Your Paris Itinerary with Kids Day 3 starts with a guided tour of the Louvre Museum. The itinerary continues in the afternoon with walks through the Palais Royal, the Covered Passages, and the Bibliothèque Richelieu, with a stop at the Opera Garnier. The day wraps up at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, offering a stunning rooftop view over Paris.
As with other Paris Itineraries With Kids, pick what works for you and skip what doesn’t. Bookmark this Paris Itinerary with Kids Day 3 , 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 with Louvre Museum Tour
How to get here
Start your Paris Day 3 itinerary at the Louvre Museum. If using the Paris metro, alight at Palais-Royal, Musée du Louvre, or Pyramides metro stations. There are not one but four entrances to the museum. Take a look at this museum map to see the locations of all the entrances. The Pyramid is the main entrance for individual visitors, and this is where you will find the lift reserved for visitors with prams. If you’re taking a tour, make sure to note the exact location of your meeting point.
What to see and do
The Louvre Museum is the most visited in the world, with about 9 million people coming to see its art each year. Once the grand palace of French kings, the Louvre became a museum in 1793, opening its royal doors to showcase centuries of art and history to the public. The Louvre palace has over 400 rooms and a collection of 35,000 works of art on display at any given time.
For first-time visitors to Paris, the Louvre Museum undoubtedly ranks high on the Paris travel itinerary. While navigating one of the world’s largest museums with kids might seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, your family can explore the Louvre’s treasures without the hassle.
The Louvre is certainly enormous, and trying to see everything with kids can be overwhelming. Therefore, to keep things fun and stress-free, consider booking a guided tour. Such tours offer fast-track entry, so you avoid the crowds and get straight to the highlights with an expert who knows their way around. Plus, you’ll learn fun facts and stories about the artwork, making the visit more enjoyable. After the tour, you can even explore more independently if you like.
How long to spend here
Exploring the Louvre can be an adventure that lasts for days, but it’s best to keep it short and sweet when you’re with kids. Aim for a museum tour of about 1.5 to 2 hours, focusing on the must-see highlights. Anything beyond that might tire out the little ones, so two hours is just right for a fun and manageable visit.
Which Louvre Museum guided tour should you choose?
You can see many options on sites such as Get Your Guide and Viator when picking a tour. If you want a tour where you can easily hear and interact with your guide, look for small group tours. These usually limit the number of people so you can have a better, more personal experience. Also, look for tours that offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, just in case your plans change. Here are a few group tours worth checking out. All are 2 hours maximum, but if your kids can handle longer, there are more extended tours to choose from.
1. “My First Louvre” Group Guided Tour For Families
The Louvre Museum organizes this 90-minute group tour in English for families with children aged six and up. The guided tour costs €12 for adults and €9.00 for children. It takes place every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am (pre-booking required).
2. Skip the line 1.5hr Guided Tour of the Must-Sees
3. Skip the line 2hr Small-Group Guided Tour
4. Child-Friendly Private Tour for Families
5. Treasure Hunt for Families and Kids
A trip to the Louvre with kids doesn’t have to be stressful. With some planning and a suitable tour, you can make your visit a fun and memorable adventure for the whole family.
Metro: Palais-Royal/Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7), or Pyramides (line 14)
Opening hours: Daily (except Tuesdays) from 9 am to 6 pm (on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) and from 9 am to 9.45 pm on Fridays. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Museum entrance ticket: €22 for adults, free for children under 18
Afternoon: Walk to Palais Royale
Enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants around Rue Rivoli, then head towards Palais Royal, where you’ll encounter the striking Buren Columns.
How to get here
Palais Royal is just a 7-minute walk from the Pyramid entrance to the Louvre via Rue de Richelieu or via Rue de Valois.
What to see and do
Created by Daniel Buren in 1986, “Les Deux Plateaux” features striped black and white columns of varying heights. This is such a fun place to spend with kids. They’ll love running in circles, playing hide-and-seek, and climbing the columns. Let the kids expend some energy, and then take a relaxed walk through the small park next to the courtyard. It’s a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle surrounding the Louvre.
