Paris is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world and planning a multi-day family trip there can be overwhelming and exhausting. City breaks often go one of two ways for our family. They are either the perfect amount of activity and sights, or our time there is too overwhelming and expensive, often ending with children grumbling about being “done.”
We visited Paris as a couple years ago, and I can confirm it’s an incredible trip with our without children. However, my big focus is seeing the authentic sides of Paris and leaning into slow travel. I believe it is meaningful for families to explore quiet corners, seek out lesser done spots, and slow down. Slow travel, especially in cities has transformed our time in them.
I had the privilege (and pure enjoyment) of helping my dear friend plan her family’s frist trip to Paris. They had a list of sights to see, and some ideas of what they were interested in, and in the end end, her itinerary ended up being the perfect blend of authentic and tourist. And the pace of it allowed her family to experience sides of Paris that some visitors don’t see.
The Itinerary:
Day One: Flight and Jet Lag Recovery Day: The family took an Uber to their accommodations, walked among the neighborhood to grocery stores, cafes, and playgrounds allowing the children to adjust to the time change and exploring a trendy Parisian neighborhood.
Day Two: Palace of Versailles and Gardens. The transportation was a simple train ride from the city of Paris, accessed by their metro. We decided she would purchase her timed entry ticket for the palace directly from their website. I suggested no added tours, because the basic tour coupled with the Gardens is often more than enough for kids. Their visit was followed up by walking through the town of Versailles, enjoying pastries, and a local playground before taking the train back to their neighborhood.
Day Three: The Family enjoyed visiting the Lourve. Accessible by public transportation, which is part of the fun for children visiting cities. They were able to purchase museum tickets straight from the website in advance and enjoy world famous art as a family. An added bit of fun was incorporating a scavenger hunt. To mix some authentic and slow travel into their day, they visited a local playground and had fresh crepes and gelato once the kids were finished in the museum. Finding these local gems helped the children feel they had time to plan their must dos in the city!
Day Four: Here it is, the kid planned day! Disneyland Paris. Accessible by train or a family Uber ride, its a great break in sightseeing or city time for families. I can vouch that visiting a themepark in another county is sheer fun for everyone. Major plus for being able to get an espresso/ fresh baguette at an amusement park!
Day Five: My friend’s family visited The Cattacombs. By purchasing their tickets online and in advance, the family was able to enjoy their time in this creepy, yet fascinating spot in Paris. Perfect for kids, but followed up with exploring new neighborhoods and sweet treats among locals makes this day perfect for the whole family!
Day Six: A farewell to Paris, my friend’s family visited The Park Champ de Mars, the sprawling green space that lays at the base of the Eiffel Tower to relax and play. The final goodbye included a stroll along along the markets and flowers at the Marche aux Fleurs near Notre Dame. Here is where you’ll also find Les bouquinistes, the venders with used books and antique magazines along the Seine River.
I was so overjoyed to hear how much my friend’s family loved their first trip to Paris. By leaning into slow travel, kid centered afternoons, and limiting major attractions to one day, everyone was happy!
***Photos kindly shared by my Friend who enjoyed an incredible trip to Paris with her family! ***
Beyond The Usual Trail 