A Family Guide to 3 Outstanding Days in Paris with Tweens

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Planning a trip to Paris with your tween? Look no further! This 3-day itinerary for Paris with a 10-year-old/tween is based on our recent family trip. In fact, my tween actually planned most of it! So, I’m confident your tween will love this itinerary too. Whether your child is interested in art, loves to shop, is a huge Disney fan, or just loves exploring new places, Paris is the perfect city to explore together. 

My daughter and I visited Paris on a mommy-and-me trip, and it blew us away! In fact, Paris turned out to be even more charming than we expected—full of beauty, delicious food, and surprisingly friendly locals. We stayed in the 2nd arrondissement, so many of our restaurant recommendations are centered around this neighborhood. Without further ado, here’s how to make the most of three fabulous days exploring some of the best things to do in Paris with tweens! Not to mention, a few tips based on our experience to help you have a successful trip to Paris with your family!

Tips + Packing List for Paris with Tweens

Before we dive into this Paris itinerary with tweens, there are a few things to know to help make your trip planning more successful. From packing tips and tips for eating in Paris with kids, keep reading to learn more about how to prepare for your upcoming family trip to Paris.

How to Get Around Paris with Kids

To/From the Airport

From the airport, you can take a taxi or public transportation. When we arrived, the RER service into the city center was down, so we had to trek back to the taxi area. In hindsight, a taxi should have been our first option. It was direct, we didn’t have to make any changes, and they helped with luggage. 

Taxis to and from the airport are a flat rate, about 50-60 Euro depending on where in the city you are going/departing from. Public transportation is a fraction of the cost, though you may have to make a connection and do some walking, depending on where your hotel is located. When deciding what is best for your family, consider the amount of luggage you plan to bring, flight time arrival, your capacity to navigate maps and routes while tired, and your kids.

Around Town

In general, the Paris Metro is relatively easy to navigate to get around the city (even for newbies to metro maps). You can use Google Maps to figure out the best route between locations. And, about how long it will take. Stay aware of your stops, however, as sometimes you can see shortcuts along the way that may help. This happened to us once or twice. I used Google Maps for most of our journeys, and bought tickets in the metro stations. If you plan to use the metro a lot, price out the multi-day use cards.

Public transportation is free for children under 4 and half-price for children between 4 and 11.

If public transportation isn’t your jam or if you have a short 2-4 day trip, you may prefer to use taxis. While the cost is higher, they are often a bit faster and more direct. Since our trip was so short, we opted for a lot of taxis. Taxis are pretty easy to get from most areas and are always parked outside major sights.

A Few Tips

Here are a few more tips for traveling to Paris with tweens:

• When is the best time for you to visit Paris with older kids? Summer is generally the best season due to the weather. I recommend going in early June. Early June offers fewer tourists and moderately warm weather, while July and August boast warmer weather, more festivals/events, and more tourists.
• Cash or Card? We never needed cash in the 3 days we were in Paris. Taxis are legally required to take credit cards. And, everywhere else we went accepted credit cards, too. Though, I do feel it’s helpful to have at least some cash on you while traveling. It can be helpful in a pinch.
• It’s okay to TAKE YOUR TIME and not see it all. Focus on what matters most to your family and take it slow so that you can enjoy it. There is so much to do in Paris with tweens! Talk to your kids and see what they want to prioritize. This itinerary is what my daughter wanted to do; your kids may be different!
• On that note, remember to include your tweens in the itinerary planning. Have them do their own research on things to do and make a list of what interests them. As I said earlier, this itinerary is heavily driven by what my own tween wanted to do during our recent trip.
• Many restaurants in Paris offer either a kids’ plate or a kids’ menu (almost all the restaurants in this guide included one). Many aren’t listed on the menu, but if you ask your server for their kids’ plate or menu option, they will share what’s available. 
• Watch our Instagram stories for details on our experience.

Packing List Reminders for Paris with Tweens

In addition to what you usually pack for traveling with kids, here’s a quick packing list for your family trip to Paris:

• Layers! You’ll never know what kind of weather you’ll encounter, especially in the shoulder season or early summer. We needed a cardigan or two and rain gear during our early June visit.
• Waterproof shoes for rainy days. I recommend these shoes from Vessi; they offer adult and kid sizes. 
• Reusable water bottle.
• European power adaptor/converter.

