Oh, and past the Ratatouille restaurant, for those who know what that is.
Dine on a moored houseboat on the Seine? Sounds like a plan! This 'houseboat' is a restaurant The Mackerel, and that's a winner. What you can eat there is a mixture of seafood, tapas, salads and side dishes (such as burrata and hummus). You can take the kids along and let them do their thing. The area around the restaurant is traffic-free, and a big plus: there is a playground with a climbing wall around the corner.
It's quite something to sit down at the same restaurant every day. As progressive Dutch people, we want different-diverse-different food. And spending more days in Paris means more food! This list of restaurants is not all kid proof, but a list that you want/are allowed to keep.
A big favorite that we can't miss. You will find two branches in the ninth arrondissement Hotel Amour. And we can tell you a little secret, both great fun! At the hotel you can enjoy a Parisian lunch or dinner in the overgrown and covered courtyard (depending on the weather). Annn surprise you can sleep (really) there. Speaking of sleeping: these hotels are also fun for everyone!
Paris is amazing, you know that. But with kids, that grandeur sometimes feels a bit overwhelming, and then the Tuileries garden Exactly the place where you can catch your breath. The garden connects the Place de la Concorde with the Louvre, making it the perfect stopover if you still want to pop into the museum. But even without a museum visit, the Tuileries is highly recommended: chairs around an enormous fountain, sculptures, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel—a smaller version of the one on the Champs-Élysées—and plenty of room to simply sit with a croissant from the bakery around the corner.
In the summer, there is a sort of fair on the north side of the park, with small sailboats that have been sailing across the large basin since 1850, a playground with a slide, swings, a rope bridge over a field of blue flowers, trampolines, and a cheerful carousel. Meanwhile, you are sitting in the sun with a coffee. Best of both worlds.
Tip: If you are here in the winter, walk over to Angelina at 226 Rue de Rivoli. Their the African, a thick, rich hot chocolate, is legendary and exactly what you need after an afternoon outdoors.
For those familiar with the series: this is the bakery where Emily gets her croissants in Paris. And no, that is not a marketing gimmick; Boulangerie Moderne really exists, looks just as French as the series portrays it, and simply bakes very good things. A croissant, a chocolate bread or a pain au raisin – the French classics, just as they should be. This bakery is located right next to Gabriel’s restaurant, by the way, for the true fans among us. Although in reality it isn't a French bistro but an Italian classic; the series took some artistic license, let's just say. And for those who have never seen Emily in Paris: even then, this is simply a great tip for anyone craving a perfect chocolate croissant.
If you don't want to go to the Tuileries, or have your four-legged friend with you (they are not welcome here), take the metro and you'll be right there – unknown to tourists and actually just as nice – Parc des Buttes Chaumont. It is the third park in Paris, built by Napoleon and it has many height differences, making it 1) a wonderfully varied walk, 2) you can always find a nice spot for yourself and 3) you have a beautiful view of the city in various places. have. We think it's the nicest thing about the park Puebla Pavilion, a fairytale pavilion not far from the main entrance of the park. A building covered in plants and flowers with lights in the trees, a bar for passers-by and a wonderfully uncomplicated restaurant.
We almost never skip Chez Janou for a (Sunday) lunch and/or dinner. A classic. The quintessential French brasserie is a gift in the middle of Le Marais. Here on the corner, on nice days, the terrace is the French summer from the holiday books, the quintessentially French menu and the chocolate mousse… Oelala…
The Rue du Bac is a nice street to stroll through anyway, but don't skip Deyrolle. Downstairs, it looks like an ordinary shop with books, plants, and trinkets. But as soon as you go up the stairs, you come face to face with a lion. And a bull. And snakes, ostriches, foxes, and bears. Deyrolle is one of the most unique shops in Paris: a cabinet of curiosities full of stuffed animals, butterfly collections, and beetles, set up like a living museum where taxidermists and restorers are simply at work while you walk around. Educational, a bit surreal, and an experience for kids that they won't forget anytime soon. Honestly, that goes for the adults too.
The Musée du Chocolat in the 10th arrondissement is exactly as fun as it sounds. First, you learn about the history of cocoa, from the Aztecs to the Belgian praline, with an interactive scavenger hunt for kids that makes that part a lot more enjoyable. Then comes the demonstration: a chocolatier shows how chocolates with hazelnut praline are made, and yes, you get to eat them afterwards. Finally, you get to work yourself. You leave with homemade chocolate and a child who is happy for at least an hour.
We all want that one photo (preferably several) with the whole family. Can be quite difficult sometimes. To make things a little easier, we give you three great spots to admire and take a snapshot of the Eiffel Tower. You're welcome!
- Place du Trocadero – one of the most popular places to get a good look at the Eiffel Tower. Why is this place so popular? From here you can see the steel horse from head to toe.
- Avenue de Camoens – a real gem of a place in such a typical Parisian residential area. At the end of the street you can walk via a staircase to a kind of 'balcony'. Standing on this balcony, you can see the Eiffel Tower between the green trees and the Renaissancestyle buildings. Very pleasant.
- Rue de l'Université – you have probably seen this many times before thegram. But that doesn't make it any less beautiful. At this spot you are very close to the Eiffel Tower, but you will not notice the crowds. This street is spacious and nice and quiet (also nice), perfect for a carefree photo opportunity.
Could you use some expertise in creating that perfect picture? We have something fun. You have to get out of bed early, but... it's worth it! During a real private photo tour with Lindsay van Pictours de Paris you can walk past all the photogenic places in Paris. From a short shoot of 30 minutes to workshops for taking great holiday photos.
