Best Things to Do in Paris with Kids 2026

Paris is one of the world's most visited cities and, despite its reputation for formality, it is surprisingly accommodating to families with children. The city's extraordinary collection of museums, parks, and iconic landmarks provides a genuinely world-class family itinerary, and the French culture of family-centred public life means children are welcome in restaurants, cafes, and public spaces throughout the city. Australian families visiting Europe in 2026 will find Paris a rich, manageable, and deeply rewarding family base.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the world's most visited paid monument and the defining icon of Paris, best experienced with children via a pre-booked timed ticket that eliminates the sometimes two-hour queue that builds for non-ticket holders. The lift to the second level provides the most accessible family experience, with the summit level accessible via an additional lift. Visiting at dusk allows families to see both the daytime and evening views, including the famous sparkling light show that illuminates the tower for five minutes every hour after sunset. Book tickets at minimum 60 days in advance during school holiday periods.

Musee d'Orsay

The Musee d'Orsay in a converted Beaux-Arts railway station houses France's greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne, and Van Gogh. For older children with some exposure to art history, the Musee d'Orsay is more immediately accessible than the Louvre's vast ancient collections. The building itself, with its visible clock faces and iron vaulted ceiling, impresses children architecturally. Family workshops in English run on selected days and provide children with guided creative engagement with the collection. Children under 18 enter free.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee, about 45 minutes from central Paris on the RER A train, is the most visited theme park in Europe and provides a distinctly European take on the Disney experience, with Sleeping Beauty's castle at its centre. The park has two separate parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios, with a combined ticket providing two days of content. Disney's Marvel Avengers Campus in Walt Disney Studios is among the most impressive superhero themed environments in any Disney park globally. Book accommodation on site for early park entry privileges and the most immersive experience.

Seine River Cruise

A Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf river cruise on the Seine provides an excellent orientation of central Paris from the water, passing the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and numerous bridges decorated with love locks. The one-hour cruise is well-paced for families with younger children and the commentary is available in multiple languages. The evening dinner cruises are romantic but long for young children. The daytime sightseeing cruise followed by a picnic on the Seine embankments is the ideal family format. Notre-Dame, currently in its final stages of post-fire restoration, is expected to be fully reopened by late 2024.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement is Paris's most beloved park and specifically cherished as a family space, with a celebrated puppet theatre (Marionnettes du Luxembourg), miniature sailboats available to hire on the central pond, a large adventure playground, pony rides, and an in-park tennis courts and boules area. The park is the heart of the Left Bank neighbourhood and its brasseries and patisseries immediately surrounding it make it an excellent full morning or afternoon destination combining outdoor play with Parisian cafe culture.

Practical Tips for Australian Families

Paris's best family weather is April to June and September to October, with warm days and comfortable evenings. July and August are busy and increasingly warm. The Paris Metro is efficient, affordable, and safe, with children under 4 travelling free. The Paris Museum Pass covers free entry to over 50 museums including the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay and provides excellent value for families planning multiple museum visits. Most Paris restaurants welcome children but the kitchen closes between lunch service (ending around 2:30pm) and dinner service (beginning around 7:30pm), so plan meals accordingly. The French appreciate children who are well-behaved at the table and the effort of a basic bonjour and merci from young visitors is warmly received.

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