Visiting Paris with Children
Ten activities for families visiting Paris
A family that plays together...
There is more than enough information on the internet about things to do in Paris for adults, but what about for children, and families? Keeping children entertained while you travel can be a challenge and that is why Parisian Experience by Omnyview is dedicating an article to children and families.
Cultural and language barriers are significant obstacles for English speakers in Paris; and these challenges make it difficult for families with children to really enjoy the best of the city. This summer, one of my clients expressed an interest in bringing her children to visit Paris, this has provided a opportunity to highlight children and family friendly activities in Paris and the greater Paris area. I have chosen to highlight ten activities that are sure to occupy parents and children alike, and make your family visit to Paris a memorable one. If you would like more proposals for family fun beyond the ten below, contact us and we will be happy provide our insider knowledge and tailored activities that aligns with your needs.
1. Disneyland Paris
Sleeping beauty's castle at Disneyland Paris. Credits/Wikimedia
This world famous amusement park is located 27miles (44km) east of central Paris, in the town of Marne-la-Vallée. It is the one and only Disney resort in the whole of Europe. If proximity to Disneyland Paris is a priority for you, then can access one of seven Disney hotels located in the town of Marne-la-Vallée. If you just make a day-trip to the resort, then you can have your base in Paris and take use public transportation, private car, or shuttle bus service to go to and from Paris.
Disneyland Paris is has two theme parks; the Walt Disney Studios® Park and the Disneyland® Park.
Disneyland® Park
Most of the attractions at Disneyland® Park are ideal for the whole family. Everyone will find something to enjoy at the park; and if you happen to lodge at select Disney hotels, then included in your park admission are two "Extra Magic Hours" between 8am and 10am which gives you the privilege to enjoy one of the parks before it is opened to the public.
Operating Hours - 10am to 11pm
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
Notes - There are height restrictions on some of the attractions at Disneyland® Park - thrill rides such as Indiana Jones™ and the Temple of Peril and Space Mountain®: Mission 2 require visitors to be in good health. There are also ride advisories for pregnant women and people with disabilities.
Walt Disney Studios® Park
To uncover and discover the secrets of Disney films and television, Walt Disney Studios Park is the place to be. If you like special effects, animation, movies, live entertainment and more, then this park will definitely meet the approval of your little ones, and if they are fortunate, they just may meet one of their famous Disney characters in person and take a selfie with them.
Operating Hours - 10am to 9pm
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
Notes - There are height restrictions at a few of the attractions at Walt Disney Studios® Park; thrill rides with health requirements, and advisories for pregnant women and people with disabilities for certain rides.
2016 Disneyland Paris Admission
Adults - 47€ to 90€
Children (3-11 years) - 40€ to 82€; Children (<3 years) - Free
Physical Address - 77777 Marne-la-Vallée
Address by Car - Latitude: 48.876077 - Longitude: 2.79646 (Disneyland Paris Parking) Boulevard de Parc, 77700 Serris/Coupvray
Website - Link
2. Thiory Chateau and Wildlife Park
Two Kudu antelopes at the Thiory Safari. Credits/Wikimedia
I bet you did not know that you could enjoy a mini-safari in France? If you don't have car you can still see some animals at the zoo that is within the park. Thiory offers other experiences such a chateau, gardens, giant maze with nine bridges. Ticket holders have access to the safari, zoo, gardens, and chateau. To visit the safari, all visitors will need to have a private car to drive them through the natural habitat where you will get an eyeful of several animals that are not customary seen in Europe. If you plan to visit this park, make it an all day family affair, because there is so many things to see and do at the park for the whole family.
Summer Operating Hours
Safari and Park - Open all day from 10am to 6pm daily in August 2016
Chateau - Open all day from 10am to 7pm daily in August 2016
Autumn Operating Hours
Safari and Park - Open all day 10am to 5pm daily from September 1 to November 13, 2016
Chateau - Open 11am to 12:30pm and1:30pm to 6pm daily from September 1 to November 13, 2016
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 Park Admission
Adults - 30€
Children (3-14 years) - 24€ ; Children (<3 years) - Free
Notes - To visit the safari you will need to use a private car and we can arrange this for you. Otherwise during French school holidays, there is a shuttle bus that you can use to visit the safari for 5€ per person.
