Paris Itinerary Kids Day 8 : Jardin des Tuileries + Petit Palais + Hôtel des Invalides

Your Paris Itinerary with Kids Day 8 starts with a stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries, followed by a visit to the museum of Petit Palais and Hôtel des Invalides.

As with other Paris Itineraries With Kids, pick what works for you and skip what doesn’t. Bookmark this Paris Itinerary with Kids Day 8, share it with friends and family planning their Parisian escape with kids, and get ready to explore Paris in a way that delights everyone. Welcome to a family vacation in Paris that you’ll never forget!

How to get here

To reach the Tuileries Gardens via the Paris Metro, you can take Line 1 and alight at the “Tuileries” station directly adjacent to the garden. Additionally, Line 7 serves the nearby “Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre” station, from which you can take a short walk to the garden.

What to see and do

Tuileries Gardens Paris Itinerary Kids - The Knowledge Nuggets

The park was a royal retreat initially established by Catherine de Medici nearly 500 years ago. It has transitioned from a hunting ground for King Louis XIII and a play area for Napoleon I’s son to a public space where everyone can enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Things to do with kids

The park boasts stunning features making it a must add to your Paris Itinerary with Kids, with manicured lawns and hedges, historical sculptures, ponds, and formal gardens. Generally if you visit during the summer or Christmas holidays, a festive funfair awaits, complete with rides and a Ferris wheel.

At the Grand Basin, you can rent a small sailboat with a stick for children to navigate the waters(€4 per rental). The playground in the north of the garden, near the Castiglione entrance, 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. Additionally, although recommended for older kids (6+), younger ones often give it a try!

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 (€3 per ride). In the north of the garden, between the Terrace des Feuillants and the octagonal basin, children aged two and up can even enjoy a jump on the trampolines (€3 per child). Grab a cup of take away hot chocolate from Angelina on Rue du Rivoli – a cherry on the cake.

At the west end of the Tuileries Gardens, near Place de la Concorde, you will find Musée de l’Orangerie. This museum is home to Claude Monet’s “Water Lillies” series, among other impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces. Although it’s quite small, especially compared to the Louvre, you can pop in for 45min-1 hour to see the highlights.

How long to spend here

You can spend about 1 – 1.5 hours exploring the gardens and playing with the kids at the playground while adding another 45 – 60 minutes to visit Musée de l’Orangerie.

Musée des Beaux Arts Paris Itinerary Kids Petit Palais - The Knowledge Nuggets

The Petit Palais is a beautiful museum in Paris that’s entirely free to visit. It was built for the 1900 World’s Fair alongside the Grand Palais and designed by the architect Charles Girault. However, unlike many structures from the Fair, the Petit Palais was built to last and is now known as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris.

How to get here

The Petit Palais is a 10 – 15 minutes walk from the Tuileries Gardens along the river.

What to see and do

With a facade as grand as its collection, the museum showcases a wide array of works from antiquity through to the early 20th century. Its collection includes medieval illuminations, Renaissance paintings, and pieces from the French Romantic and Impressionist movements. Notable artists like Rembrandt, Poussin, Delacroix, and Monet are featured here. Aside from its permanent collection, the Petit Palais regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, attracting art lovers from around the globe.

Gardens

Inside the museum you will find a beautiful garden where you can admire the museum’s intricate architecture. This hidden oasis in Paris is a superb spot for relaxation, complete with colonnades and lush plantings. In addition there’s also a café/restaurant on site for visitors to enjoy a drink or lunch. During spring time, the gardens are particularly stunning, with the blossoming magnolias and cherry trees.

Although the museum does not offer an audioguide, a mobile app provides three free tours to choose from: “12 Masterpieces,” “30 Must-Sees,” or a self-guided tour of the collections.

For children who speak French, the museum’s official website lists various workshops and activities aimed at young audiences, including painting classes, guided visits, and even sessions for 12 – to 24-month-old babies designed to introduce them to art through sensory experiences.

Bouquet of Tulips

After leaving the Petit Palais, turn left and stop at the Champs-Élysées’ gardens, between the Petit Palais and Place de la Concorde. Take a look at the sculpture “Bouquet of Tulips” by American artist Jeff Koons. He offered this work to the City of Paris to honour the 130 victims of the November 2015 attacks. Looking closely, you’ll see that the bouquet consists of only eleven flowers; the missing twelfth represents the victims.

