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Itineraries
Paris with kids: a 4-day itinerary that leaves time to play
The short answer
For four days in Paris with children, give each day one big sight in the morning and a park in the afternoon: the Eiffel Tower and a Seine boat on day one, the Louvre and the Luxembourg Gardens' toy sailboats on day two, Montmartre and the natural history galleries on day three, and the islands with Notre-Dame, or a day at Disneyland Paris, on day four. Book the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre ahead, and remember the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Four days at a glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eiffel Tower | Seine boat, Trocadéro view |
| 2 | The Louvre (not a Tuesday) | Tuileries, then the Luxembourg's sailboats and puppets |
| 3 | Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur | Jardin des Plantes: the evolution gallery and the zoo |
| 4 | Notre-Dame and the islands | Ice cream, or the whole day at Disneyland Paris |
Before you go
- Book the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre for timed entry, weeks ahead in school holidays.
- Museums are often free for children. The Louvre and many national museums don't charge under-18s, though you still need to book a time slot.
- The metro is fast but full of stairs. With a pushchair, buses are often easier, and a lightweight buggy or a carrier beats a big pram.
- Check closing days. The Louvre closes on Tuesdays; many other museums close on Mondays.
Day by day
The Eiffel Tower and the river
The view first, the boat after
- 9:30amEiffel Tower
Booked time slot. Older children love taking the stairs to the second floor; the lift goes on to the top.
Book weeks ahead in the holidays - 12:00pmPicnic on the Champ de Mars
A baguette, cheese and fruit from a shop nearby, on the grass under the tower.
- 2:00pmA boat on the Seine
An hour-long cruise from near the tower or the Pont de l'Alma passes most of the city's sights with no walking at all. The hop-on, hop-off river bus is good for tired legs.
- 5:00pmTrocadéro
The classic view of the tower from across the river, and the fountains below.
The Louvre and two gardens
Not on a Tuesday
- 9:00amThe Louvre
Two hours is plenty with children. Pick three things, not thirty: the Egyptian mummies, the Winged Victory on the staircase, and a look at the Mona Lisa if the crowd allows.
- 11:30amTuileries Garden
Right outside: trampolines, a playground, and a funfair in summer.
- 1:00pmLunch, then across the river
A 20-minute walk over the Pont des Arts into Saint-Germain.
- 3:00pmJardin du Luxembourg
Rent a wooden sailboat and push it across the pond with a stick, catch the puppet show, then the big playground. The best afternoon in Paris for under-tens.
Montmartre, then the animals
Steps in the morning, dinosaurs after lunch
- 9:00amThe funicular up to Sacré-Cœur
Skip the steps: the little funicular takes an ordinary metro ticket.
- 9:30amSacré-Cœur and the Place du Tertre
The view over Paris from the steps, then the square where painters sell portraits. Early, before the crowds.
- 12:00pmCrêpes for lunch
Then the metro across town.
- 2:00pmJardin des Plantes
The Grande Galerie de l'Évolution's parade of animals is unforgettable, and the small zoo next door is one of the oldest in the world.
Rainy-day swap: the Cité des Sciences
Notre-Dame and the islands
Or swap the whole day for Disneyland Paris
- 8:30amNotre-Dame
Restored and reopened in December 2024. Entry to the cathedral is free; go early to beat the queue.
- 10:00amSainte-Chapelle
A few minutes' walk away: a small chapel of floor-to-ceiling stained glass. Book a time slot. Best on a bright day.
- 12:00pmLunch and ice cream on Île Saint-Louis
The quieter island next door is famous for its ice cream.
- AftFree afternoon
Back to the favourite park, or a rest before the journey home.
Disneyland Paris instead? The RER A train from central Paris reaches Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, at the park gates, in about 40 minutes. Make it a full day, and leave the islands for the morning you go home.
Paris with toddlers
Paris works well with under-fives if you plan around naps and parks rather than museums. Every neighbourhood has a playground; the big gardens have carousels; bakeries solve most hunger emergencies. Swap the Louvre for a longer afternoon at the Luxembourg, and use the river boat to see the sights in one sitting.
Questions people ask
Is Paris good for kids?
Yes, if you plan for it. Paris has superb parks and playgrounds, river boats, carousels and museums that are often free for children. Plan one big sight a day and a park every afternoon.
How many days do you need in Paris with kids?
Four days covers the main sights at a family pace, with an afternoon in a park each day. Add a fifth for Disneyland Paris.
Is the Louvre good for children?
In small doses. Pick three things to see, such as the Egyptian mummies, the Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa, and keep the visit to about two hours. Book a time slot, and remember it's closed on Tuesdays.
How do you get to Disneyland Paris from central Paris?
Take the RER A train to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, which stops at the park entrance. It takes about 40 minutes from central Paris.
Is the Paris metro easy with a pushchair?
Not always. Many stations have long stairways and few lifts. Buses are often easier with a pushchair, and a lightweight buggy or a baby carrier helps.
