Itinerary
3 days in Paris with kids
Three days, each built around one area so you are not crossing the city with tired children. Every day has one booked activity in the morning and something loose after lunch.
Day 1
Eiffel Tower, river and aquarium
- Morning
- Book the first Eiffel Tower slot you can get and go to the second floor by lift. The tower's own figures show 9 to 11am as the quiet period. Stop on the first floor for the glass floor on the way down.
- Afternoon
- Walk down to the pier under the tower for the one-hour cruise, which doubles as a sit-down. If there is energy left, cross the bridge to the Aquarium de Paris in the Trocadéro gardens. With under-4s, pick one of the two.
- Break
- The boat is the rest stop. A toddler will often nap on a lap during the hour on the water.
Day 2
Louvre and Luxembourg
- Morning
- Be at the Louvre for the 9am opening with a booked slot and three things you want to see. Take a break at the Studio in the Richelieu wing, and be out within 90 minutes to two hours. With under-5s, swap the Louvre for the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution.
- Afternoon
- Head to the Jardin du Luxembourg. Let the children choose between the playground, the sailboats, the carousel and the ponies. Nothing here needs booking, and you leave when they are done.
- Break
- Lunch between the two is the natural pause. A pushchair nap fits well in the garden while older children play.
Day 3
Jardin d'Acclimatation and the Arc
- Morning
- Take metro line 1 to the Jardin d'Acclimatation and stay through lunch. Buy the unlimited pass for children between 80 and 130 cm. Smaller ones enter free and have the Petit Carrousel.
- Afternoon
- Line 1 runs back to Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile. With children of 7 and up, climb the Arc de Triomphe towards the end of the day. With a pushchair or under-5s, skip the climb and stay longer at the park.
- Break
- A pushchair nap after lunch fits here while older children keep riding. The nursery by the Grand Carrousel has changing tables.