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Where to stay in Paris with kids?

A trip to Paris is an excellent opportunity to introduce your kids to a new culture while allowing the adults to enjoy the best the city has to offer. Highstay explores the most family-friendly corners of the city and the most comfortable places to stay as a family in the French capital.

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    Summary
    • Staying in Paris with Children: Tips & Advice
    • Where to stay in Paris with kids within walking distance of family activities?
    • Choose a fully-equipped apartment in Paris for maximum comfort with kids
    • FAQ about Visiting Paris with Kids

    Staying in Paris with Children: Tips & Advice

    Paris is one of the most fascinating cities in the world for its culture, history, gastronomy, and beyond. But the City of Light is not just a cultural and historical marvel. It abounds in activities for families with kids of all ages! Visiting Paris as a family promises an enriching experience for any family, whether your child is a baby, toddler, elementary schooler, or teenager.

    Here are some age-specific suggestions to get the most out of a visit to Paris with your family. We will also suggest some of the best areas to stay, depending on the age of your children.

    Staying in Paris with a Baby

    Planning ahead is always a good idea when bringing a baby to any destination. Changing stations can be hard to find in Paris, although you will find them in major Department stores like the Galeries Lafayette and Bon Marché and some major tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower.

    Several baby-friendly attractions in Paris are a short car ride from the Marais. The Parc Zoologique (or Paris Zoo) next to the Bois de Vincennes offers a host of exotic creatures, from Giraffes and Lions to Lemurs and Lynxes. If your child prefers farm animals, La Ferme de Paris organic farm is located in the same Bois de Vincennes park, sprawling over 12 acres. The farm features a host of animals sure to delight any infant, from sheep to chickens and goats.

    The Carousels in parks like the Parc Monceau, Parc de la Villette, or the Jardin des Plantes (with an adjacent zoo) are another fun activity idea for small children.

    While it may sound cliché, a car ride around the city could be an excellent way to entertain your baby as the city passes by or simply a way to put your baby to sleep!

    Traveling with a baby can be a challenge for any parent. Choose to stay in the Marais, a charming neighborhood in central Paris offering quiet streets and easy access to everything you want to see. The nearby Place des Vosges is a beautiful historic square perfect for a moment of calm in the busy city. Also in the vicinity is the Marché des Enfants Rouges food market, where you can sample French delicacies as your baby marvels at the different foods on display.

    Highstay apartments include a fully equipped kitchen with must-haves for any parent, like a refrigerator, Nespresso machine, and electric kettle. Our Reaumur V apartment welcomes you with a spacious bedroom large enough for a crib and a living room with an oversized couch for parents to rest while the baby sleeps. The Highstay staff is happy to baby-proof the apartment ahead of time and provide any necessary extras like a baby bath and crib. If you have any questions about the city or requests to make your stay more comfortable, our staff is here to help at any time.

    Staying in Paris With Toddlers

    The Parc de la Villette on the Northeast edge of the city boasts acres of space for families to explore. Inspired by the coasts of Brittany, the Jardin des vents et des dunes (garden of wind and dunes) allows kids up to 12 years old to run along undulating "dunes" coated in soft rubber padding.

    The Guignol Anatole Theater in the Buttes Chaumont Park offers a traditional puppet show that small children will enjoy whether they speak French or not. Similar Marionette shows are also in the Parc Monceau and Jardin du Luxembourg. These parks all have playgrounds and are pleasant places to saunter along with a stroller.

    The Atelier des Lumières is an immersive exhibition that brings the paintings of artists like Van Gogh to life by projecting animated versions of their works onto the walls and floor of a large room. The dancing colors and accompanying music make this a mesmerizing activity for small children.

    These attractions are a short car ride from Louvre-Rivoli, a centrally located neighborhood in the 1st arrondissement with many fun places for parents to explore once the kids are safely in the babysitter's hands.

    Our Louvre II apartment offers two large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, including one large bathtub that makes bathtime a joy. Separate bedrooms ensure a quiet place to put your little one down for a nap. Adults will appreciate the apartment's elegant architectural elements and sophisticated contemporary furnishings in a subdued, calming color palette. Even better, the private hammam bath in the primary suite is the perfect place for parents to relax after a busy day out in the city.

    Staying in Paris with Elementary school-aged kids

    Paris is full of incredible places to discover, whether you're 9 or 99. School-aged kids can still enjoy the same parks and playgrounds as younger children but may also enjoy a trip to the Jardin d'Acclimatation amusement park, which offers several attractions for kids too young for large rollercoasters.

    1st to 5th graders are the perfect age to learn about Paris' history through museums and monuments. Before embarking on a city tour with a private tour guide, why not visit France Miniature, where they can see a miniature version of France's biggest sites before viewing it in person?

