The Eiffel Tower above the Seine and its riverboats at dusk

Paris and Versailles · France

Paris with kids

The Eiffel Tower and a boat on the Seine, toy sailboats in the Luxembourg Gardens, dinosaur skeletons, a day in the gardens of Versailles and a funicular up to Montmartre. Five days paced for children, with a park or a playground every afternoon.

5 days
$$ Mid-range
Easy
Good with kids
Families
City
Culture

Copy this trip into Andamos See the plan

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

Day 1
The Eiffel Tower and the Seine
1. 09:30
  Trocadéro Gardens
  Activity
  The classic view of the tower across the river, with fountains and room for kids to run.
2. 10:30
  Eiffel Tower
  Activity
  Ride the lifts to the second floor for the best view; kids love spotting the landmarks below.
3. 13:00
  Lunch: crêpes near the Champ de Mars
  Food & drink
  Savory galettes, then a sweet crêpe with butter and sugar for dessert.
4. 15:00
  Boat trip on the Seine
  Activity
  An hour on the water past Notre-Dame and the Louvre, with no walking required.
5. 17:00
  Champ de Mars playground and carousel
  Activity
  Let them burn off energy on the lawns under the tower before dinner.
Day 2
The Louvre and the islands
1. 09:00
  Louvre Museum
  Activity
  Pick three or four highlights, like the Mona Lisa and the Egyptian mummies, and leave before anyone gets tired.
2. 12:00
  Picnic in the Tuileries Garden
  Food & drink
  Grab sandwiches and pastries and eat by the big round pond.
3. 13:30
  Tuileries trampolines and pond
  Activity
  Trampolines and a summer fair keep younger kids busy while adults rest on the green chairs.
4. 15:30
  Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité
  Activity
  The cathedral reopened after its long restoration; look for the gargoyles on the towers.
5. 17:00
  Ice cream on Île Saint-Louis
  Food & drink
  A quiet island next door, known for its ice cream, with views back to the cathedral.
Day 3
Gardens and dinosaurs
1. 09:30
  Luxembourg Gardens
  Activity
  Rent a wooden sailboat to push across the pond with a stick, a Paris tradition for generations.
2. 11:00
  Puppet show in the Luxembourg Gardens
  Activity
  Short shows in French that small children follow without needing the words.
3. 12:30
  Lunch in the Latin Quarter
  Food & drink
  Croque-monsieur or steak frites, easy wins for picky eaters.
4. 14:30
  Grand Gallery of Evolution
  Activity
  A parade of life-size animals under a glass roof, part of the natural history museum.
5. 16:30
  Jardin des Plantes and its small zoo
  Activity
  Greenhouses, a paleontology hall full of skeletons and a small menagerie in the same park.
Day 4
A day at Versailles
1. 08:30
  RER C train to Versailles
  Getting around
  About 40 minutes from central Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, a short walk from the palace.
2. 09:30
  Palace of Versailles
  Activity
  The Hall of Mirrors and the king’s apartments; go at opening time to beat the lines.
3. 12:30
  Picnic in the gardens
  Food & drink
  Bring lunch from a Paris bakery and find a spot on the lawns near the Grand Canal.
4. 14:00
  Rowboats or bikes on the Grand Canal
  Activity
  Rent a rowboat or family bikes to cover the huge park without tired legs.
5. 16:00
  Queen’s Hamlet
  Activity
  Marie Antoinette’s storybook farm, with real farm animals that kids enjoy.
Day 5
Science and Montmartre
1. 09:30
  Cité des Sciences
  Activity
  Hands-on science exhibits, with a section made just for younger children.
2. 12:30
  Lunch in Parc de la Villette
  Food & drink
  Big lawns, canals and themed playgrounds right outside the museum.
3. 15:00
  Montmartre funicular
  Getting around
  Skip the stairs and ride up the hill; kids love the short trip.
4. 15:30
  Sacré-Cœur
  Activity
  The white basilica at the top of the city, with all of Paris spread out below the steps.
5. 16:30
  Place du Tertre
  Activity
  Watch painters at their easels; some will sketch a quick portrait of your child.

Good to know

Tips

Book timed tickets

Buy Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Versailles tickets online ahead of time. Many major museums are free for under-18s, but you may still need a reserved slot.

Strollers and the metro

Most metro stations have long stairs and few lifts. Buses are step-free and show you the city, so use them with small children.

Check closing days

Big museums and Versailles each close one day a week, and it’s not the same day everywhere. Check before you plan the week.

When to go

Spring and early autumn are mild and less crowded. July and August bring heat and long lines, and many Parisians are away on holiday.

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