Join me as I take you through our family’s favourite playgrounds in Paris – tested and approved by yours truly and my two adorable children who live here!
This guide is perfect for locals looking for new playgrounds and families visiting Paris who need a break from sightseeing. Whether visiting the famous Eiffel Tower or exploring the magnificent Louvre Museum, it’s always helpful to know where the nearby playgrounds are to keep your little ones entertained. I’ve made a list of playgrounds that will make exploring Paris even more enjoyable for the whole family.
Tip: If you’re searching for a playground near you on Google Maps, try typing “Aire de jeux,” which translates into “playground” in French.
Where to find the best playgrounds in Paris
1. Jardin d’Acclimatation
I can’t think of a better day out with kids during summer than in Paris’s only amusement park – Jardin d’Acclimatation (buy tickets here). Located in Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement, the park has over 40 different rides, carousels, a mini-zoo, a puppet theatre, a miniature train, pony rides, a splash park and many fantastic playgrounds. Hence, it is no surprise that one can effortlessly spend the entire day here—I cannot recommend it enough.
Designed in 1860 by Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, the park drew inspiration from London’s Hyde Park—a place the emperor took a keen interest in. One intriguing fact you might find surprising is that the park’s operation rests under the long-term concession contract of LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) — the world’s largest luxury goods company. Conveniently, the park is situated just behind the stunning Foundation Louis Vuitton building in Bois de Boulogne. The Foundation is home to contemporary permanent and temporary art exhibits which are well worth a visit.
I think that Jardin d’Acclimatation has one of the best playgrounds in Paris. There are distinct spaces, all close to each other, catering to different age groups and styles of play. If your only plan revolves around enjoying the park’s playgrounds, a basic entrance ticket at €7 per person (free for children under 80cm) should suffice. This ticket grants you access to the park along with all the playgrounds.
Should your day’s itinerary include visiting attractions or rides, consider purchasing a book of 10 tickets or an all-inclusive day pass. This option offers better value compared to buying individual rides on the day.
Opening hours:
- Open all year round, 10am to 6pm during the week, 10am to 7pm on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
How to get here:
- Metro: Les Sablons or Pont de Neuilly (line 1)
- Train : Neuilly Porte Maillot or Avenue Foch stations (RER C)
2. Parc de la Villette
Located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, Parc de la Villette is one of the city’s largest and most family-friendly parks. Adjacent to the Paris Science Museum, known as La cité des sciences et de l’industrie, this park is a favourite day out for many French families.
Few things can beat spending a day with kids in Parc de la Villette, in Paris. Besides the playgrounds, the park offers a wide variety of child-friendly activities they can explore. If your kids speak French, consider checking out the program of activities organised at Little Villette. Little Villette hosts numerous events and workshops throughout the year for children. There is even a baby gym, a LEGO room, a reading room, and cinema.
There are two fantastic playgrounds for kids of all ages – one in Jardin du Dragon (“Dragon Garden”) and the other in Jardin des Vents et des Dunes (“Garden of Wind and Dunes”).
Jardin du Dragon
The centrepiece of the Dragon Garden is an impressive, colourful dragon structure overlooking the park. Designed to resemble a real dragon, it offers a play area for all children up to 13 years old. Kids can climb the large steel and rope structure, slide inside the dragon, and exit through its mouth (a tunnel) before whizzing down a 25-metre-long slide to the ground below. Keep in mind, though, that the Dragon Slide is reserved for children aged 8-14. Near the dragon, there’s a play area equipped with climbing nets, swings, seesaws and climbing structures for younger kids.
Jardin des Vents et des Dune
You’ll find another terrific playground just across the canal. This space is ideally suited for toddlers (0-2 years) and older children (up to 13 years). Modelled after the Breton seaside, it offers a variety of activities, such as pedal-powered turbines, climbing tunnels, trampolines and swings.
Opening hours:
- The Parc de la Villette gardens are open and accessible daily from 6am until 1am.
- The Dragon Garden is open daily from 8am until 7pm
- The Wind and Dune Garden Playground is open daily from 10am to 8pm between 1 April and 31 October. Between 1 November and 31 March, it’s open on Wednesdays, weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
How to get here:
- Metro: Porte de la Villette (line 7), Porte de Pantin (Line 5)
3. Jardin du Luxembourg
I love visiting the Jardin du Luxembourg with my kids at any time of the year. The beautiful garden is a perfect place to walk, play in the playground, ride on a traditional French carousel, watch a puppet show at the Théâtre des Marionnette or push the little boats with sticks across the pond.
