Your Paris Itinerary with kids Day 2 begins in the heart of the city, the Île de la Cité, continues through the streets of the Latin Quarter on the left bank of the River Seine and concludes with a visit to the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg.
As with other Paris Itineraries With Kids, pick what works for you and skip what doesn’t. Bookmark this Paris Itinerary with Kids Day 2, share it with friends and family planning their Parisian escape, and get ready to explore Paris in a way that delights everyone. Welcome to a family vacation in Paris that you’ll never forget!
Morning: Start at Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis
How to get here
Start your Paris Day 2 itinerary where the city of Paris began – the Île de la Cité. If using the Paris metro, alight at the Pont Neuf metro station. As you exit the metro, you will find yourself a minute walk away from the Pont Neuf bridge. Ironically, the Pont Neuf, or “New Bridge,” is the oldest bridge over the Seine in Paris, finished in 1607 during King Henry IV’s reign. Walk across the bridge to reach the island of Île de la Cité.
What to see and do
Visit the church of Saint-Chapelle, the famous royal prison Conciergerie, and the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, all worth visiting with kids on the island of Île de la Cité.
How long to spend here
Allow about 3 hours if you plan to walk across the islands of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, as well as go inside the three highlighted attractions.
History of Île de la Cité
The Parisii, a Gallic tribe, first settled on this small island in the 1st century BC, valuing its strategic position in the Seine for defence and trade. After conquering it, the Romans renamed it Lutetia, transforming it into a thriving city. It maintained its strategic and cultural importance even post-Roman rule.
After the Roman Empire fell, Lutetia gradually became known as Paris. By the Middle Ages, the Île de la Cité had reclaimed its status as a centre of political and religious power. Kings constructed significant buildings like the Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame Cathedral, marking Paris’s rise as a capital city.
The Île de la Cité was home to the Palais de la Cité, the residence of French kings until the 14th century. This complex included the royal family’s home, the chapel Sainte-Chapelle, and the Conciergerie. These are now part of the Palais de Justice. Although the royal residence moved to the Louvre and then to Versailles, the Île de la Cité maintained its importance. It became a symbol of judicial and administrative power.
Visit Sainte-Chapelle
Saint-Chapelle is just a 7-minute walk from Pont Neuf.
Famous for its stunning medieval stained glass windows and candlelight concerts, the Gothic chapel Sainte Chapelle is a real gem. Located northeast of Pont Neuf, this chapel is breathtaking and a must-visit on your walk in Île de la Cité. The church is beautiful, and I strongly recommend visiting it.
King Louis IX conceived the chapel in the mid-13th century to house his collection of precious relics, including the Crown of Thorns. Its stained glass windows comprise 15 panels and display over 1,100 biblical scenes. Evening classical music concerts are a regular treat here. If interested, click here to check the program and book your tickets.
There is a free games booklet for children at the entrance to Saint-Chapelle. So bring a pen and remember to pick up the leaflet if you’re visiting the church.
Opening hours: 1 April to 30 September, 9 am to 7 pm; 1 October to March 31, 9 am to 5 pm. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Cost: €13 (free for children under 18). A combo ticket with Conciergerie costs €20
Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance on the official website to receive a timed slot or via a third-party provider like Tiqets, who usually have same-day tickets. Buying tickets in advance is best to avoid queues during peak times, rather than purchasing on arrival. However, you might try your luck with on-site ticket purchases during off-peak seasons or hours.
Visit Conciergerie
Just a 1-minute walk down the street from Saint-Chapelle is the entrance to Conciergerie, located on the western edge of the Île de la Cité. Many tourists tend to skip the Conciergerie, choosing to visit the more well-known Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. That’s unfortunate because this beautiful Gothic building has many stories to share.
Originally part of the royal Palais de la Cité complex, this building has become one of the French Revolution’s most infamous prisons. Conciergerie became a prelude to the guillotine for thousands of prisoners, including Marie Antoinette, King Louis XVI’s wife, who spent her last days there before her execution in 1793. The cell where Marie Antoinette was held, reconstructed to resemble its state at the time of her imprisonment, is among the key attractions for visitors today.
To make the most of your visit, use the free Histopad at the entrance. It uses augmented reality to show how the place used to look and gives you information about the rooms. It’s helpful since there are few information signs around. If you’re not visiting Conciergerie as part of a tour, the Histopad is the best way to learn about this fascinating place. Plus, there’s a fun treasure hunt on the Histopad that kids will love.
Opening hours: Open every day 9:30 am to 6 pm
Cost: €13 (free for children under the age of 18). A combo ticket with Saint-Chapelle costs €20
Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance on the official website to receive a timed slot or via a third party provider like Tiqets who usually have same day tickets. Buying tickets in advance is best to avoid queues during peak times, rather than purchasing on arrival. However, you might try your luck with on-site ticket purchases during off-peak seasons or hours.
Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
Continuing with our Paris Itinerary for Day 2, make your way to Notre Dame Cathedral, just a 7-minute walk from Saint-Chapelle and Conciergerie. The cathedral is a beautiful historic landmark and a perfect place for the whole family.
