In case you missed it, the Paris Olympics is happening this summer, if you’d like to go in spring instead, here are 10 things to do in Paris with kids before the Olympic crowds hit.
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- Ladurée, Champs Élysées, Paris
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- Perfect macarons, Ladurée, Paris
Lay claim to Ladurée macarons before the Paris Olympics creates queues
Krispy Kreme had Parisians queueing round the block when it opened its doors in Les Halles for the first time last December. But they’re a long way from knocking the city’s most iconic patisserie off top perch. And yes, we know there are Ladurée shops worldwide, but Ladurée macarons just hit different in their home town, and Paris is undeniably that.
To get an eyeful of creativity, head to Ladurée at 75 Avenue de Champs Élysées to catch the sweetest window displays. And it’s not just macarons: Lala Ladurée, the chocolate Easter bunny is a bit of a spring thing in Paris. Also worth mentioning that Ladurée comes with big TikTok energy, so it’s definitely for teens. Although the really discerning should taste-test Pierre Hermé macarons on the Champs Élysées as well.
Book a family stay at Nuage on the Champs Élysées this spring
Venture out to Versailles to catch this spring’s musical fountains
It’s worth taking the train from Paris to the Palais de Versailles any time of year; the gardens even look hauntingly lovely in winter. However, as an added incentive this spring and summer, Versailles is upping its game with musical fountain displays several days a week and splashy evening spectacles at the weekend.
Download the Versailles treasure hunt app
The fountains go live on 30 March 2024 and if that’s not enough fun for kids, you can download the Rabbids@Versailles treasure hunt app to play in the gardens too. This is definitely one to catch in spring as Versailles is the venue for equestrian events during the Paris Olympics. Buy a Passport (reduced rate for children) and you get access to the Palais, the Trianon Estate and the musical gardens.
Book a family stay at Novotel Château de Versailles this spring
Le mur des je t’aime, Montmartre
The I Love You wall re-opens for romantic teens this spring
You really don’t need an excuse to explore Montmartre, especially in spring. But if you did, the re-opening of Le mur des je t’aime is good one. It’s set to be TikTok ready again in late March and you’ll find it in Jehan Rictus Jardin in Montmartre.
A must for romantically inclined teens, the tiled wall contains 311 versions of the words I Love You in 620 different languages. So, not only charming and whimsical, it’s a learning experience too.
Look out for the puzzle at the heart of the wall
Take note of the seemingly random red splashes. The wall’s creators, artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito, designed them with intent: supposedly when put together in the correct order they form a large, scarlet heart.
Honestly, even no teens in tow shouldn’t put you off seeking this one out, before the Paris Olympic hordes descend.
Book a family stay at Hôtel des Arts Montmartre this spring
Do Disneyland Paris soon for family spring break offers
Disneyland Paris stops for nothing, not even the Paris Olympics. Although it does have some persuasive reasons for avoiding summer this year, including a family spring break offer.
New things to do at Disneyland Paris
A Million Splashes of Colour, launched on 10 February 2024, is the new daytime spectacle performed at Sleeping Beauty Castle. Although if you hang on until evening, there’s more newness in the shape of the Disney Electrical Sky Parade which involves a dazzling dance of up to 500 drones, again, above the second most famous palace in Paris.
And for newly magical sleeps, the recently reimagined Disneyland Hotel lets kids in on the fairy tale for real with interactive experiences, royal makeovers and even it’s own entrance to the park.
Book a family stay at Disneyland® Hotel this spring
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- Hidden Easter eggs, Rodin Museum, Paris
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- Easter art, Rodin Museum, Paris
The Rodin Museum invites your kids to hunt eggs this Easter
This year the oldest chocolatier in Paris, À La Mère de Famille, has teamed up with the Rodin Museum to bring you probably the most Parisian Easter egg hunt ever.
Families are invited to quest around the famous, statue-filled gardens from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday 27 March 2024.
There’s more than chocolate to day at the museum
As well as the thrill of the chocolate chase, there’s a game trail in the sculpture garden too, along with duck fishing, story telling, flash tours, a sculpture workshop and an add-your-own-creative-touch mural.
A citywide sweet tooth means this will be popular, but you can book in advance from 13 March and three time slots are available. The hunt is for 3 to 12 year olds, though older kids are unlikely to be bored by the historic museum and gardens.
Book a family stay at Hôtel Bourgogne & Montana this spring
Model yachts, boating pond, Luxembourg Gardens
Grab a spot in pretty parks before the Paris Olympic crowds
Spring comes with a fairly good chance of warm, sunny weather in Paris, only perfect for exploring city gardens: one of the greatest free things to do with kids.
Start with the Jardin Nelson Mandela since it’s the newest and just a few minutes walk from Les Halles shopping centre in the heart of the city. It comes with some pretty steam-punk looking play equipment for 7 to 11 year olds, and the recently added 400m² space decorated by street artist, Romain Froquet, features a football pitch, basketball court and ping pong tables, which should keep older kids happy.
Come sail a boat in the Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg on the Left Bank is a bit more of a traditionalist and won’t win kids over with funky playground design. Instead it’s the place for hiring toy yachts to sail on the pond, catching puppet shows or a classic carousel, saddling up for pony rides down the pretty tree lined avenues or just bagging an iconic green chair and a spot in the sun.