Address - Rue du Pavillon de Montreuil, 78770 Thoiry
Website - Link
3. Paris Aquarium
Clown fish at the Paris Aquarium. Credits/Parisian Experience by Omnyview
The Paris Aquarium known in France as Aquarium de Paris Cinéaqua is a good place for families to relax and spend time discovering the fish and sea creatures in Paris. The aquarium boasts of fish from several regions of the world, such as Tahiti, Guyana, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and more. Visitors can participate in shows, movies, workshops, and educational activities which are all free for all admission ticket holders. Visitors do not need to make special reservations to participate in any of the aquarium activities.
Paris Aquarium is located in the affluent 16th arrondissement of Paris, a short walk away from the Eiffel Tower, a bustling area for tourists, merchants peddling trinkets, and street entertainers.
Operating Hours - Open all day from 10am to 7pm from Monday to Sunday except July 14th
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 Aquarium Admission
Adults - 20.50€
Children (13-17 years) - 16€ ; Children (3-12 years) - 13€ ; Children (<3 years) - Free
Notes - To avoid the lines for the aquarium, it is important to buy tickets online. Last entry into the aquarium is one hour prior to closing.
Address - 5 Avenue Albert de Mun, 75016 Paris
Website - Link
4. Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Cité des Sciences et de l'industrie. Credits/ Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, Flicker
Translated it is City of Sciences and Industry, is a sprawling campus dedicated to the discovery and learning of science and technology. Visitors will learn about the universe, sounds, mathematics, transportation, science, and so much more from the permanent exhibitions. The site also has Cité des Enfants meaning Children's City is divided into two parts, one for children from 2 to 7 years and another for children from 5 to 12 years.
La Cité des Enfants (2 to 7 years)
This children's city is part of the permanent exhibitions; it is an adventurous playground for children from 2 to 7 years. Children will access educational activities that allows them to discover, experiment, share with others.
Operating Hours - Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 am - 6.00 pm; Sunday from 10.00 am - 7.00 pm
2016 Cite des Enfants Admission
Adults - 9€
Children & young adults (under 25 years) - 7€
Notes - There are audio free guides available for English speakers, visitors who require these audio guides must leave a valid ID card (passport) to check out these audio guides.
Address - 30 avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris
La Cité des Enfants (5 to 12 years)
This section is for older children, they have access to games, activities and will discover many aspects. There are six themes in this section;
Body
Communication
TV studio
Water games
Garden
Factory
The children will have fun while they learn about science and technology.
Operating Hours - Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 am - 6.00 pm; Sunday from 10.00 am - 7.00 pm
2016 Cite des Enfants Admission
Adults - 9€
Children - 7€
Address - 30 avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris
Notes - There are audio free guides available for English speakers, visitors who require these audio guides must leave a valid ID card (passport) to check out these audio guides.
La Géode
La Géode in Paris. Credits/Wikimedia
This is an architectural building, a giant mirror sphere and a movie theater where visitors can watch IMAX, 3D, and regular nature and science movies. This theater which seats 400, has a 1000 sq-m screen that is made of aluminum panels. Some movies are in other languages, you can find out more information about movie offerings and language at the information desk.
Operating Hours - Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30 am - 8.30 pm
Movie Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 La Géode Admission
Adults - 12€
Children and Young Adults (under 25) - 9€
Notes - All children must be accompanied by an adult, no discounted rates for children and young adults on weekends and public holidays between 1:30pm and 5:30pm. Children under the age of 3 years are not allowed in La Geode.
Address - 26, avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris
Website - Link
5. Parc Astérix Paris
Astérix and Obelix at Parc Astérix Paris. Credits/Parisian Experience by Omnyview.
Parc Astérix is an amusement park that is located 35km north of Paris. This park is full of rides, roller coasters, water rides, bumper cars merry-go-round for the little ones. The amusement park also brings your family shows that all the family can enjoy. We especially love the show performed by dancing dolphins and cheeky sea lions and their human entertainers who bring a spectacular show to all the viewers to enjoy. The park is an all day affair, and it has six restaurants and eateries with self-service buffet, table service, and other options you can choose from according to your appetite.
Operating Hours - Open 10am to 7pm on specific days until November 2, 2016
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 Parc Astérix Paris Admission
Adults - 47€
Children (3 - 11 years) - 39€; Children (<3 years) - Free
Notes - There are height restrictions for several rides within the park.
