Eiffel Tower with Kids

Going up the Eiffel Tower was on our bucket list. On our first visit to Paris we stayed just for a weekend. Our most recent trip, since we were staying longer and traveling slower (with kids of course), we decided to add going up the Eiffel Tower to our list. 

The Eiffel Tower, first built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, was at the time a very impressive feat of architecture. Since then, the Tower has become one of the world’s most famous landmarks. It not only represents French innovation and design but it's one of the symbols of Paris. 

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular sights to visit so it can get crowded. 

Good to know 

* Bringing a stroller is OK but it needs to be able to fold up for the elevators. You don't need to fold it up when you take through security.

* For security, you need to take everything out of jacket pockets and everything out from the bottom of the stroller.

* There are places to buy snacks on the lower area of the Second floor.

* Bathrooms are available on all floors including the top! 

* There is a Champagne bar at the top to buy some macarons and champagne for a toast at over 300m up high!

* There was a small Christmas market on the first floor with a few snacks but we decided to sit inside and get some coffee and snacks from the cafe.

* Walking down the steps was cold and windy! Kids and I took the elevator down instead. 

* There are a few telescopes to look into (for 2euros) to check out the view.

* Lots to see in the gift shop like magnets, puzzles, and books. Also, nice to warm up inside after walking around the market.

It's nice to go on a sunny day but a cloudy day was still pretty nice. On a rainy day you might have less of a view of the city. 

Tickets

We didn't book tickets in advance, we decided we would just go, and brave the line-up and it turned out not being too long of a wait!

First you go in, through security to get to the courtyard of the Eiffel tower. You then line-up to buy either elevator or stairs tickets. There was one ticket lineup for just purchasing elevator tickets so we chose that line which was shorter than the others.

You can buy elevator tickets to second floor and to the top. On the way up the elevator won't stop to let people off on the first floor. On the way down, you can get off on the first floor.

Prices for kids are very reasonable. If you're not sure the kids feel up for going all the way to the top, you should still buy Top tickets. You can't buy tickets when you are actually on the eiffel tower, you should just get top tickets for the kiddos. 

Note: Top could be closed due to weather. It was closed when we were lining up for tickets but owned just as it was our turn to buy!

The cafes and restaurants around the Eiffel Tower have terrible reviews but we had to stop for kids bathroom and snack break. I had the worst coffee for 12 Euros... but the view was incredible... so you just basically pay for the views.

We were glad the cafe actually on the Eiffel tower was pretty nice and prices were reasonable as well.

We had an amazing visit to the Eiffel Tower with the kids. It's great that we didn't need to wait too long and kids moods were OK overall especially after some delicious crepe at the cafe on the first floor. 

Don't forget your snacks! (snacks helped a lot while waiting in lineup to buy tickets)

Eiffel Tower

Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

For more info check out their website

A Visit to Paris with Kids

We previously visited Paris before we had kids. It was on our list to visit again but we weren't sure whether kids would enjoy it (or whether us parents would enjoy it!!)

Once decided to re-visit and booked our trip, we didn't plan any specific activities before going. We have learned that with young kids we prefer to travel slowly. Just explore and remember to take lots of breaks, which was easy to do in a city like Paris.

We found playgrounds where we walked, even some swings and wall climbing area along one part of the Seine river.

We really liked this playground at Square Trousseau.

Really nice playground and park at Trousseau Square.

Dessert and snacks were always available at all the cafes in the city but we also brought a few snacks with us.

We stopped in at Bread & Roses for some much needed snacks, coffee and even a delicious mushroom quiche!

The kids enjoyed running around at different gardens and the entrance area of the Lourve.

The weather during our trip was pretty good but we did get a couple of rainy days. We all prefer being indoors when it's rainy.

We spent the morning at a relaxing brunch place called, Immersion. Kids enjoyed the waffles, juice and French toast! 

Check out my blog post on Immersion.

Then we found an interesting museum, one of the museums that are actually open on a Tuesday. It's good to note that many museums are closed on Tuesday in Paris!

