Paris has been enchanting travelers for centuries with its grand boulevards, Gothic spires, and café-lined corners. From medieval Île de la Cité to Haussmann’s sweeping redesign, the city’s layers unfold best at strolling speed—and with a baguette in hand. For families, Paris is surprisingly easy: safe tap water, plentiful parks, and shorter distances between big sights than you might expect.

Art and history headline the experience—the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay brim with masterpieces—while the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre offer views that make kids gasp. Many museums are free for children under 18 and discounted for students, making a culture-packed visit very doable on a budget. Add picnics in the Tuileries, carousels in Montmartre, and a boat ride on the Seine, and you’ve got Paris at kid speed.

Practical notes: Pickpocketing can happen around major sights and on transit—keep valuables zipped and in front of you. Paris weather can swing quickly; pack a compact umbrella and layers. Public transport is extensive and reliable, and bakeries double as budget breakfast heavens—perfect for fueling little explorers.

Paris

Paris is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own rhythm—street musicians on the Pont Neuf, bookstalls along the Seine, and families picnicking on the Champ-de-Mars. The pleasure is in the mix: icons one moment, an unplanned café stop the next.

• Top family-friendly highlights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre (Egyptian antiquities and the Winged Victory wow kids), Jardin du Luxembourg playground and pond, Montmartre’s funicular and carousels, Tuileries Garden, Cité des Sciences (great for rainy days).
• Great budget bites: Bouillon Chartier or Bouillon Pigalle (classic French fare at low prices), L’As du Fallafel (pita stuffed to the brim), crêperies in Montparnasse (savory galettes and sweet crêpes), rotisserie poulet with potatoes from neighborhood boucheries for picnic dinners.
• Free or low-cost views: Sacré-Cœur steps and Square Louise-Michel, Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace, Trocadéro at sunset, banks of the Seine.
• Insider tip: Plan one “anchor” sight per day at a set time (Eiffel Tower, Louvre), then keep the rest flexible—Paris rewards wandering.

Where to stay (budget-forward, family-friendly options):

• Search apartments and budget stays on VRBO Paris or hotel deals on Hotels.com Paris.
• Generator Paris (shared/family rooms; social, budget-conscious; near Canal Saint-Martin and two metro lines).
• Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter; simple, clean, walking distance to Notre-Dame and the Seine).
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (reliable family rooms, kids stay free offers often; quick metro access).
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (cozy base near Sacré-Cœur; good value outside peak weekends).

How to get to/around Paris:

• Flights: Compare fares to Paris (CDG/ORY) on Omio (flights in/out of Europe) or long-haul on Kiwi.com and Trip.com.
• Trains within Europe: London–Paris ~2h15 (Eurostar), Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20, Brussels–Paris ~1h25, Barcelona–Paris ~6.5h. Check schedules and deals on Omio (trains) or Omio (buses).
• Local transit: Metro/RER/buses cover the city well; consider a Navigo Easy or day pass if riding frequently. Kids under 4 ride free; child discounts apply on some tickets.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Sunset Seine Cruise

Morning: Fly or train into Paris. If you arrive early, store bags at your hotel. Grab a bakery snack—try a butter-rich croissant and pain au chocolat from neighborhood boulangeries like Poilâne or Maison Landemaine—budget-friendly and instantly Parisian.

Afternoon: Walk Île de la Cité to see the newly reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral’s magnificent façade and interior; explain to kids the story of its 19th-century restoration and 2019 fire before stepping inside. Stroll the flower market and cross to Île Saint-Louis for a scoop of classic French ice cream at Berthillon (closed some weekdays; nearby cafés also serve it).

Evening: Celebrate your first night with a Seine boat ride. The commentary keeps kids engaged while you glide past the Louvre, Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower lit at night. Book the flexible-time Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens for stress-free boarding.

Budget dinner ideas nearby: Bouillon Chartier (historic dining hall—think roast chicken, steak-frites, and chocolate mousse at wallet-friendly prices), Crêperie Brocéliande in Montmartre for galettes, or a picnic by the Seine with market cheeses, charcuterie, and fruit.

Day 2: Eiffel Tower, Parks, and Free Rooftop Views

Morning: Beat queues with reserved-entry Eiffel Tower tickets. Kids love spotting landmarks from above and looking through the glass floor on the first level. Consider Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift to save time and stress.

Afternoon: Picnic on the Champ-de-Mars playground lawns: grab baguettes, cheese, and fruit from Rue Cler’s food shops. Then wander to Trocadéro for the classic tower photo. If energy allows, duck into the Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s Water Lilies—compact, stunning, and manageable with kids.

Evening: Catch a free sunset panorama from the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann rooftop terrace—bring a light jacket for the breeze. Dinner in Montparnasse: Crêperie Josselin (buttery buckwheat galettes; arrive early or expect a queue), or head to Bouillon Pigalle for fast-moving lines and kid-pleasing menus at low prices.

Day 3: Montmartre Magic—Artists, Funicular, and a Storybook Stroll

Morning: Start with views from the steps of Sacré-Cœur and ride the funicular if little legs protest. Breakfast nearby: Le Grenier à Pain for award-winning baguettes and pastries, or grab yogurts and fruit from a supermarket for a thrifty start.

Afternoon: Explore cobbled lanes, ivy-draped stairways, and the artists of Place du Tertre. For a compact, engaging primer on the area, join the Montmartre Hidden Gems and Scenic Highlights Walking Tour—a kid-friendly, 90-minute wander full of stories about Picasso, street art, and movie locations.

Evening: Try a no-fuss dinner: Bouillon Pigalle (fast service, big dining room), Chez Gladines (Basque-style plates sized for sharing), or a crêpe-and-cider combo. Finish with ice cream from Scaramouche on Rue la Vieuville or a carousel spin at Square Louise-Michel.

Day 4: Louvre Highlights and Tuileries—Then Bon Voyage

Morning: Enter the Louvre at opening to focus on three kid-approved zones: the Egyptian collection (mummies and animal statues), the Grande Galerie (Renaissance giants), and the Denon Wing for the Winged Victory and Mona Lisa. Under-18s enter free; time slots help avoid waits. If you prefer a streamlined arrival, consider the Louvre Museum with Mona Lisa Direct Entry Experience.

Afternoon: Relax in the Tuileries Garden—sail toy boats on the pond, find the playground, and snack on market fruit and baguette sandwiches. Pick up luggage and head to your departure. RER B connects central Paris to CDG in roughly 35–45 minutes; allow extra time for security and airport lines.

Evening: If you have a late departure, squeeze in one last bank-of-the-Seine stroll or a low-cost rotisserie chicken picnic before you go.

More easy-on-the-budget bites and sips to sprinkle in:

• L’As du Fallafel (Marais): Legendary pita sandwiches—go early or late to miss peak lines.
• Marché des Enfants Rouges (Marais): Covered market with global lunch stalls; perfect for families with different cravings.
• La Fontaine de Belleville: Classic café vibes, good croque-monsieur and coffee; outdoor tables for people-watching.
• Neighborhood pâtisseries: Pick up an “éclair chocolat” or fruit tart as a built-in reward for good walking.

Optional family add-ons (weather-dependent): Cité des Enfants at Parc de la Villette (hands-on science zones by age), Jardin d’Acclimatation (rides and gardens in the Bois de Boulogne), or a hop-on hop-off loop to rest tired feet with commentary—see Paris Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour for flexible family pacing.

Wherever you roam, keep snacks and a water bottle handy—Paris has plenty of free fountains, and an impromptu park picnic can save both time and cash. With this mix of essentials and open space in the schedule, your family will experience Paris with minimal lines and maximum delight.