Traveling to Paris with kids? Here's an insider guide for what to do and where to go, tested by us and proven to be kid-friendly and cool.
An Old Institution
My 3-year-old is a lover of books and her personal book collection is threatening to drawf mine. A week ago I decided it was time to take action so I took her to the local library. I have been kicking myself ever since that I had not thought of this before!
I had completely forgotten about public libraries. I vaguely remember going with my mom when I was a kid, but the thing I remember most is the musty smell of old, humid books in a scary Victorian building. My more recent memory of a library was a place to whisper sweet nothings and flirt at university; not much book reading was done.
Our local library here in Paris is a very distant and very modern cousin of the libraries of my childhood. Clean, bright and organised, there is a huge children’s section with little tables to sit at. All the books are kept at ground level so kids can browse through them all by themselves. I didn’t realise how much my daughter would love it — she was in heaven, discovering old favourites and new treasures. There is even a small international book section with English children’s books. Membership is free for anyone, so my daughter is now the proud owner of her first library card. (more…)
Le Pain Quotidien
Le Pain Quotidien now has branches in 15 different countries and long may it continue expanding.
We are loyal customers at our nearest branch in the Marais. There are several reasons for our frequent visits: the food is healthy, fresh and simple and my whole family, young and old, loves going there. They serve great grilled sandwiches and salads, which are a little bit different from the usual bistro fair.
But the great food is not my main reason for recommending the Pain Quotidien. It is one of the rare places you can find a changing table in the toilets… and high chairs! I know that for most countries this is so normal it is not worth mentioning, but in Paris this a phenomenon!
So to paraphrase: it’s a cafe that serves great food and is child friendly. It doesn’t have much going against it, does it?
- Emilie
ALSO IN THE AREA:
 |  |  |
| COS | Petit Pan | Niou |
Rue Vavin
Just south of the Luxembourg Gardens you can find the Rue Vavin, a mom’s dream of a shopping street. Along the rue Vavin and its side street, the rue Brea, you will find some of the best Parisian children’s shops. From the affordable — a great DPAM baby shop– to the more expensive — Jacadi and Catimini both have a branch on this street– there is everything you could wish to get for your kid. Paris’ first children’s hairdresser Simon is based in the rue Vavin (16 rue Vavin. Tél. : 01 53 10 08 12). There are also toy shops, chain shops, shoe shops and other cute, little individual boutiques.
I personally recommend dragging the family for a quick shopping mission around the rue and then heading off to the playground in the Luxembourg Gardens — a great day out for the whole family.
- Emilie
ALSO IN THE AREA:
 |  |  |
| Soeur | Alice à Paris | Ladurée Macarons |
Les Fourmis Rouges
In the heart of Paris, though maybe not in the most glamourous of all locations (the shopping centre Le Forum Des Halles), is a great kid’s shop called Les Fourmis Rouges (the Forum des Images is under the same roof). It offers everything you could ever dream of: toys, clothes, furniture and accessories. Most of the items are discounted, and all of them are beautiful. The Fourmis Rouges also offers ateliers for kids, in which kids get to make their own soft toys (or ‘dodos’ as we call them over here). It is definitely worth checking out if you are ever in the area!
- Emilie
ALSO IN THE AREA:
 |  | |
| Paris Plage | Paris Plage | Forum des Images |