Address - Autoroute A1, 60128 Plailly
Website - Link
6. Movies in English
Contrary to what many Paris visitors may think, you can find movies in Paris in English, especially in the parts of Paris frequented by tourists such as the Champs Elysées, Chatelet, Montparnasse, Bibliothèque François Mitterand. So if you want to see an movie with the family, do not hesitate to look for movies with (VOST/VO) which means, voice in original language subtitled in French.
Here are a list of cinema where you can find movies in English:
UGC George V - 146, ave des Champs-Elysees 75008 Paris
Gaumont Champs-Elysées, Marignan - 27 av des Champs-Elysees 75008 Paris
Gaumont Parnasse - 3, rue d'Odessa 75014 Paris
MK2 Bibliothèque - 128-162 avenue de France 75013 Paris
7. Jardin d'Acclimatation
Inside Jardin d'Acclimatation in Paris. Credits/David Monniaux
In 1860 the Emperor Napoleon III inaugurated the Jardin d'Acclimatation, it is located in the famous Bois de Boulogne in the affluent 16th arrondissement of Paris. There are many activities for families to enjoy together such as workshops for children, mini-train rides, boat rides, pony and camel rides, bird aviary, and so much more. There are 7 restaurants and eateries where guests can grab a bite while they enjoy the park.
Operating Hours - 10am to 6pm M-F, 10am to 7pm Sa-Su
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 Jardin d'Acclimatation Admission
Adults - 3€
Children - 3€; Children (<3 years) - Free
Notes - Attractions will cost extra above admission fees.
Address - Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris
Website - Link
8. Bateaux Mouches
Bateaux Mouche cruise on the river Seine in Paris. Credits/Parisian Experience by Omnyview
This is a cruise that gives visitors a different way to explore Paris by water. The cruise has day time and evening cruises where clients can simply take a guided river cruise of Paris, or have a restaurant brunch, lunch, or a romantic dinner cruise while you taking in the culture, history and ambience of Paris. Visitors are treated to a view of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and several other Paris monuments. It is a great activity to share as a family and a good way to learn about Paris far away from the cars and the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
Operating Hours - 10am to 6pm M-F, 10am to 7pm Sa-Su
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 Bateaux Mouche Tickets
River Cruise
Adults - 13.50€
Children - 29€
Lunch Cruise
Adults - 60€
Children - 29€
Dinner Cruise
Adults - 75€ to 325€
Children - 40€ to 68€
Notes - Dress codes for dinner and lunch cruise are formal wear and elegant casual wear respectively, and these dress codes are strictly enforced.
Address - Port de la Conférence, Pont de l'Alma, Rive droite, 75008 Paris.
Website - Link
9. Le Musée du Chocolat
Exploration of Paris will not be complete without having a food experience. This is why we recommend the chocolate museum as family event; where you and your children can learn about the world's best known sweet treat, participate in chocolate making workshops, and take some chocolates along with you for the road. We are sure that this museum is going to be a hit with children and adults alike.
Operating Hours - 10am to 6pm daily except onJanuary 1stand December 25th
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 Museum Tickets
Adults - 11€
Children (6-12 years)- 8€; Children (<6 years) - Free
Notes - The museum visit takes 1.5 hours, last entrance time is at 5pm. For 3€ museum visitors will get to taste hot chocolate. Workshops prices start from 35€.
Address - 28 boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 75010 Paris
Website - Link
10. The Jardin des Plantes Zoo
North Chinese leopards
If you are not up for taking leaving the confines of Paris to see animals in their habitat, then there is a zoo right in the center of Paris for you. The Jardin des Plantes zoo has 12oo animals - 200 mammals, 300 birds and many more animals such as crocodiles, snakes, frogs; in short you will have to come and experience the zoo in-person. Many of the animals that are at the zoo are on the endangered list and face threats of extinction, and this is why the zoo includes a facility for the conservation of species and animal research located.
Operating Hours - Open daily from 10am to 6pm
Tickets - Required for ages 3 and older
2016 Museum Tickets
Adults - 13€
Children (3-25 years)- 9€; Children (<3 years) - Free
Notes - Reservation is required for guided tours.
Address - 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris
Website - Link
