Where to Stay in Paris with Kids: Top 2 Family-Friendly Areas

1. The Latin Quarter (5^eme arrondissement)

The Latin Quarter is a calm and residential area situated in the historical heart of the city.

Because of its name, many people think that it is the Latino district of Paris, but not at all! It’s named “Latin Quarter” because, during the Middle Ages, Latin was the most commonly spoken language for scholars and students at the University of Paris.

Perks:

• Calm, residential and very walkable.
• Centrally located, with a short commute to the most renowned monuments in Paris.

Kid-Friendly Hotels

I have put together a small selection of hotels who offer family rooms, specifically designed for parents and kids to enjoy their stay!

• Hôtel Grand Cœur Latin
• Hôtel des Grandes Écoles
• Hôtel La Lanterne

Where To Eat

These restaurants have French dishes for parents who wants to try local foods, while also offering accessible, kid-friendly options (we all know who’s the picky eater in the family 😉)

• La Crêperie‍
  You definitely have to try crêpes while you’re in Paris! This crêperie offers authentic savory and sweet crêpes — perfect for a relaxing, family-friendly lunch.

• Le Bon Moment Café‍
  This café has a play area for children, so that parents can take a break enjoying a coffee and a treat while children are playing.

Kid-Friendly activities

Museums

• Musée de Minéralogie
  This museum is dedicated to the science and beauty of minerals, crystals, and gemstones. Adults and kids will be amazed by these stunning shining gems of all shapes, sizes and colors!

• Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle
  This vast museum displays life-size animals and exhibitions about biodiversity evolution. It is quite impressive to see in person and captivates both adults and children.

Gardens

• Luxembourg Gardens
  Take a walk in the most renowned and magnificent gardens in Paris. Perfect for kids to let loose, and for parents to appreciate a moment of calm and beauty.

• ‍Les Arènes de Lutèce
  This park was constructed around what was once an ancient theatre from the Roman Empire! Back then, this theater could seat 15,000 people and was used to show gladiatorial combat. This is a super cool place for children to play at!

• Le Jardin des Plantes
  ‍The Jardin des Plantes is a large domain separated into three main areas:
  
  • A stunning botanical garden with thousands of plant species.
  • The Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle, mentioned above.
  • One of the oldest zoos in the world called “La Ménagerie."

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Shopping

• L’Épée de Bois
  This toy store makes toys for kids from 0 to 10 years old. They have a large selection of wooden toys and adorable plushies. It’s the perfect store to get a souvenir for your kids!

Tuileries and Louvre area (1^er arrondissement)

I picked this neighborhood because it’s a very central part of Paris, and you’re a quick walk away from all the major cultural sites.

Perks:

• The Louvre is at walking distance.
• Very close to the Seine river, it’s the best place to take a stroll and watch the boats pass by

Kid Friendly Hotels

Here’s my selection of Hotels who offer family rooms in the 1st district, specially designed for parents and kids have the best stay!

• Hôtel Regina Louvre
• Hôtel La Tamise

Where to Eat

• Café Joséphine
  This traditional french brasserie is perfect to try french cuisine! And off course, they also offers a kids’ menu 😉

• BO&MIE
  Many bakeries don’t have a sit down area. BO&MIE has one, so you can enjoy your sandwich or sweet treat siting down.

• Le Soufflé
  A soufflé is a light, airy baked dish made with a flavored base and beaten egg whites that puff up in the oven. This restaurant is also perfectly suited for kids too, as the texture of soufflé is very original and intriguing and there are very simple classic options (as well as a kid’s menu).

What to Do

Museums

• Louvre Museum
• Sounds obvious but if it’s your first time in Paris, the Louvre Museum is definitely a must-see, for its world known pieces but also for the magnificent decor of the Renaissance-style building. And there are lots of offers for a kid-friendly experience at the museum. We offer Private Louvre Tours and our guides can adapt the tours to families, making the visit interesting for both parents and kids.

• Musée en Herbe
  This museum is especially designed for kids! It’s the perfect place for kids to take an interest on art and culture. The expositions are renewed very often, so depending when you’ll come it’ll be on a different theme.

• 59 Rivoli
  This contemporary art space, houses studios for dozens of artists. Why it is interesting to visit? The whole building is covered with colorful street art that fill both parents and children with wonder, and it’s free!

Gardens

The 1st district also has lots green spaces for children to run and parent to spend a calmer evening.

• The Tuileries Gardens
• Take your time to stroll through this french formal style gardens, just in front of the Louvre, while children can run, ride carousels, or sail toy boats.

• Les Colonnes de Burennes
  This contemporary conceptual art consists of black-and-white striped columns of varying heights arranged. It is situated in the courtyard of the Palais Royal in Paris, giving a striking contrast with the building from the XVII century. It is always a must for children who love to play hide and seek or try to jump in between these pillars!

Shopping & discovery

The first district is the historical heart of Paris, hence, there are mostly museums and historical buildings in the area. However, being at the very center of the city, you’re only a few metro stops or a short walk away from shopping areas:

• The Covered Passageways
  Those are covered shopping long corridors built mainly in the 19th century, with elegant shops, cafés, and galleries. The Galerie Vivienne and Passage Jouffroy will especially interest children as it houses traditional toys stores!

• Le Nain Bleu
  Created in 1836, this toys store is one of the oldest of the city. It offers many artisanal dolls, plushies and wooden toys.

Have a good time in Paris!

Both of these neighborhoods are perfect for family with kids. Staying near the center of Paris means you’ll spend less time commuting and more time enjoying the city’s museums, gardens, and cafés together. Enjoy your stay!