The Eiffel Tower is real and worth seeing. The bread is as good as advertised. The museums are world-class and manageable if you pick one or two instead of trying to do all of them.
Kids do well here. Not because Paris is designed for children, but because it's designed for people — and people who eat well, walk streets that are actually interesting, and spend time in parks.
Here's how to do it without it becoming a story about what went wrong.
Interactive City Map
Quick Facts
France. CET (UTC+1) winter, CEST (UTC+2) summer.
Euro (EUR). Cards widely accepted, but carry some cash for markets, smaller cafes, and bakeries.
French. English is more common than the reputation suggests, especially in tourist areas and hotels.
April–June or September–October. Mild temperatures, manageable crowds, no August heat.
July–August. Hot, expensive, very crowded. Many locals leave. Some restaurants close for summer.
$300–$500 USD per day for a family of four. Paris is not cheap, but it rewards planning.
Type E (round two-pin). US travelers need a universal adapter.
French SIM or international plan works well. Reliable coverage throughout the city.
First 60 Minutes
Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the northeast, 30–45 min from center. Orly (ORY) to the south, slightly closer. Most long-haul flights arrive at CDG.
Get Some Euros
Airport ATMs give fair rates — better than exchange counters. Pull out enough for day one. Cards work almost everywhere but you'll want cash for that 7 a.m. baguette from a bakery that doesn't own a card reader.
Plan Your Transit
The right option depends on where you're staying and how much luggage you're carrying. RER B train, Roissybus, taxi, or Uber — each has a sweet spot.
Get Into the City
RER B train: direct to Gare du Nord, Chatelet, Saint-Michel. 35–45 min, ~€11/adult. Roissybus: direct to Opera, €14. Taxis: fixed rate €50–60 to central Paris. For a family with luggage and tired children, the taxi math is less embarrassing than it sounds.
Getting Around
Paris is compact enough to walk large sections of, and the Metro is fast enough that you rarely need to think hard about transit.
🚇 The Metro
16 lines, well-marked, runs ~5:30 a.m. to past midnight (2 a.m. weekends). Buy a carnet of 10 tickets — cheaper per ride. Kids under 4 free, 4–9 half price.
🚆 The RER
Regional express trains — faster and farther than Metro. RER B for CDG airport and Versailles. Keep your ticket to exit — different from Metro.
🚶 Walking
Louvre to Notre-Dame is 20 min along the Seine. Eiffel Tower to Champ de Mars is right there. Walking between things is part of the experience, not dead time.
🚲 Vélib' Bikes
Paris bike-share. Works well for adults. Less practical with young children unless you rent a cargo bike from a private operator.
🚕 Taxis & Uber
Both reliable. Good for late evenings, early mornings, or when someone's three years old and has made their position on the Metro very clear.
👶 Strollers
Metro has limited elevator access. Many stations stairs-only. Lightweight foldable stroller or a good carrier is significantly less frustrating than a full-size pushchair.
Etiquette That Matters
The reputation for rudeness is largely a misread. Paris is a formal city that rewards a small amount of courtesy with considerably more warmth than you'd expect.
Say bonjour. Every shop, bakery, restaurant — lead with bonjour. Not optional, not a formality. The entire interaction goes better after it.
Attempt a word of French before switching to English. Most Parisians speak enough English. They appreciate the effort. It takes four seconds.
Cafe culture has a pace. You've rented that table for as long as you want. Nobody will rush you. Don't expect instant service — catch their eye, give a nod.
Keep voices down in museums and churches. These are genuinely significant places and the locals treat them as such.
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated. Round up to nearest euro or leave a few euros. 10–15% for good restaurant service is welcome.
Where to Stay
The Marais
Best for FamiliesCentral, walkable, genuinely interesting. Place des Vosges — one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Close to the Seine, Notre-Dame, easy Metro access. Good family-friendly hotels and apartments.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The Classic PickNear Luxembourg Gardens — puppet shows, pony rides, huge park mid-city. Slightly more expensive. Worth it if the budget allows.
Montmartre
The Atmospheric OptionHilltop, Sacré-Cœur, narrow streets, artist history. Beautiful and different in character. The hill is the tradeoff — stairs everywhere. Cheaper than the center.
7th Arrondissement
The Eiffel Tower ZoneIf your kids have requested to wake up and see the Tower, this is it. Quiet residential feel, excellent bakeries, easy Champ de Mars picnics.
72-Hour Plan
Eiffel Tower
Book tickets in advance. The second floor gives the view without the crowd. Morning is better than afternoon.
Champ de Mars Picnic
Buy a baguette, cheese, fruit. Eat on the grass. Free, genuinely pleasant, the kind of moment that stays with kids longer than any museum.
Seine Walk & Dinner
Walk along the Seine toward Pont Alexandre III. Then across to the Champs-Élysées — you see it once. Dinner in the 7th or 6th, find a prix fixe brasserie.
The Louvre
Get there at 9 a.m. opening. Don't try to see everything. Egyptian antiquities hold kids well. Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa in one corridor. Two hours is enough.
Notre-Dame
Walk along the Left Bank to Île de la Cité. The cathedral reopened in late 2024 — the interior is worth seeing, restoration and all.
The Marais
Wander Place des Vosges. Falafel from L'As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers — practical and excellent, the line moves fast. Pompidou Centre if energy remains.
Versailles
RER C, ~40 min. Book tickets in advance. The palace is extraordinary. Gardens are vast, free to walk. Plan a full day. The more memorable option if kids have the stamina.
Montmartre
Funicular up to Sacré-Cœur — kids love it. The view over Paris from the steps is one of the best in the city. Artists at Place du Tertre. Find a crêpe. Half a day.
Dad-Tested Picks for Paris
Pre-booked Tickets
Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Versailles — all sell out peak season. Showing up without a ticket is a wasted morning.
Metro Carnet
10 tickets, cheaper per ride. For multi-day: Paris Visite pass if moving around a lot.
Waterproof Shoes
Paris is a walking city. Waterproof, broken-in shoes matter more here than anywhere on this list. New shoes = blisters.
Bag With a Zipper
Lightweight day bag, front zipper for Metro cards. Pickpocketing exists in crowded Metro and tourist areas. Not paranoia — basic.
Morning Croissant
From a proper boulangerie. Every morning. Eat immediately. The best bakery item in the world. This is not optional.
The Picnic Setup
Not a product — a habit. Cheese, bread, charcuterie, fruit from a market. Cheaper than a sit-down lunch and often more enjoyable.
FAQ + Safety
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Paris doesn't need you to love it immediately. Give it a morning, a good boulangerie, and a park bench. It'll do the rest.
The kids will remember the Eiffel Tower. You'll remember the croissant. Both are correct.
📍 Part of: Business Travel City Guides.