Travel Stories: How to Survive Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler

Visiting Paris with a toddler is a dream for many. I’m delighted to publish another story by my dear friend and former co-worker Andrea Chrysanthou.

Andrea works full-time and has two big kids and a little. She is definitely a busy mom who needs and wants a proper vacation with the whole family! I loved her Nickelodeon Punta Cana Review, and I’m pleased she offered to share another family vacation story with us!

Tips for Visiting Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
or
How I Took My Four-Year-Old to Paris … and Survived!

A Bucket List Trip with a Toddler

Paris is gorgeous.

It’s been on my bucket list forever so, when I had a chance to go earlier this year, I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t hesitate even though I would have to bring my four-year-old along.

The trip was amazing.

Amazing & Exhausting

Yes, it was amazing and it was exhausting. I definitely had to compromise in some areas. But, with some planning and patience, we all had a magical time.

There are plenty of write-ups for grown-ups about visiting and hidden gems in Paris.

But if you’re thinking of taking a trip to the City of Light with a toddler, here are some tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your visit…

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #1: Download a City Map App

I downloaded the free CityMaps2Go app.

It’s much less conspicuous than a fold out map and I used it many times to orient myself and figure out how to get from point A to point B.  

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #2: Jump on a Bus … or a Boat

Both my toddler and I loved using the Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop Off Tour through TripAdvisor. He loved being on a double-decker bus. I loved being able to see all the major attractions in the city while he was safely beside me.

The bus also has wi-fi, so your little one can watch a show if he gets restless (no judgement here). We also used the bus as transport. We hopped off every time there was something we wanted to have a closer look at.

Won’t you let me take you on a city cruise?

Equally fun was the cruise along the Seine.

The views of the city and the Eiffel Tower were beautiful. Our toddler just loved that he was on a boat.

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #3: Pre-Book your visit to the Eiffel Tower

I knew my son would also love climbing the Eiffel Tower but I had heard horror stories about the long lines for tickets. I tried to pre-book tickets through the official website but even two weeks before our trip, all the allotted time slots were sold out. Instead, I opted for a third-party (more expensive) site to avoid lines. But, even then, time slots were limited.

Book your visit to the tower observation decks as soon as you book your trip to avoid disappointment.

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #4: Get a Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass is available in 2, 4, or 6 consecutive day options. It gives free entry and ticket line by-pass to over 50 of the top museums and monuments in and around Paris including the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Versailles, the Crypts at Notre-Dame, and more. Bear in mind that while it allows you to skip ticket lines, you will still have to wait in security lines, which can also be quite long, so make sure to account for this in your planning.

For parents, with this pass you can leave and reenter the museums and attractions when your kids are tired or need a break. Our little guy loved climbing the Arc de Triomphe at dusk (we could see the Eiffel Tower in its lit glory) and (surprisingly) the Musee de l’Orangerie, home of Monet’s “Water Lillies.” The museum is small and can be visited in under an hour.

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #5: Go to Versailles

Riding the train to Versailles was part of the excitement for our little guy. Once you leave the city centre, the train goes outdoors and you can see other trains whistling by. My son was not the least bit impressed by the absolute extravagance of the Versailles palaces. However, once we entered the gardens, he was enthralled.

There are beautiful secret rooms with fountains and sculptures that you’ll discover at the end of long, winding, tree-covered paths. And there’s wide, open areas where he could run around and release some energy after walking through the crowds inside the palace.

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #6: Ride the Carousels

There are merry-go-rounds seemingly everywhere in Paris. At only €2 a ride, I let my son go on whenever we saw one. It gave him something to look forward to.

And it was an opportunity to sit down for a few minutes during our often-long walks.

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #7: Visit a Bookstore

Shakespeare and Company, near Notre Dame Cathedral, is a quaint bookstore that has been in Paris since 1951. It was a home away from home for many famous authors at the time.

The store is reminiscent of an old house, with wooden-beamed rooms and beds tucked in between bookshelves. We bought a 1950s-era illustrated storybook on Paris that we have been reading as a bedtime story.

Surviving Paris with a Toddler or Preschooler
Tip #8: Stop for Ice Cream or Hot Chocolate (or Both)

Paris’ Berthillon is famous for its ice cream and sorbets. There are more than 70 all-natural flavours to choose from. You’ll recognize the shop from the long lines that typically spill out onto the sidewalk out front.

Equally famous is the Angelina Paris tearoom, which has been open since 1903 and boasts the best hot chocolate in Paris, not to mention beautifully-crafted pastries.

Andrea Chrysanthou is a mom, avid traveller, and freelance blogger. You can reach her on Twitter @CallMeAndreaC

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See Also:

• Visiting Amsterdam with Babies & Toddlers
• Travel Stories: An Eastern European Road Trip
• Tips for Visiting Italy with Kids
• Theme Park Guide for Walt Disney World with a Baby or Toddler
• Travel Stories: See the World Near and Far
• 3 Days in Dubai with a Baby
• Tips for International Travel with a Toddler
• Tips for Flying with Toddlers & Preschoolers