Bouquet of Tulips Paris Itinerary Kids - The Knowledge Nuggets

Address: Avenue Winston-Churchill, 75008 Paris

Closest metro:  Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau (Lines 1 and 13), Franklin D. Roosevelt (Line 9), Invalides (RER Line C)

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (10 am – 6 pm). Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 14 July, 11 November and 25 December.

Cost: Free access to the permanent collection. Prices for individual temporary exhibitions are usually between €12-15 for adults, with free admission for those under 18

How long to spend here

I would allocate 1.5 – 2 hours to visit the Petit Palais with the kids, including enjoying a snack at the museum’s café.

It’s a really impressive place to visit and an excellent alternative to all the great art museums in Paris. King Louis XIV commissioned it in 1670 as a hospice and hospital for the nation’s war veterans and soldiers. Over the centuries, it has become an important cultural and memorial site, with museums and monuments celebrating France’s military history.

Hotel des Invalides Paris Itinerary Kids - The Knowledge Nuggets

How to get here

Stroll across the stunning Pont Alexandre III bridge from the Petit Palais museum to reach the famous Paris landmark with a shimmering golden dome – the Hôtel des Invalides.

What to see and do

I’d recommend going inside if you have older children (aged 10+) who would appreciate learning more about French history. Our Paris Itineraries with Kids remember older kids too!

The most notable feature of Hôtel des Invalides is the Dome des Invalides. This impressive structure is the final resting place for many of France’s war heroes, including Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon died in exile on the remote island of St. Helena. Later, his remains were transferred to the Dôme des Invalides in 1861. 

Within the complex, you’ll find several museums, including the Musée de l’Armée, one of the world’s premier military history museums. It has an extensive collection of arms, armour, and artefacts spanning ages. This is a particularly great place to explore if you have any history enthusiasts (especially military history) in the family.

For children who speak French, the museum’s official website lists various workshops and guided visits aimed at young audiences.

Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France

Closest metro: Invalides (Line 8), La Tour Maubourg (Line 8), Varenne (Line 13), Invalides (REC C)

Opening hours: Daily, from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

Cost: €15 per adult, free for those under 18. This ticket gives you access to the Dome Church, the tomb of Napoleon and all the museums.

Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance on the official website or via a third-party provider like Tiqets, which usually has same-day tickets.

For a bite to eat

The Carré des Invalides café-restaurant is conveniently located on-site and is open from 9 am to 6 pm (extending to 7 pm from 1 April to 31 October). Another nice place to stop for an afternoon snack is the Angelina tea room in the courtyard, famed for its exceptional hot chocolate and selection of pastries. It welcomes visitors daily from April to November between 11 am and 6 pm.

How long to spend here

I would allocate about 2 hours if you’re going inside to explore the museums.

As part of your Paris Itinerary with kids, finding a welcoming place to eat is so important! Here are my recommendations.

Address: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris

Distance from the Tuileries Gardens: 2 minutes

Opening hours: 7.30 am to 7 pm daily (from 8 am to 7.30 pm on weekends)

What it’s like: This is a renowned tearoom famous for its rich history, elegant ambience, and indulgent pastries, including its signature hot chocolate and Mont Blanc dessert. While there is usually a line to get a seat inside the restaurant, you’ll be pleased to know that you can avoid the lines by taking your hot chocolate and pastries as a takeaway to enjoy in the Tuileries Gardens. Inside the restaurant, the takeaway section is located just to the right of the entrance. 

Address: 232 Rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris

Distance from the Tuileries Gardens: 2 minutes

Opening hours: 10 am to 7.30 pm daily

What it’s like: Come to this beautiful spot to taste an assortment of famous Ladurée macarons.

Address: 256 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001, Paris

Distance from the Tuileries Gardens: 5 minutes

Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm Monday – Saturday

What it’s like: Open all day long, this is an excellent and cosy spot for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. The grown-up can enjoy some proper coffee, and you can even buy cakes to take away with you.

More suggestions for your Paris itinerarY WITH KIDS

I hope this suggested Paris itinerary with Kids Day 8 has been helpful to plan your trip to Paris. Click here to read more suggested Paris Itineraries with kids.

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