Paris—known as Parigi in Italian—has worn many crowns: Roman river port, medieval powerhouse, artistic capital, and the modern city of light. Today it’s a wonderfully walkable museum under the sky, where grand boulevards meet pocket parks and 19th‑century ironwork frames every view. For families, Paris is as playful as it is profound.

From Gothic spires to Impressionist brushstrokes, Paris stacks icons without feeling overwhelming if you pace it well. Notre‑Dame Cathedral reopened in December 2024 after painstaking restoration, the Louvre still dazzles, and the Eiffel Tower’s nightly sparkle remains pure magic. Balance the big hitters with kid‑centric stops—science halls, puppet shows, and carousels—to keep everyone smiling.

Practical notes: Book timed entries for major museums and towers, carry a contactless card or a Navigo Easy for Metro rides, and keep an eye out for pickpockets in crowded areas. Eating well on a budget is easy—classic bouillons, creperies, markets, and park picnics. Comfortable shoes are essential; Paris rewards walkers.

Paris

Paris is a tapestry of distinct neighborhoods: the elegant 7th around the Eiffel Tower, lively Latin Quarter near the Sorbonne, artsy Montmartre, and the stylish Marais. Each offers a different rhythm, from morning markets to twilight strolls along the Seine.

• Top sights for families: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée de l’Orangerie (Monet’s Water Lilies), Musée d’Orsay, Notre‑Dame, Sainte‑Chapelle, Luxembourg Gardens, Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (with the hands‑on Cité des Enfants), and boat cruises on the Seine.
• Great bites on a budget: Bouillon Chartier and Bouillon Pigalle for classic French dishes at friendly prices; Breizh Café for buckwheat galettes; L’As du Fallafel in the Marais; picnics from Rue Cler’s market street; ice cream at Berthillon on Île Saint‑Louis; hot chocolate at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli.
• Fun facts: The Louvre, once a fortress, is the world’s most‑visited museum; Paris’s carousels are a tradition dating to the 19th century; and the Seine’s islands were the city’s original heart.

Where to stay (family‑friendly, mid‑range): Consider central bases like the 1st/2nd (walkable to the Louvre), the 6th (Saint‑Germain), or the 7th (near the Tower). Hotels with family rooms include Novotel Paris Les Halles (steps from transit and playgrounds), Hôtel Le 123 Sébastopol – Astotel (great value and snacks), and Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel (kitchenettes). Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting to Paris: From within Europe, high‑speed trains are easy—London to Paris by Eurostar takes ~2h15; Brussels ~1h20; Amsterdam ~3h20; Lyon ~2h; Strasbourg ~1h50. Search and book trains on Omio. Long‑distance buses (FlixBus, BlaBlaBus) are cost‑effective—Amsterdam 6–7h, Brussels ~4h—find options on Omio. For flights into CDG or ORY, compare fares on Omio.

Airport to city: CDG to central Paris by RER B is ~35–40 minutes (about €11.50); Orly via OrlyVal + RER B is ~30–40 minutes. Official flat‑fare taxis: CDG ~€55 (Right Bank) / ~€62 (Left Bank); Orly ~€35 / ~€41.

Day 1: Arrival, Islands of the Seine, and a Twilight Cruise

Afternoon: Arrive, drop bags, and aim for the cradle of Paris: Île de la Cité. Step inside the resplendent Sainte‑Chapelle to see 13th‑century stained glass ignite in the sun. Then visit newly reopened Notre‑Dame (book a timed slot when available) to admire its luminous nave and the restored spire; kids love spotting gargoyles from the parvis.

Evening: Dinner near the Grands Boulevards at Bouillon Chartier (bustling, Belle Époque room; steak‑frites, roast chicken, and kid‑friendly desserts at wallet‑kind prices) or in the 7th at Le Petit Cler on Rue Cler (simple French classics, great for families). Cap the night with a Seine cruise—Bateaux Parisiens (near the Eiffel Tower) or Vedettes du Pont Neuf (central); expect ~1 hour, roughly €16–€20 adults and discounts for kids. Time it to catch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour after dark.

Day 2: Louvre, Tuileries, and the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Start early at the Louvre (timed entry recommended). Follow a family‑friendly highlights loop: the Egyptian antiquities (mummies and sphinxes), the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Mona Lisa—then escape to quieter rooms like the Medieval Louvre. For coffee and pastries beforehand, try Café Kitsuné in Palais‑Royal (buttery financiers, kid‑sized hot chocolates) or grab croissants at Boulangerie Utopie if you’re staying in the 11th.

