Paris is a magical city all year round, but it takes on a special charm in the winter. With less crowds and lots of opportunity to sip on hot chocolate and lattes, bundle up and enjoy! Here is our suggested 3-day itinerary for a fun-filled Parisian adventure with your kids:
Day 1: Explore the City Center
- Morning: Start your day with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Take the stairs or elevator to the top for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. We booked our tickets online and slots open up 14 days ahead of time. You can even have lunch at the Jules Verne restaurant, located on the second floor, for a truly unforgettable experience. While we skipped out on this experience, I’ve heard it is pretty special!
- Afternoon: After lunch, consider a stroll down the Champs-Élysées, the famous avenue known for its shops, cafes, and theaters. Take a break at the Jardin des Tuileries, this is a huge and beautiful greenspace that includes playgrounds, sculptures, and a carousel.
- Evening: Enjoy a Seine River cruise, a perfect way to see the city’s landmarks from a different perspective. We chose a family guided tour and while the weather wasn’t exactly cooperative (a bit of wind and rain), overall the experience of being on the river was a great way to and the day. As the sun sets, the city lights up, creating a magical ambiance!
Day 2: Dive into History and Culture
- Morning #2 : In the morning, head to the Louvre Museum, one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. While the vast collection might be overwhelming for young children, focus on specific sections like Egyptian mummies or the Mona Lisa. You can also opt for a family-friendly tour designed to engage children. We didn’t opt for this tour but it can be a great way to make an otherwise dry and tiring experience, lively and engaging!
- Afternoon: In the afternoon, explore the Île de la Cité, a small island in the middle of the Seine River. Here you’ll find the Notre Dame Cathedral, a magnificent example of Gothic architecture, and Sainte-Chapelle, a stunning royal chapel known for its stained glass windows. We opted to stroll leisurely a couple miles along the Seine River to make our way, using the promise of crepes at the finish line to keep our kiddos walking! The Notre Dame Cathedral was beautiful, and luckily for us, there was a crepe stand parked right out front!
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional French dinner at a cozy restaurant in the Latin Quarter, a historical and lively district known for its universities, cafes, and bookstores. Here you can meander the pedestrian only streets eyeing up cuisine from all over the world! We opted for Ramen bowls but it was a hard choice with all the smells and atmospheres to choose from!
Day 3: Fun and Games
- Morning #3: Head to Montmartre, a charming hilltop neighborhood known for its Sacré-Coeur basilica, narrow streets, and vineyards. Take a funicular ride up the hill and enjoy the panoramic views from the basilica. This is an easy metro ride from Paris and you walk up to street level and feel you have been transported to a fairy tale. Off season means you will have massively less crowds and beautiful streets to wander!
- Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, a science museum and amusement park complex located in the La Villette district. With interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and an IMAX theater, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Under 2 is free!
- Evening: Stroll over to the Arc de Triomphe, a triumphal arch located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. We showed up and got tickets easily at the booth. Our kids loved climbing to the top for panoramic views of the city.
I have a few extra tips for planning your trip to Paris with kids in the winter:
- Pack warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and rain gear.
- Take breaks often and allow plenty of time for meals and snacks. One of our favorite things to get in more steps was to pick up baguette sandwiches to let the kids munch on the go.
- Consider purchasing a Paris Pass, which gives you free or discounted entry to many museums and attractions, as well as unlimited rides on public transportation.
- Download a few French phrases for kids to learn.
- Most importantly, relax and have fun! Paris is a city that everyone will enjoy, regardless of age.
