Recently I took Gemma on her first one on one kid trip to Paris and London, and it was so magical to see it through her fresh eyes! I took Chloe, my oldest daughter on this same trip years ago and it was so much fun! Here are some of my tips and tricks for traveling with kids to Paris and London!
Table of Contents
When I was a little girl my mother started taking me to Europe every summer. I don’t have endless detailed memories from my childhood, so these trips traveling through France, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and beyond were some of my most treasured. I remember the way my first scone tasted and the thick clotted cream I slathered on top served with a warm cup of tea that felt incredibly grown up at the time.
Marching through countless museums, standing under the Eiffel Tower with wonder and amazement or the simple feeling of hearing a foreign language spoken and how I desperately wanted to learn it. My parents didn’t have gobs of money for these trips, so we would stay in bed and breakfasts or hostiles a few nights in a row and then splurge on a “fancy” hotel that I appreciated even more because it felt special.
I was lucky enough to live in Paris for several years on and off in my late teens, but those memories were much more about discovering the city on my own. I’ve been looking forward to creating new memories with my kids, while taking part in one of my favorite pastimes: travel!
When Chloe was 8, again when she was 9 years old and when Gemma was just shy of her 8th birthday, I took them each one on one to Paris and then zipped over to London in between for a few days of pure magic.
I posted my travels on Instagram and so many people were headed there this summer as well, so they asked me to share where I had visited and eaten. Below is a list of some personal favorites, but I will say you can’t go wrong as both cities are an absolute treat.
Tips for London and Paris with Kids
- Bring a scooter for kids under 13. This is the scooter I always bring (this one is great too!), and it’s a total game changer for cutting down on complaints and “I’m tired” when discovering a new city. You can pack one in your luggage, in the over head compartments on planes or gate check it.
- Buy all your tickets ahead of time. You will save tons of time avoiding long lines and occasionally get tickets at a lower price. You’ll also avoid the chance of certain exhibits being sold out. Great news, if you’re bringing kids as many museums offer free passes for little ones.
- Take your time and slow down. There’s no need to rush. I find with kids doing one to two major attractions a day can be enough as it can be overwhelming for kids and you want them to enjoy the experience. I also give them Euros or French Francs which they love to buy a few trinkets here and there.
- Have a picnic! Paris is an especially picnic friendly city where you can grab a baguette, slices of cheese and fresh fruit to eat under the Eiffel tower, along the Seine or in one of the gorgeous parks. Remember to grab a blanket or bedding sheet to sit on.
- Stop at the street stands. In Paris, it’s a right of passage to grab a crepe at a street stand and a baguette or croissant at your local patisserie. Chloe and I never met one we didn’t love!
- Metro. It’s safe and the best way to get around the city. Buy books of ten or twenty tickets at a time.
Paris: Experiences and Tours
- Batobus – The boat is a wonderful way to get around and see all of the sights. There are many Batobus stops along the Seine, and you can buy tickets at the stop. You can get on and off the boat as many times as you’d like with any of the passes but it’s probably best to buy a two day pass so you don’t have to rush. With Gemma we went on Airbnb in their “experiences” section and got a private boat which came with endless beverages (even champagne and apple cider champagne for kids, an amazing tour guide and the boat driver took the best pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower). Go at night so you can see the Eiffel Tower light up for 5 minutes between 11-11:05pm.
- Paris Walks – Great tours of Paris that are only 2 hours. You’ll learn about specific areas – history, food, art, etc… Reasonably priced, well worth the time and great for a child’s attention span.
- My Paris River – This private boat tour company is what I always look most forward to dong with friends and family. Your boat captain will meet you at one of several locations along the Seine taking you on a 90 minute or two hour cruise. While it’s beautiful to enjoy during the day, departing at 9 or 10pm means you ask your driver to cruise by the Eiffel Tower as it lights up and twinkles for 5 minutes- hourly beginning at 10pm. Be sure to ask for Julian as your boat captain as he’s lovely and takes care to give you an incredible experience.
- Castille Paris Hotel: this magnificent hotel offers a luxury experience in the middle of the city with the most delicious buffet breakfast I’ve had in Paris.
Paris: Museums and Things to See
- Musee D’Orsay: my favorite museum in Paris especially for impressionistic art in an old train station.
- The Louvre – Buy tickets ahead of time and avoid the lines by entering at the “secret entrance” which is an entrance on the map called “Port de Lions”. Make sure to set aside hours for this treasure as there’s a lot to see.
