Paris for Families

Although the city is pleasant to visit any time of the year, in October the number of summer tourists has declined, the city centre is not so crowded and attractions are less busy than in the summer months. The temperature in October is warm but crisp, perfect to walk around the city and explore its many outdoor markets and cobbled streets. There are many different accommodations in France and Paris, from luxury hotel to hostel, from bed and breakfast to cheap hotel. If you travel with your partner or kids, there is something for everyone in every price range.

Parc Asterix, a giant theme park, for young and old, on the outskirts of Paris is based on the adventures of the favorite cartoon characters, Asterix and Obelix. They take you on an entertaining and educating tour through ancient Gaul, the Roman Empire and the middle Ages. Since April 1992, France has another exciting attraction for children from the age of 2-80, Disneyland Paris, located on the eastern side of Paris. Besides the popular Disney characters, you can also visit the Musée de la Curiosité et de la Magie, where you can take a guided tour through the history of magic, rounded off with a stunning conjuring display. The kids will love it, and I am sure you secretly will do too! There are many choices of accommodation around these parks as well, so if your main goal is to visit these parks then you do not have to travel very far. If you do not have time to go to one of the theme parks, then there are plenty hotels and many other things to do in Paris.

Paris is an international capital of art, fashion and style. To most people it is seen as a romantic destination, ideal for honeymooners, lovers and adulterers. Paris, however, has many hidden depths and can be a good choice for a family holiday as it offers many activities and entertainments that appeal to all ages and types.

If it is your first visit to France or Paris then you cannot go home without paying a visit to the obvious sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre Dame Cathedral. If you have been walking around the city and you are tired, then do not worry, what better way to see these famous monuments and sights but on an open topped double Decker English bus? I promise you a fun and less tiring way to travel around the city and entertaining for all ages.

In downtown Paris you will find the Grévin wax museum with a theatre of magic tricks and fantasy mirrors that transform you into a short, tall, thin or fat person. It’s based on Madame Tussaud’s in London, and has very realistic wax models of famous people and important historical events too, so is educational as well as fun. Some famous people include Charles de Gaulle of France and John Kennedy of the USA, Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin.

There are a large number of beautiful gardens and parks to be found within the city centre. In the autumn months these are full of colour and flowers and an ideal place for a picnic, some even provide old fashioned donkey rides and merry-go-rounds.

If you visit Paris in the summer months you will find the city buzzing with festivals, fetes, events and shows, expect to see anything from a puppet show to a funfair or an open-air music concert; there is always something happening to keep you and your family busy.

Even though Paris is a city, it is honestly easy to visit with children. French people love kids and there are plenty of things to keep them busy and entertained. Before you go, introduce your kids to Paris, let them watch ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ for example and show them pictures of the Eiffel Tower. You could even learn a few French words together, like Ca va? and Bonjiour, and get to know the locals!

When travelling with children, it is a mistake to try and save money by selecting a cheaper hotel that may well be located on the outer edges of the city and a distance from popular activities. A city centre accommodation in Paris can mean all the difference to your holiday as there won’t be far to travel to the attractions, it will be easy to return to the hotel if there is some kind of emergency and children have less time to get tired and irritable as there is no need for public transport.