Click on the link in the headline, to get to the page of the activity.
Parcs and Playgrounds
Jardin d'Acclimatation
This is a light version of an amusement parc but without paying necessary a fortune. The entrance fee is 3€ p/P and you can have a perfect day there without spending much more. You can bring your own food to have a picnic, visit the little zoo, have a walk in the gardens, relax in deck-chairs while your kids are having fun on one of the various playgrounds. Or you can book artistic workshops, get tickets for the plenty of merry-go-rounds and other attractions or have a hot chocolate at Angelinas. The Jardin d'Acclimation is located within the Bois de Boulogne area, you can go there by car and if you are not coming in the peak times between 2 and 4 on the weekend, you should find a parking place easily. Otherwise you can always take Metro Line 1 until Les Sablons, it´s not far from there.
Parc Floral
South East of Paris, within the Bois de Vincennes area, you can spend a great time at the Parc Floral. As the name suggests, it is home to all kinds of flowers and trees, from Bonsai to medical herbs; you name it. Obviously it is especially nice in spring but independent from seasons, the parc hosts a HUGE (really!) playground area. It´s more several big playgrounds next to each other, for all ages, some more adventurous, some more nature inspired, a table tennis area, a high rope garden (costs extra), greens to play soccer and have picnics and there are even quite frequently concerts. The entrance to the parc is free from September to June (check page for exact dates) and for Kids under 7. A fee applies in summer on weekends and Wednesdays and on days of events. They are having big free parking places but you should avoid arriving between 2 and 4 on weekends, unless you're very patient. The closest metro Station is Chateau de Vincennes, Line 1. You walk around 10 minutes from there.
Coulée Verte
Paris' highline. Starting at Bastille with the Viaduc des Arts you can walk 4,7km on the obselete railways through the 12th arrondissment and enjoy the quite special view on the city from up there. There are obviously no cars and discovering a part of Paris while your kids can run freely and safe is quite relaxing :)
Food and Drinks
If you're searching for a place to have brunch, lunch or dinner, a place with playing areas, toys, with highchairs, changing tables and plastic plates for kids. A place where you don't need to be worried if your kid is getting up or not being super quiet all the time; the 400 Coups is what you are searching for. The food is yummy, prices are ok and you can relax while your kids are having fun. It´s not very central but the Bercy area offers some attractions that are worth visiting if you feel like escaping the more touristic parts of Paris; for example the Bercy Village and Bercy Parc right next to it.
Indoors
Grande Galerie de l'Evolution
It´s big and it's old and it´s impressive. The Grande Galerie de l'Evolution was created as a museum in 1793 and has a huuuuge collection of species from all over the world, from all eras and of all sizes. Exploring the 5 levels of exhibition can easily take you a couple of hours and more, it´s dedicated to kids and you can find activities such as puzzles, fun activities or programs on ipads everywhere. The museum is located very central, close by St.Michel and la Sorbonne. However, the closest metro station might be Place Monge of Line 7, but there are Busses, RER and Velib Station all around and you might want to check the advises on their page.
Muséum National d'Histoire naturelle
Bones, bones, more bones and some really creepy things. As well in the area of the Jardin des Plantes you find this museum that is perfect for little anatomists.
Royal Kids
Rainy days can really be a bummer, especially if it´s not only one and if you are not at home. Royal Kids is an indoor playground with enough adventurous and sportive activities to get rid off some energy when outdoor action is not really an option. It´s located in Ivry-sur-Seine, just one RER C stop away from Paris and if you already made it out there, you can end the day with watching a movie at Cinéma Pathè Quai D'Ivry , one of the biggest Cinemas around, that is just next doors.
From Bibliothèque Francois Mitterrand Bus 325 direction Château de Vincennes needs 4 minutes to Royal Kids, get off at Jules Vanzuppe. (you can purchase bus tickets on the bus, but you need change)
Around Paris
Those two are most likely the obvious choice when wanting to visit something outside Paris, especially if you're here on vacation with children. I won't write anything about them; it´s an amusement parc, you know the drill :)
But: If you come to Paris and you are planning to visit a amusement parc, Aquarium, Aquaboulevard or watch a show, you want to check vente-privee.com. It´s a french page; I know it´s complicated if you don't speak french, you have to register and I guess you need to pick France as a country to have access to the good deals. However, they are having several times per year very interesting offers for Disney, Parc Asterix, Trocadero, Aquaboulevard and concerts, events and shows. Depending on the promotion you can get a reduction of up to 50%. The offers are changing daily and some are tied to conditions (such as valid only within a certain timeframe) but you can set reminders for not to miss the purchase of your dreams.
