Paris, the city of love, the perfect place for a romantic weekend, the ideal place to propose or honeymoon can also be a fun place to go with children.  And I am not only thinking about Disneyland Paris, but about a whole range of places that you can visit with children and an innumerable number of activities that will keep your little terrors busy during your holidays.

Here is a selection of 12 fun and educational activities for your children.  Great ideas to give fun long lasting memories to your little ones when visiting the city of love.

The most emblematic place for children in Paris.  Children of all ages will enjoy Disneyland Resort Paris.  This year Disneyland Paris offers free accommodation for children under 7 as well as free entrance to both Disney parks. 

Despite the cold Parisian winters, there is never a bad time to visit Disneyland and there is always special seasonal entertainment.  An if that is not enough there is also a world-class golf course, luxurious spa and unbeatable shopping for parents.

Enjoy Paris from 150 m. altitude. The trip lasts approximately 10 minutes. Flights are available everyday from 9am. Weather permitting; you can board the air balloon from Parc André Citroën on the 15ème in Paris.

To get there, you can take the metro to the Javel or the Balard stations.

Prices :

• Adults : €12
• 12 to 17 years old €10
• 3 to 11 years old 6 €
• free for children under 3.

 

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This museum offers educational tours for children aged 5 onwards. The guided tour includes story telling and workshops. You can also bring your own doll for appraisals or your broken dolls to be mended at the Doll’s hospital.

The museum has several halls with more than 1000 dolls classified by years. For example, room 1 has dolls from 1800 to 1839 when dolls were supposed to show the esthetical canons reflecting fashion. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm closed on Sunday, Monday and on Holidays.

Prices:

• Adults €7
• Children from 3 to 11 years old €3

Address:Musée de la Poupée Impasse Berthaud (near 22 rue Beaubourg) 75003 Paris

4) For those who love animals: Animal Reserve and zoo of the Chateau de Thoiry

50 km. west of Paris, in Yvelines, this beautiful park was created by The Viscount de La Panouse. Here you can see more than 1000 animals and 130 species in 150 hectares. The park is divided into The African Reserve (to be visited in your car), the Maze and the Historical, Botanical and Zoological Gardens, open everyday from 10 a.m. to 5-6p.m.

You can also visit the castle the Thoiry.

5) The Children’s abbey

For children who wish to participate in workshops to discover shows, exhibitions or concerts. The workshops last around 2 hours and there are no pre-requisites to participate.  The workshops aim to aid the child to discover the French patrimony linked to arts.

Cabarets in France are not only for adults. In Paris you can enjoy some of the finest shows with the most famous names with your children.

Children’s access is limited to some shows, but for most of these shows their entrance fee is free. For other shows children’s prices start at €20.  For more detail on prices and menus you can consult here.

7) The NationalMuseum

This has been one of the favourite walks of Parisians since 1640 when the place started as a royal garden for medicinal plants.  In 1793 under the revolution, the royal garden became a national museum.  The museum is set within over 23 hectares of plants and trees:  The ideal place to take your children for a day that combines the natural sciences with candy floss and sweet kiosks. 

Address :  Paris 5ème.  Rue Cuvier, rue Buffon, rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, place Valhubert

A labyrinth of vaulted cellars is the perfect place for those who love tricks and magic. Located in Paris historical centre, the Marais, the Museum of magic offers a complete overview of the world of magicians and illusionists from the 18th century to our time.

Your visit will be guided by real magicians through a collection of automatons, prestidigitation devices, and mechanical wonders.

The visit finishes with a magicians show which delights children.

Address : 11, rue saint Paul 75004 – PARIS

Prices : Adults €9 and children €7.

Access : Metro : 1, 4, 5, 7. Stations : Saint-Paul, Bastille ou Sully- Morland

 

 

9) Aquarium du Trocadero.

 

Much more than the largest fishtank in France, a marine collection and a cinema. The highlight of the visit to the aquarium are the workshops for children and a touch pool to feed and stroke the fish.

Access: Metro Trocadero

Open daily from 10am to 8pm.

Prices:

• Adults: €19,50
• Children 3 to 12 years old €15,50
• Children under 3 free.

Children love the Luxembourg Gardens for their wooden horses, their model yachts to push along with a cane on the ornamental pond, for their refreshments kiosks, puppet theatre, ponies and many other attractions. The adults will delight in the artists working there with their easels.

Access: Metro Odeon

 

11) The Bologne Woods

 

This is a part of the forest that once surrounded ancient Paris. A place of debauchery during the 18^th Century, became a fashionable place to walk during the Belle Epoque. More than 800 hectares that is daily visited by joggers, cyclists and horse riders. You can also enjoy rowing boats on the lake or just let the children have fun in the play areas.

 

Since 1860, the Jardin de acclimatation has been a paradise for children with its enchanted river, little train, fairground rides, farm, vegetable garden and puppet theatre.

Access: Metro Porte Maillot. 16 arrondissement.

 

12) Jardin des Tuileries: The Tuileries Gardens 

 

Lush greenery, games and refreshments all in the centre of Paris.

Access: Metro Concorde. 1^st arrondissement.