Paris is well-known to be the first touristic destination worldwide! With its 2185 monuments, the French capital is also famous for its food, museums, parks and its ambiance is sooo romantic.
If you’re getting ready for a family city trip in Paris, you might ask yourself many questions such as:
“What can I do with my children in Paris? What are the must-sees? How can we be sure that we will create memorable experiences but also find activities that are understandable for the youngest of the family?”
Regarding the monuments, you have soooo many options! But don’t worry, Milirue selected THE ones that are unmissable. THE monuments that will enable you to link knowledge improvement and brighten the sparkle in the eyes of your children.
Ready for the adventure? 🥳
Paris with your family : Monuments to walk around and see
Some monuments were literally made to be seen from the outside, so you only have to walk around and enjoy the view to experience a special moment. Your children will love to walk around these places and spend time outside.
1 – The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited monuments worldwide. It’s THE symbol of Paris, the one that your children think about when you mention Paris: there’s no doubt that it’s a must-see !
Built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle by Gustave Eiffel, it is from that date THE symbol of Paris but also of the whole France. Have a walk around the famous “Iron Lady’, this giant structure of 330 meters!
If you want to go up to the Eiffel Tower, it’s essential to book tickets a long time in advance, following this link.
Tip Milirue: Start from the Trocadéro to arrive to the Eiffel Tower via the gardens of the Eiffel Tower. Then, go to the Carousel of the Champ-de-Mars. It works with a hand crank and your children will love to play the knights trying to get little rings with a thin stick.
Tip “Family portrait”: Meeting place for a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower and a memorable: 223 rue de l’Université.
2 – The cathedral “Notre-Dame de Paris”
This is THE most visited monuments in France: the cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris
Though the visit is not possible since the fire of 2019, having a look at the cathedral is a must-do in Paris. This building restored by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc is impressive for its rose window and its gargoyle dating from the Middle Ages. Your children will love to see the set of the Disney movie “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”!
Tip Milirue : Located on the “Ile de la cité”, it’s the starting point of the first discovery city tour of our booklets “Milirue in Paris” ! The booklets are adapted by age group. The Mini, is for apprentice readers from 4 to 7 years old. And the Junior, from 8 years old! It brings a great occasion to discover the façade, the forecourt but also the whole medieval district such as the flower market, Paris’ bridges and all the secrets of the Île de la cité. From 9,90€, international delivery.
3 – The Arc de Triomphe of the Champs-Elysées
The Arc de Triomphe is located on the “most beautiful avenue in the whole world”: the Champs-Elysées. If you had the chance to see a French celebration on the TV, it probably happened there. This monument is also the place where lays the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. This tomb commemorates symbolically the soldiers who died for France throughout history. You can only understand how big the Arc de Triomphe is, by seeing it. Bonus : you can climb on top for a wonderful view : it’s free for the minus 18 and there is even an elevator for the smallest !
Tip Milirue: To have access there, stop at the George V station on line 1 of the Paris Métro and go up to the Champs-Elysées to better appreciate the walk.
Tip if you don’t have time: If you go to see the Louvre, you will see another arc, the one of the carousel of the Louvre. It is less big, admittedly, but allows you to see one if you’re in a hurry. 😉
4 – Montmartre and the basilica of the Sacré-Coeur
The basilica of the Sacré-Coeur, with its white color and its Romano-byzantine style, is an unmissable monument that your children will like for sure.
The Montmartre district, below, will be a firm favorite for the whole family.
Not to be missed :
- The carousel de Montmartre, located on the square Saint-Pierre, is an old merry-go-round which dates from the 18th century. You will appreciate its wooden horses and its double-deck.
- The narrated tour of the “Petit Train de Montmartre”: a little train that goes around the district.
- La Place du Tertre. Go for a walk on the most visited square in Paris! It was the main square of the former village of Montmartre. It is nowadays famous worldwide for the many painters and terraces you can see there.
- The funicular: it allows you and your family to go to the Sacré-Coeur in 2 minutes without having to climb the 222 stairs! What a curious and funny experience for your children (who will prefer to discover the stairs to go down). 😉
- « The Wall of love » : a love themed wall located at the square Jehan-Rictus.
When you will be at the basilica, look around, and you will admire one of the greatest views of Paris!
Milirue Tip: The funicular costs the same price as a subway ticket and can also be used with a Paris Visite travel pass or a Navigo pass. For more information regarding the passes, you can check the website of the Ratp: the Parisian transport operator and maintainer. The funicular starts between the square Saint-Pierre and Suzanne Valadon.
The entrance of the basilica is free.
