Wondering where to stay in Paris with kids? After living in Paris with my two daughters, I know that choosing the right neighbourhood can make a big difference to your trip. Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, and while you certainly don’t need to understand all of them before booking your hotel, some areas are much more convenient for families than others.
For a first family trip to Paris, I would focus on staying fairly central, with easy access to the Metro, plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, and attractions that you can reach without spending half your day getting across the city.
Here are the areas I would consider first, depending on your children’s ages and what you want from your trip.
Quick answer: the best areas to stay in Paris with kids
- Best for a first trip to Paris: 1st arrondissement
- Best for younger children: 5th and 6th arrondissements
- Best for the Eiffel Tower: 7th arrondissement
- Best for tweens and teenagers: Le Marais
- Best for a village feel: Montmartre
Looking for a classic Parisian atmosphere? The 5th and 6th arrondissements, particularly Saint-Germain-des-Prés, are also excellent options.
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
The 1st arrondissement: the best area to stay in Paris for a first family trip
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. You are right in the centre of Paris, close to the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Palais Royal and the river Seine. Depending on exactly where you stay, you can also walk to Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame and parts of the Marais.
For families, the biggest advantage is simply convenience. You can easily pop back to the hotel for a midday nap and be back out in the action in no time. You can fit a lot into a day without constantly getting on and off the Metro.
The main trade-off is price. This is a prime central location, and accommodation can be expensive. If you’d rather have a neighbourhood with more of an everyday residential feel, another area may suit you better. But if convenience is high on your list, the 1st is hard to beat.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
The Louvre and the Musée de l’Orangerie, home to Monet’s famous Water Lilies, are the obvious museum highlights. Just outside the Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries is a great place to let children run around between sightseeing stops. You can find more ideas in my guide to visiting the Tuileries Gardens with kids.
The Palais Royal gardens, with their distinctive black-and-white Buren columns, are another fun stop. And for a different perspective on the city, head towards Pont Neuf for a Seine boat cruise.
If you’re planning your days around the main sights, my Paris itinerary for Day 3 combines the Louvre, Palais Royal, the covered passages and Galeries Lafayette. You can also browse all 8 Paris itineraries with kids to plan the rest of your stay.
For more ideas beyond the major landmarks, see my guide to the best museums in Paris for kids.
The 5th and 6th arrondissements: best for younger children
Why this area is great for families:
If you’re looking for a classic Parisian atmosphere, the 5th and 6th arrondissements are great places to stay with kids. Located on the Left Bank, the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés are full of historic streets, bookshops, cafés and lively little squares. They’re also well located for exploring central Paris on foot.
For families, one of the biggest advantages is being close to the Jardin du Luxembourg. It’s one of the best parks in Paris for children, with a fantastic playground, a carousel, pony rides, puppet shows and the famous pond where kids can sail little wooden boats. The Jardin des Plantes, with its botanical gardens, small zoo and Natural History Museum, is another great family outing nearby.
The main trade-off is that these neighbourhoods can be expensive, particularly around Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The Latin Quarter tends to feel livelier and more student-oriented, while Saint-Germain is known for its cafés, boutiques and elegant streets. Both make excellent bases for families who want to explore Paris on foot while having parks and plenty of places to stop for a break.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
The Jardin du Luxembourg is a real highlight for families, with its playground, puppet shows and little sailboats on the pond. I’ve put together a guide to visiting the Luxembourg Gardens with kids with all the details.
In the 5th arrondissement, the Jardin des Plantes is another excellent option, especially if your children enjoy animals and science. You’ll find the Ménagerie, one of the oldest zoos in the world, as well as the National Museum of Natural History. For something a little different, the Arènes de Lutèce is a Roman amphitheatre tucked away in the Latin Quarter, where local children still come to play.
The area is also a great starting point for exploring Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the charming streets around the famous bookstore Shakespeare and Company. My Paris itinerary for Day 2 combines Île de la Cité, the Latin Quarter and the Jardin du Luxembourg into one family-friendly day. You can also browse all 8 Paris itineraries with kids to plan the rest of your stay.
Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements): best for tweens and teenagers
Why this area is great for families:
Le Marais is a great choice if you want to stay somewhere with plenty of character. Spanning the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, it combines historic streets and beautiful old buildings with independent boutiques, cafés and some of the best places to eat in Paris. It’s also very central, making it easy to explore much of the city on foot.
For families, one of the biggest advantages is that there’s plenty to discover without having to plan every minute of the day. You can wander through little streets, stop for a falafel or a pastry, browse the shops and take a break in one of the neighbourhood’s pretty squares. Place des Vosges is particularly lovely, with green spaces and a small playground for children. Older kids and teenagers will also enjoy the area’s boutiques, vintage shops and lively atmosphere.
The main trade-off is that Le Marais can be busy, especially around the main shopping streets and popular food spots. Accommodation is often in boutique hotels or apartments, so it’s worth checking the room size and layout carefully if you’re travelling with children. If you like being in the middle of things, though, it’s a wonderful base for a family trip.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
Place des Vosges is one of the highlights of the neighbourhood. Children can enjoy the playground while you take in the beautiful architecture or grab a hot chocolate under the arcades. Nearby, the gardens of Hôtel de Sully are also worth a look.
For a taste of local life, head to Rue des Rosiers, in the historic Jewish quarter, for falafel, bakeries and sweet treats. The Marché des Enfants Rouges is another good option for a casual lunch, with food stalls serving everything from French dishes to international cuisine.
