Planning a Family Vacation to Paris France

The excitement starts to build as soon as you and your spouse decide Paris is going to be your next vacation destination. You can hardly contain yourself as you begin thinking about Paris, France attractions: the food, the museums, the parks, the monuments, and (gulp) the Eiffel Tower. You can’t believe you hadn’t thought of this before, as Paris is the ideal place for the two of you to vacation.

There's just one problem: How are you going to find a babysitter for the kids?

Problem solved: You’re not! You’re bringing them with you! That’s right, while Paris may seem (albeit stereotypically) to be a very adult, very mature vacation destination, it is just as magical for kids as it is for adults. So sit down as a family and start sharing the excitement because it’s time to start planning a family vacation to Paris, France.

Not Just Full of Adult Stuff

Perhaps it was the exquisite cuisine; maybe it was the sophisticated art. Whatever the case, somewhere along the line Paris, France, got labeled as being not a very child-friendly tourist destination. Who really knows where it came from or how it started, but the common misconception is Paris is no place for children. This is simply not true. Parisians are very welcoming to children and the city boasts an abundance of activities and attractions that are fun for the whole family, not just mom and dad.

Attractions to Consider When Planning a Family Vacation to Paris, France

Parc Astérix is an amusement park based on “The Adventures of Asterix,” a series of French comic books. It is located about 20 miles outside of Paris and features, among other rides and attractions, the Tonnerre de Zeus, which is the longest wooden roller coaster in Europe. The park is only open from the beginning of April until the beginning of November.

La Croisière Enchantée is a one-hour cruise on the Seine with a musical children’s performance that highlights the history of Paris. Boats depart from the Eiffel Tower all year long and from Notre Dame from April to November.

France Miniature is a 12,000-acre park adorned with 150 miniature French landscapes and monuments. This top local attraction in Paris is great fun for the whole gang; you can cover the length and breadth of France in just a few hours. It is open between April and the beginning of November -- something to keep in mind when planning a family vacation to Paris, France.

More Attractions on Your Paris France Family Vacation

Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is an amazing science museum, the largest of its kind in Europe. In addition to having many hands-on exhibits and activities for children and teenagers, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie also has an IMAX Theater and a planetarium. It is located in Parc de la Villette and is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

Jardin d'Acclimatation is a 50-acre park with puppet theaters, movie theaters, an amusement park and a Chinese teahouse, among other things. It is open daily from June to September.

And don’t dismiss the numerous museums and art galleries just because you think the kids won’t appreciate them. Several have incorporated interactive activities so as to appeal to groups of all ages.

As you can see, it’s definitely not going to be necessary to find a sitter for the kids. The City of Lights is loaded with attractions and activities that are enjoyable for kids of all ages, making planning a family vacation to Paris, France, a real cinch.