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Arrive + Get Settled

Depending on where you are traveling from, you may have an overnight flight (like we did). We arrived at about 6:30 am. By the time we got the luggage, sorted out the taxi, and arrived at the hotel, it was about 9:30 am. Luckily, our hotel was able to store our luggage until we could check in later that day. 

Once you arrive, I plan on heading to your hotel to see if you can check in early or at least store your luggage. Some museums also have luggage storage areas if your hotel cannot do so or if you are in a short-term home rental like Vrbo.

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Where to Stay in Paris with Tweens: Hôtel Les Théâtres Paris

For our family trip to Paris, we stayed at Hotel Les Théâtres in the quiet 2nd arrondissement. While it’s a 75-minute walk or a 30-minute taxi ride to the Eiffel Tower, the location was perfect for us—a calm neighborhood filled with great restaurants. 

The hotel itself had a fun, theatrical vibe, and the staff was exceptionally kind and helpful, even arranging taxis for us. The rooms were small but comfortable, with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. We enjoyed the add-on breakfast option for busy mornings. I also loved having easy access to the Metro just steps away. 

Likely, it’s not a great option for large families, but if you are doing a mommy-and-me trip (like we did), or are okay with booking multiple rooms, it’s a great option!

A Few More Places to Stay in Paris with Tweens

If you need more hotel ideas in Paris with tweens, here are some additional options to consider:

• Hôtel Régina Louvre – 1st Arrondissement/near The Louvre
• Hotel Brighton – 1st Arrondissement/near The Louvre
• Kimpton St Honoré Paris  – 2nd Arrondissement
• Hôtel Gaillon Opéra – 2nd Arrondissement
• Hotel Les Rives Notre Dame – 5th Arrondissement/Latin Quarter
• Crystal Hotel – 6th Arrondissement/near the Luxembourg Gardens 
• Duc de Saint Simon Hotel – 6th Arrondissement/near the Luxembourg Gardens 
• Hotel Les Rives Notre Dame – 6th Arrondissement/near the Luxembourg Gardens 
• Hotel Yooma Urban Lodge – 7th Arrondissement/near the Eiffel Tower
• Europe Hotel Paris Eiffel – 7th Arrondissement/near the Eiffel Tower
• Hôtel 31 Paris Tour Eiffel – 7th Arrondissement/near the Eiffel Tower
• Or, check Vrbo for apartments across the city.

Day 1 in Paris with Tweens

Alright, now that you have some tips for your upcoming family trip to Paris, and know a few options for places to stay, let’s talk about some of the best things to do in Paris with tweens!

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Breakfast at Oni Coffee Shop

Located in the 2nd arrondissement, near Hotel Les Théâtres, your first morning starts at Oni Coffee Shop. Whether you arrived yesterday or are fresh off the airplane (like we were!), this is a fantastic, low-key spot to start your visit to Paris with tweens.

We chose this spot because it was near our hotel and in the general direction of our afternoon activity, the Musée d’Orsay. The coffee shop is cozy and charming. Plus, the staff is very friendly and welcoming. 

Oni Coffee Shop has a full coffee/espresso menu, as well as pastries, hot breakfast items, and lunch. Nothing too fancy, but it hits the spot after a long flight. My daughter loved the avocado toast, while I enjoyed a seasonal raspberry and pistachio tart with my coffee. 

Finally, indoor and outdoor seating is available. And, a nice bathroom. Indeed, if you’re wondering where to eat a quick breakfast in Paris with kids, add this spot to your list.

Walk Along the River Seine

From the coffee shop, it’s about a 15- to 20-minute walk to the Musee d’Orsay. Moving and getting in the sun as much as possible after a long flight are key to adjusting to a new time zone. Thus, I usually like to incorporate a walk like this on the day we arrive. We took it slow and stopped when we wanted to look at things. 

To reach the Musée d’Orsay, you can either go by way of the Louvre (which is what we did), or walk down to L’île de la Cité, where you can see Notre Dame Cathedral. Either way, you will cross and walk along the River Seine for a while. The river is gorgeous! Along the river, you’ll encounter many sights, painters, places to grab more food, etc. It’s a fun way to get to know Paris with tweens.

