Paris with Kids

Becoming a parent does not mean you have to give up travel. You just have to get more creative and seek out the places that will appeal to both generations. Remember your sense of adventure and be flexible, and any trip can be a blast! Even Paris, city of Romance and Art, and Museums and Gardens – not to mention Food and Wine – can be a family destination with a bit of advance planning. Don't try to spend hours musing over the Rodin sculptures at Musée d'Orsay, or make reservations for elaborate gourmet dinners at the top restaurants. Instead, decide to visit a few places you might not have otherwise considered, like theme parks or the zoo.

Before you go

Prep the kids ahead of time with books or movies. If you haven't seen Ratatouille yet, do so before your trip – it will give kids a quick, fun glimpse of the city. Check your local library for kids' books about Paris – the Madeleine books, Eloise in Paris, and Ooh-la-la (Max in Love) are great for younger children and should be readily available at most local libraries. For older kids, check out Night of the New Magicians (#35 in the Magic Tree House series) or even The Hunchback of Notre Dame. After reading that last one, a visit to the cathedral is definitely in order!

Where to stay

If you're not staying at one of the Disneyland® Resort Paris hotels, here are some kid-friendly alternatives. The nicest (and therefore most expensive) are the Four Seasons Hotel George V and Hôtel Meurice, both of which go the extra mile to make kids feel welcome and special, and ease the grown-ups' minds. A more affordable choice would be the Hôtel Galileo – the staff is particularly personable here and accommodations are clean and comfortable, plus the location is central. Keep in mind that the vast majority of hotel rooms in Paris are tiny and be prepared for sticker shock.

What to see and do

Of course, no visit to Paris would be complete without a stop at La Tour Eiffel. You can ascend partway, or all the way – the views from each level are impressive. The Musée du Louvre is usually considered the second must-see attraction. It can overwhelm even the most determined of adults, but luckily, Paris Muse offers a fantastic guided family tour that lets you see the highlights (and enjoy a little scavenger hunt too) in under two hours. It's exceptionally fun, and may be the only really good way to see the museum with kids in tow. With small children, you'll probably be better off skipping the other museums (well, most of them anyway).