Paris has a reputation problem when it comes to family travel. People assume it's a city for romantic couples and serious art enthusiasts — not a place for strollers, picky eaters, and kids who'd rather climb something than look at a painting. They're wrong. Paris is one of the most family-friendly cities in Europe. The parks are extraordinary, the food culture is genuinely accommodating to children, and the city's scale makes it logistically manageable with kids in tow. Here's how to do it right.
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete breakdown of your 7 Days in Paris. Click any day to expand.
Arrive and check in. Paris with kids starts in the 6th or 7th arrondissement — you want to be within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and Luxembourg Gardens. Take the afternoon to orient: walk to the Eiffel Tower, buy tickets online for the 2nd floor (€18.80/adult, €9.40 ages 4-11, free under 4). The elevator is the right call with young kids — the stairs are 674 steps to the 2nd floor.
Champ de Mars park directly beneath the tower is one of the best family spaces in Paris — wide open grass, room to run, picnic-friendly. Grab supplies from the Rue Cler market street (10-minute walk) and have a proper French picnic: baguette, cheese, charcuterie, fruit.
The Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes every hour on the hour after dark — the 10pm show is the best. Stay on the Champ de Mars with a blanket and watch it from the grass. Kids lose their minds for it.
6th or 7th arrondissement — walkable to the Eiffel Tower, Luxembourg Gardens, and the Left Bank cafes
Practical Tips
What to Pack
- •Compact umbrella stroller — Paris has excellent sidewalks and most museums have elevator access
- •Carrier as backup for metro stairs and Montmartre's steep streets
- •Reusable water bottles — Paris tap water is excellent and free
- •Light layers — Paris weather is unpredictable, especially in spring and fall
- •Comfortable walking shoes — you will walk 6-10 miles per day
Money-Saving Tips
- •Most major Paris museums are free for under-18s — Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, Musée Rodin, and more
- •Paris Museum Pass (€52/2 days, €66/4 days) covers 50+ museums and skips ticket queues — worth it for adults if you're doing 3+ museums
- •Boulangeries for breakfast (€3-5 for croissant + coffee) vs. hotel breakfast (€20-30/person)
- •Picnics in parks — Luxembourg Gardens, Champ de Mars, Tuileries — are the Parisian way to eat with kids
- •Supermarkets (Monoprix, Carrefour City) for snacks, drinks, and picnic supplies
Local Insights
- •Paris is extremely family-friendly — most restaurants welcome children, and the French approach to dining (long, relaxed meals) actually works well with kids who are tired and just need to sit
- •The French don't rush meals. Budget 90 minutes for dinner — it's not slow service, it's the culture
- •Pharmacies (green cross signs) are excellent for minor medical needs — the pharmacists are highly trained and can recommend treatments without a doctor visit
- •Paris tap water is safe and excellent — the Wallace Fountains (green cast iron fountains throughout the city) provide free drinking water
- •The Paris Plages (Paris Beaches) in July-August transform the Seine riverbanks into beach areas with sand, deck chairs, and activities — free and excellent for families
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