Musée d’Orsay 

Located on the left bank of the River Seine, the Musée d’Orsay is home to several works of art by iconic impressionists and post-impressionists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas. It boasts an excellent display of paintings, sculptures, and more. Plus, since it’s housed in a former railway station, the museum’s stunning architecture alone is worth a visit! You can book advanced time-entry tickets online, limiting your time in line (we had no line with time-entry). Undoubtedly, the Musée d’Orsay is one of the best museums and things to do in Paris with kids.  

This museum was my contribution to our 3-day Paris itinerary. I wanted to check out at least one art museum during our first visit to Paris. The manageable size, location, and chance to see works by Monet and Van Gogh made it the right choice for us. I loved wandering the galleries filled with some of my favorite works of art, including Monet’s Water Lillies and Van Gogh’s self-portrait. My daughter was fascinated by the Interior Clock, which overlooks the Seine, and many of the galleries, as well. Finally, the museum also offers interactive tools like guided family tours and audio guides to enhance your experience.

The Louvre felt too overwhelming in scope to fit into our short trip, but it could be a good alternative for your family.

We ended our museum exploration early to check into the hotel and take a much-needed nap. Luckily, we started with the galleries we really wanted to see first. This helped us focus our visit. We took a taxi back to the hotel and napped for a few hours before dinner.

Looking for a Guided Tour of Musée d’Orsay? Try one of these family-friendly tours:

• Paris: Orsay Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour
• Paris: Musée d’Orsay Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
  

Dinner at Brasserie Dubillot

Looking for the best restaurants in Paris for families? You’ll want to eat here! Brasserie Dubillot is a vibrant brasserie offering seasonal menus, regional dishes, and more. It has indoor seating and a street-side terrace. Reservations are recommended.

We loved the thoughtfully curated menu filled with French classics. I devoured my bavette de bœuf (flank beef), while my daughter loved her kids’ plate. Remember that many Parisian restaurants offer a kids’ menu or plate if you ask your server. If you can, try the onion soup. They were out when we ordered it, but it looked divine! My daughter talked about this meal for the rest of the trip, so if you are traveling to Paris with tweens, add Brasserie Dubillot to your itinerary.

Aftward, my daughter wanted a crêpe for dessert, so we headed to Breizh Café. It was just a short walk from Brasserie Dubillot and had an extensive menu of sweet, savory, and specialty crêpes. Add this spot to your list if you’re wondering where to eat crepes in Paris with kids. They had so many fantastic options – you could totally do a full meal right here (they have a few locations across the city). It was the perfect end to our first night in Paris!

Day 2 in Paris with Tweens

Day 2 features more fun things to do in Paris with tweens, including shopping and a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower!

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Grabbed Breakfast from Pains & Délices

I had grand plans for day two of this Paris itinerary with tweens: grab the best pastries near our hotel for breakfast. And, I found them at Pains & Délices (12 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière). 

Unfortunately, I miscalculated because they didn’t have seating, and there was no nearby park or bench to enjoy our breakfast. In hindsight, I wish we had taken our treats back to the hotel before heading out. Instead, we carried them all the way to our next stop (Galeries Lafayette Paris). With that said, the pastries were dynamite! So, I cautiously recommend them with a plan for where you will enjoy them.

Shopping at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

Add Galeries Lafayette Haussmann to your itinerary if you have tweens who love to shop! Shopping was one of the three things my daughter requested to do during our recent family trip to Paris. So, shopping we did!

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is a Parisian department store with almost every brand you’ve ever heard of and more on top of that. Each area has helpful staff who can pull clothes and help you find what you need. Sizes on the floor are just an example of what they have in stock. If you find something you want to try but don’t see the size, ask the staff member, and they can get it for you.

The building is as gorgeous as the shopping opportunities (imagine brilliant chandeliers, chic dining, and more while you shop!). In fact, there is even a beautiful rooftop terrace with an unparalleled view of Paris (including the Eiffel Tower!). The terrace alone is worth stopping, even if you don’t plan to shop.

We found many clothing brands, toys, books, and more during our morning of shopping together. However, other stores, like Zara and H&M, are just steps away. If you don’t find what you want at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, you have more options right in the area to keep shopping. If you are looking for the best places to shop and fun things to do in Paris with kids, start at the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann! Finally, taxis are lined up outside of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, so you can quickly grab one to take you back to your hotel with all your bags.

