Paris has dazzled visitors for centuries with its grand boulevards, café culture, and artistic soul. From Roman origins to Haussmann’s 19th-century redesign, the City of Light is both living museum and lively neighborhood. For families, it’s a surprisingly easy playground: parks with vintage carousels, kid-focused museums, and plenty of crêpes to fuel little legs.

In a week, you’ll cover the essentials—Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and a sparkling Seine cruise—while weaving in downtime at gardens, an engaging croissant class, and a day of wonder at Disneyland Paris. Short walks, playground stops, and smart transport choices keep things smooth for an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old.

Practical notes: Book timed entries for big sights, carry a lightweight stroller for cobbles and Metro stairs, and keep an eye on pickpockets in crowded areas. Many museums close one day weekly (Louvre on Tuesdays, Orsay on Mondays). Parisian mealtimes skew later, but many bistros and “bouillons” seat families early.

Paris

Paris is a patchwork of distinct quartiers: the art-studded Right Bank, storybook Île de la Cité, and the Left Bank’s literary lanes. Beyond the icons, kids love pond sailboats at the Luxembourg Gardens, puppet shows, canal walks, and neighborhood markets. Food is part of the adventure—flaky croissants, buckwheat galettes, roast chicken with potatoes, and velvety hot chocolate.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame (exterior viewing), Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur, Tuileries Garden, Latin Quarter, Musée d’Orsay.
• Kid favorites: Jardin du Luxembourg boats and playground, Tuileries trampolines, Aquarium de Paris, carousel by the Eiffel Tower, Cité des Enfants (science museum), Disneyland Paris day trip.
• Stay in: Saint-Germain (6th) for walks and parks, the 7th near the Eiffel Tower, or the Marais (3rd/4th) for cafés and quiet side streets.

Where to stay (family-friendly picks): Search for 1–2 bedroom apartments near parks and Metro lines in Saint‑Germain, the 7th, or Le Marais. Browse options on VRBO Paris or compare hotels with connecting rooms and cribs on Hotels.com Paris.

Getting to/around Paris: Most flights land at CDG (about 45–60 minutes to the center; RER B ~€12; taxis/ride-hail ~€55–70) or Orly (~30–45 minutes). Search long-haul flights on Kiwi.com. If you’re elsewhere in Europe, compare trains (e.g., London–Paris ~2h20; Brussels–Paris ~1h22) and regional flights/buses on Omio flights, Omio trains, and Omio buses. In town, combine Metro/bus with plenty of walking; buses are stroller‑friendlier and more scenic (Lines 42 and 69 are great).

Day 1: Arrival, Île St‑Louis stroll, and a sparkling Seine cruise

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch legs with a gentle loop around Île Saint‑Louis and Île de la Cité for river views and a peek at Notre‑Dame’s façade. Treat the kids to ice cream at a classic counter on Île Saint‑Louis and let them watch the bateaux glide by.

Evening: Enjoy a narrated boat ride that lets everyone sit and sightsee. Book the Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens (about 1 hour; stroller-friendly piers).

Dine nearby afterward: try family-friendly classics at Bouillon République (fast service, roast chicken, steak‑frites), or “menu enfant” at Les Antiquaires near the Orsay for simple pastas and salads. For an early crêpe fix, Breizh Café (multiple locations) serves superb buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes.

Day 2: Eiffel Tower magic, Champ de Mars playtime, and Right Bank wander

Morning: Beat the lines with timed entry to the Iron Lady. Reserve the Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift.

Start with hot chocolate and croissants at Carette (Trocadéro) or Café de Mars near Rue Cler. After your visit, let the kids run at the Champ de Mars playground and ride the carousel on Quai Branly.

Afternoon: Picnic lunch from Rue Cler (grab baguettes, cheese, fruit). If attention spans allow, pop into the Aquarium de Paris beneath Trocadéro—the shark tunnel and touch pool are highlights. Alternatively, stroll the leafy gardens at Musée du Quai Branly and spot totem poles from the outside terrace.

Evening: Dinner in Montparnasse at Crêperie Josselin (buttery galettes; go early to avoid lines) or Breizh Café Odéon for seasonal toppings. End with a sunset view from the Trocadéro esplanade; kids love watching the tower sparkle on the hour after dusk.

Day 3: Tuileries, the Louvre made easy, and Palais‑Royal play

Morning: Coffee for adults at KB Coffee Roasters (South Pigalle) or Coutume (7th), then head to the Tuileries Garden. Younger kids can hop on trampolines (seasonal) and ride the carousel; the pond is perfect for paper boat sailing on windy days.

Afternoon: See superstar artworks without meltdown pacing on a short, skip-the-line tour: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access.