If you’re interested in museums, the Musée Carnavalet is a great way to discover the history of Paris, while the Musée Picasso is worth considering for older children who enjoy art. The colourful exterior of the Centre Pompidou and the playful Stravinsky Fountain nearby are also fun to see, even if you don’t plan a museum visit.
For a family-friendly route through the neighbourhood, my Paris itinerary for Day 5: Le Marais, the Pompidou Centre and Canal Saint-Martin brings together many of these highlights, with ideas for places to eat along the way.
And if your children enjoy getting hands-on in the kitchen, you could also look into a workshop at Chez Bogato, a Paris pastry boutique offering cooking classes for kids.
7th Arrondissement: best for families who want to be close to the Eiffel Tower
Why this area is great for families:
If being close to the Eiffel Tower is high on your Paris wish list, the 7th arrondissement is a great area to stay with kids. This upscale residential neighbourhood has beautiful Parisian architecture, wide avenues and a quieter feel than some of the busier central districts.
The biggest advantage for families is having the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars right on your doorstep. You can visit the tower without having to cross the city, return another evening to see it sparkle, or let the children burn off some energy in the park. The neighbourhood also has lovely local shops and cafés, particularly around Rue Cler, where you can pick up fresh bread, fruit and other picnic essentials.
The main trade-off is that the 7th is less lively than areas such as Le Marais, and you may need to use the Metro more often to explore other parts of Paris. Accommodation can also be expensive, especially if you want an Eiffel Tower view. But if the tower is a priority and you prefer a quieter place to come back to at the end of the day, it’s a lovely choice.
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.
My Paris itinerary for Day 1 combines the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars and other nearby attractions into one family-friendly day. You can also browse all 8 Paris itineraries with kids to plan the rest of your stay.
Montmartre: best for families who love a village feel
Why this area is great for families:
If your family loves charming streets, artistic character and a village-like atmosphere, Montmartre is a lovely place to stay in Paris. Perched on a hill in the north of the city, this neighbourhood feels quite different from central Paris. You’ll find winding cobbled streets, little cafés, independent shops and artists at work around Place du Tertre. Picasso and Van Gogh once lived here, and Montmartre still has a creative, bohemian feel.
One of the biggest draws is the spectacular view over Paris from the steps of Sacré-Cœur. There’s plenty to explore at a relaxed pace, and children often enjoy the funicular, the little tourist train and watching artists paint in the square.
The main trade-off is location. Montmartre is further from many of Paris’s major sights, so you’ll probably rely more on the Metro. It’s also a hilly neighbourhood, with plenty of steps and steep streets, which can be tiring with young children and tricky with a stroller. If you’re happy to trade some convenience for charm and character, Montmartre can be a wonderful base.
Nearby attractions and things to do with kids:
Start at Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where you can admire the impressive interior and enjoy one of the best panoramic views over Paris. The funicular is a handy way to reach the top without tackling all the steps. From there, wander over to Place du Tertre, the famous artists’ square. Children can watch painters at work, and you could even have a family portrait or caricature drawn as a souvenir. Just below Sacré-Cœur, Square Louise Michel has a carousel that’s particularly appealing for younger children.
For something a little different, look for Le Mur des Je t’aime (the “I Love You Wall”) in the small garden square near Abbesses Metro station. It displays “I love you” in hundreds of languages and makes a fun, quick stop while exploring the neighbourhood.
If you want to explore Montmartre with a ready-made family-friendly route, my Paris itinerary for Day 6: Montmartre and Parc de la Villette takes you through the hilltop village before heading to one of Paris’s biggest parks for the afternoon.
So, where would I stay in Paris with kids?
If you want the shortest possible answer:
For a first trip: I’d look at the 1st arrondissement for maximum convenience.
With younger children: I’d consider the 5th or 6th, particularly if having parks and family-friendly activities nearby matters to you.
If the Eiffel Tower is the priority: I’d choose the 7th.
With tweens or teenagers: I’d seriously consider Le Marais.
For a classic Paris experience: Saint-Germain-des-Prés is difficult to beat.
For a neighbourhood with a village feel: Montmartre is worth considering, provided you’re happy with the hills.
And don’t get too hung up on the arrondissement number. The exact street, your proximity to a Metro station and what you have around you can matter just as much.
Paris is a very walkable city, and if you choose a central neighbourhood with good transport links, you can explore a huge amount of the city from almost any of these bases.
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.
More Paris with kids
If you’re planning a family trip to Paris, you might also find these useful:
Paris itinerary for Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, Rue Cler, Musée Rodin & Seine cruise
Paris itinerary for Day 2: Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter & Luxembourg Gardens
Paris itinerary for Day 3: Louvre, Tuileries, Palais Royal & Galeries Lafayette
Paris itinerary for Day 4: Arc de Triomphe & Jardin d’Acclimatation
Paris itinerary for Day 5: Le Marais & Canal Saint-Martin
Paris itinerary for Day 6: Montmartre & Parc de la Villette
Paris itinerary for Day 7: Musée d’Orsay & Jardin des Plantes
Paris itinerary for Day 8: Jardin des Tuileries & Petit Palais & Hôtel des Invalides
Guide to using the Paris Metro with kids
And if you want to take the planning off your plate, I’ve also put together my Paris with Kids guide, with practical tips, family-friendly activities, restaurants, playgrounds and advice on getting around Paris with children.
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!
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