Day Trips From Paris with Kids for Family Fun
Your childrens’ eyes widen as they step into real-life fairy tale castles. Their laughter echoes through world-famous gardens. With the right planning (and with amazing cruises and cruise deals from Royal Caribbean) these dreams can be a reality!
Day trips from Paris with kids offer opportunities for your children to step into real-life fairy tale castles, expanding their historical knowledge and imagination.
While Paris is known as the City of Light, day trips from Paris with kids reveal that the surrounding areas offer equally illuminating experiences for families. From magical theme parks to awe-inspiring historical sites, the options are as diverse as they are exciting. And the best part? You get to balance cultural enrichment with pure, unadulterated fun.
So, buckle up (literally – we're talking about day trips, after all). We're about to embark on a journey that will transform your Parisian family vacation from great to absolutely unforgettable. Ready to explore? Let's go!
Day Trips From Paris with Kids for Family Fun
Disneyland Paris
Let's kick things off with a bang – or should we say, with a sprinkle of pixie dust?
Disneyland Paris is the stuff of childhood dreams, and better yet? It's just a 40-minute train ride from the city center. This magical kingdom is for the kid in all of us!
The iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle stands tall, beckoning you to explore the five immersive lands that surround it. For the little ones, Fantasyland offers gentle rides like "It's a Small World" and "Peter Pan's Flight." Older kids and thrill-seekers will get their adrenaline fix in Discoveryland with Space Mountain or in Frontierland with Big Thunder Mountain.
But here's a pro tip: to maximize your time and minimize tantrums (both kids' and adults'), download the Disneyland Paris app for real-time wait times and use the FASTPASS system for popular rides.
When hunger strikes, you're in for a treat. From quick service spots like Casey's Corner (hello, hot dogs!) to themed restaurants like Bistrot Chez Rémy (where you can dine in a giant version of Remy's restaurant from Ratatouille), there's something to satisfy every palate.
And don't forget to book a character dining experience – watching your child's face light up as Mickey Mouse stops by your table is priceless!
Palace of Versailles
From one palace to another – but this time, we're talking real royalty.
Versailles Palace family tours provide an immersive learning experience, allowing children to walk through the pages of French history and understand the opulence of the monarchy. But before you start worrying about your kids being bored, rest assured that Versailles can be a playground for young imaginations!
The Hall of Mirrors, with its 357 mirrors, is a particular hit. Challenge your kids to count them all (spoiler: they probably won't succeed, but it'll keep them occupied for a while). Or play a game of "spot the difference" with the intricate ceiling paintings.
Outside, the gardens are a world unto themselves. Rent bikes or an electric cart to explore the vast grounds – it's much more fun than walking, and little legs will thank you. On weekends from April to October, you can catch the Musical Fountains Show, where the gardens' numerous fountains dance to classical music. It's a spectacle that will enchant visitors of all ages.
To make the visit more engaging for children, consider downloading a kid-friendly audio guide or joining a family tour. These often include interactive elements and stories that bring the palace's rich history to life.
Like upscale travel? A day trip to Provins medieval city can also offer families an educational journey back in time, where children can learn about medieval life, architecture, and traditions in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Giverny and Monet's Gardens
A visit to Giverny Monet's Garden offers a unique opportunity for children to learn about Impressionist art in situ, seeing firsthand the landscapes that inspired Monet's famous works. This charming village, located about 75 km from Paris, is like stepping into one of Monet's paintings — which, in a way, it is!
Monet's house and gardens are the main attraction here. The gardens, split into a flower garden and a water garden, are a riot of colors and scents that change with the seasons. The famous water lily pond, with its Japanese bridge, is straight out of Monet's most recognizable works. It's like a real-life "I Spy" game – challenge your kids to find elements from Monet's paintings in the actual gardens.
After exploring the gardens, you and your family can head to the nearby Musée des Impressionnismes. It often has kid-friendly exhibits and activities that can help young ones appreciate art in a fun, interactive way. When it's time for a break, the village of Giverny offers several charming spots for a family picnic or a leisurely lunch at a local café.
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Parc Astérix
If your kids have had their fill of art and history (or if you have), it's time to inject some high-octane fun into your trip with a visit to Parc Astérix (or the Americanized Asterix Park). The park combines entertainment with education, introducing children to French history and mythology through interactive experiences based on the beloved comic book series.
Located about 35 km north of Paris, Parc Astérix is a celebration of French culture and humor. The park is divided into six worlds, each representing a different historical period or theme from the Astérix comics. From the Gaul village to Ancient Greece, from the Roman Empire to Egypt, there's a new adventure around every corner.
Thrill-seekers will love rides like the "Goudurix," a roller coaster with seven loop-the-loops, or "Tonnerre de Zeus," one of the largest wooden roller coasters in Europe. For younger children, there are gentler attractions like the "Petit Train" or the "Hydrolix" water ride.
But what sets Parc Astérix apart is its emphasis on shows and entertainment. The "Gaulois-Romain Stadium” is where you can watch hilarious reenactments of battles between the Gauls and Romans. The dolphin and sea lion show is another crowd-pleaser that will have your kids oohing and aahing.
Another spot to check out: Loire Valley castles with families also provides an interactive history lesson, allowing children to discover Renaissance architecture, royal lifestyles, and the stories behind these magnificent structures!
Château de Fontainebleau
Often overshadowed by Versailles, this castle actually predates its more famous cousin by several centuries and has been home to French royalty from the 12th century right up to Napoleon III.
What makes Fontainebleau particularly appealing for families is its more relaxed atmosphere compared to Versailles. The crowds are smaller, allowing for a more leisurely exploration of the castle's 1500 rooms and 130 acres of parks and gardens.
For kids, the highlight is often the throne room, where they can imagine themselves as kings or queens of France. The Chinese Museum, with its exotic artifacts, is another favorite. To make the visit more engaging, consider renting an HistoPad – a tablet that offers an augmented reality experience, allowing visitors to see how rooms looked in different historical periods.
Outside, the gardens offer plenty of space for kids to run around and burn off energy. The large carp pond is a hit with children, who can feed the fish (bring some bread!). For a real treat, rent rowboats and explore the pond from the water.
After exploring the castle, take some time to wander through the charming town of Fontainebleau. With its quaint streets and local shops, it offers a glimpse into authentic French small-town life – a perfect contrast to the grandeur of the château.
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