Family Travel Toolkit
Young boy in front of the Eiffel Tower, Paris
Destination guide

Paris with Kids

The City of Light is one of the world's great family destinations — iconic landmarks, world-class museums built for children, Disneyland on the doorstep, and a city that genuinely rewards curious young minds.

11 min read · Updated August 2026

Travel time2.5 hrs by Eurostar
Best monthsApr–Jun, Sep–Oct
CurrencyEuro (€)
LanguageFrench (English widely spoken)
Budget£££ mid-to-high
Best forAll ages

Paris has a reputation for being sophisticated and adult — but families who visit quickly discover it's one of the best city-break destinations in Europe for children. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Seine are all genuinely thrilling for children of every age. The city has excellent parks, dedicated children's museums, and some of the best patisseries in the world (a powerful motivator for small people). And then there's Disneyland Paris — just 35 minutes from the city centre by RER — which can be combined with a city stay for one of the most memorable family holidays you can do from the UK.

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Top things to do in Paris with kids

From Disneyland to the Eiffel Tower — Paris's best family experiences.

Family near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
theme parkall agesiconic

Europe's most visited theme park — 35 minutes from central Paris

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is the obvious headline attraction for families with children, and it genuinely delivers. The park has rides and shows for every age — from Dumbo and the carousel for toddlers to Hyperspace Mountain and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror for older children and adults. The Walt Disney Studios park next door adds Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar attractions. A dedicated Disneyland day works brilliantly as part of a Paris city break — stay in the city and take the RER A direct to the park.

  • Book tickets and hotel well in advance — it sells out in school holidays
  • The RER A from central Paris takes 35–40 minutes and is much cheaper than a taxi
  • Arrive at park opening to do the big rides before queues build
  • Under-3s enter free; under-12s get a reduced rate
Best for All ages
Young tourists photographing the Eiffel Tower in Paris
landmarkviewsall ages

The world's most recognisable landmark — unmissable with children

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of those rare landmarks that genuinely lives up to the hype — and children are often more excited by it than adults. The views from the second floor are spectacular and accessible to all ages; the summit is best for older children who can handle the height and the crowds. Book timed entry tickets online well in advance — queuing on the day can take 2–3 hours. The Champ de Mars park below is a brilliant place for a picnic with young children after the visit.

  • Book timed entry tickets online — queuing on the day takes 2–3 hours
  • The second floor is the best balance of views and accessibility for families
  • The Champ de Mars park below is perfect for a post-visit picnic
  • The tower sparkles with lights every hour after dark — magical for children
Best for All ages
Cruise boat on the Seine river with the Eiffel Tower in the background, Paris
cruisesightseeingall ages

The best way to see Paris's landmarks with young children

Seine river cruise

A Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf river cruise is one of the best things you can do in Paris with children — you see the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and dozens of beautiful bridges from the water, with no walking required. The 1-hour cruises run frequently from multiple embarkation points and are excellent value. Young children love being on the water, and it's a brilliant way to orientate the family to the city on arrival.

  • Book online for a small discount — or just turn up at the embarkation point
  • The Bateaux Mouches depart from Pont de l'Alma, near the Eiffel Tower
  • Evening cruises are magical — the city lights up beautifully after dark
  • Combine with a walk along the Seine for a relaxed half-day
Best for All ages
Young boy in front of the Eiffel Tower, Paris
museumsculture6+ years

World-class museums with dedicated children's programmes

The Louvre & Paris museums

The Louvre is the world's largest art museum and genuinely accessible for children — the Egyptian antiquities, the armour collection, and of course the Mona Lisa are all crowd-pleasers. Download the family trail before you visit to keep children engaged. The Musée d'Orsay (Impressionist art in a stunning former railway station) and the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (Europe's largest science museum, purpose-built for children) are both excellent. Under-18s enter all French national museums free.

