What to do with kids in Paris
Recommendations from writer Andra Zeppelin
This isn’t a news flash so much as a reminder: I do not have children. I live with two cats who remain indoors and don’t seem to care much about the latest museum exhibition or the parks that are well-suited for toddlers. But as we approach the summer travel season, the email requests I’m getting for kid-friendly outings in Paris have surged. I can imagine what I’d do with children in Paris but I figured the better idea would be to turn to my friend who is constantly out and about in Paris with her two daughters. Below, you’ll find a few of her tips and anecdotes about keeping children of all ages entertained in the city.
Kids often rise to the level we allow them to, with culture as with food. That’s my lens, at least. Years ago, at the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, I was getting an adult audio guide for me and a children’s audio guide for my daughter, who was eight at the time. The clerk behind the counter asked quite bluntly if I believed my daughter wasn’t very smart. Perhaps something was lost in translation, or it was just her direct style, but what she meant was that I should trust her with the regular grown-up version. I got two adult audio guides and never forgot the moment. It made sense. I never made my girls a different meal than ours for dinner, so why would I give them a different experience when it came to art?
This philosophy has shaped how we approach cultural experiences in Paris. We take in permanent collections and special exhibits, ballet and concerts, special events, and festivals. Nearly once a week, we find a place to visit, a new restaurant to explore, or a show to attend. Our top favorites change constantly, but we have recommended these to friends many times and joined them for visits. Here, I’ve shared a variety— museums, dining ideas, our favorite treats, an outdoor space with a cultural twist, and a theatre to get you started.
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