Paris in September || A Guide to Paris with Kids

Dreaming of traveling the world again? Paris in September is beautiful! The weather is still warm but not too hot. School is back in session, therefore, the number of tourists is much lower. September is the perfect time to travel to Paris with kids. Hello, independent study! It’s worth it, I promise!   

I’ve been to Paris twice. The first time I went with my parents and sister, I was 16. The most recent my husband and I took our 4 and 6-year-old daughters. Paris is a magical city filled with so much culture, art, and breathtaking architecture. I’m in love with the city and would go back in a heartbeat. It is a big city so mapping out your trip at least a little bit is helpful. Personally, I am not much of a planner but this was a trip I did some research on before landing in the city.

There are a few important things to figure out before heading to Paris. Where to stay, how long to visit, and what to do with kids in Paris? 

So here we go…

Where to stay in Paris?

Check out the 1st arrondissement of Paris. You can read all about why we picked the 1st arrondissement here. 

There are approximately 4,187 hotels and places to stay in Paris… that is a lot of choices to sift through! You can find the top 10 places in Paris here. 

We spent 5 days in Paris with Kids 

Here’s our 5-day itinerary, day by day:

1st Day – Explore on Foot

Use day one to get a sense of your surroundings. Take a walk and see the sights around you. Each street in Paris has something to see from the streets lined with cute outdoor cafes, Gothic-style architecture, to the beautiful pastries in the windows of small bakeries. 

On day one we walked A LOT! 

Walk to Église Saint-Eustache, a beautiful church just minutes from our Airbnb in the heart of Les Halles. Entry is free and it is breathtaking inside and out! 

Outside the church, there is a Farmers Market that sells local cheeses, fruits, and meats. 

Let the kids play at Jardin Nelson Mandela right across from the church. This park is perfect for small children. There is a gated playground attached to this one for older children that looked really cool too. 

Walk to Notre Dame Cathedral. Due to the fire a few years back it is still closed but still worth the walk. Once it opens back up don’t miss touring the cathedral inside. I had the pleasure of viewing Notre Dame on my first trip to Paris. 

Explore the small alleyways around Notre Dame. Enjoy the local food, souvenirs, and treats. 

Stop by a candy shop. The Pirate’s Candies at 30 Rue Saint-Séverin, 75005 Paris, France, had so many fun varieties of candy. I just like looking! My kids wanted everything. 🙂 

Watch a street performance. There are frequent parades near Châtelet that bring a fun, energetic energy to the crowd. 

 

2nd  Day -Montmarte 

Take the bus to the most charming district in Paris, Montmartre.

Like most of Paris, Montmartre is astonishingly beautiful. This quaint town is lined with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. It was known as the artist quarters of Paris years ago. Picasso, Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, and many other extremely famous artists lived and worked in Montmartre. 

You won’t want to miss the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, a gorgeous church at the top of a hill. The steps up to the Basilica are steep (300 steps to the top!) but you can take a tram up for a fee. Inside the basilica, we lit a candle for my grandfather who passed away while we were visiting Paris. That is a special moment I’ll never forget. 

Outside Sacre Coeur on the fence, you’ll find hundreds of padlocks creating The Love Locks in Montmartre, Paris. 

In Montmartre, you’ll also find the Moulin Rouge, famous windmills, and like most of Paris amazing cafes with the best outdoor seating lining the cobblestone streets. 

 

3rd Day The Eiffel Tower & Adventurous Eating 

Climb the steps of the Eiffel Tower. Visit the Official Eiffel Tower website for ticket prices and daily hours of operation. 

We counted the stairs up to the top but lost count. The girls loved visiting the Eiffel Tower. We walked up as far as we could and then took the lift all the way to the top vantage point. The views were worth the fear of heights. Such an incredible experience! The Eiffel Tower is the world’s most-visited monument and worth the trip! 

Try Escargot at Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond. You’re on vacation, right? Step out of your comfort zone and try some of the local food! I tried escargot for the first time in Paris and actually liked it. 

4th Day- The Louvre Museum 

Window shop for delicious pastries on the way to the Metro Station. 

 

A trip to The Louvre Museum.

You could spend more than a full day exploring The Louvre. The Louvre was once a palace and the exhibits span across 782,910 square feet. It is huge! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes! If you’ve never been, the Louvre is a must-visit while in Paris. 

Art is an important part of our lives so bringing the girls to the Louvre was amazing. I’m so happy we were able to make this visit happen!

Art makes you realize there are so many possibilities in the world. You can do anything and be anyone you want to be.

 

5th Day – Play a bit & head home 

Enjoy churros from a street vendor by the Place Joachim-du-Bellay.

Stop by a local playground. Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques is a beautiful park with a very small playground the girls loved. The Saint-Jacques Tower in the middle of the square is a sight to see. It is the only remaining piece of a 16th-century church, the rest was destroyed in the French Revolution. We used the tower as a reference point while walking to find our way back home. 

Pack up the Airbnb, call for a taxi, and head to the airport to go back home. 

 

How to get around in Paris, France

You won’t need to rent a car in Paris, France. The best ways to get around are walking, The Metro, and by bus. We walked a ton on this trip. Took the bus to Montmartre and the Metro to the Eiffel Tower. I can’t stress enough how important comfortable shoes are! 

To and from the airport I recommend a taxi unless you are familiar with the bus system and don’t have too much luggage. 

 

What to eat in Paris

Typically we ate one nice meal out a day on vacation, either lunch or dinner. Then make something at our Airbnb. With kids we choose not to eat every meal out, they tend to get bored at restaurants. 

Breakfast isn’t a big meal in France, we bought groceries and ate at the Airbnb each morning. Saving money and giving us more time to explore the city. 

Lunch there is no shortage of restaurants and food vendors in the city of Paris. Try their savory crepes, gyros, Croque Monsieur, or simply a baguette with brie cheese. 

Dinner we got more adventurous with dinners and every meal was amazing! Piper is still on a mission to find steak and frites as good as the meals she had in Paris. Beware when you order fish, it comes with the head and tail still attached. In my opinion, the food was good everywhere we went. Pick the place that has a great ambiance, then take a look at the menu. We didn’t have any bad experiences. But, the fish did startle me. 

 

 

Thank you for reading! If you have questions please ask! I’m happy to help! 

 

*Due to the pandemic travel to France may be limited or have special requirements. Please make sure to check the US Embassy and Consulate Webpage on COVID-19 information and Travel Advisories before planning your trip. 

 

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