Notre Dame’s foundations were laid in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully, with the construction spanning over two centuries. This Gothic masterpiece, with its flying buttresses and sinister gargoyles, has survived the brutality of the time, including partial destruction during the French Revolution and a devastating fire in April 2019. It has been the backdrop for countless historical events, including the crowning of Emperor Napoleon I and the beatification of Joan of Arc.
In 2019, a large fire partially destroyed the upper part of Notre Dame Cathedral. Since the fire, the building has been closed to the public. Restoration is underway, with the scheduled reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris set for December 2024. You can learn more about the restoration process and keep track of the reopening dates here.
Even with the scaffolding up the cathedral for repairs, Notre Dame is still a must-see. You can learn about its history and the repairs from the information wall panels around the cathedral. For a unique experience, try the Virtual 3-D Reality tour available until December 2024, where you can walk through the cathedral’s history as an avatar. Also, Notre Dame offers free 1-hour tours around the cathedral with volunteer guides. They give the tours in French daily and English on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Additionally, you can explore the Crypte Archéologique. Situated beneath the square in front of Notre Dame, this museum showcases ancient archaeological finds unearthed during excavations from ancient times through the 20th century.
Walk across Île Saint-Louis
From Île de la Cité, cross Pont Saint-Louis to the small island of Île Saint-Louis, developed in the 17th century, which reveals a quieter, more residential side of Paris. The classical facades of its private mansions, such as Hôtel Lambert, embody French Baroque architecture. Today, it’s a quaint neighbourhood beloved for its small boutiques, vintage shops, cosy eateries, and the famous Berthillon ice cream at 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis.
Next stop: Latin Quarter
How to get here
Cross Pont de la Tournelle to the Left Bank and you’re in the area of Paris known as Latin Quarter.
What to see and do
Enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants in the area, then stroll through the streets to absorb the Latin Quarter’s lively vibe.
The Latin Quarter in Paris holds a rich historical significance. It was known as the intellectual centre during the medieval period due to the presence of the Sorbonne University and other educational institutions. During the 1920s, it became a gathering place for writers and artists, including luminaries such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. They were part of the expatriate community, the Lost Generation, which congregated in Paris during this time. And why the name “Latin Quarter”? When the Sorbonne was founded in the 12th century, teachers and students conducted all their lessons and discussions in Latin.
Across the river from the Notre Dame Cathedral is the iconic Parisian bookstore Shakespeare & Company. Come here to browse books, linger in a reading corner and soak up the atmosphere in this timeless place. Opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919, it became a literary sanctuary for Lost Generation expatriate writers like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. After World War II forced a temporary closure, an American expatriate, George Whitman, revived the spirit in 1951 by opening the current store. An adventurous traveller, George shaped a community ethos and allowed guests or “Tumbleweeds” to sleep in the bookstore. You can still find beds built into the bookshelves.
Grown-up can get a coffee and kids some snacks at the café next door, or for something even sweeter, head to Odette at 76 Rue Galande, just down a cobblestone lane behind the bookstore. This pretty café sells different varieties of delicious choux pastry (cream puffs).
Visit the Panthéon
The Latin Quarter is also home to the Panthéon, France’s mausoleum for distinguished national figures. Visiting the Panthéon in Paris is like stepping into a page of French history. Think of it as a hall of fame for some of the most brilliant minds and influential figures in French culture, science, and politics. From Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas to Marie Curie, it’s the place to honour those who’ve shaped the modern world.
For me, one of the highlights is seeing a huge pendulum in motion right in the middle of the Pantheon. Suspended from the dome is a device built by the famous astronomer and physicist Foucault to show that the world rotates on its axis. Head all the way to the top to get a great view over Paris.
Opening hours: Daily, 1 April to 30 September from 10 am to 6.30 pm and 1 October to 31 March from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Cost: €13 (free for children under 16).
Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance on the official website or via a third-party provider like Tiqets, which usually has same-day tickets.
How long to spend here
Allow about an hour for lunch in the Latin Quarter. You can easily spend 2 – 3 hours walking through this neighbourhood (including a visit to the Panthéon).
Next stop: Jardin du Luxembourg
How to get here
When ready, walk about 10 minutes from the Panthéon to the Jardin du Luxembourg to spend the rest of the afternoon of Paris Itinerary for Day 2 here.
What to see and do
This park has much for families: relaxing, playground fun, French carousel rides, and puppet shows at the Théâtre des Marionnettes. At its centre, the Grand Bassin, a large pond, invites children to push miniature sailboats with long sticks. In the meantime, parents can relax in the iconic green metal chairs, watching the kids while taking in the scenery.
How long to spend here
You can spend as little or as long as you want in the park, depending on what you and the kids want to do and how much energy you have left to explore.
