Best 11 things to do in Paris with kids & teens

Going to Paris? Lucky you! Paris is one of my favourite cities in Europe. Good food, fabulous style, lots to see and explore – Paris has it all. I took the girls for the first time last year and they absolutely loved it.  Here are 11 things I did in Paris with the teenagers.

1. Visit the Louvre!

Yes you want to see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but the museum is full of other treasures too. Kids will also love huge fountain outside, the sculpture galleries and the Egyptian antiquities. Best of all, the Louvre is free for kids up to age 18!

Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

2. Walk along the Seine

It’s lovely  to take a leisurely stroll along the Seine River. There a wide pedestrian path that is popular with locals and tourists. We made our  way from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower. You’ll pass many attractions Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Arc de Triumph, and bridges along the way. It’s a nice way to explore.

3. Ride the Batobus! 

If you don’t want to walk – take the Batobus, a hop on, hop off boat that has 9 stops at major tourist attractions. We took it from where we stayed near Hotel du Ville all the way to the Eiffel Tower. It’s a great way to travel between main sites, plus get a “water view”.

Batobus Website 

4. Hang out in Place des Vosges

Then visit the Victor Hugo Museum (it’s free). Place des Vosges is one of the best squares in Paris. The meticulously manicured grassy garden is surrounded by 17th century townhouses. Victor Hugo lived in an apartment here and you can visit and learn more about the life of the author of Les Miserables.

Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris, France

5. Vintage shopping in Marais

My teens love looking for second-hand clothing. The Marais area has some of the best vintage shops. Timeout has a guide here.

6. See the Notre Dame Photo Tribute

Notre Dame has been closed since the fire in April 2019. It’s predicted to remain closed for at least 4 or 5 years. Work is already underway to restore the cathedral. There is a nice photo exhibition to the left of Notre Dame, which explains the restoration process.

Notre Dame Cathedral, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France 

7. Check out the Jewish quarter and join the queue at L’As du Falafel

This is the BEST place to get falafel in Paris (according to Lenny Kravitz). There’s a queue – but it’s worth the wait. There’s a small park just past the shop – a good place to sit and enjoy your falafel.

L’As du Fallafel, 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France

8. Go to Passerelle Debilly footbridge for the best spot to take a pic of the Tour Eiffel

My youngest daughter found this suggestion on a blog, researched it and then took us an a (long) walk there. She was so pleased with her find and so was I! Tremendous views from the water up to the Eifel Tower. Some say it’s the best place to view it. We agree.

9. Climb the Eiffel Tower!

Get a ticket to ride the elevator up, take lots of pics, then walk down. You have to do this at least once in your life!

Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

10. Check out Paris Plages!

In summer, the banks of the Seine turn into a beach! Find a long chair and hang out for a while. It’s pretty amazing.

Paris Plages website

11. Mémorial de la Shoa 

The Holocaust Museum in Paris. Free. Daughter said it has more info than ones she saw in Germany.   Definitely worth a stop.

Mémorial de la Shoa, 17 Rue Geoffroy l’Asnier, 75004 Paris  

12. Get an ice cream at Pozetto

My girls are still talking about the gelato from this Marias ice cream cafe. It’s the BEST in Paris (according to my local friend). Go on, you won’t regret it.

Pozetto, 39 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004 Paris, France