Your Paris Itinerary with Kids Day 7 begins with a morning visit to the stunning Musée d’Orsay, followed by an afternoon at Jardin des Plantes, a hidden gem in Paris full of wonderful activities to do with kids.
As with other Paris Itineraries With Kids, pick what works for you and skip what doesn’t. Bookmark this Paris Itinerary with kids Day 7, 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: Visit Musée d’Orsay
How to get here
If using the Paris metro, alight at Solférino and walk 3 minutes to the entrance to the museum.
What to see and do
Unlike the busy Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay is smaller and more manageable to visit, especially with kids. It houses an incredible collection of art and masterpieces, making it a favourite for my family. Its unique history as a former train station called Gare d’Orsay sets it apart from other Paris museums. Built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, the station closed in 1939 due to platform length issues. However, the French government converted it into an art museum in the 1970s to prevent demolition. After renovations, the Musée d’Orsay opened on December 9, 1986.
This museum is well-known for its impressive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks. There is the permanent collection, which is already full of masterpieces by celebrated artists such as Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night Over the Rhône”, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette”, and Claude Monet’s “Poppy Field”. In addition, the museum holds regular temporary exhibitions, so look out for what’s on offer during your planned visit.
Tips for visiting Musée d’Orsay with kids
- Unlike the Louvre Museum, I wouldn’t recommend booking a guided tour and letting yourself explore this museum at your own pace. The museum is very popular so do buy your tickets in advance.
- As soon as you enter the museum, head to the Visitors’ Information Desk. Ask for a children’s guide, a booklet that gives kids different clues to accomplish “missions” as they explore the museum.
- Pick up an English audio guide at the “Audio Guide Desk” for €3.50. It is designed for children under 12 to draw attention to the collection in a light and fun tone.
- If your child speaks French, check out the guided tours and art workshops run by the museum for children under 12.
- Start with the Central Hall and let the kids explore the sculptures. Then, head to the escalators and go up to the fifth floor to begin your exploration from the top down. Just before reaching the escalators, you’ll pass a space dedicated to a scaled model of the Garnier Opera House. The kids will like exploring all the intricate details of the Paris streets and buildings.
- You’ll encounter one of the museum’s famous clocks on the fifth floor. It’s a popular spot with a fantastic view, including the Louvre across the Seine River and Montmartre in the background. Take a moment to enjoy the view and snap a photo before walking through the Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism gallery. Here, you’ll find incredible works by artists like Cézanne, Degas, Manet, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, and many others. Don’t miss the Bell Café and the second clock at the end of this floor.
- You can rent a stroller at the coat check-in in exchange for your ID. So, if you have a younger child who may be tired of walking around the museum, use this!
How long to spend here
About two hours is just right for a fun and manageable visit with kids.
Museum information:
Address: Musée d’Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris
How to get here: Solférino metro station (Line 12), Musée d’Orsay station on RER train (Line C)
Opening hours: 9.30 am to 6 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays (with late night closing at 9.45 pm on Thursdays)
Cost: €16 for adults, free for those under 18. There is a special rate of €13 per adult accompanying a child called the “Enfant & Compagnie” rate. This rate reduces admission for two accompanying adults of a young person under 18.
Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance on the official website or via a third-party provider like Tiqets, which usually has same-day tickets.
Afternoon: Head to Jardin des Plantes
After lunch, continue with your Paris Day 7 itinerary by heading to the Jardin des Plantes. This park is a true hidden gem in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. It’s a peaceful oasis for visitors to enjoy nature and many activities with kids.
How to get here
If coming here directly from the Musée d’Orsay, it’s only two stations away on the RER train from the Musée d’Orsay station to the Austerlitz station.
What to see and do
Founded in 1626 as a royal garden by King Louis XIII’s doctor, Guy de la Brosse, the Jardin des Plantes is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Today, the garden spans over 28 hectares. It is home to various attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Stroll through the winding paths of the gardens, admire the vibrant flowers and plants, and relax in the shade of the trees that line the garden.
The Great Gallery of Evolution
One of the main highlights of the Jardin des Plantes is the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution. This stunning museum showcases the diversity of the natural world through lifelike exhibits of animals in their natural habitats. Inside the museum are marine mammal skeletons like the blue whale, as well as large mammals from around the world. Kids will love learning about the different animals and birds.
There is a 15-minute-long augmented reality experience where kids can learn about the lives of some extinct animals. After putting on special glasses, kids can transport themselves into different locations and see extinct species up close for a unique experience.