Lunch at Brasserie Rosie Lou

Lunch on day two is at Brasserie Rosie Lou. Another great eatery in the 2nd arrondissement, this beautiful restaurant is a lovely spot for lunch or dinner. It has an Atlantic/marine flare in its design, an excellent menu, and a friendly staff. Another eatery with a kids’ plate; we found it to be one of the best restaurants in Paris for families. Reservations are recommended.

Here, you will find an array of French classics like onion soup, Basque tartare, and croque-monsieur. I had a gorgeous rabbit dish, while my daughter munched on crispy chips with Iberian ham. We both indulged in their desserts, as well. Both desserts were stunning and delicious – two of the best we had while in Paris! 

Guided Tour of the Eiffel Tower

One of the best things to do in Paris with kids is to tour the Eiffel Tower! I was unsure what the experience would be like, but we were blown away. I highly recommend it!

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower was originally painted “Venetian red”? Our tour of the Eiffel Tower was incredibly informative, and the guide was excellent. With about 10 people in our group, primarily other families, we had the opportunity to explore the first and second floors. Access to the third floor requires booking well in advance. 

The Eiffel Tower offers various ticket options, allowing visitors to reach the top by elevator or a combination of stairs and elevator, or to visit the second floor by either stairs or elevator. All tickets include access to the lower levels, and it’s recommended to start with the highest level your ticket covers. 

At the top, standing 906 feet high, you can enjoy breathtaking 360° views of Paris. Then, on the second floor, which stands 381 feet high, there’s ample space to explore and admire Paris from different angles, as well as appreciate the Tower’s iconic structure. Regardless of which ticket you choose, kids under 4 get in for free!

A Few Tips for the Eiffel Tower When Exploring Paris with Tweens:

• Get there early. There are things at the base that you can explore and plenty of great spots for family pictures. Plus, your tour won’t wait for you. Give yourself time to wait in line for security and a chance to take your pictures.
• Book direct. There are MANY third-party providers you can use to book guided tours, but the least expensive option is to book directly. 
• If you’re planning to eat nearby, make a reservation. Restaurants near the Eiffel Tower will likely be busy. We made our reservation for about ~30 minutes after our tour concluded. This gave us plenty of time to get our final pictures and walk the 10 minutes to the restaurant. 
• Near the entrance, there is an area lined with taxis. You won’t have to go far to get one after your tour. 
• If you tour during the day, head back at night to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle! The times change depending on the season, but generally, they are at the top of the hour starting at sunset (about 10 pm in summer), with the final ‘show’ at 1 AM. It lasts about 5 minutes.

Dinner at Le Cassenoix

After tons of searching for the best restaurants in Paris near the Eiffel Tower, we landed on Le Cassenoix, and I’m so glad we did! While Le Cassenoix doesn’t have a kids’ plate or menu, their staff works really hard to help you find something your kids will enjoy (and is willing to make accommodations, like no sauce). 

The restaurant is really charming, the prix fix menu featuring French bistro-style dishes is outstanding, and the staff is top-notch! To top it off, it’s also a very budget-friendly spot near the Eiffel Tower. There were a lot of contenders on this trip, but I think this was our favorite meal in Paris. Reservations are highly recommended.

The menu is seasonal and changes often. During our visit, I had a Moroccan-inspired lamb and couscous. My daughter enjoyed her pork (no sauce) and rice. The desserts were truly out of this world! Words cannot express how much we enjoyed this meal. It is simply indescribably delicious. Le Cassenoix is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants for families in Paris.

Day 3 in Paris with Tweens: Disneyland Paris

Our last day in Paris on this itinerary is dedicated to Disneyland Paris! This was my daughter’s primary objective when wanting to visit Paris as a family. I could write a whole guide to exploring this Disney-inspired park near Paris (and I will probably end up doing just that!), but hopefully, this gets you started!

Disneyland Paris actually consists of two adjacent parks—Disneyland Park (which is what we did) and Walt Disney Studios Park—both walkable and just a few minutes apart. The entire resort, including the shopping and hotel areas, is compact, taking about 20 minutes to walk from end to end. You could certainly spend 2-3 days here, if desired! 