The Palais Royal in Paris, initially built in 1628 for Cardinal Richelieu and named the Palais Cardinal, became a royal residence upon his death and the succession of King Louis XIII. It was later home to Louis XIV’s brother, Philippe d’Orléans, marking its significance in French politics and society. Over the centuries, the palace evolved into a key political and social hub, particularly around the French Revolution. Today, Palais Royal is home of France’s Constitutional Council and of the Ministry of Culture.
Notice the ten sets of green chairs scattered around the gardens which go by the name of Les Confidents. A Canadian artist Michel Goulet crafted these, transforming traditional French chairs into poetic marvels. Each set of chairs includes a small bronze object in between – for instance, a brown paper bag, an apple, a pair of binoculars, a piece of bread. You can plug your headset into a solar-powered sensor to listen to poem readings. Visitors often pick up and move the park chairs around the garden. The grown-ups can get a cup of coffee at nearby Café Kitsuné, take a seat and listen to poetry.
There is a unique toy store on Place Colette, less than a minute away from the gardens of Palais Royal, called Noxa. The kids will love looking at a fantastic collection of old-fashioned toys, small-scale figures and tin soldiers stacked floor to ceiling. This shop is a collector’s dream.
How long to spend here
It will take about 45 – 60 minutes to an hour to walk around Palais Royal, stroll through the galleries that border the garden and take photos with kids on the Buren columns.
Next Stop: Covered Passages
Next, it’s time to explore some charming covered passages on your Paris Day 3 itinerary. Some of the more well known passages, such as Galerie Vivienne, Passage Jouffroy, and Passage des Panoramas, offer a journey back in time, teeming with fascinating history, charming antique shops, and beautiful cafes. Despite being close together, each passage has its distinct atmosphere and style. These “passages couverts” from the 19th century were early versions of the modern department store. They provided stylish, sheltered spots for Parisians to shop and relax away from busy city streets and the weather.
How to get here
At the back of the gardens of Palais Royal, find Passage du Perron and walk through to Rue Vivienne. Turn right onto Rue des Petits Champs to discover Galerie Vivienne and Galerie Colbert, just a 4-minute stroll away.
What to see and do
Despite the reconstruction of Paris which led to the demise of many passages, the very chic Galerie Vivienne, built in 1823, remained a prominent location. With its fashion boutiques, bookshops, and wine vendors, Galerie Vivienne continues to be a destination for locals and tourists. The gallery floor from 1880 is a work of art composed of a marble mosaic and coloured ceramic tiles made by Giandomenico Facchina. He was a mosaic expert from Venice and worked on many locations in Paris, including Opéra Garnier and Petite Palais. Furthermore, kids will love browsing through Si Tu Veux, a Paris toy store selling simple and beautiful classic toys for all ages.
Take a quick look at Galerie Colbert, located just next door. It’s no longer a shopping arcade but worth visiting for its historical architecture. Here, you’ll also find Le Grand Colbert, the quintessential brasserie that graced the screen in the 2003 film “Something’s Gotta Give.” A 9-minute walk away is Passage Jouffroy, which has the Musée Grévin wax museum, Pain d’Épices toy store, and cute cafes to stop at for lunch or a snack.
Take a look inside the Richelieu Library
The entrance to the Richelieu building, the historic birthplace of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, is just a one-minute walk from Galerie Colbert on Rue Vivienne. Don’t miss visiting the stunning Oval Room reading room with its glass ceiling and soaring archways. It’s free to enter and open to the general public. The opening hours are Tuesdays 10 am-8 pm and Wednesdays—Sundays 10 am-6 pm.
Afterwards, if you’d like to continue exploring more covered passages, you’ll find Passage Choiseul, Passage des Panoramas, and Passage Jouffroy, just 5- 10 minutes away.
How long to spend here
You will need about 1 – 1.5 hours to walk through a couple of covered passages and visit the Oval Room at the library. Allow extra time if you want to browse the shops, see more of the nearby covered passages and stop inside any of them for a drink or a snack.