Focus on the Denon Wing’s big hitters, then decompress in the Palais‑Royal garden (excellent for tag) and its striped Buren columns.

Evening: Casual, kid‑friendly dinner near the Louvre: Bistrot Victoires (affordable steak‑frites, roast chicken) or Presto Fresco for pizza and salads. For a sweet stop, try Pierre Marcolini chocolates or a scoop of gelato along Rue de Rivoli.

Day 4: Left Bank day—Luxembourg Gardens, puppet show, and the Natural History Museum

Morning: Breakfast at Poilâne (apple tartlets and sourdough) or La Parisienne (prizewinning baguettes). Head to Jardin du Luxembourg: rent a vintage toy sailboat at the basin, then visit the excellent fenced playground (small fee). Check for Guignol puppet show times—classic slapstick that gets universal giggles.

Afternoon: Walk to the Jardin des Plantes for the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution (whale skeletons, animal dioramas) and the Ménagerie (one of the world’s oldest zoos). Pause for mint tea and pastries in the tiled courtyard at the Grande Mosquée de Paris tearoom next door—calm, shady, and delightful with kids.

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Racine (ornate Art Nouveau rooms, quick service, children’s menu) or Le Comptoir des Fables (Left Bank bistro plates to share). If little legs still have energy, stroll the Seine quays at golden hour; buskers and boats keep it lively.

Day 5: Bake croissants, then Montmartre’s funicular and artists’ square

Morning: Join a hands-on pastry class perfect for both kids (with help) and adults: Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef.

You’ll learn the lamination process and bring home warm pastries—built-in snack time.

Afternoon: Ride the funicular up to Sacré‑Cœur (save stairs for small legs). Explore Place du Tertre where artists sketch quick portraits; duck into the Musée de Montmartre gardens for a quiet break, or hit the carousel at the base of the hill. Bakery stop: Le Grenier à Pain (award‑winning baguette) for a takeaway goûter.

Evening: Dinner options: Crêperie Brocéliande (cozy, family‑run) or Pink Mamma (Tuscan comfort food; arrive early). If the kids are still awake, Canal Saint‑Martin’s pedestrian bridges make for a peaceful twilight walk.

Day 6: Disneyland Paris day trip

Take RER A to Marne‑la‑Vallée–Chessy (about 40 minutes from central Paris; trains run frequently; budget roughly €5–10 per adult each way). Prioritize gentler rides for your 4‑year‑old—“it’s a small world,” Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo, and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast—and thrillers for your 8‑year‑old like Big Thunder Mountain and Hyperspace Mountain. Parades are a great rest window. For lunch, try Au Chalet de la Marionnette (rotisserie and sandwiches) or Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost. Return to Paris for a simple dinner near your stay: Pizzeria Popolare (Neapolitan pies) or Café Charlot in the Marais (burgers, salads, omelets).

Day 7: Science, canals, and a classic Paris brasserie sendoff

Morning: Head to Parc de la Villette for the Cité des Sciences. Book the Cité des Enfants (time‑slotted spaces for ages 2–7 and 5–12) where kids experiment with water, building, light, and sound. It’s interactive, spacious, and ideal before your flight home.

Afternoon: Lunch by Canal de l’Ourcq—Le Pavillon des Canaux is playful and relaxed—or try Le Petit Cambodge (Cambodian rice bowls; mild options for kids). If the weather’s fine, the nearby Parc des Buttes‑Chaumont has bridges, a grotto, and long lawns for a final playground sprint.

Evening: Wrap with a quintessential brasserie: Bouillon Chartier (historic dining hall, classic dishes, lightning-fast service) or Chez Janou (Provençal fare and an epic chocolate mousse). Grab a last cone from Berthillon on Île Saint‑Louis, cross Pont Marie at dusk, and wave goodbye to the boats.

Optional swaps and tips

• Versailles with kids: Go for gardens first (rent bikes or a golf cart); the RER C ride takes ~35–45 minutes. If doing interiors, keep it short and early.
• Rain plan: Aquarium de Paris, Musée d’Orsay (impressionists wow kids; closed Mon), covered passages (Vivienne, Jouffroy), and chocolate tastings.
• Transport sanity: Buses are easier with strollers; many Metro stations lack elevators. Pack snacks and plan a daily park stop.

Book/compare essentials: Stays on VRBO Paris and Hotels.com Paris; long‑haul flights on Kiwi.com; intra‑Europe trains and flights on Omio trains and Omio flights.

Included Viator activities in this itinerary:

• Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens

  

• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

  

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access

  

• Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef

  

In a week, you’ll savor Paris’s greatest hits at a family pace—iconic views, gentle boat rides, hands‑on baking, and time to play in its storied gardens. This plan balances must‑see culture with kid joy, so everyone heads home full of memories (and maybe a few extra pastries).