Planning a trip to Paris with kids and wondering where to stay? Choosing the right neighbourhood can make all the difference for a smooth and enjoyable family trip. While the French capital is famed for romance and culture, it’s also incredibly welcoming to families. By picking a kid-friendly neighbourhood close to parks, attractions, and the Paris Metro (read Using the Paris Metro with Kids), you’ll minimize commute hassles and maximize fun.
I live in Paris with my two kids and have spent a lot of time exploring each of the areas I’ve written about below. If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do in each neighbourhood, check out my Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids. It’s packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
Here are my top picks for the best areas to stay in Paris with kids, along with family-friendly hotel suggestions and nearby attractions for all ages. Since I live in Paris, I haven’t personally stayed at these hotels, but I’ve done thorough research and selected properties in each area that have received excellent reviews from other families.
Let’s get familiar with “arrondissements”
The city is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts), which spiral out from the centre like a snail shell. This unique layout has earned Paris the nickname “L’Escargot de Paris” or “The Snail of Paris.” Each arrondissement has its own personality, so it’s important to choose the right one for a family-friendly stay. The city of Paris is divided in half by the River Seine, which winds its way through the city from East to West. Everything to the south of the river is called the Left Bank or Rive Gauche (because it’s the left hand side when you float with the current). Everything to the north of the river is known as the Right Bank or Rive Droite.
The 5 best kid-friendly areas to stay in Paris
1. Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements)
Why this area is great for families:
Le Marais is where classic Paris meets modern cool. It’s one of the best places to stay in Paris with kids – central, walkable, and packed with history, culture, and pockets of green spaces. Spanning the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, it puts you in the heart of the city without the chaos of busier tourist spots. Lively but never overwhelming, it offers easy access to top attractions while still having quiet corners to unwind.
Place des Vosges is perfect for kids to run around while parents relax under shaded arcades. Nearby, Paris’s oldest food market, Marché des Enfants Rouges, has food stalls, and is perfect for a casual lunch or a quick snack. Older kids and teens will love the area’s trendy boutiques, vintage stores, and cafés.
Family-friendly hotels in Le Marais:
Accommodation in Le Marais tends toward boutique hotels and apartment rentals. Here are a few family-friendly accommodation options to consider:
- Rue du Roi de Sicile Residence: A luxury apartment hotel in a quiet part of Marais, offering rooms with fully equipped kitchens.
- Apartments Paris Centre – At Home Hotel: Contemporary apartments featuring fully equipped kitchens.
- Edgar Suites Marais: Stylish and spacious apartments designed to accommodate families of various sizes.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
Le Marais is packed with family-friendly activities. The Centre Pompidou (Paris’s modern art museum) stands out with its colourful “inside-out” architecture that kids find fascinating. While the museum is closing for a five-year refurbishment in summer 2025, it’s still a fun building to walk around, and nearby, the Stravinsky Fountain with its vibrant, moving water sculptures is a hit with children.
This district is also 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.
Another must-visit is Place des Vosges, one of Paris’s most beautiful squares and a peaceful green oasis where children can play. It even has a small playground and plenty of space for a picnic. For a quick, kid-friendly bite, Rue des Rosiers is the go-to spot for delicious falafel or Jewish pastries – perfect for a casual, tasty street-food lunch. And for dessert, don’t miss the legendary Berthillon ice cream on nearby Île Saint-Louis, just across a small bridge.
Thanks to its central location, Le Marais makes it easy to explore beyond the district. A 15-minute walk will take you to the recently reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral, adding another iconic stop to your family’s Paris adventure.
2. 1st Arrondissement (Louvres / Tuileries)
Why this area is great for families:
If your dream is to have Paris’s key attractions at your doorstep, it’s hard to beat the 1st arrondissement. This neighbourhood sits right in the centre of Paris – essentially the bulls-eye of the city’s spiral of arrondissements. Staying here means you’re within walking distance of big highlights like the Louvre Museum, the Jardin des Tuileries, and the river Seine. For families, the 1st offers unbeatable convenience: you can easily pop back to the hotel for a midday nap or diaper change and be back out in the action in no time. One of the biggest perks for those with young kids are the Tuileries Gardens themselves – they feature wonderful playgrounds and even a vintage carousel and seasonal trampolines, which are major selling points of staying in this area with little ones.
While it’s more business and tourist-oriented, the sheer convenience and iconic atmosphere make it one of the best areas to stay in Paris with kids for first-time visitors.
Family-friendly hotels in the 1st Arrondissement:
Hotels in this central district can be pricey, but here are a few mid-range and luxury gems ideal for families.
