Family walks in Paris
In Paris, it is easy to find pleasant and fun walks which allow you to enjoy the capital and the fresh air!
For a quiet walk on a beautiful day, wander along Canal Saint-Martin. Stop off at the little boutiques or make yourself comfortable in one of the many cafés in the neighbourhood.
For a more eventful walk, make your way to Montmartre. A lively tourist neighbourhood during the week, it becomes a family spot during the weekend. You can enjoy one of the many car-boot sales held there, or walk around the flea markets of Saint-Ouen. Don't forget the Marché Saint-Pierre. And to finish off, your children will be delighted if you take the funicular to the top of the Sacré-Cœur!
For a walk in a natural setting in the heart of Paris, head to the Parc de Vincennes. In April-May, don't miss the famous Foire du Trône funfair. The rest of the year, you can rent a small boat to sail on the lake or visit the Zoo de Vincennes and the Ferme de Paris (farm) which will amuse the entire family!
...And the shows!
A weekend away as a family is the chance to bring your children to see unique shows.
The Zèbre de Belleville offers a dinner-and-show deal specially adapted to children.
If you're more of a cinema enthusiast, l’Entrepôt in the 14th arrondissement offers a cinema club for children every Saturday.
Exhibitions for young and old
Paris is full of museums and exhibitions, the majority of which offer activities specifically designed for children.
The Cité des Sciences has 2 spaces reserved for fun learning, for children aged 2 to 7 and 5 to 12. Water games, gardens and other workshops are grouped together in various themes.
At the Gaité Lyrique theatre, exhibitions, workshops, concerts and snacks are reserved for children.
At the Galerie des Enfants du Centre Pompidou (Children's gallery at the Pompidou centre), you can amuse your children with narrated and interactive exhibitions or participate in progressive workshops… And if that's not enough, the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution (Evolution Gallery), which displays thousands of animal species, or the Musée de la Magie (Magic Museum) and its incredible shows will impress your kids
Out-of-the-ordinary family activities in Paris
To make your stay really unforgettable, don't hesitate to plan events which are a little out-of-the-ordinary.
In the Parc André- Citroën, you can fly over Paris at an altitude of 150 m onboard the famous Ballon de Paris! A thrilling experience!
If you prefer water to the air, you can rent small electric boats "Les Marins d’Eau Douce" and sail around the Bassin de la Villette (you don't need a boating license).
If your children are more daring, the Catacombs are sure to impress them. They can walk around in a huge underground maze.
Eating out as a family
In Paris, you can eat at any time of the day!
Feeling peckish at midday?
For a snack, Le Loir dans la Théière in the Marais neighbourhood is ideal to nibble on a delicious pastry and relax.
For before-dinner drinks, La Recyclerie, a former train station on the Petite Ceinture line, is perfect when you have children. You can even enjoy a drink outside, along the platform.
For dinner, who doesn't like a good burger? In Paris, you're spoilt for choice: Le Dépanneur, BaB, Le Blend, Big Fernand, Little Cantine…And finally, if you want to be like a real Parisian for the weekend, Sunday brunch is a must: try Paper Boy or Les Petites Gouttes…
Revise your Parisian classics
You can't take your children to Paris and not visit the must-see sites such as the Eiffel Tower, which blows you away with its imposing stature, the Notre-Dame cathedral and the Louvre Pyramid.
Then, make your way up the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. At Christmas, one of the city's most beautiful Christmas markets is held there. Your children will also love the Christmas lights!
You can travel directly to Paris on the TGV Lyria from Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, Zurich, Basel or Bern.