Palais du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg, one of Paris’s most beloved public gardens, traces back to the early 17th century. Marie de’ Medici, the widowed Queen of Henry IV, aimed to replicate the Boboli Gardens of her Florentine childhood. In 1612, she bought land beyond Paris’s bounds to create the Palais du Luxembourg and its gardens, seeking solace from court life and honouring her Italian roots. Over time, the Jardin du Luxembourg has morphed from a royal garden to a revolutionary site, eventually becoming a public park in the 19th century. The French Senate, residing in the Palais du Luxembourg, oversaw this transition.
The Palace du Luxembourg is usually closed to the public. However, it opens once a year during the Journées de la Patrimoine. This annual September event allows free public access to many historic Parisian monuments, including the Senate.
Fontaine Médicis and Statues
Walk towards the Fontaine Médicis, a beautiful fountain in a quiet spot close to the Palace. Marie de’ Medici created this beautiful fountain in 1630, and Napoleon later restored it. Now, it stands surrounded by trees, offering a pleasant shade in the heat of summer and a tranquil retreat.
Enjoy spotting the twenty statues of French women in the gardens. These include queens and notable women who significantly impacted French history, including Marie de’ Medici herself.
If you head to the garden’s western side, you will spot a replica of New York’s Statue of Liberty. This replica is just one of several found throughout Paris. French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and architect Gustave Eiffel crafted the iconic Statue of Liberty. France gifted the statue to the United States in the 1880s. It commemorates the American Declaration of Independence’s centennial and symbolizes the lasting friendship between the two nations.
Playground and Marionette Theatre
No Paris itinerary for travel with kids is complete without the mention of playgrounds! Head to the Ludo Jardin Playground to experience one of the best playgrounds 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 is open daily from 10 am to 4.30 pm, and the Marionette Theatre next door is open on Wednesdays, weekends, public holidays and Paris school holidays. Each show, recommended for children aged three and up, lasts about 40 minutes. The ticket costs €7.30 per show (adult or child).
For snacks, several stands throughout the park offer tasty treats like ice cream, candy, hot dogs, and crepes. Plus, two park restaurants provide the perfect spot for a sit-down meal or a refreshing drink, nestled in shaded areas that are especially welcoming on warm summer days.
Kid-friendly restaurants and cafes along the way
1. Berthillon Ice Cream
Address: 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis, 75004, Paris
Distance from the Notre Dame Cathedral: 8 minutes
Opening hours: Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 8 pm
What it’s like: This famous ice cream shop arguably has the best ice cream in Paris. The shop makes all ice cream on-site, and there are many classic and unusual flavours, such as cinnamon, gingerbread, black sesame, and yuzu yoghurt.
2. Shakespeare and Company Café
Address: 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris
Distance from the Notre Dame Cathedral: 3 minutes
Opening hours: 9.30 am to 7 pm on Mondays to Fridays; 9.30 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
What it’s like: This café sits conveniently next to the famous bookshop, making it a perfect spot for grown-ups to enjoy a coffee break and for kids to snack on sandwiches or cakes. With plenty of outdoor seating, visitors can soak in the lovely view of the river and Notre Dame Cathedral. While it may not offer the best coffee or cakes in Paris, it’s a cute place to stop before you continue exploring Île de la Cité.
3. Odette
Address: 77 Rue Galande, 75005, Paris
Distance from the Notre Dame Cathedral: 4 minutes
Opening hours: 11 am to 7 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 12 pm to 7 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 am to 8 pm on the weekend.
What it’s like: This little pastry shop is a fun spot for a tasty break with kids. It specialises in light choux pastries (or cream puffs) which come in various flavours such as vanilla, passion fruit, pistachio or caramel. The tea room on the first floor offers a wonderful view of the Notre Dame Cathedral. There are also a few tables to sit outside.
4. Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
Address: 20 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris
Distance from Jardin du Luxembourg: 12 minutes
Opening hours: Lunch is served between 12 pm and 2.30 pm on weekdays and 12 pm to 3 pm on weekends. Dinner is served daily between 6.45 pm and 11 pm.
What it’s like: This unique French bistro has no menu because all visitors get the same formula – a lettuce and walnut salad as a starter and sirloin steak with thin-cut French fries smothered in their secret sauce for the main course. There is a wide choice of desserts, including chocolate profiteroles. When you sit down, the waiters will ask how you like your steak done and what you’d like to drink. The service is fast, but there is sometimes a line to enter the restaurant. So, be prepared to wait or try elsewhere because the restaurant does not take reservations. There is no children’s menu offered, but steak and fries are usually a hit with most children!
5. Breizh Café
Address: 1 Rue de L’Odéon, 75006 Paris
Distance from Jardin du Luxembourg: 5 minutes
Opening hours: 11 am to 10.30 pm from Monday to Thursday, 11 am to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am to 10.30 pm on Sundays.
What it’s like: Known for its high-quality Breton-style buckwheat galettes and crêpes, the café now has several outlets across the city. More unusual flavour combinations like truffle galettes and yuzu suzette crêpes are perfect with a glass of cider from Britanny or Normandy. Kids will love the more traditional combinations like ham and cheese for the main course and the sweet crêpes for dessert with chocolate, salted caramel, jam or ice cream.
More Paris suggestions
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