Afternoon: Picnic in the Tuileries Garden—carousel spins, trampolines, and wide lawns to burn energy. If attention spans allow, pop into Musée de l’Orangerie for Monet’s vast Water Lilies (a serene, short visit perfect for kids). Alternatively, cross the footbridge to Musée d’Orsay for Impressionism in a stunning former train station. Lunch nearby: Bistrot Vivienne (classic fare under a glass roof) or casual sandwiches from a Palais‑Royal bakery to eat al fresco.

Evening: Wander Rue Cler’s market street to gather picnic supplies (cheese, baguette, fruit) for the Champ de Mars, or sit down at La Fontaine de Mars if you’d like a traditional bistro. Then visit the Eiffel Tower—book in advance; prices vary by level with reductions for children. Not going up? Catch the postcard view from Trocadéro and let kids roam the esplanade before bedtime.

Day 3: Montmartre, Science Play, and the Marais

Morning: Montmartre feels like a hilltop village. Ride the funicular up to Sacré‑Cœur (free basilica, sweeping views), then meander to Place du Tertre to watch artists at work. Breakfast ideas: Hardware Société (Australian‑style brunch, great pancakes) or Coquelicot (hearty breads and tartines). Stop by the small Musée de la Vie Romantique’s garden café if you crave a calm pause.

Afternoon: Head to Parc de la Villette for the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie. Reserve a timed session at Cité des Enfants (there are zones tailored to ages 2–7 and 5–12) for hands‑on fun: water play, building, and light experiments. Alternative on a sunny day: stroll Canal Saint‑Martin, snag a famed “escargot” pastry at Du Pain et des Idées (go early; it sells out), then let kids climb at Parc des Buttes‑Chaumont’s dramatic hills and suspension bridge.

Evening: Eat your way through the Marais. Try L’As du Fallafel (overflowing pita sandwiches; note it’s closed on Saturday) or explore Marché des Enfants Rouges—stall favorites include crêpes, Moroccan couscous, and the epic toasted sandwiches at Chez Alain Miam Miam. Finish with gelato at Pozzetto or macarons from Pierre Hermé. As dusk falls, watch street performers on the Centre Pompidou plaza.

Day 4: Latin Quarter, Luxembourg Gardens, and Farewell Views

Morning: Fuel up at Strada Café (good coffee, porridge, and eggs) or Treize au Jardin (buttermilk biscuits, pancakes), then explore the Latin Quarter. Peek into the Panthéon (Foucault’s pendulum fascinates kids) or browse the children’s nook at Shakespeare & Company. Spend the rest of the morning in Luxembourg Gardens: sail wooden toy boats on the Grand Bassin, catch a classic marionette show, and visit the excellent fenced playground (small entry fee).

Afternoon: If time remains before departure, climb the Arc de Triomphe (elevator available partway; sweeping city views) or stop for a last treat—Angelina’s famous hot chocolate on Rue de Rivoli is rich enough to share. Transit to your train or flight: RER B to CDG is ~35–40 minutes; to Orly via OrlyVal + RER B is similar. For cross‑border trains and airport coaches, compare on Omio Trains and Omio Buses; for flights into or out of Europe, search Omio Flights.

Money‑savvy tips for a mid‑range budget (50/100): Aim for a big museum in the morning and free parks in the afternoon. Choose “formule” lunch menus (weekday set menus often cost far less than dinner), use the Navigo Easy for discounted multi‑ride tickets, and plan two “bouillon” dinners. A 2‑day Paris Museum Pass can be good value if you’ll visit several paid sites within 48 hours.

Optional family add‑ons (swap into any afternoon):

• Jardin d’Acclimatation (Bois de Boulogne): vintage rides, paddling, and a petite farm.
• Aquarium de Paris (Trocadéro): sharks and touch pools near the Tower.
• Musée d’Orsay sketch stop: hand kids a small notebook to draw Degas dancers or Monet trains.

Wherever you stay, keep logistics simple. For family‑friendly apartments and central hotels, explore VRBO and Hotels.com, and plan your arrival route in advance.

Summary: In four days, you’ll weave together Paris’s must‑see highlights with green spaces, hands‑on museums, and easy, tasty meals that suit a family. Expect full days, gentle evenings, and moments—like the Tower’s sparkle or a child giggling at a puppet—worthy of lifelong memory.