Ferme de Viltain
This farm is located in the south west of Paris and basically has 3 areas:
- the Cueillette; a cultivated area where you can harvest seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Put on old shoes, take one of the free wheelbarrows and off you go. The kids are having fun and you're getting veggies as fresh and regional as possible.
- the stables and the dairy. The milking sessions are open to visitors but all the cute little calf are worth a visit as well
- the Market: you can buy regional products, bio groceries and of course everything that is produced by the dairy; joghurts, milk, cheese.. and you REALLY need to try their apple juice!
This farm is located in Saint-Cyr-École,just behind the Gardens of the Chateau de Versailles. It`s a more spacious than the Ferme de Viltain and the choice of fruits and veggies is bigger, you can harvest them on your own or buy them in the associated store. But the really interesting about this farm are the fun activities
- Workshops: the kids can participate in different workshops (for example making bread or apple juice), there is no sign up but you should be there good in advance to obtain your place
- Stables with every animal that you would expect on a farm (plus their cubs!), a little river with ducks and geese, and countless goats and chicken that are just running freely around and you in the middle
- and then there is Le Sentier des Arbres, a little forest with an installed path that make you stroll through woods that are typical for this region. Several activities are getting you to learn about the millions of insects that are living there just under your eye and don't be surprised if you're getting accompanied by some goats
If you are up for some medieval adventures, Provins is the place to go to. This little town about an hour south east from Paris has everything; a city wall, fortifications, frame houses, cobble stone pavements and appropriate to this setting frequent eagle shows and knight tourneys. Best time to pay Provins a visit is probably mid june, when the annual 2 days medieval festival takes place; it transforms the whole city to a giant Spectaculum with market stands, musicians, jugglers... Entrance is usually around 10€, while it's only half price if you're dressed up as.
There are many parking places available and don't worry if you parked a bit too far out, free shuttle buses are provided. Provins is accessible easily by train as well.
Rock en Seine
The last weekend before school starts again in September, Rock en Seine is opening it´s doors in the Domain de Saint-Cloud, next to Paris. Being a parent, one of the best feature of this festival is Mini Rock en Seine, a kids camp dedicated for rock fans between the age of 6 and 11 and it´s completely free. For more information, please check out their page or read our article Kids Rock - en Seine!
Pools and Fountains
Besides from zoos and playgrounds, this parc has a nice fountain area where kids can go all crazy during the warm season. It might be a bit full but hey, better sharing the fun than not having it, right?
This parc is probably best known for the Ballon de Paris, from which you most likely are having a great view over the City. We haven't done that yet, but I know another great feature of this parc, for FREE! A quite big field of fountains that are randomly jumping up and down and that are accessible freely by everyone, especially by kids in bathing suits on hot summer days :) The greens all around are great to have a picnic and just to spent a lazy day in the sun.
Aqueboulevard
This is the biggest swimming pool in the Paris area, it has plenty of slides, water ski, rope jumping, outside and inside areas and waves. Water wings for kids and deck chairs are provided. Just note that that speedos are required; and yes, I am talking about tight and more or less tiny swimwear for men, they just wont let you in with shorts that aren't tight. No need to wear a cap though.
Be aware that it can be quite full at time and you can experience difficulties to get a deckchair straight away. Closest Metro Station is probably Balard on Line 8, but the tram runs there as well. If you come by car, be advised that parking fees are horrendous, for 4 hours you pay easily 16-20€.
Zoos and Aquariums
Aquarium tropical du Palais de la Porte Dorée
As far as I know there are 2 Aquariums in Paris; this is the less known one and in my opinion the nicest one. It´s maybe not as fancy as the one in Trocadero, but the building is not less impressive and its broad selection of fishes (Captain Obvious), (little) sharks, turtles and crocodiles. The Museum is hosting as well changing temporarily exhibition that are partially free, cloak rooms are free of charge as well. Admissions are family friendly, a family of 4 (with 2 children under 18) are paying 11€ (at the time of writing).
The Aquarium has no assigned parking places and it can be tricky at times to find a place, especially if you are not familiar with the area (we always found a place though but I suggest to search a place rather in Bois de Vincennes as it´s just around the corner). However, it´s just next to Metro Station "Porte Doree" of Line 8.
Menagerie, le zoo de Jardin de Plantes
Sightseeing
Cruise
Louvre
Montmartre
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