Like its U.S. counterparts, Disneyland Paris is busiest during school breaks, long weekends, and summer. Mid-January through mid-March and mid-April through mid-May are less crowded times to visit. For the best experience, aim for a visit from Tuesday to Thursday to avoid weekend crowds. With that said, if you love Disney, this is certainly one of the best things to do near Paris with kids!

How to Get to Disneyland Paris from Central Paris

Located about an hour from Paris city center, Disneyland Paris is easily accessible by public transportation, though Disney also offers a (much) more expensive bus option. We opted to take the RER. Wherever you start, you’ll end at Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy train station. This stop is about 45 minutes from central Paris (more during high periods) and about 10 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport. The stations use a little Disney symbol, making it relatively easy to navigate and follow. The route is comfortable but be prepared for a long ride with kids (pack snacks and activities).

Disneyland Park with Tweens

We found Disneyland Paris to have all the Disney charm mixed with a little European flare, without much of the hassle and crowds of the U.S. parks. Disneyland Park is smaller and more manageable than its U.S. counterparts, making it (in my opinion) easier to navigate. It’s also more affordable, even with Fast Passes. During our visit in early June, the longest we waited for a ride was about 40 minutes, while most lines were just 5-25 minutes. However, we waited two hours to meet a princess (whose identity wasn’t revealed until the end!). If your kids have met princesses before, I wouldn’t recommend waiting in this line.

If you’re traveling to Disneyland Paris with tweens, you can definitely do the park in one day! In 12 hours, we experienced almost every ride, some multiple times, and enjoyed plenty of character meet-and-greets. We didn’t purchase the full Fast Pass option. Instead, I used the app (which you should download) to monitor wait times and bought single Fast Passes for certain rides, which was easy to do on the app. 

There are plenty of places to eat and rest throughout the day, as well. We did a few grab-and-go options throughout the day and a casual sit-down option for dinner. Finally, pack light. We made it through the day with a small backpack between us. Luckily, we could bring the backpack on every ride we did. This really helped since we didn’t have an extra parent or adult to watch our bags!

A Few Tips for Disneyland Paris with Tweens

• Get their early
• Download the Disneyland Paris App to watch wait times + purchase fast passes
• Pack light, but bring a water bottle (there are water fountains in the park)
• Double-check when the last RER train times depart from Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy train station so that you know which one to take for your family (I think it was about Midnight for us, but we left around 9 pm)
• Dress for the weather (I ended up buying a long-sleeve shirt because early June was cooler than expected)
• Staff at Disneyland Paris speak 4+ languages, and all of them speak English
• Make sure you go under the castle to see the dragon!

More Fun Things to Do in Paris with Tweens

If you are planning an extended family trip to Paris or want to make swaps to this itinerary, you may be looking for a few things to do. Consider adding one of the following fun things to do in Paris with tweens:

• Explore unique neighborhoods like Montmartre, Le Marais, the Latin Quarter, or along the Seine River. You can explore on your own or take an official walking tour.
• River Cruises—Various options are available, including themed cruises. Some are more kid-friendly than others, so do some research before booking. It’s a relaxing way to enjoy the city’s sights, and I can’t wait to do it next time!
• Go on a Parisian food tour like this kid-friendly Eat, Play & Love – Montmartre Walking Tour or this Pastry and Chocolate Walking Tour.
• Take a macaron making class or another cooking class together, like this Behind the Scenes Bakery Tour with Breakfast.
• Jardin du Luxembourg if you need a beautiful park to lounge in. This is also where kids can push boats around the pond.
• Musee du Parfum offers a small museum and (affordable) perfume-making class.
• Musee de L’Orangerie for a manageably-sized museum featuring Monet and other Impressionist/Post-Impressionist paintings.
• The Louvre Museum is a good option for tweens and teens who love art and meandering extensive galleries. For other families, however, it may feel overwhelming in scope. However, they do offer family-friendly guided tours.
• Day trip to the Palace of Versailles. There are many tour options for this one, too, though it is accessible by public transportation. 

Have Fun in Paris with Your Tweens!

Ready to explore Paris with your tweens? I hope that you are! This guide to Paris with older kids and tweens includes everything I think you need to know about enjoying this fantastic city together. In fact, I’ve included all of our favorite things to do in Paris with a 10-year-old/tween, not to mention family-friendly restaurants and places to stay. I hope that you have the best time exploring Paris with your kids!

Unless otherwise noted, all images within this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. A reminder that this post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.