5 – The Palais-Royal and its Garden
The Palais-Royal is located in the centre of Paris, just in front of the Louvre and is home to the Conseil d’Etat : the state council, but this part cannot be visited. Your children will love the gardens of the Palais-Royal where they will be able to play and run safely. Have fun climbing the Buren’s columns and discover the motion of the Bury fountains!
The Palais Royal is moreover close to other historical monuments like the Comédie-Française and the Opéra! Take time to have a look at these other important monuments in this emblematic parisian area.
Tip Milirue : Discover the concept of the Milirue booklets to really enjoy the discover of these places.
Also to be discovered on Milirue’s blog : Paris with kids for 2 or 3 days : Perfect programs and itineraries, 10 Best kid-friendly museums in Paris (selected by a french mum), The best kids-friendly restaurants of Paris (with a map), (Top 20) Best Places to stay in Paris for Families, Must-try food in Paris : discover the best places for your family
Paris with your family: the monuments to visit !
Let’s talk now about the monuments you HAVE to visit. Already wonderful from the outside, some monuments deserve a deeper look, this time on the inside!
1 – The Louvre
The Louvre, former palace turned into a museum, has one of the biggest exhibitions in the world. This universal museum allows an immense journey through time for your children thanks to its 35. 000 artworks displayed. You can, for example, see the famous Venus de Milo and of course, La Joconde !
The best with the Louvre is that there are as many things to do inside than outside! Cour carrée, cour Napoléon, Pei’s pyramid, the facades… It’s a real open-air museum that we propose you to discover with our super cool city-tour booklets. It takes place 100% outside with our great booklets.
Tip Milirue : The entrance is free for the children and the museum offers many activities for the family: guided visit, workshop, story-telling… The museum is open every day from 9am to 6pm and is closed on Tuesday
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2 – The Conciergerie
The other monument to not miss is the Conciergerie! This museum is a real journey through French history. Indeed, from a gothic palace to a Palace of justice, it was for a while a revolutionary prison. Many kings lived there! What do you think your kids will prefer? The cell of its most famous prisoner, Marie Antoinette, queen of France?
It is also important to mention that this monument is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
The visit lasts between 1h and 1h30 and is free for people under 18.
Discover this article to organize perfectly your city-trip in Paris : Paris with kids for 2 or 3 days : Perfect programs and itineraries
3 – The Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle is a radiant jewel of Gothic architecture. It is really impressive, mostly because of its 1.113 stained-glass windows. 1.113! Can you imagine?? You really have to go! It has been designed as a monumental reliquary because it was keeping the crown of thorns of Christ. This monument is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Tip Milirue: Go there when it’s a sunny day to admire the sunshine, go through the stained-glass window and create a kaleidoscopic vision! Allow 20 minutes for the tour
The entrance is free for under 18 years old, and you can find here combined tickets for the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.
4 – Le château de Versailles
Versailles’s castle is a must-do if time is not an issue, and you have the possibility to go further around Paris. Versailles has been listed to the World heritage monuments since 1979 because it’s filled with many treasures! This place is THE symbol of the French absolute monarchy and the Roi Soleil, the well-known Louis XIV.
Tip Milirue: Be sure to arrive in the morning and enjoy the full day. Following these steps, you will be able to visit the gardens during the afternoon. The access to the palace, the estate of Trianon and the temporary exhibitions are free for children.
2 discovery city tours to visit Paris with your family
At the heart of Milirue’s premise is the desire to transform the way we visit cities as a family! To do so, we design fun, playful and educationnal discovery tours to be lived in complete autonomy. We have one wish: to create for you and your children the perfect visit of Paris. That’s why, I, Clémence, french mother of 3 kids, have decided to created the Milirue’s company in 2021.
To bring the whole family on board, the Milirue booklets are adapted by age group, to offer the best activities and explanations. The Mini, is for apprentice readers from 4 to 7 years old. And the Junior, from 8 years old. Start to discover the Ile de la Cité, The Louvre, the Palais-Royal while having fun all together!
Turn your kid into a mini family guide through anecdotes, challenges and clues to visit while having fun with your family.
To make the visit as cool as possible, the notebooks are completed with a great map, to discover the best kept secrets of Paris! (requires an internet connection for geolocation and access to information from stage to stage) You know where you are, where you’re going and moreover, it allows you to discover photos and explanatory videos to understand everything, with additional explanations for curious parents!
It even seems that it lists the best snack spots for a 100% successful trip… Hush, we won’t say more! 😉
To be discovered on our blog :
- Paris with kids for 2 or 3 days : Perfect programs and itineraries
- 10 Best kid-friendly museums in Paris (selected by a french mum)
- The best kids-friendly restaurants of Paris (with a map)
- (Top 20) Best Places to stay in Paris for Families
- Notebook “Milirue in Paris” – Junior
Have fun in Paris and see you soon,
Clémence
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