Check out my blog on Musée en Herbe.

Our visit was during the Winter holidays so there were a few Christmas markets to check out as well!

The first time we visited "Marche Gourmand" it was really packed so we just walked through and got some snacks. The second time we went was much better. Fewer people meant shorter lines!

There was also a nice market area and Paris 2024 Olympics set up with a Ferris Wheel and other activities for the kids.

Something that was a bit of a challenge was taking the metro with the stroller. It's not very stroller friendly with all the stairs at all of the stations we got on and off at. The entrance to the subway with kids and a stroller was challenging. It was often crowded and the paper ticket had trouble being read. Will be interesting to see how all the Paris 2024 Olympics visitors will do with the Subway!

I felt so proud of myself surviving taking kids on the subway after we visited "Arc de Triomphe".

We walked back on the "Fancy" street of Avenue des Champs-Élysées and at the end of the street took the subway! 

We loved our stay in the City of Lights! The travel stroller helped a lot with long walks and exploring the city. We even visited the Eiffel Tower (stay tuned for my blog post on visiting the Eiffel Tower). Paris might seem daunting, but it is possible to enjoy a city vacation with kids!

Don't forget your snacks! 

Blé Sucré Paris

We found a lovely little cafe called, Blé Sucré, on one of our daily walks exploring the neighbourhoods in Paris.

Located next to Trousseau Square, this bakery cafe has a covered outdoor seating area and it's in a great location.

Everytime we've visited, they've had many delicious pastries, cakes and breads to choose from.

Beautiful cakes and eclairs!

We especially enjoyed the apple and pear pies. They change their offerings, however, so if you had one type of pie one day, it may not be available the next day.

They luckily always have regular croissants and chocolate croissants :) Friendly service at cafe has been nice too.

Grabbing a coffee to go is easy and a nice option when in a hurry. The park and playground is right across from the cafe and there are beaches to sit and enjoy your drink and snack in the park as well.

If you're in Paris or just visiting the city and find yourself in the neighborhood craving a snack or coffee, check out this bakery cafe! It's great to support small neighbourhood cafes.

Don't forget your snacks!

Blé Sucré

7 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012 Paris, France

Visit their Instagram for more info

Le Musée en Herbe Paris

A rainy day is a great time for an indoor activity like a museum! Unfortunately, on a Tuesday many of the museums in Paris are closed.

We did a little research and found a few museums that are open on Tuesdays that sounded interesting for the kids. We decided to try one near the Lourve called, Le Musée en Herbe.

During our visit in Jan 2024, there was an exhibition "Seth se la Joue" which features work from globally renowned French artist, Seth Globepainter (Julien Malland).

He has traveled to various countries and created many artworks using themes from the places he has traveled.

 

The artist loves to include kids in his artworks but doesn't show their faces. The artwork shows kids at play, exploring and playing games.

When you arrive at the museum, you can put your jackets down in the jacket area and buy your ticket. The staff will let you know when you can go in. It can get crowded, especially on a rainy day, so they stagger the number of visitors.

Before you go in, the staff gives you a little introduction, that was available in English as well, about the exhibit. The kids receive a booklet with some questions and activities to follow as they visit each room of the museum. There are several different versions of the booklets available, depending on the age of the child. English was also available. 

This booklet was for kids under 6 yrs old. Kids work with their parents to answer the questions about the artwork.

The kids really enjoyed the interactive areas like Tic Tac Toe and the puzzles! 

At the end of the visit, the kids can return their pens and get a little gift. There's also a small gift shop at the front of the museum where you can purchase some souvenirs of the exhibit and other art and drawing supplies.

It's a small museum with just a few different rooms but overall, we had a lovely visit with the kids! If you're in Paris or visiting the city and looking for a nice rainy day activity, go visit Le Musée en Herbe! The "Seth se la Joue" exhibit runs until May 2024.

Don't forget your snacks!

Le Musée en Herbe

23 Rue de l'Arbre Sec, 75001 Paris, France

Check out the museum's website for hours and more information. 

