Your Paris Itinerary with Kids Day 5 begins with a visit to the historic Paris district of Le Marais, followed by an afternoon exploring the area near Canal St Martin.
As with other free Paris Itineraries With Kids, pick what works for you and skip what doesn’t. I also have the Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids which is a comprehensive digital guide that’s packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on more things to see and do in Paris. And this Paris Themed Activity Book for Kids is the perfect way for younger kids to learn while having fun – whether on the journey or at home before the trip to Paris.
Morning: Start in le marais
Starting with our Paris Itinerary for Day 5, let’s explore the highlights of the historic Paris district of Le Marais.
How to get here
To reach the Marais, you have a choice of different metro stations. For this itinerary, I suggest alighting at Saint-Paul metro station (Line 1).
What to see and do
Head to the Saint-Paul Village, just 5 minutes walk from St Paul Metro, to stroll through the interconnected cobbled courtyards. Moreover, you can browse art galleries, artisan boutiques and food shops. Come out of the village and walk past the beautiful building of Hôtel de Sens towards its formal gardens. Sit down on one of the garden’s benches and take a minute to admire the beautiful medieval building with its turrets and towers.
Place des Vosges
Place des Vosges is one of the city’s prettiest squares and is an absolute must-see in Marais. It offers green spaces, small fountains, and shaded benches, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and people-watching. There is even a small playground for kids with a slide, climbing apparatus and a sand pit. It’s a beautiful place to stroll, relax and dine.
Built in the early 17th century during the reign of King Henry IV, it was originally known as Place Royale. Thirty-six red-brick and white-stone townhouses surround the square. The city has converted many buildings into museums, including the Maison de Victor Hugo at #6. In fact, the famous French author Victor Hugo lived there from 1832 to 1848 and wrote most of his major work “Les Miserables”. The museum is free to enter and doesn’t take long to explore.
Walk under the arcades below the townhouses and check out the art galleries and antique shops around the square. Afterwards, have a break at the famous café Carette with some hot chocolate and pastries.
On the northwest end of Place des Vosges, an archway opens to the Hôtel de Sully garden, once home to Henry IV’s minister, Sully. It’s beautiful, so don’t miss going inside to see the gardens and the cobblestone-paved front courtyard.
Rue des Rosiers
There is really no wrong turn you can take from Places des Vosges. Regardless of where you head next, the Marais streets are sure to amaze you. Whenever I visit the Marais, I go to Rue des Rosiers in the old Jewish quarter, bustling with bakers and shops. Pick up some delicious treats from the famous falafel place, L’as du Fallafel, or Jewish bakeries such as Florence Khan or Sacha Finkelsztajn and head to Place des Vosges. Additionally, the nearby Square Charles-Victor-Langlois has a small playground.
Musée Picasso and Musée Carnavalet
Le Marais is home to several fantastic museums that are great for families. The free Musée Carnavalet brings Parisian history to life with interactive exhibits, beautiful period rooms, and artefacts that even younger visitors can appreciate. Budding artists will love the Picasso Museum, which showcases the artist’s masterpieces in a grand 17th-century mansion. For science and engineering lovers, the Musée des Arts et Métiers offers fascinating inventions, old-school flying machines, and an original model of Foucault’s Pendulum – a great place to spark curiosity in older kids.
Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou (Paris’s modern art museum) stands out with its colourful “inside-out” architecture that kids find fascinating. The museum closed for a five-year refurbishment in summer 2025 so it is no longer possible to go inside the museum. Even so, the building’s colourful pipes and exposed escalators make it exciting to see from the outside. Go around the building and let the kids guess the meaning of each colour:
- Blue pipes: air conditioning
- Green pipes: plumbing
- Yellow pipes: electricity
- Red pipes: movement, like escalators and lifts
Stravinsky Fountain
Don’t miss the eye-catching Stravinsky Fountain to the side of Centre Pompidou, next to Saint-Merri church. The sculptures move and spray water in creative, unexpected ways, with bright colours and quirky shapes. The sixteen water sculptures were created by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely. They drew inspiration from the compositions of Igor Stravinsky, a Russian composer and pianist known for his “unconventional” music.
