Paris with Kids
Disneyland, Eiffel Tower, and crepes - the complete family guide to the City of Light
Paris might seem like a city for romance and fine dining, but it is secretly one of Europe best family destinations. French children are everywhere - in parks, museums, restaurants - and the city is set up to welcome them. From the obvious thrill of Disneyland Paris to the magic of watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, Paris delivers experiences that will stay with your children forever. Add accessible Eurostar travel, child-friendly food (hello, pain au chocolat for breakfast), and world-class parks for running off energy, and you have a city break that works brilliantly for families.
Getting to Paris
Paris is remarkably accessible from the UK, with options to suit different family preferences and budgets.
Eurostar
The train from London St Pancras takes 2 hours 15 minutes, arriving at Gare du Nord in central Paris. For families, Eurostar offers huge advantages: no luggage restrictions, no liquid rules, space to walk around, and the novelty of travelling under the sea. Children find the journey exciting rather than tedious.
Book early for the best prices. Direct trains also run from Ebbsfleet and Ashford, offering alternatives to London. The journey is short enough that even toddlers manage easily, especially with snacks and screen time prepared.
Flying
Flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly take about an hour from most UK airports. Budget airlines keep prices low, but factor in airport transfers - CDG is far from central Paris and taxis are expensive. When you add early arrival times and potential delays, Eurostar often wins on convenience.
Transport Comparison
Compare total journey times and costs carefully. Eurostar city-centre to city-centre beats flying when you factor in airport time, transfers, and the stress of security with children. Book Eurostar in advance for prices competitive with flights.
Disneyland Paris
For many families, Disneyland is the main reason to visit Paris. The magic of Disney combined with a European setting creates unforgettable experiences for children of all ages.
Planning Your Visit
Disneyland Paris comprises two parks: Disneyland Park (the classic castle and themed lands) and Walt Disney Studios (movie-themed rides and shows). You can visit both in one day with a hopper ticket, but two days allows a more relaxed pace, especially with younger children.
The parks are 45 minutes from central Paris by RER train, or you can stay at Disney hotels for the full immersive experience. Disney hotels cost more but include Extra Magic Time - early park entry before general opening.
Best for Different Ages
- Toddlers (2-4) - Fantasyland rides, meeting characters, parades. Most rides have no height restriction here
- Young children (5-7) - Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear, It is a Small World, Ratatouille
- Older children (8+) - Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Crush Coaster, Tower of Terror
- Teenagers - Hyperspace Mountain, Rock n Roller Coaster, thrill rides at Walt Disney Studios
Beat the Queues
Arrive at park opening and head straight to the most popular rides while queues are short. Download the Disneyland Paris app for wait times. Premier Access (paid fast-pass) is expensive but transforms the experience if budget allows.
Practical Disney Tips
- Pack rain ponchos - buying them in the park is expensive
- Bring snacks and water bottles to refill - food prices are high
- Book character dining for guaranteed meet-and-greets without queuing
- The afternoon parade draws crowds - use this time for shorter ride queues
- Evening fireworks and projections on the castle are magical but run late - nap time helps younger children last
The Eiffel Tower
No Paris trip with children is complete without seeing the Iron Lady. Even children too young to understand its significance are captivated by the sheer scale and the views from the top.
You can visit three levels: the first and second floors are accessible by stairs or lift, while the summit requires a lift. With young children, the second floor offers spectacular views without the longest queues. The glass floor on the first level lets brave visitors look straight down - children love it.
Visiting Tips
- Book in advance - Tickets with allocated times sell out days ahead. Booking online is essential for busy periods
- Evening visits - The tower sparkles with lights every hour on the hour after dark. Late visits are magical
- Champ de Mars - The park beneath the tower is perfect for picnics and running around. Bring a blanket and snacks
- Trocadero - Cross the river for the classic photo view. Less crowded than directly beneath the tower
Queue Management
Taking the stairs to the second floor avoids the longest lift queues. Children capable of climbing 700 steps get a sense of achievement and interesting views through the ironwork. Lifts remain available for the descent if legs are tired.
Other Must-See Attractions
Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre
The white basilica on the hill offers panoramic city views and the charming streets of Montmartre provide artist atmosphere. Children enjoy the funicular railway up the steep hill and watching street artists at work in Place du Tertre.
Notre-Dame
Currently being restored after the 2019 fire, Notre-Dame remains visible from outside and the surrounding area is worth exploring. The nearby Ile Saint-Louis has excellent ice cream at Berthillon.
The Louvre
The world most visited museum can overwhelm children, but a focused visit works well. Head straight for the Mona Lisa (follow the signs), then explore Egyptian antiquities - mummies fascinate children of all ages. Under 18s get free entry. The Tuileries Garden outside provides post-museum running space.