Du Pain et des Idées Paris

 

We were excited to visit popular and award winning boulangerie, Du Pain et des Idées, in Paris, France. Depending on what time you go, if can be really busy!

Du Pain et des Idées translates to "Bread and Ideas" and this bakery was even recommended to us by locals as one of the best bakeries in Paris. 

If you don't want to actually go inside the bakery, it is possible to order coffee from the coffee window. 

All of the French pastries we tried, from croissants, to the chocolate escargot, and brioche were delicious and made fresh each day. 

Buttery, flaky and delicious croissants!

Friendly staff and great service even early in the morning. There is a lot to choose from at this bakery! If you get to visit more than once, it's great to try a couple of different pastries and breads each visit. The Pistachio Chocolate Escargot pastry was really good!

We also loved the Galette des Rois (available in January). These were often sold out by the end of the day.

Try to visit early if you don't want to miss out on pastries you are looking forward to trying.

If you're in Paris or visiting the city, check out this beautiful boulangerie. A lovely bakery with delicious French pastries and bread, Du Pain et des Idées, is popular for good reason! 

Don't forget your snacks!

Du Pain et des Idées

34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France

Check out their website for more info

The Coffee Paris

Found myself needing some coffee on my morning stroll in Paris and discovered "The Coffee" coffee shop. 

The Coffee is a Japanese-inspired urban Cafe with several locations around Paris, France and around the world.

Do you like to think about what you'd like to order and not rush? Scroll through the menu at the cafe's tablet and take your time.

Try a specialty coffee, a seasonal drink like their Honey latte or one of their signature drinks like the Tonka latte. 

There are good descriptions with the menu items and you can select between several languages. You can also ask staff about any of the coffees.

The menu also includes a few snacks if you want something to go with your coffee.

Your order is served to your table. You can enjoy your drink indoors or outdoors at the cafe or take it with you!

If you're in Paris or visiting the city and want to visit a nice, urban Cafe with delicious coffee, stop by one of The Coffee locations!

Don't forget your snacks!

The Coffee

5 Cité du Wauxhall, 75010 Paris, France

Check out their website for more info and see different locations in the city and around the world!

Magnolia Patisserie Paris

We found Magnolia Patisserie in Paris, France, during our morning stroll to the playground with the kids.

It's hard not to stop and go in when you see such beautiful croissants and other pastries displayed at the window! If you weren't craving it before, you will when you pass by ;)

The Macarons were delicious and didn't last long :) Kid's flavors were mango, strawberry and vanilla. You know it's too good when they won't share!

The staff were very helpful with questions even if one kid was a bit cranky during the visit.

We got a few pastries to enjoy during our stroll and outdoor play time and they were really good!

We were so happy to have stumbled upon this Patisserie. If you're in Paris or even just visiting and exploring the city, stop by Magnolia Patisserie for some delicious pastries! 

Don't forget your snacks!

Magnolia Patisserie 

12 Rue Théophile Roussel, 75012 Paris, France

Check out their Instagram for more info

Immersion Paris

Rainy days are for slow mornings and treating yourself to a delicious brunch!

We tried Immersion Paris near Republique for a relaxing brunch with the kids and it was well worth the wait. The line moved fast and when we got our table, 2 other parties were also able to come in and be seated as well!

We had nice, friendly service and our order didn't take too much time which was perfect with kids! You order with your server and the menu is accessible from a QR code at your table. 

Brunch options include waffles and eggs among other delicious items. We were craving some waffles and they didn't disappoint. Everything was tasty! We all enjoyed our waffles and French toast!

Immersion has generous portion sizes, so we all left satisfied and ready for a walk ❤️

Coffee and other drinks were served right away. Kids found some mango passion juice and parents enjoyed their hot coffee drinks.

When you have enjoyed your meal, you can easily pay your bill from your table using the same QR code.

With great food and service, it was a lovely dining experience. If you're in Paris or visiting the city, visit one of the Immersion locations for a delish brunch to start your day! 

Don't forget your snacks!

Immersion

8 Rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010 Paris, France

Check out their website for locations and more info.