Hands-on museums, gardens, zoos, carousels and workshops: Paris is full of outings for children, as long as you know where to go for their age and the weather. Here are 24 ideas picked from over 650 places on the Trottimap map.
Animals and farms
Parc zoologique de Paris · Paris
On the edge of the Bois de Vincennes, the Parc zoologique de Paris spreads more than 3,000 animals across five biozones: Africa, Amazonia-Guiana, Europe, Madagascar and Patagonia.
Museums and science
Musée des Arts et Métiers · Paris
In the museum's former church, Foucault's pendulum swings beneath the aircraft of Clément Ader and Blériot, hanging from the vaulted ceiling.
Leisure parks
Ballon de Paris Generali · Paris
Held by a cable, the balloon rises 150 metres above Parc André Citroën.
Animals and farms
Aquarium tropical du Palais de la Porte Dorée · Paris
In the basement of the Palais de la Porte Dorée, an Art Deco building from 1931, the aquarium brings together more than 300 species in over 80 tanks.
Animals and farms
Hippodrome ParisLongchamp · Paris
In the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, ParisLongchamp racecourse hosts races from spring to autumn.
Animals and farms
Ferme de Paris · Paris
In the Bois de Vincennes, this five-hectare municipal farm organically raises Gascon pigs, Ouessant sheep, rabbits and a whole farmyard of poultry.
Museums and science
Grande Galerie de l'Évolution · Paris
Beneath the great glass roof, a long caravan of taxidermy animals crosses the nave, from the giraffe to the elephant, while the lower level is devoted to marine life.
Leisure parks
Jardin d'Acclimatation · Paris
On the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, this children's park brings together some 45 rides and attractions, from the gentlest to the bumpiest.
Museums and science
Musée en Herbe · Paris
This small museum near the Louvre regularly changes its art exhibitions and designs them for children as much as for adults, with a playful trail to follow as a family.
Museums and science
Musée des Égouts de Paris · Paris
Beneath the Pont de l'Alma, a 500-metre route follows real tunnels still in use, with their street signs and the rumble of water.
Pools, beaches and water
Aquaboulevard · Paris
This large indoor water park in the 15th arrondissement combines a wave pool, eleven slides, jacuzzis, geysers and water mushrooms.
Museums and science
Musée des Arts Forains · Paris
In the former wine warehouses of Bercy, a guide shows you rooms full of century-old merry-go-rounds, automata and funfair stalls.
Museums and science
Musée Grévin · Paris
More than 250 wax figures await visitors, from sports stars to cartoon heroes, and children spend the visit taking photos next to them.
Castles and heritage
Catacombes de Paris · Paris
Twenty metres beneath Denfert-Rochereau, a one-and-a-half-kilometre route follows old quarry tunnels where the bones of several million Parisians are stacked.
Parks and nature
Parc André Citroën · Paris
On the large esplanade, jets of water spring from the ground and children dash through them as soon as the weather warms up.
Parks and nature
Bois de Vincennes · Paris
A short walk from Porte Dorée, Lac Daumesnil and its two islands linked by bridges make up the liveliest corner of the woods.
Parks and nature
Bois de Boulogne · Paris
These woods of nearly 850 hectares have 17 kilometres of roads closed to traffic, where children can cycle in peace.
Parks and nature
Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil · Paris
This City of Paris botanical garden combines late 19th-century glasshouses with contemporary ones opened in 2019 around a Roland-Garros court.
Parks and nature
Arboretum de Paris · Paris
South of the Bois de Vincennes, the arboretum of the École Du Breuil brings together 1,200 trees of 650 species and varieties over 12 hectares, each labelled and grouped by botanical family.
Parks and nature
Parc de la Villette · Paris
This 55-hectare park in the 19th arrondissement lines up ten themed gardens among lawns and canals.
Castles and heritage
Jardin de la Grande Mosquée de Paris · Paris
This Hispano-Moorish mosque celebrates its centenary in 2026.
Parks and nature
Jardin des Plantes · Paris
The garden, free to enter, links the Seine to the Grande Galerie with long flower-lined avenues.
Castles and heritage
Arènes de Lutèce · Paris
Hidden behind the buildings of Rue Monge, this 1st-century arena has kept its stone tiers and its sandy floor.
Parks and nature
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont · Paris
This large, hilly park gives children's legs some proper climbs, with sloping lawns for picnics and several play areas with sandpits, swings and a merry-go-round.