Where to go in Paris with a baby?

Paris is a great city for family vacations. The French capital and its surroundings offer a variety of activities for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Among them:

City of Science and Industry (La Villette Park)

You can discover the world of modern science at the museum complex located in La Villette Park. Here you can learn about the mysteries of space, stars and galaxies, get acquainted with the achievements of aeronautics, mathematics, genetics, and acquire new information about mountains and oceans.

Young visitors can visually learn about the achievements of science thanks to interactive tools: multimedia displays, moving models, holograms and videos. In addition, the museum staff demonstrates spectacular experiments and engages children in interesting and informative games.

The Science and Industry City also includes the Geode Cinema, located in a spherical building with a circular screen 26 meters in diameter. Here popular science films are shown, with the latest technology providing a full immersive experience. Next to the theater is a real submarine, the Argonaut, which everyone can board.

La Villette Park offers other activities: you can visit the Music City with its concert hall and museum, take a ride on the Urk Canal, relax on the green lawns, dine in restaurants and cafes.

Aquaboulevard

The Paris water park, known as Aquaboulevard, is one of the largest in Europe. Its vast territory is home to several pools and beaches (under the roof and outdoors), as well as dozens of attractions of all kinds. The most famous of them is the “Jonas Whale” (Baleine Jonas), the idea of which was put forward by the outstanding explorer of the sea Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Children can climb inside a 30-meter model of a whale and then slide down a gentle slide into the pool.

For older children there are more complex attractions: long rides, steep slides, simulated surfing and much more. Every 30 minutes, artificial waves are activated in the pools and a special signal warns of their appearance.

The four-storey complex Akvabulvar includes not only an aqua park. There is a sports store, a sports zone with fitness equipment, a movie theater, many cafes and restaurants. A visit to the water park is a great way to get energized and regain strength after long walks around the city.

Zoos

Little and big animal lovers can visit two zoos in the French capital.

• Paris Zoological Park (Parc zoologique de Paris)

The extensive zoo is located in the Vincennes Forest. It is easy to find it, oriented by the park’s symbol – a huge artificial rock, the height of which is 65 meters. The huge territory of 14.5 hectares is divided into 5 biozones, which allow you to get acquainted with the inhabitants of Europe, Madagascar, African savannah, Patagonia and other regions. All animals are kept in spacious open-air aviaries or in comfortable large enclosures. In addition, the park also includes a greenhouse where the inhabitants of the tropics live, in particular the hapa lemur.

• Menagerie at Botanical garden (Ménagerie du jardin des Plantes)

One of Europe’s oldest zoological parks, opened in 1794, is considered an architectural monument of Paris. It is not too large but cozy zoo, the pride of which is a collection of monkeys, including an orangutan; a family of Przewalski’s horses; mountain goats and other hoofed animals. It is also home to many birds (hawks, vultures, pheasants, cranes, ibises) and amphibians, including a giant tortoise over 100 years old.

Cinéaqua Aquarium

The Paris Cinéaqua Aquarium, located between the Trocadero Square and the Seine, was opened in 1867. It got its modern look in 2006 after a thorough remodeling. Children and adults can immerse themselves in the world of underwater exploration, exploring the inhabitants of 43 pools and large aquariums. In the largest of them swims 38 sharks belonging to 7 different species. The tanks are always crowded with colorful tropical fish and bizarre coral beds.

There are many activities for children: they can feed the fish in the outdoor pool and even pet them. In addition, the aquarium has a movie theater where you can watch marine-related films.

Fun museums

Many museums in Paris will be of interest to children and adults alike. We recommend visiting:

• Gravan Museum

The Gravan Wax Museum was opened in 1881. Its exhibition features 450 characters, including famous politicians (Charles de Gaulle, Nicolas Sarkozy), historical figures (Joan of Arc, Napoleon), famous actors (Louis de Funès, Jean Renault), singers (Charles Aznavour, Ray Charles), artists (Leonardo da Vinci, Renoir), athletes (Zinaddin Zidane) and fictional characters (Lara Croft, Obelix). Children will be particularly attracted to historical scenes such as “Louis XIV at Versailles” or “Inauguration of the Suez Canal”, which are executed with great skill.

• Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum will introduce the child to the history of the appearance of this popular delicacy and tell them in detail about the process of its production. Children and adults are also offered tasting of different varieties of chocolate, as well as master classes on making the appetizing treat.

• Museum of Magic

All children love magic! The Paris Museum of Magic, where mysterious attributes used by magicians of different epochs are presented, will allow you to touch it. Visitors are offered a small but spectacular show that will leave no one indifferent.

• Puppet Museum

Girls will surely like the small but cozy Dolls Museum, where about 500 dolls, mostly made in France from 1880-1950s, are presented. The toys are united in thematic compositions: they are engaged in school, treating each other to tea, resting on the beach. Here you can also see doll houses, furniture and utensils.

Helpful Hints:

• There is a special, cheaper rate for children when visiting cultural and entertainment venues, and some of them are free of charge.
• It’s unlikely that your child will refuse to take a ride on the Ferris Wheel installed in the Tuileries Park, or on the ancient carousel found in Montmartre and other iconic Parisian neighborhoods.
• Many restaurants and cafes in the city have special menus for kids, providing smaller portions for less money.
• Children over 3 years of age are allowed in the Aquaboulvar, children under 12 years of age can only enter with an adult. If you plan to visit the water park, please bring 2 euro coins, which you will need to close your clothes locker (they will be returned when you leave).