All You Need to Know: Where to Stay in Paris with Kids

When you’ve got children in tow, you don’t want to be spending a lot of time getting from place to place. Those miniature attention spans are short and precious. Saint-Germain-des-Prés offers plenty of buzzing shops, boutiques and cafes. Its lively atmosphere will keep children engaged and thrill older travellers.

Head to iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots for a truly Parisian lunch, sit at the terrace for the perfect people-watching spot and start with giant wild Burgundy snails. Later on, you may order a steaming pot of thick chocolat chaud at renowned Cafe de Flore, or stop by L'ile aux fées for French style, handmade smocked dresses for your little ones.

Above all, make sure you visit the nearby Jardins du Luxembourg, where you'll find a myriad of kid-friendly activities: from the Ludo Jardin playground – a meeting place for families and playful environment of creativity for children, the Manege Garnier – Paris’ oldest carousel dating from 1879 and designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Opera de Paris, the Grand Bassin where kids have been pushing iconic little wooden sailboats for 90 years, or the pony rides.

Le Marais is also incredibly central, but what makes it a great place to stay in Paris with kids is the culture and green spaces. This district, one of the oldest of Paris, spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements and holds many beautifully kept parks, of which the Place de Vosges is a green highlight and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Paris.

For a taste of Brittany, we recommend lunch the Breizh Café rue Vieille du Temple, where you will be served delicious crêpes and galettes prepared to perfection. Stop at patisserie Bontemps rue de Bretagne for gorgeous and mouthwatering cakes, or book a table at their next door restaurant Le Jardin Secret for a high-end Sunday brunch in the courtyard shaded by trees – they offer a great set-menu specially for kids.

The Centre Pompidou has creative activities for children and families, like the Galerie des Enfants that presents interactive and fun workshop-exhibitions for children age 3-10. Not far, the recently refurbished Musée Picasso will keep children quiet as they try to count the number of abstract faces they can see. Notre-Dame and the Louvre are also both within walking distance, so even if your darlings throw a tantrum in front of the world-famous cathedral, it won’t be a long walk home.

The biggest selling points about staying in the 1st arrondissement for younger children are the playgrounds in the Tuileries Gardens. Sit and watch them play while entertaining fantasies that they’ll become effortlessly bilingual.

Next door is the Louvre, the heart of this district, so you can spend a day teaching the bambinos how to pull a face just like the Mona Lisa before returning to your very own pick of the luxury short-term rentals in the French capital.

Teenagers will love the shopping in this area, so be prepared to bring your credit card to Rue Saint Honoré, Place Vendôme and the Les Halles district. We suggest a visit to concept store Leclaireur for a unique shopping experience, and a collection of high end, visionary fashion, lifestyle and design brands.

On the outer east side of Paris, the 12th arrondissement is far removed from bustling tourists and high central city prices. Even better is the ample green space in the close by Bois de Vincennes, the largest public park in Paris created in the 19th century by the Emperor Napoleon III, which now offer play areas, football pitches and horse riding. Also in the park are the Paris Zoo, where your little monkeys can make friends with the other animals, or the Temple of Love, overlooking the Lac de Daumesnil which can be explored by renting rowing boats.

Another great spot of the 12th is the Parc de Bercy, which mixes green spaces and cultural venues. Swing by the Fairground Museum and discover magical rooms and outdoor spaces on the theme of performing arts and entertainment, showcasing a unique collection of objects and rides from the 19th and 20th centuries.

From this district you will also be on a direct RER train line to Disneyland Paris, and if you’re braving a trip there it’s better to be 30 minutes away than have to travel even further to get to the Magic Kingdom. The thought that there are many adorable bars and restaurants in the 12th might make the thought of meeting Mickey a bit more bearable – not to mention the plethora of luxury apartments that you'll have to choose from.

Found in the north east of Paris, you can really get away from the noise of the city in the 19th arrondissement – ideal if you’re less fussed about being near the main tourist attractions – it will barely feel like you’re in the city.

The Parc des Buttes Chaumont is a charming, hilly park which offers great views of Paris (and Montmartre in particular), when you climb all the way to the belvedere. Kids can run freely on the grass in the wide open spaces, explore grottos, cascades, cross a suspended bridge, ride a pony or attend a puppet show. Stop at Rosa Bonheur, a welcoming venue inside the park offering snack, a drink, and music every thursday evening.

Further north and on the edge of Paris is the Parc de la Villette, an urban park of 55 hectares designed by Bernard Tschumi, split by the Canal de l'Ourcq and hosting performances, concert halls such as the Paris Philharmonic which also offers a space for children aged 4-10 to play, explore, listen, live and feel the music, as well as boutiques, bars, restaurants and cinemas.

That’s right - it’s time to pull out your daydream of moving to Paris and opening a boulangerie again. You could even stay in one of the luxury Paris vacation rentals in our collection.