- We took a private tour of the Louvre Museum last summer with Paris Muse One of the best investments of our trip. Gemma and her friend James were incredibly engaged and loved the treasure hunt. We earned a ton and our guide took us to the hits of the Louvre which is vast. The kids said it was one of their best memories in Paris.
- Dior Museum: the history, the dresses, the fashion, the entire space is magnificent!
- L’Orangerie: a perfect 45 minute museum filled with impressionistic art, Monet’s Water Lillies and always a special exhibition in the middle of the Tuilleries Garden.
- Pinault Collection
- Eiffel Tower: shh… this tour is a secret to most, but truly special getting to go in the underground bunkers on the Eiffel Tower grounds and then getting a private tour around and up the tower. A great way to beat the lines too!
- Atelier Des Lumières: light museum focused on 3 artists and super kid friendly.
- Versailles: it’s a quick train ride from Paris and worth every moment. The palace is gorgeous (visit in the afternoon) and head to the gardens before to avoid long lines, rent a boat, walk through the manicured mazes and grab a soft serve ice cream cone.
- Fountainbleu: About an hour away from Paris, it’s still incredibly grand, but easier to manage with less crowds than Versailles. Don’t forget to rent a boat to take out with the ducks which was a highlight with both of my girls.
Where to Eat with Kids in Paris
Below is a list of restaurants I’ve been once or more and felt were great for kids and adults alike. I’ve lived and stay in the 7th arrondissement most of the time, so many of these spots are in the 1st, 6th or 7th. Excited to hear about your favorite parts of the city, too! Tell me in the comments below.
Lunch/Brunch/Tea/Coffee in Paris:
- Marlon – 7th
- Malabar – 7th
- 13 A Bakers Dozen – 6th
- Angelina (a Parisian classic)
- Les Deux Magots – 6th
- Cafe de Flore – 6th
- Le Comptoir – 6th
- Frenchie – 2nd
Dinner in Paris with Kids:
- Yam’tcha – 2nd. perfect for parents and a true treat. May be too “out there” for kids.
- Clover Grill 1st
- Le Village 7th
- La Fontaine De Mars 7th. roast chicken dinner on Sunday’s is a must!
- La Renommee: classic French cuisine in a tres chic Parisian restaurant near the Louvre.
- Thes Verlet: Gorgeous tea salmon near the Louvre museum with delicious pastries.
Desserts in Paris:
- La Bonboniere 8th insane chocolates
- Berthillon 4th classic french ice cream
- Amorino 4th my favorite gelato
- Pierre Herme 6th macarons and desserts
- Laduree 7th macarons
- Pozzetto 4th
- The Bon Marche – 7th a must for any food lover. The endless culinary products are mind blowing plus the shopping is off the charts!
What to Do in London with Kids:
- Go see a show! If you’re traveling all the way to London, seeing a play is the way to go. Chloe and I went to Matilda and I have to say it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen (and I’ve been known to take the occasional nap in plays. That’s our secret. Ok?)
- London Eye – The most incredible view of London and a treat for kids
- Westminster Abbey – buy tickets ahead to avoid the 45 minute line that I got caught in. It’s next to the London Eye, so easy to do both in a morning or afternoon.
- Buckingham Palace – If the flags are up and out the king is home.
- Victoria and Albert Museum – The collection of jewels is reason enough to go.
- Tate Modern – Modern art for days, large rooms to explore and artists that will blow your mind.
- Claridges – I mark this not as a restaurant or hotel, but as a true experience for afternoon tea. This is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget doing with my mom. You can dress up, lay back and let the endless amounts of sandwiches, scones, tea, champagne and desserts take over.
- Borough Market – from food to events to all around great shopping.
- Harvey Nichols and Harrods – Get ready to shop. They’re only minutes apart and if you thought Paris was the place to shop just wait for the incredible fashion finds in London.
- The Wolseley – I’ve been here 5 times and it gets better each time. The service is out of this world and super kid friendly menu.
- 45 Jermynt St – Perfect for lunch or dinner
London: Where to stay
Just my 2 cents, but unless you’re using points for a lovely hotel stay, I’m a big fan of Kid and Coe! You can rent family friendly apartments all over the world and live like locals. If you’re looking for the ultimate upscale London hotel experience, Brown’s Hotel is the ticket.
If you can’t make it to Europe this summer you can always pretend by creating your own Parisian fest at home with crepes, roast chicken and french onion soup.
If you have any questions or favorite spots in either city, please leave them below.