How long to spend here
Allocate at least two hours for a stroll in the neighbourhood and longer if you plan to visit any attractions or places of interest.
Afternoon: Explore canal saint-martin
Canal Saint-Martin
In the afternoon, head to the 10th arrondissement where the Canal Saint-Martin winds its way through tree-lined banks and graceful iron footbridges. Spending a few hours here is a refreshing change of pace from Paris’s grand museums and monuments, especially for families. Children can watch boats pass through the locks or spot the bridges while parents enjoy the laid-back, boho vibe created by locals picnicking and relaxing along the water — it almost feels like a slice of Amsterdam in Paris. This neighbourhood offers a glimpse of the City of Light that many visitors miss, adding another dimension to your Paris experience. A canal cruise is a fun way to explore the 10th, gliding under footbridges and through locks, and it’s easy to reach with kids in tow thanks to Métro Lines 11 and 5 running along Boulevard Richard-Lenoir.
Along the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin, there is also a lovely garden called Jardin Villemin featuring a great playground for kids, complete with slides, swings, and a large rope climbing structure.
If you’re interested in canal-boat cruises around Canal Saint-Martin, here are some operators to consider:
- Canauxrama – “Cruise through Old Paris on the Canal Saint-Martin” is a cruise that departs near Bastille metro or Bassin de la Villette
- Vedettes du Pont Neuf – shorter discovery cruises depart from Bassin de la Villette or Port de l’Arsenal
- Paris Canal cruises depart from near Musée d’Orsay or Parc de la Villette.
Kid-friendly restaurants and cafes along the way
1. Breizh café
Address: 109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003, Paris
Distance from Saint-Paul metro: 11 minutes
Opening hours: 9 am to 11 pm daily
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.
2. Le Marché des Enfants Rouge
Le Marché des Enfants Rouge is one of Paris’s oldest markets. The name comes from the Enfants Rouge orphanage (named for the red outfits the children wore) that occupied the site over 300 years ago. The market is located just off of Rue de Bretagne. It has a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere and is a great place to seek out an impromptu lunch. Stalls include French cheese shops, fishmongers, Lebanese street food, Moroccan mezze, and Japanese meals. The smells are particularly good, tempting you to try many different foods.
Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003, Paris
Opening hours: 8.30 am to 8.30 pm (Tuesday to Sundays)
Distance from Saint-Paul metro: 17 minutes
3. L’As du Fallafel
Address: 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004, Paris
Distance from Saint-Paul metro: 5 minutes
Opening hours: 11 am to 11 pm every day except Saturday (closes at 3 pm on Fridays)
What it’s like: This place has a reputation for serving the best falafel in Paris. Whether that’s true or not, you must try for yourself! It’s easy to notice as there is generally a long queue of people outside, but the line moves quickly. If you really want a falafel and don’t want to wait in line, there is another falafel place next to it on Rue des Rosiers.
4. Café Bogato
Address: 5 Rue Saint-Merri, 75004, Paris
Distance from Saint-Paul metro: 12 minutes
Opening hours: 8.30 am to 6.30 pm from Tuesday to Sunday
What it’s like: Here you can sit indoors or outdoors, have lunch or a cup of coffee with delicious cakes. You will find seasonal sweet and savoury foods on the menu, like brioche sandwiches, French tarts and pastries. It’s next to Chez Bogato boutique, which offers pastry workshops for children throughout the year. The shop inside the pastry boutique is adorable and full of kitchen-themed toys and supplies that would make a nice Paris souvenir.
More Paris suggestions
I hope this suggested Paris itinerary with Kids Day 5 has been helpful to plan your trip to Paris. Click here to read more suggested Paris Itineraries with kids.
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