Next Stop: Opéra Garnier
How to get here
A 15-minute walk from the national library will bring you to the majestic Opéra Garnier.
What to see and do
Take time to admire the beautiful building designed by Charles Garnier. If you have time on your trip, I recommend taking a 90-minute guided tour of Opera Garnier. There is another separate tour aimed at children aged 6 to 12. It’s a journey through history, where you’ll uncover the fascinating story of Paris, learn why ballerinas are affectionately known as “petite rates” in French, marvel at grand staircases, and witness the incredible ceiling painted by artist Marc Chagall.
Address: 1 Place de l’Opera, 75009, Paris
Opening hours: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm (see the official website for exceptional closure days)
Self-guided tour with an audio guide: €15 for adults, €10 for those aged 12 – 25, free for children under 12.
Guided tours: €23 for adults, €16.50 for those aged 10 – 25, €10 for children under 10. Choose from four 90-minute tours, including one tailored for kids aged 6-12, conducted in English.
Tickets: You can buy tickets for a 1-hour self-guided tour here and book any of the four guided tours here.
How long to spend here
You will spend between 1 and 1.5 hours here if you are doing a self-guided or a group tour of Opera Garner. If you’re not going inside, walk around the building to admire the stunning monument, its big dome and golden statues.
Next Stop: Galeries Lafayette
How to get here
Just a 4-minute walk from Opéra Garnier, you will reach Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, a top shopping destination in Paris since 1894.
What to do and see
Step inside this department store to marvel at the stunning Art Nouveau Coupole, then make your way up to the terrace on the 8th floor for a spectacular free view of Paris. There is even the famous “Paris je t’aime” sign on the terrace, perfect for capturing lovely photos. Access to the terrace is free and accessible daily from 10 am to 8 pm. From the rooftop, you can spot landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Sacré Cœur, with the sunsets offering a particularly stunning spectacle. It’s the perfect way to cap off the Paris itinerary for the day.
How long to spend here
You can spend as little as 45 minutes here if you’re coming in to see the glass dome and the view from the 8th-floor terrace, or much longer if you decide to browse through the many stores in search of a Paris souvenir.
Kid-friendly restaurants and cafes along the way
1. Café Kitsune
Address: 51 Galerie de Montpensier, 75001
Distance from Palais Royal: 2 minutes
Opening hours: Daily from 9.30 am to 7 pm
What it’s like: This cafe has a beautiful location in the Palais Royal gardens, with inside and outside seating areas. The grown-ups can have a coffee break, and the kids can get hot chocolate, ice cream, or a sweet treat (like muffins, brownies, or cakes).
2. Caffè Stern
Address: 47 Passage des Panoramas, 75002, Paris
Distance from Palais Royal: 10 minutes
Opening hours: Open for lunch from 12 pm to 2.30 pm and dinner from 7 pm to 10.30 pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
What it’s like: Decorated by Philippe Starck and full of curiosities, it’s an unusual restaurant with a great atmosphere inside one of the covered passages (Passage des Panoramas). The restaurant serves tasty Italian food and is a good lunch option.
3. Le Valentin
Address: 30 Passage Jouffroy, 75009, Paris
Distance from Palais Royal: 5 minutes
Opening hours: 8.30 am to 18.30 pm daily
What it’s like: If you want an afternoon break for tea (or coffee) and dessert, Le Valentin is a great spot to do just that. With everything made in-house, they offer delicious traditional pastries and fancy desserts (like Mont Blanc and Baba au Rhum). Seating is available both inside the restaurant and outdoors along the passage. You can also buy their boxed chocolates and jams in the store to bring back home as a souvenir.
4. La Crème de Paris
Address: 4 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009, Paris
Distance from Palais Royal and Galeries Lafayette Haussmann: 15 minutes
Opening hours: 8 am to 2 am daily
What it’s like: This fun restaurant offers a non-stop service until 2 am, selling homemade pancakes, waffles, ice creams, cakes and fresh juices. It’s a great spot to stop for a snack on the way to the Opéra Garnier.
More suggestions for your Paris travel itinerary
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