    The Eiffel Tower undoubtedly offers one of the city's best views, but if you're looking for a unique experience to share as a family, consider taking a hot air balloon instead. The Ballon de Paris Générali lifts you 150 meters in the air for a 10-minute panoramic view of the city, including the Eiffel Tower, which is not visible from the tower itself.

    Our two-bedroom apartment at Saint Martin I offers a bright and airy haven for your family to return to after a day in the city. Located in the Marais, there are many interesting things to do in the neighborhood only a short walk away, making it one of the best places to stay in Paris with kids of any age.

    Staying in Paris with Teenagers

    Paris is full of activities for any teen to enjoy with their family, whether riding a boat on the Seine, taking a Segway tour of riverside landmarks, or visiting the spooky catacombs.

    Older teens will appreciate the freedom to roam the city and pursue activities independently, like shopping along the rue de Rivoli, finding the latest books at Shakespeare and Company, or taking a guided tour of the locations from their favorite book or movie.

    If your children seek thrills beyond historic sites and museums, Disneyland Paris is an excellent day trip for a family with kids of different ages. Older kids can enjoy rollercoasters while the younger ones have fun on the tamer classic attractions.

    If you're looking for a corner of Paris with an abundance of activities, the Champs Elysées is one of the best places to stay for families with teens. Highstay offers two and three-bedroom apartments conveniently located close to the Avenue des Champs Elysées, within walking distance of attractions like the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.

    Our Franklin Roosevelt II apartment offers three bedrooms with king-size beds so everyone can have their own space. The spacious living room is ideal for family gatherings or meals, whether you whip up a family favorite or invite a private chef to delight your family with French cuisine.

    The prestigious neighborhood is close to some of France's best restaurants, presenting an ideal opportunity to introduce your children to a Michelin-starred restaurant. It is also situated in the heart of French luxury, making it the perfect place for a mother-daughter shopping spree or a spa day.

    Where to stay in Paris with kids within walking distance of family activities?

    Aside from the Eiffel Tower, the major attractions in Paris for families are located on the right bank. That means Saint Germain des Prés or the Latin Quarter may be excellent places to visit, but the best places to stay are not on the left bank.

    Instead of the dull area near the Eiffel Tower, Highstay luxury apartments are in centrally located neighborhoods like Champs Elysées, Louvre-Rivoli, and the Marais - making it easy to pop home for a diaper change or a nap. Kids, teens, and parents will all enjoy having their own room and being near the exciting attractions.

    Many hotels in Paris offer small rooms that may not be big enough for an entire family. Others may be too noisy or uncomfortable for families. While luxury hotels are better on this front, the hotel experience cannot compare to a private apartment that instantly feels like home. Unlike luxury hotels, Highstay offers self check-in, so you can skip the wait and immediately get some rest as soon as you arrive.

    Choose a fully-equipped apartment in Paris for maximum comfort with kids

    Highstay offers luxury apartments for short-term rental, or in other words, the perfect place to stay in Paris for any family. A private apartment with comfortable seating areas and separate bedrooms feels like a proper home. At the same time, the fully equipped kitchen makes it easy for your family to continue their regular routine even while on vacation. Contemporary furnishings and elegant décor make for pleasant surroundings for adults to relax.

    Our staff is always ready to help make your stay more enjoyable, whether arranging a babysitter or finding a luxury car with car seats to whisk your family away on a day trip outside the city or simply make traveling in Paris with family more manageable.

    Even better, some of the best restaurants and bars in the city are a short walk from the apartment, so parents can slip away from the babysitter and enjoy a date night in the heart of the city of love.

    FAQ about Visiting Paris with Kids

    Is Paris worth visiting with kids?

    Simply put, yes. Your experience visiting Paris with kids will vary depending on age, interests, and personality. Still, there are many things for your family to discover in Paris, regardless of age! Older kids will experience the enlightenment of discovering another country's customs and culture, but even the youngest kids will find many activities to enjoy in the city. The bottom line is that any excuse to visit Paris is a good one, especially if you have a comfortable place to stay and a fun itinerary. Highstay's optional luxury car service makes it even easier to travel around the city with kids, letting the driver figure out the best way to get to your destination while you relax.

    How many days do you need in Paris?

    If this is your first time visiting Paris, plan to spend 4 to 7 days seeing the main city sights and major museums, depending on whether you prefer to fit a lot into a few days or follow a more leisurely pace. Your itinerary will vary depending on you and your children's interests, but there are many fascinating places to visit in Paris for all ages. If you have already seen the city, a week is enough to introduce your favorite places to your kids or discover something new together.

    What’s the safest area to stay in Paris?

    Paris is ranked among the top 30 safest cities in the world, so it is a relatively safe city overall. One of the safest areas for families to stay in the city center is the Marais, a calm corner of a bustling city. Highstay apartments are all located in secure buildings in safe neighborhoods. Each apartment features a safe in case you wish to stow any valuables before venturing out.

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