Paris is amazing-beautiful-grandiose. We agree, right? You can enjoy the City of Light in many places. But what about a picnic? And then one in front of the Eiffel Tower? More oui! Champ de Mars is a very nice place. Surrounded by the greenery of the 'park' with landscaped gardens, you can sit down on a rug. But a picnic includes tasty snacks. On Rue Cler, a few blocks away, you will find shops where you can get lunch - baguette, cheese and fruit.
A nice coffee with lunch? And, because you live from cup to cup with kids, especially when you are on a city trip (+ they are handy bathroom break places). Here is our list of where to drink really good coffee in Paris.
Just a stone's throw from Hotel Le Pigalle you will find Gustave Moreau Museum. In the painter's house you can see the beautiful rooms of the best man, on the top floor some of his gigantic works and of course the iconic staircase. This museum is the husband's preference, I might prefer modern art a little more.
We found the best of Paris in it MAC Val, the first museum to devote its entire collection to French Contemporary Art from the 50s to the present. The open spaces are beautiful and the walk through them is almost as fantastic as the art itself. Okay, you have to detour a bit (located in the suburb of Vitry-sur-Seine), but it's worth it.
This is not just any old-fashioned cooking class. No no! At La Cuisine Paris you can look out over the Seine during a pastry workshop. The workshop is entirely dedicated to éclairs, those delicious French puffs, and afterwards you can call yourself a real pastry chef. Kids are more than welcome. They get their own dough, with which they can do, well, all kinds of things. After two hours it's time to enjoy (in the meantime... leftovers) of the éclairs you made yourself!
Not much of a baking prince after all? Bee Stohrer, MAISON Kayser en Gontran Cherrie you can get the most delicious éclairs, croissants, baguettes (and more).
Also in the city of love, love goes through the stomach. And then you're there Pink Mom at the perfect address. This great one instagrammable Italian serves the tastiest Neapolitan pizzas, antipasti and pastas. The restaurant is cozy, nice and small, and has a very cute decor (bistro chairs, plants, old paintings). Open for lunch and dinner.
Can't get enough of the Italian charm in Paris? We get it! All day long breakfasttent Big Love Caffe takes you back to the 50s. The vintage-modern interior – with lots of wood and marble, pots and knick-knacks everywhere – creates an authentic, but hip Italian atmosphere. The food looks heavenly: pancakes, French toast (French toast) or eggs benedict Italian style.
Oh, we can't get enough of it. Of which? Those lovely cobbled streets in Paris, fantastique views and charming cottages. Then you immediately get the Paris feeling. And we don't want to deprive you of that, so our list of sweet streets in Paris for you!
- Rue des Francs-Bourgeois – one of the streets within the 'triangle' nicest streets in Le Marais. Rue des Francs-Bourgeois forms a triangle with Rue du Turenne and Rue Vieille du Temple. You've come to the right place for concept stores and (vintage) boutiques.
- Rue du Nil – this street is especially useful with kids, because it is such an all-in-one street. We love it!
- Rue Saint-Rustique – a small winding street in Montmartre. From this street you can just catch a glimpse of the Sacré-Coeur.
With every trip to Paris we discover more and more, so this list will continue to be added!
Looking for a bit of fun for the kids, but preferably not an amusement park?vibes? Paris is bursting with the most beautiful (and very fun) carousels.
- In the Musée des Arts Forains you will find a velocipede carousel. Without a doubt the most original on the list (this museum is also highly recommended!), because the carousel turns around thanks to the kids. 53 Avenue des Terroirs de France, 75012 Paris
- Very close to the Sacré Coeur (Montmartre) there is also a gem of a carousel. Place Saint-Pierre, 75018 Paris
- The Trocadéro carousel: a typical Parisian carousel (with retro look and lantern lighting) overlooking the Eiffel Tower and the Palais de Chaillot. Jardins du Trocadéro – Quai Branly, 75007 Paris
- This somewhat sinister-looking carousel is made from extinct and endangered species. Big plus for teaching the kids about animals and the climate. 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris
- The Jules Verne carousel is a great stop for the kids before or after a tour through the gardens of La Villette. Parc de la Villette – 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris
- You can also visit Jardin des Tuileries for a carousel. Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Okay, we get it. After a day in Paris, a good nap is in order very important. We already talked about Hostl Love, but would like to give you a small list of nice places to sleep in this city of love. Fancy a hotel that will immediately make you (and your child) zen? Bee Hoy Hotel you must be! During you getaway Looking for a hip, cool and modern place? The Hoxton is ton ami. The brand new one Babylon Belleville is a hotel Slash restaurant. And not just any one: with a beautiful interior, friendly staff and family rooms. Those family rooms are affordable and large. And to stay in the kid-proof atmosphere for a moment: the hotel is located in a side street without car traffic: super quiet. English chic meets French soul Hotel Les Deux Gares. And you would almost forget: even nice beds. You know, those hotel beds you sleep in come want/need to jump on.
In the former wine warehouses of Bercy, near the Gare de Lyon, sits one of the most extraordinary museums in Paris. The Musée des Arts Forains is a museum of fairground arts from the Belle ÉpoqueYou walk past beautiful antique carousels, organs, and carnival games, and are allowed to simply take a ride on several merry-go-rounds. Outside, a fairytale-like outdoor space awaits that is worth the visit in itself. A feast for the eyes, even if you haven't been a child for a long time.