  • Under-18s enter all French national museums free — a huge saving for families
  • Book Louvre timed entry online — the queues without a ticket are brutal
  • The Cité des Sciences in La Villette is purpose-built for children aged 2–12
  • Download the Louvre family trail app before you visit to keep children engaged
Best for 6+ years

Where to stay in Paris with kids

Paris's arrondissements each have a distinct character — here's where families tend to stay best.

1

7th arrondissement (Eiffel Tower area)

The most convenient base for first-time family visitors — walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars park, and the Musée d'Orsay. Hotels are expensive but the location is unbeatable.

Best for: First-time visitors, families wanting iconic views

2

Marais (3rd & 4th arrondissements)

Paris's most characterful neighbourhood — beautiful medieval streets, excellent restaurants, the Place des Vosges, and easy metro access to everywhere. A great base for families who want atmosphere alongside the sightseeing.

Best for: Families wanting character and good restaurants

3

Montmartre (18th arrondissement)

The hilltop village feel of Montmartre is magical, and the Sacré-Cœur is one of Paris's most impressive sights. Slightly further from the main attractions but excellent value for hotels and a genuinely special atmosphere.

Best for: Families wanting atmosphere and value

4

Near Disneyland (Marne-la-Vallée)

Staying at a Disneyland Paris hotel gives early park access and removes the commute. Best for families making Disneyland the main focus of the trip — less convenient for city sightseeing.

Best for: Families making Disneyland the main event

Practical information for families

Getting there

Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord takes 2 hours 20 minutes — the easiest and most enjoyable way to travel with children. No airport security, no luggage restrictions, and you arrive in the heart of the city. Book well in advance for the best fares. Flying is also an option from regional UK airports — Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh all have direct flights (1.5 hours). CDG airport is 45 minutes from central Paris by RER B.

Best time to visit

April to June and September to October are the best months — pleasant weather (18–24°C), manageable crowds, and lower hotel prices than peak summer. July and August are very hot and extremely busy — the Eiffel Tower and Louvre queues are brutal. February half-term and Easter are popular with UK families and book up fast. Christmas in Paris is magical but expensive.

Getting around

Paris has one of the world's best metro systems — fast, frequent, and cheap. A carnet of 10 tickets (t+ tickets) is the best value for families. Under-4s travel free; under-10s pay half price. The RER A connects central Paris to Disneyland in 35–40 minutes. Walking is the best way to explore individual neighbourhoods. Taxis and Uber are plentiful but expensive in central Paris.

How much does it cost?

Paris is one of Europe's more expensive cities for families. A 4-night city break for a family of four typically costs £2,500–£4,500 including Eurostar, accommodation, and activities. The biggest savings come from under-18s entering national museums free, picnicking in parks rather than eating out every meal, and booking Eurostar and Disneyland tickets well in advance. Eating at boulangeries and markets rather than restaurants saves significantly.

Tips for a family trip to Paris

1

Book everything in advance

Paris's top attractions — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Disneyland — all require timed entry tickets booked online. Turning up without a booking means hours of queuing, or missing out entirely in peak season. Book as soon as your dates are confirmed.

2

Under-18s enter national museums free

All French national museums — including the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Versailles — are free for under-18s. This is a huge saving for families and makes Paris's cultural offer genuinely accessible.

3

Take the Eurostar

Travelling by Eurostar with children is significantly less stressful than flying — no airport security queues, no luggage restrictions, and you arrive in central Paris. Children love the tunnel. Book early for the best fares.

4

Picnic in the parks

Paris has beautiful parks — the Champ de Mars, the Tuileries, the Luxembourg Gardens — and picnicking is a Parisian tradition. A boulangerie baguette, some cheese, and fruit from a market costs a fraction of a restaurant meal and children love it.

5

Combine Paris with Disneyland

Two or three nights in Paris followed by one or two days at Disneyland makes for a brilliant family trip. The RER A connects the city to the park in 35 minutes — you don't need to stay at a Disneyland hotel unless you want early park access.

6

Visit Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire — the restoration is extraordinary and the cathedral is more beautiful than ever. Entry is free and it's one of the most impressive buildings children will ever see. Book a free timed entry slot online.

Frequently asked questions

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