Paris with Kids: What Actually Matters (No BS Guide)✨ From one mom to another…

If you’re planning a trip to Paris with your kids, I’m so excited for you… and also, I want to save you from the mistakes I made.

Paris is incredible. It really is. But with kids? It can go from magical to overwhelming very fast if you don’t know a few key things.

So this isn’t a “perfect itinerary” guide.
This is what I would tell you if we were sitting over coffee and you asked:

👉 “What actually matters when traveling to Paris with kids?”

🗼 Let’s start with what’s ACTUALLY worth doing

1. Eiffel Tower (but please do this right)

This is one of those moments your kids will remember forever… but only if you plan it right.

Here’s what I learned the hard way:

• Tickets to the top sell out FAST (set an alarm and book early) 
• Don’t rely on same-day tickets → long lines, limited access
• Go later in the day so you get:
  • sunset
  • AND the sparkle lights ✨

We stayed for the twinkle and my kids were literally in awe.
👉 Totally worth it.

Dinner at the Eiffel Tower with panoramic view: Madame Brasserie Restaurant

Paris in A Day: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame & Seine Cruise

2. Seine River Cruise (don’t skip this)

I almost didn’t do this… and I’m so glad we did.

After walking all day (and trust me, you WILL walk a lot), this is:

• relaxing
• easy
• zero effort

👉 Go about 1 hour before sunset.
You’ll get the best light + the calmest moment of your day.

Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise

3. Luxembourg Gardens (your sanity stop)

At some point, your kids will hit a wall.

This is where you go:

• they can run
• play
• breathe

There are little boats, space to sit, snacks…
👉 It’s not “touristy,” but it’s exactly what you need.

Paris Luxembourg Gardens Highlights Small-Group Walking Tour

4. The Louvre (but don’t do it like everyone else)

Let me be honest:

If you try to do the Louvre like a “must-see everything” experience…
👉 everyone will be miserable.

Instead:

• pick 1–2 things to see
• turn it into a game

We asked our kids to find:
👉 “the coolest statue”
👉 “something that looks like a superhero”

And suddenly… it worked.

5. Montmartre (this is the vibe)

This is the Paris you picture in your head:

• cobblestone streets
• little cafés
• artists

It’s slower, easier, and honestly one of the best areas with kids.

👉 This is where you feel Paris.

Montmartre Walking Tour: Paris’ Best Art, Culture and Food

6. The FREE stuff (don’t underestimate this)

Some of our best moments were free:

• Watching the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
• Walking along the Seine
• Sitting in parks with pastries

👉 You do NOT need to spend a lot to have an amazing trip 

🏨 Where I would stay (simple + realistic)

Let’s keep this real—location matters more than anything.

💰 Budget-friendly

Ibis Tour Eiffel area

• Simple, clean, good location
• Works if you’re mostly out exploring

👉 Check prices here

✨ Best balance (my recommendation)

Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés

• Apartment-style (game changer with kids)
• Central location
• Easy walking to everything

👉 Check availability

💎 If you want the experience

Shangri-La Paris

• Eiffel Tower views from your room
• Unreal… but yes, expensive

👉 Worth it if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip

👉 Check availability

⚠️ Things I REALLY wish I knew before going

These are the things no one tells you:

• Restaurants close in the afternoon (this one hit us HARD) 
  👉 Always have snacks
• You will walk A LOT
  👉 We averaged ~25K steps/day 
  👉 Good shoes = survival
• Weather changes fast
  👉 Raincoat. Always. 
• Metro tickets are annoying
  👉 They demagnetize easily
  👉 Navigo pass = easier 

💛 The biggest mindset shift

This one matters the most.

Paris is NOT about:

• checking every landmark
• rushing from place to place

👉 It’s about moments

Your kids won’t remember:

• how many museums you visited

They WILL remember:

• croissants in the morning
• running in a park
• staying up late for the Eiffel Tower

✨ If you take one thing from this…

👉 Slow down
👉 Pick fewer things
👉 Leave room for the unexpected

That’s where the magic is.

🔥 Want my exact plan?

If you’re thinking:

👉 “Okay… but how do I actually plan this day by day?”

I got you.

In my full guide, and sign up I will soon let you know when my full guide is release where I break down:

• a real 5-day itinerary (with kids)
• how to group everything so you’re not exhausted
• what to skip
• where to eat
• how to make it EASY