Paris With Kids: Our Complete Family Travel Guide
We hired Laura at Smart Flyer and she was WONDERFUL!
DAY 1:
Book a sidecar tour of the city!
It's a super safe way to see the parts of the city you won't have time for.
Here's the Sidecar tour company we used:
https://www.instagram.com/retro_tour_paris/
You can hop on and off from the sidecar and walk around, I suggest doing it at Montmarte because it's so hilly and the car will take you to the top. Take pictures at Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur.
We walked around some Parisian flea markets - I found this Instagram account that posts where the best ones will be each week.
We were so tired after our flight, we had dinner in our hotel (which I highly recommend - La Fantasie!).
DAY 2:
Scavenger Hunt at the Louvre. This is the company we used.
The guide spoke english and was so great with the girls. Made them super interested in art, so the adults could actually enjoy the museum too!
Right outside the Louvre is Jardin de Tuileries. A giant public park with so much to do! Grab gelato, walk around, ride the carousels!
Walk across the bridge to Luxembourg Garden, another beautiful park, and had lunch plus hot chocolate at Mademoiselle Angelina. The cafe is actually in the park, so hop over to the playground & carousel after.
DAY 3:
Private pastry class at Lili and Clo. We made macaroons from scratch!
Followed by shopping at Chanel on Rue Cambon. Admittedly the girls weren't as crazy about shopping at Chanel, but the sales associates were so kind - they gave the girls the cutest Chanel gift bags.
We promised them another carousel after - so we walked to nearby Tuileries Garden.
We ended the night with dinner, drinks and the cheesecake at Hotel Costes. Trust me on the cheesecake.
DAY 4:
Disneyland Paris!
It's much smaller than the US parks. You can easily do it in a day! We hired a car to drive us there and I highly recommend that.
We were so tired after, we just had dinner at a cafe near our hotel.
DAY 5:
We started the day with a walk to a nearby park (they are everywhere in Paris!) then lunch at the new Restoration Hardware cafe. It's on Champs Elysses, so after lunch we walked around and shopped. The Arc de Triomphe is there too.
We changed and went to our private cruise of the River Seine. This is the company we used.
DAY 6:
Mother daughter photoshoot outside the Eiffel Tower. We used L'Amour de Paris and they were so wonderful! Even helped us get a cab after.
We had lunch at Cafe Girafe after (make sure you get a reservation 2 weeks in advance). Then walked to grab hot chocolate nearby.
DAY 7:
Departure day. I ran to the French pharmacy before we left and stocked up on my favs. I also bought about $100 worth of French butter to take home. Tip: They vacuum seal it so you can take it in your checked luggage!
Extras: We didn't get to do it on this trip, but last time we went to the Dior Museum - SO much fashion! Girls will love the colors & dresses.
Favorite Parisian parks:
1. Tuileries Garden
2. Jardin du Luxembourg
3. Jardin des Plantes
4. Parc Du Champs de Mars
5. Jardin d’Acclimatation
6. Playground near Chateaux de Vincennes
7. Parc Georges Brassens
8. Jardin Nelson Mandela
9. Playground at the Square d’Anvers - Jean-Claude
Carrière
10. Parc Floral: Bois de Vincennes
And - if you need activities to take on the plane, here's my list!