Arc de Triomphe
Climb to the top for views down the Champs-Elysees. The crazy traffic circling below is entertainment in itself. Continue down the famous avenue for window shopping and overpriced hot chocolate.
Museum Pass
The Paris Museum Pass covers many attractions including the Louvre and Versailles, with skip-the-line access at some venues. Calculate whether it saves money based on your plans. Under 18s get free entry to national museums, making the pass less valuable for families.
Parks and Playgrounds
Paris has wonderful parks where children can burn off energy between sightseeing. French parks often have different rules to UK ones - keep off the grass in formal gardens, but dedicated children areas have swings, climbing frames, and sometimes carousel rides.
- Jardin du Luxembourg - Sailing boats on the pond, puppet shows, playground, and pony rides. The quintessential Parisian park experience
- Tuileries Garden - Between Louvre and Place de la Concorde with trampolines, playground, and summer funfair
- Champ de Mars - Open space beneath Eiffel Tower, perfect for picnics and frisbee
- Jardin des Plantes - Botanical garden with a small zoo, natural history museum, and beautiful glasshouses
- Parc de la Villette - Northern Paris park with science museum, playgrounds, and open space. Less touristy than central parks
Playground Culture
French playgrounds often charge small entry fees (2-3 euros) but are supervised and well-maintained. The Luxembourg Gardens playground is excellent but does charge. Pack snacks as park cafes are pricey.
Eating with Kids in Paris
French food culture extends to children. Kids menus exist but French children often eat smaller portions of adult food. The quality everywhere tends to be high, and familiar foods like pasta, omelettes, and croque monsieur appear on most menus.
Family Food Highlights
- Pain au chocolat - Chocolate croissants from any boulangerie make perfect breakfast on the go
- Crepes - Street crepes from stands across the city. Nutella and banana is the children favourite
- Croque monsieur - Toasted ham and cheese sandwich served everywhere
- French fries - Frites are taken seriously in France. Served with steak at traditional brasseries
- Ice cream - Berthillon on Ile Saint-Louis serves legendary scoops
- Hot chocolate - Thick, rich chocolat chaud is a Parisian tradition. Angelina near the Tuileries is famous for it
Practical Eating Tips
- Lunch is the main meal in France. Set menus (formule) at lunchtime offer better value than evening dining
- Restaurants serve lunch from noon and dinner from 7.30pm. Arriving earlier means empty restaurants
- Bread comes free with meals and is refilled. Butter usually needs requesting
- Water (une carafe d eau) is free. Specify tap water or you will get expensive bottles
- Service charge is included. Tipping is appreciated but not expected
Budget Eating
Supermarkets and boulangeries offer excellent picnic supplies at reasonable prices. A baguette, cheese, ham, and fruit makes a perfect lunch in any park for a fraction of restaurant prices.
Getting Around Paris
Paris has excellent public transport that works well with children once you understand it.
Metro
The Metro is fast and frequent but involves lots of stairs. Pushchairs are challenging - many stations lack lifts. Baby carriers work better for very young children. Under 4s travel free; under 10s pay reduced fares.
Buses
Buses are pushchair-friendly and let children see the city above ground. Routes 69 and 72 pass major sights. The same tickets work for Metro and buses.
Walking
Paris rewards walking. The central arrondissements are compact, and wandering reveals more than rushing between attractions. Ice cream stops and park breaks keep children motivated.
Transport Passes
Buy a carnet (book of 10 tickets) for savings over individual fares. The Paris Visite pass offers unlimited travel but rarely saves money for families. Single tickets work on Metro and buses.
Where to Stay
- Near Gare du Nord - Convenient for Eurostar arrival and departure, close to Sacre-Coeur
- Le Marais - Central, charming, excellent for walking. Can be expensive
- Near Luxembourg Gardens - Perfect base for families who want park access
- Disneyland Hotels - Essential if Disney is your focus. Extra Magic Time justifies the premium
- Apartment rentals - Kitchen facilities and space make life easier with children
Parisian hotel rooms are typically small. Family rooms exist but book early. Apartments offer better value and space, with washing machines and kitchens reducing luggage and costs.
Practical Tips
- Timing - Paris works year-round. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds. Summer is hot and busy. December has Christmas markets and magic
- Language - Basic French phrases go a long way. Children saying bonjour and merci charms locals
- Safety - Pickpockets target tourists, especially on the Metro. Keep valuables secure
- Toilets - Public toilets (often self-cleaning street units) are clean but can confuse children. Cafes require purchase to use facilities
- Pushchairs - Cobblestones and Metro stairs make Paris challenging with pushchairs. Carriers work better
Planning a Paris family adventure? Generate a customised packing list for city exploring and Disneyland.
Build My Packing ListPlanning a trip?
TravelOS helps families plan trips together. Join the waitlist to be first to try it.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.