Hello Everyone
I am listing out a few places where I went with my kids in Paris aged 6years (girl) and 2 years old (boy). These are some tried and tested places and sharing my own experience and review.
I will just skim through the first three usual suspects that need no more introductions
- Disneyland Paris: This what dreams are made of. Happy place for kids and grown ups alike.
Accessibility: Pram and wheelchair accessible. If you are reaching here by public transport please plan accordingly as many of the metro stations do not have step free access.
Cost: Tickets cost vary with season and there are various options like 1 day 1 park or 1 day 2 parks etc. You can buy tickets online or at the gate.
Toilets: Clean and conveniently located. There are baby changing facilities available too.
Restaurants: There are many restaurants and take out stalls (fast food mostly), however there are very few vegetarian or vegan options (mostly margherita pizza I came across) . Waiting in the queue for ordering and collecting food is also waste of time.
Do not miss: Parade and the live performances, most amazing fireworks in the end and of-course some adrenaline rushing rides ( if you are into it). In-fact, with kids in tow I mostly enjoyed Fantasy land as all of us could do rides together.
My feedback:- Try and get fast passes for your favourite rides. There are always long queues and waiting on the popular rides up-to 90min sometimes. It is very difficult to do whole of both Disney Studios and Disneyland in 1 day, but if you plan ahead and manage to get fast passes it is still manageable to do many popular sections. Get the map of the place and mark your to-do rides/shows. There are many options to eat within Disneyland and studios but you can also carry a picnic to enjoy, relax and save time from the long queues. Do not miss ratatouille ride, Studio Tram Tour , Crush’s coaster in Disney Studios. In the Disneyland park if you are with kids under 8years old you should try cover Fantasyland first. Most of the rides in Fanatasy land can be done with very young babies too.
2. Paris Aquarium: Perfect place for under 8yrs old.
Accessibility: The premises are pram and wheelchair accessible. If you are reaching here by public transport please plan accordingly as many of the metro stations do not have step free access.
Cost: Adult tickets are around 20.50 euros,
children (13-17yrs old ) - 16 euros,
children (3-12years ) -13 euros,
children under 3years go free
Toilets: Clean and conveniently located. For the baby changing there is a changing table in the restroom of the space LOUNGE.
Restaurants: You will find a cafeteria “Zen - Café” where you can eat. It is strictly forbidden to picnic inside the aquarium.
Do not miss :- Try to catch the mermaid show it is simply amazing.
My feedback:- We really enjoyed our visit to Paris Aquarium. My kids are Peppa Pig fan too and there was a Peppa Pig theme running throughout the aquarium which caught their attention. There was even Peppa Pig in French cartoons running in cinema inside the premises. This place is not very huge that you feel tired covering it. It’s just the right size. Loved the mermaid show and meeting peppa pig. Good collection of fish and other sea creatures like sea horses, starfish, octopus. In the end, touch/ feel the fish pond and colouring activity was enjoyed the most by our kids.
3. Eiffel Tower:- This iconic monument gets everyone’s attention Big or small.
Accessibility:- There are elevators to climb up the Eiffel tower to the top. We travelled with a pram and didn’t find it difficult except for the summit due to heavy winds not the infrastructure.
If you are using public transport to reach Eiffel Tower please be sure to check step free access. There are many metro stations that do not have elevators or escalators.
Toilets:- There are toilets in each floor. There are baby changing facilities on all floors (parvis, 1st, 2nd) apart from the top of the Tower.
My feedback: The views from the summit and even second floor are fantastic. With kids under 6years, they get done viewing sooner than we wanted. May be 6years and above would enjoy and relish visiting Eiffel tower more.
4.Trocadéro Gardens:
Accessibility:- There were some places where we had to lift our pram due to staircases but not many so we were able to do it easily. Again, if you are reaching here by public transport please plan accordingly as many of the metro stations do not have step free access.