The Jardin du Luxembourg, steeped in history, was the brainchild of Marie de’ Medici, the widow of King Henry IV of France. She sought to construct a garden reminiscent of the grandeur of the Boboli Gardens in Florence. Today, it’s home to the French Senate. Inside the park, you will find the Ludo Jardin Playground, one of the best playgrounds for kids in the centre of Paris.
The playground charges a small entry fee (€3 for children and €1 for adults), which helps keep it from being too busy. Parents can unwind on the benches bordering the playground, knowing their kids can play safely without wandering off.
The playground has plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained. The younger kids will enjoy a mini obstacle course with balance beams, a giant sandpit with diggers and pulleys, and animal rockers. The older kids will love the climbing fort with a slide and a zipline. The playground equipment is nature-themed, with logs and wood used for most play structures.
Adjacent to the playground, a kiosk serves hot drinks, sandwiches, and ice cream, perfect for a post-play treat.
Opening hours:
- Le Ludo Jardin is open every day from 10am and closes 1 hour before the Jardin du Luxembourg gardens close their gates.
- Depending on the season, the Jardin du Luxembourg Gardens gates close between 4.30pm and 9.30pm.
How to get here:
- Metro: station Odéon (lines 4 et 10), Notre-Dame-des-Champs (line 12)
- Train : station Luxembourg-Sénat (RER B)
4. Eiffel Tower / Champ De Mars
There are four playgrounds within walking distance from the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars that you and your family can enjoy. Whether you have tickets to visit the Eiffel Tower or are exploring the nearby area, these Paris playgrounds provide a great place to unwind.
Three playgrounds are located in Champ de Mars, a large grassy area stretching from the Eiffel Tower to École Militaire. Two of the playgrounds are situated at the intersection of Avenue Charles Risler and Avenue Pierre Loti. The first playground, next to a café offering crepes, drinks, and ice cream, is suited for younger kids and features a sandpit, climbing frame, and slide. Across the path, the second playground includes a fun train, climbing structures for toddlers and young kids, and a more challenging climbing frame. The third playground in Champs de Mars is closer to the Eiffel Tower and is a bit harder to spot. It’s perfect for toddlers and has a small slide and climbing frame.
Additionally, a fenced playground near the Trocadero fountains, just a short walk across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, provides climbing structures and and games for kids of all ages.
Opening hours:
- Champ de Mars is open 24/7
How to get here:
- Metro: Bir-Hakeim, Trocadero
- Train: Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (RER C)
5. Parc Monceau
Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, Park Monceau is a beautiful park often referred to as the most romantic park in the city. Relatively off the beaten path for visitors, it’s quite a unique park to visit in Paris. Here, you will find a beautiful arch bridge overlooking a pond, an ancient colonnade and statues throughout the informal English garden-style gardens.
The Paris playground is very popular with locals, and it has slides, swings and a large rope climbing structure. Next to the playground is a skating area where kids can practice skateboarding and riding bikes. Walk across the park from the playground to find a charming carousel based on Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. Next to the carousel is an outdoor café selling freshly made crepes, ice cream and snacks. A large open grass area is great for a picnic, playing ball, or just watching life go by.
Opening hours:
- The park is open daily from 7am to 10pm in the summer months and 7am to 8pm in the winter months
How to get here:
- Metro: Parc Monceau (line 2) for the main entrance and Courcelles (line 2) for the playground entrance
6. Jardin des Tuileries
One of Paris’s oldest and most iconic gardens lies between the renowned Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde. Queen Catherine de Medici established it in 1564 as the Tuileries Palace garden, initially reserved for royalty and the aristocratic elite. However, after the French Revolution in 1789, the gardens opened to the public.
The park itself boasts stunning features, with manicured lawns and hedges, historical sculptures, ponds, and formal gardens. If you visit during the summer or Christmas holidays, a festive funfair awaits, complete with rides and a Ferris wheel providing spectacular views of Paris.
The playground in the north of the garden is relatively small and is fenced for safety. One of its standout features is a massive netted climbing frame with a chute slide. Children climb up a steep ladder, navigate a rope tunnel and slide down to the ground. While recommended for older kids (6+), younger ones often give it a try as well. Smaller slides, rockers, and balance beams cater to the little ones.
The playground offers a welcoming spot to unwind with the kids. There is even a beautiful carrousel just nearby under the shade of trees, recalling the magical tales of the French children’s author Charles Perrault. Conclude the playtime with a cup of hot chocolate from Angelina on Rue du Rivoli – a cherry on the cake.
Opening hours:
- The gardens are open daily from 7am-7.30am until 7.30pm-11pm depending on the season
How to get here:
- Metro: Tuileries (Line 1)
- Train: Musée d’Orsay (RER C)
Have you explored any playgrounds or gardens while in Paris? Share your favourite spots in the comment section below. Join me on Instagram and get more inspiration for places to visit in Paris.
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