Paris with kids and WITHOUT Disneyland!
We are pretty obsessed with Disney in this house, BUT there are great things to do in Paris with the kids and without going to Disneyland if that (for some odd and unknown reason) does not float your boat!
So here are 3 things you can do in Paris, with the kids, but without going to Disneyland.
And hey, if you want to go to Disneyland, you can take a small excursion to Paris for the day! This is something we did in 2016 and it was so easy to get there by train from Marne La Vallée.
1. La Tour Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower is absolutely a must! There is an elevator which goes up part way, but not all the way to the top. When we visited in 2016, we had a 7 year old in tow and I was pregnant, but we still managed to go up the stairs the whole way! Kiera enjoyed the sights and it’s a great way to spend a good hour or two.
If you are lucky enough to visit at this time of year (December-January), there is usually an ice rink up in the middle of the tower too!
2. Cruise on the River Seine
We have sadly never done this, but it is on our list for next time! These are really cheap starting at only €15pp for a 1 hour cruise at either day or night time, but there are other options too including lunch or a dinner featuring live music which are more expensive! You will likely see the Assemblee Nationale, Musee d'Orsay, Institut de France, Pantheon, Cite de la Mode, Hotel de Ville, and Notre Dame. At night time, the city is lit up beautifully! This is a lovely, chilled way to take in some of the sights that the children perhaps don’t want to walk around all day long!
3. View some Olympic Events!
Our next trip we are planning to coincide with the Summer Olympics in 2024. The ballot for tickets to some events has opened and this is the perfect opportunity to take in a bit more of Paris and to see some sporting events while there. So if you have a football fan, an aspiring swimmer or diver, these are great things to take your kids to see when the Olympic Games visit the city in Summer 2024!
4. Parc Asterix
If you still want to take in the theme parks that France has to offer, but want to avoid the high prices of Disneyland Paris, Parc Asterix can be a great alternative! It’s just 40 minutes outside of Paris in Plailly, France, and with ticket prices over Christmas time of only €47pp, plus onsite hotels, this is a great way to take in the thrills, with tons of rides aimed at the whole family! Definitely worth a visit.
5. Le Louvre
This one might be a bit boring for the younger children, but when I visited as a teenager I loved it! Especially if you have a Da Vinci Code fan, the Louvre is a great attraction for the family (If you know, you know!)