Cost : Free
Toilets: Public toilets are not conveniently located and are not always clean. There are toilets in Trocadéro Metro station.
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My feedback: Overlooking the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro Gardens is a fun place for hanging out with family. Besides the breathtaking views, this place boasts with cultural amalgamation (may be courtesy being a popular tourist spot). There are street performances, dances, sometimes procession etc. There is always a little bit for everyone to relish. There is ample space for kids to play around. On a nice sunny day you can make most of this place when the fountains are running with full gusto and sights are simply divine.
5. Vincennes Woods
Accessibility:- Pram and wheelchair accessible . If you are reaching here by public transport please plan accordingly, as many of the metro stations do not have step free access. we travelled in Tram to Porte Doree tram station then 2 min walk to the gardens.
Cost : Free
Toilets: Toilets are not conveniently located.
My feedback: Vincennes Woods is an amazing place for kids easily accessible through public transport. It is a huge garden with a big pond with row boating facilities ( around 14.20 euros for 4 people for 30minutes with 20 euros deposit). This place is also adjoining Paris Zoo. It is hard to cover the whole garden in a day especially when you have kids and you start with the superb play-area (age range 1yr- 12yrs). There are climbing frames, swings, huge sand play area, balance beams and most liked zip line (for 6yrs and above). There are sometimes fairs/fetes around this area with rides and games stalls which is also a good way of spending day out with family. Highly recommend this place for a family outing. We could also see birthday parties arranged in the park. Only downside was that we couldn’t find a toilet nearby, we were near the entrance from Porte Doree` metro and tram station.
6. LUXEMBOURG GARDENS
Accessibility: Pram and wheelchair accessible. If you are reaching here by public transport please plan accordingly, as, many of the metro stations do not have step free access. Accessible from boulevard Saint-Michel, rue du Vuagiraud, rue Guyenemer, rue Auguste-Comte and rue MĂ©dicis.
Cost : Free entry to the garden. There is fee to enter the Musee du Luxembourg.
Independent tour
Prices vary by exhibition.
Full price: €12 or €13
Reduced: €7.50 or €9
16-25 year-olds: €7.50 or €9 from Monday to Friday from 4pm, two entries for the price of one.
Under 16 years old go free.
There is also a fee to enter the children’s area. This has the soft flooring and playground equipment for a whole range of ages. There are also children’s toilets within the playground area. The fees are around2.50 euros per child and about 1.50 for adults.
Toilets: There are two accessible toilets at the Auguste-Comte entrance (11am to 1pm, and 1.45pm to 7pm) and next to the SĂ©nat (9am to 7pm).
My feedback: Luxembourg gardens are known for their beautiful landscaping and robust sculptures and architecture. I have been here twice but still not able to cover it end to end. The entrance is free for all public and there are great deals of activities for kids (which may incur cost). there is a big pond and big garden place to run around. there are many gated play-areas inside and outside Luxembourg gardens. It is a perfect place for a family day out on a warm sunny day. Bring a picnic along and relax. We walked from Denfert Rochereau to Luxembourg gardens and just near the entrance of gardens there were small play-areas for age group under 8years that are also fun for kids that age.
7. Parc Montsouris
Accessibility: Pram and Wheelchair accessible.
Cost : Free
Toilets: Accessible and mostly clean.
My feedback: It is a lovely cosy park with 3 play areas (age ranging 1yr to 10yrs), beautiful pond and landscaped gardens. On weekends or holidays there are pony rides for kids too for around 8€. there is carousel and swings set for 1.5 € per head. However, kids have most fun climbing trees, running around and playing in the play-areas which costs nothing. It is a nice place for family picnics and leisure walks. There is a restaurant and couple of take out snack bars. There are several drinking water points throughout the park. There are a lot of runners/ joggers in the morning and evening time. It is one feel good place.
I would keep on adding the places where one could go with kids in Paris as and when I get to explore. Hoping this post is helpful.
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