Heading to Paris Is this the worst idea ever for toddlers and preschoolers, especially in the spring and fall when the city gets the most rain? Maxfield! Plan ahead (We can help!) and some indoor attractions ready when weather (or a tantrum) threatens, Paris It’s just as dreamy for younger kids as it is for older kids.
Trust us, you’ll be glad you said “Oui!” There are opportunities to visit Paris with kids even if the weather isn’t cooperating.
Indoor activities in Paris with babies and toddlers
Rainy days in Paris can be depressing. Trust me, I’ve done it, and the first time we weren’t prepared. As new parents, we should know that when traveling with a baby or toddler, it’s wise to make a list of available indoor activities. On our way back, we’ve rounded up some great options that even Parisian parents will appreciate.
Science City
exist Science CityLa Villette (Science Museum), you will find La Cité des Enfants, an area specially designed for children between 2 and 7 years old. You and your children can experience five different areas:
- i find myself
- i can do it
- I position myself
- working together
- I experiment
Please note that your visit to La Cité des Enfants is scheduled for 90 minutes. Due to limited time, the museum recommends that you focus on just one or two areas.
We strongly recommend booking in advance, especially during French school holidays. Remember, Children’s Town is only a small part of the museum; there’s plenty of fun for older children and families wanting to explore after classes in the pre-booked baby and toddler area.
Age: 2 years and up
Le 104 and La Maison des Petits
Le104It is an arts venue that hosts exhibitions, performances, a great bookstore, café and restaurant, as well as La Maison des Petits (Children’s Home). Designed by renowned French industrial designer Magali Crasset, with unique shapes, colours, materials and light, you will find a place to “listen, speak, speak, use art and play”, as described on the 104 website .
La Maison des Petits is only open at certain times, but entry is free (no reservation required). Space is limited so try not to visit on weekends and school holidays as it can be more crowded.
Age: Under 6 years old, need to be accompanied by an adult
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Picture forum
Picture forum is a kid-friendly movie theater where you’ll find films you can’t see anywhere else – arthouse films, limited-run films, independent animated shorts, and more. Le Forum des Images has a section dedicated to children on its website and regularly recommends specific movies for children aged 2 and above.
Ages: 2 years and up; please note that the film is only available in French and not in English.
Botanical Garden of Grande Serres
greenhouse botanical garden It has been open to the public for nearly 400 years and is the best place to keep warm when it is cold and rainy in Paris. When we need a bit of nature in the city and want to wow the kids with colorful plants and crazy blooms, we love heading to these beautiful, family-friendly greenhouses.
Four greenhouses are available for visitors to visit:
- Tropical Rainforest Greenhouse, imagining the hot and humid atmosphere of a tropical forest
- Desert and Arid Land Greenhouses dedicated to plants adapting to dryness
- New Caledonia greenhouse, growing plants from New Caledonia
- Plant History Greenhouse, travel through time and understand the evolution of plant species from 430 million years ago to the present
You can also dive into the Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée (Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy) to see the dinosaurs; the Grand Galerie de l’Evolution (National Museum of Natural History); and the Galerie de Geologie et de Mineralogie (Mineralogy and Geology) gallery).
If the sun is out, visit the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, located in the same complex.
Age: All ages
Cineaqua (Paris Aquarium)
Located in the Jardin du Trocadéro, facing eiffel tower, sineaqua (Paris Aquarium) is perfect for babies who can’t yet fully track the animals in the zoo but can easily spot the fish swimming around them. Families with young children may want to pack some snacks, as your kids will never want to leave the Shark Tunnel. Visitors can visit 43 aquariums (including a huge one!), the aforementioned shark tunnel, touch pools, shows, and more.
This is a great place to go before or after enjoying the view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower. Playing at the nearby Champ de Mars is a fun way to spend the day, especially when the weather is nice.
Age: All ages
Studio Lumière
In the age of technology, when our kids already know how to unlock their phones, combining a little art and technology can be a relief to many parents. exist Studio Lumièreart comes to life through projections on the walls that your children can interact with as you move around.
Like similar shows in the United States, this indoor venue’s displays allow you to get up close and personal with a Van Gogh painting or an ancient silkscreen print from Japan, as well as take a stroll through the lives of the Egyptian pharaohs.
Age: All ages
Stroll the corridors of District 2
Start at the Passage du Grand-Cerf and stroll through the many covered passages in the second arrondissement of the Right Bank. The high glass ceiling protects you from the rain and lets in some natural light, and you can let your children take a walk or just check out the surrounding shops and cafes while being protected from the elements.
Even on a rainy day, there are plenty of off-the-beaten-track places to visit in Paris. You don’t need to drag your young children to see the many tourist attractions, nor do you need to limit your time at Disneyland Paris, although you’ll certainly be satisfied with a day trip.
With so many museums (the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay are always worth a visit with the kids) and café culture perfect for sitting down and enjoying a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine while the baby naps, there’s really no excuse no Visit Paris with young people.
Related links:
Browse all accommodation and activities in Ciao Bambino Paris
52 tips for traveling to France with kids
A guide to visiting Paris with young children
Paris with kids: a guide to the 8 central arrondissements
An Insider’s Guide to Visiting the Eiffel Tower with Kids
Camille Spanjaard Founder baby productscontributed to this article.
Editor’s note: This article is accurate at the time of publication. We recommend checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided, or for any actions taken as a result of the information provided.
