Greetings from the last fleeting days of “les vacances”. Yes I am as French as raw milk cheese and won’t disclose how many weeks I have been on vacation.
I can confirm that French kids have it good. And I’m not just talking about the entree-plat-dessert cafeteria meals. Not only do they get the customary 2-month summer vacation, but 2-weeks off of school every 2 months. For parents, it’s a mind boggling juggling act patching together daycare “summer camp” (as we’ve rebranded it), day-long outings and a few reasonable vacations.
After 15 years in Paris and the copious school vacations, I’ve accumulated a good list of kid-friendly outings from my childminding years to the present. It’s not exhaustive, but more budget-friendly attractions which I frequent regularly. As any parent knows, you’ve got to either run out of clock or wear out your kid first.
Bois de Vincennes. One of the green lungs of Paris, this sprawing forest hosts many memorable spots to catch some fresh air. Lac de Saint-Mandé hosts a trio of antique carousels and the best marionette theatre I’ve been to yet. Rosa Bonheur à l'Est is a newish ganguette and with a dance hall, hot dogs and enough rosé to keep the parents giddy. It’s a slice of la Belle Epoque. A pretty penny, Parc zoologique de Paris recently reopened after an eternity of renovations, but a wonderful stroll for the tiny animal lover.
Parc Floral. I’m slightly biased because this is literally my backyard. First weed your way through the botanical pavillions, this immense garden includes endless attractions and jungle gyms for kids. Don’t miss the ziplines and peacocks. You’ll kid will love you for it. Also look up what’s going on ahead of time. Parc Floral hosts a wonderful jazz festival and theatre performances for kids in the summer months.
The local cinema. France often shows wonderful collections of short films for the aspiring cinephile. These often include Eastern European animation which is equally as inspiring for the parents.
Centre Pompidou. This because a favorite when I realized I could take the RER suburban train here in a jiff while also avoiding schlepping my stroller up the neverending Metro staircases. La Galerie des enfants / the children’s gallery on the first floor is always tactile, thoughtfully conceived and encouraged the budding architect, dancer or fine artist. Even if your kid doesn’t have the attention span for Miro yet, do go up the giant escalators to the tippity top for an unforgettable view of Paris.
Cité de la Science. This is a sprawling structure on the outskirts of Paris which houses several play spaces for the kiddos and many floors of discoveries for parents, too. Don’t skip the free aquarium downstairs. The surrounding Parc de la Villette includes an array of playgrounds including the fabulous and free Folie des Vents et des Dunes. If it’s a rainy day, CaféZoïde is a kids café a few blocks down the Canal.
Musée des Arts et Métiers. We ducked into here recently to escape a rainy day and was pleasantly surprised with its collection of trains, planes, automobiles and the technological advances that inspired them. It’s perfect for the why/pourquoi stage that never seems to end. And it’s conveniently located in the trendy Le Marais neighborhood.
Looking for any specific kid recommendations? Shoot me a question in a comment below. Know someone headed to Paris soon with kids? Please forward.