Address: 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005, Paris
Opening hours: Daily (except Tuesdays), from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Cost: €13 for adults, free for those under the age of 25
Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance on the official website or via a third-party provider like Tiqets, which usually has same-day tickets.
Zoo
In the Jardin des Plantes, a small zoo, Ménagerie, houses various exotic and endangered species, including leopards, orangutans and red pandas. Children will love getting up close and personal with these magnificent creatures and learning about their conservation efforts. You can download an app for kids (in English and French) with games and quizzes about the animals for when they are exploring the zoo.
Address: 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris
Opening hours: Daily, from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on 25 December
Cost: €13 for adults, €10 for those aged 3 – 25, free for under 3
Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance on the official website or via a third-party provider like Tiqets, which usually has same-day tickets.
Elsewhere in the Jardin des Plantes, you can also explore the Galerie de Paléontologie, brimming with prehistoric remnants such as dinosaur skeletons. The Galerie de Géologie et de Minéralogie also has meteorites, giant crystals, rocks, and minerals.
How long to spend here
I suggest allocating about 2 – 3 hours for walking through the gardens, at the zoo and visiting the Great Gallery of Evolution.
Next Stop: Visit the Grand Mosque of Paris
How to get here
Just across the street (Rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire) from the Great Gallery of Evolution stands the majestic Grand Mosque of Paris.
What to see and do
It’s a great little oasis to take a break with your kids at their excellent Tea Room. Come here to enjoy traditional mint tea, served in ornate glasses, accompanied by sweet pastries like baklava and pistachio cookies. The kids will love the colourful mosaic patterns of the café’s interior and the vast platters of traditional desserts that the staff bring for you to choose from. When it’s warm, you can sit on the outside terrace.
The Grand Mosque of Paris opened its doors in 1926 to honour the Muslim soldiers from France’s colonies who fought in World War I. The Mosque features a mix of Moroccan and Moorish styles, with a prominent minaret, a large courtyard, and an ornately decorated prayer room. While you don’t need to pay any entrance fee to visit the Tea Room, there is a €3 fee for adults (€2 for children) to visit the Mosque. Having paid the cost, you can see the beautiful courtyard, its peaceful garden and fountains, the minaret and the Mosque itself, and the prayer room.
Address: Place du Puits de l’Ermite, 75005 Paris
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm every day (except Friday and Muslim holidays)
How long to spend here
You will spend about 1 – 1.5 hours discovering the mosque and its gardens and enjoying a drink or a snack at the Tea Room.
Kid-friendly restaurants and cafes along the way
1. Café Varenne
Address: 36 Rue de Varenne, 75007, Paris
Distance from Musée d’Orsay: 12 minutes
Opening hours: 7.30 am to 11 pm on Monday – Friday, 9 am to 11 pm on Saturdays
What it’s like: This friendly, laid-back French bistro is a wonderful spot for lunch. The food is French and delicious, and outdoor seating is available for enjoying your meal when the weather is nice.
2. Le Cocorico
Address: 5 Rue de Bac, 75007, Paris
Distance from Musée d’Orsay: 6 minutes
Opening hours: 10 am to 11 pm daily
What it’s like: Just a short walk from Musée d’Orsay, this busy restaurant serves excellent French dishes and is a lovely place to stop for lunch.
3. Le Salon de Thé at the Grand Mosque of Paris
Address: Grand Mosque of Paris
Opening hours: 9 am to 12 am daily
What it’s like: Come here to enjoy traditional mint tea, accompanied by sweet pastries like baklava and pistachio cookies.
4. Restaurant at the Grand Mosque of Paris
Address: Grand Mosque of Paris (east corner, facing the Jardin des Plantes)
Opening hours: 11.30 am to 12 am daily
What it’s like: The Grand Mosque also houses a restaurant serving North African and Middle Eastern delicacies, such as tagines, open for lunch and dinner.
More Paris suggestions
I hope this suggested Paris itinerary with kids Day 7 has been helpful to plan your trip to Paris. Click here to read more suggested Paris Itineraries with kids.
Follow me on Instagram for more travel inspiration and ideas for places to visit in France and beyond. Subscribing to my newsletter is another great way to keep up with the latest posts and updates from this website.
If you plan to travel to Paris and have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via Instagram or the Comments section below. If you have any tips or feedback from your trip to Paris, sharing them would be incredibly helpful for other travellers. Please feel free to contribute!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I receive a commission if you visit a link and buy something on my recommendation. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust.