- Novotel Paris Les Halles: A modern 4-star hotel featuring family-friendly perks, such as free breakfast for kids.
- Edgar Suites Louvre – Saint-Honoré: A spacious 3-bedroom apartment just a 3-minute walk from the Louvre Museum.
- Hôtel du Louvre: A 5-star hotel with family rooms and a view of the Louvre Museum.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
The 1st arrondissement is home to some of Paris’s most kid-friendly attractions. The Louvre Museum and Musée de l’Orangerie (home to Monet’s Water Lilies) are great art museum choices. Right outside the Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries offers hours of fun. There’s a fenced-in playground, a pond where kids can rent tiny sailboats to float (a classic Parisian childhood activity), and an old-fashioned carousel. In this neighbourhood, you’ll be just a short walk from the Palais Royal gardens, where the striped Buren columns offer a fun spot for kids to climb and play.
In the evening, stroll to Pont Neuf, just outside the 1st arrondissement, and take a scenic Seine boat cruise. Several operators, including the family-friendly Vedettes du Pont Neuf, depart from the Right Bank near Île de la Cité. The 1st arrondissement’s central location makes exploring easy with little transit – a big win when traveling with kids.
3. Latin Quarter & Saint-Germain-des-Prés (5th & 6th Arrondissements)
Why this area is great for families:
On the Left Bank of the Seine, the 5th and 6th arrondissements – better known as the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés – are beloved for their historic charm and lively atmosphere. These neighbourhoods are often considered the quintessential Parisian experience, full of winding old streets, café terraces, and bookshops, all while being extremely family-friendly.
The Latin Quarter, centred around Sorbonne University, has a fun, youthful vibe thanks to its student population. The 6th arrondissement is home to the Luxembourg Gardens. Here, you’ll find one of the best playgrounds in Paris (with a small entry fee), an old-fashioned carousel, pony rides, and the iconic sailboat pond, where kids can rent a toy boat and push it around the water with a stick – an activity that has delighted Parisian children for generations. There’s even a marionette puppet theatre with shows on weekends.
Being near Luxembourg Gardens is a huge plus for families. It gives kids a safe place to play while parents can relax and take in the scenery. The area is also very walkable; you can easily wander from the medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral on the river, through the Latin Quarter’s pedestrian lanes, and over to Saint-Germain’s boutique-lined streets in a single outing.
Family-friendly hotels in the Latin Quarter / Saint-Germain:
This area offers lots of small hotels and a few larger ones, many of which welcome families.
- Hôtel Claude Bernard Saint-Germain: A cozy 3-star hotel near the Sorbonne, with triple rooms for families.
- Hôtel Saint Germain: A charming 4-star hotel with interconnecting rooms for families.
- Le Jardin de Verre by Locke: A recently opened hotel within a short walk of the Luxembourg Gardens, offering family rooms.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
In addition to the fabulous Luxembourg Gardens, the Latin Quarter side is home to the Jardin des Plantes, France’s main botanical garden. Within the Jardin des Plantes, you’ll find a small zoo (Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes) and the National Museum of Natural History.
For a more adventurous outing, you can descend into the cool depths of the Paris Catacombs – if your kids are old enough and won’t be spooked by the skulls! Or, step back in time at the Arènes de Lutèce, a real Roman amphitheatre tucked away in a quiet corner, where children today kick soccer balls around the same grounds where gladiators once stood.
On the Saint-Germain side, consider a stop at the Musée d’Orsay, just across the Seine in the 7th arrondissement, to wow the kids—the museum is housed in a grand, converted train station that feels like a palace of art. And of course, simply wandering the historic streets is an activity in itself.
4. 7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower/Champ de Mars)
Why this area is great for families:
The 7th arrondissement, home to the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, is also a good choice for a safe, quiet stay. This upscale residential neighbourhood has wide, clean avenues and classic Parisian architecture. Champ de Mars, a huge park at the Eiffel Tower’s base, is perfect for kids to run and play freely. Staying here means the Eiffel Tower is nearby, great for spontaneous visits and catching its magical nightly sparkling light show.
Despite attracting tourists, the 7th stays peaceful at night, making it quieter than many of Paris’s busier central districts. The area is also home to Rue Cler, a charming market street with bakeries, cheese shops, and fresh produce – perfect for gathering supplies for breakfast or a picnic.
Family-friendly hotels in the 7th Arrondissement:
While the 7th has some luxury hotels with Eiffel Tower views, it also offers lovely mid-range options suited for a stay with kids in Paris.
- Hotel Muguet: The stylish 3-star hotel has family rooms and is near the Eiffel Tower.
- Hotel Relais Bosquet: The cozy 3-star hotel near Rue Cler offers family rooms.
- Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel: This 4-star hotel is near the Eiffel Tower and offers great family Sunday brunch (with entertainers/child care included in the price of the brunch).
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
First stop, of course, is the Eiffel Tower itself. Kids will be giddy taking the elevator up (or climbing the stairs partway for the more adventurous). On the ground, the Champ de Mars park is perfect for some downtime, with its playgrounds and a carousel. Within the 7th arrondissement, you’ll also find the Musée Rodin, where kids can roam among sculptures in the beautiful garden. Not far away is Invalides (Army Museum), where older kids intrigued by knights and military history can see Napoleon’s tomb and suits of armour beneath its impressive golden dome.
For a truly kid-friendly experience, head to the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, which showcases indigenous art from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. I think that it’s one of the best museums in Paris for kids.
For a change of pace, take a short walk to the Seine and hop on a Bateaux Parisiens boat cruise. Many cruises depart from the docks at Pont d’Iéna, near the tower, offering a relaxing ride past the Louvre and Notre-Dame – the perfect way to unwind after a busy day.
5. Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
Why this area is great for families:
If your family loves bohemian charm and doesn’t mind being outside the centre, Montmartre is a great choice. Perched on a hill in northern Paris, this 18th arrondissement neighbourhood feels like a cozy village frozen in time. Montmartre is known for its artistic vibe – Picasso and Van Gogh once lived here, and that creative energy is still alive. You’ll find painters and caricature artists in Place du Tertre, keeping the artsy spirit going strong. The area is full of cute, winding streets, so take your time, wander around, and soak it all in.
Thanks to its high vantage point, Montmartre offers spectacular views of Paris. Safety-wise, the main areas – around Sacré-Cœur and the upper village – are generally very safe. However, Montmartre borders some less savoury blocks near Pigalle (home to the Moulin Rouge cabaret and nightlife scene). As long as you stick to the hilltop and its immediate surroundings, you’ll find it perfectly fine for families. The main consideration is the terrain – Montmartre is best suited for kids out of stroller age. The countless steep steps and slopes can be challenging with a buggy.
Family-friendly hotels in Montmartre:
Montmartre has a mix of quaint boutique hotels and serviced apartments that suit families.
- Le Relais Montmartre: The 4-star boutique hotel offers triple rooms as well as connecting room options.
- Best Western Plus Hôtel Littéraire Marcel Aymé: A 4-star hotel offering a choice of hotel rooms or apartments for a family stay. It is a 10-minute walk from Sacré-Cœur.
- Aparthotel Adagio Paris Montmartre: This apartment-hotel, located right next to Sacré-Cœur, offers apartments with fully equipped kitchens.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
Montmartre may be a bit removed from the rest of Paris, but it has plenty to keep a family entertained. Start at the Sacré-Cœur Basilica – ride the funicular up and enjoy the stunning view from the summit. The basilica’s interior is beautiful, and entry is free. If little legs get tired, hop on the small tourist train that chugs through Montmartre’s hilly streets. Next, head to Place du Tertre, the famous artists’ square, where you can wander and watch painters at work. Consider getting a quick family portrait or caricature drawn – it’s a one-of-a-kind souvenir that kids will find fascinating.
Just below the basilica is the charming Square Louise Michel park with a classic Paris carousel. A ride on the carousel with Sacré-Cœur towering above makes for a picture-perfect moment for little ones. Finally, don’t miss Le Mur des Je t’aime (I Love You Wall) in Jehan-Rictus Garden Square – this unique art installation displays “I love you” written in hundreds of languages.
Some tips for booking your stay in Paris with kids
No matter which of these areas in Paris you choose to stay in with kids, keep a few tips in mind:
- Book accommodations well in advance – family rooms and apartments are in high demand, especially during school holidays. (Parisian hotel rooms tend to be small, so securing a larger family-size room or suite early is key.)
- If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, check whether your hotel has an elevator/lift – many charming older buildings don’t, and carrying a stroller up the stairs after a long day of sightseeing is no fun.
- Embrace the local lifestyle in whichever neighbourhood you call home. Stop by the bakery each morning for fresh croissants, let the kids practice a few French words with shopkeepers, and take time to relax in a neighbourhood park.
- Paris isn’t just about museums and monuments – it’s about enjoying the joie de vivre (joy of life) in everyday moments.
What’s your favourite area of Paris to stay in with kids ? Have you stayed somewhere you’d recommend to other families? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Join me on Instagram to get more inspiration for things to do and see in Paris.
If you’re looking for Paris itineraries with kids, then check out my free Paris Itineraries with Kids. My Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids is also packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
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. All opinions are my own. For more details see my disclaimer and privacy policy.
