Are you planning a family trip to Paris with your kids in 2024, but looking for activities to occupy your children? The Olympic Games were a huge hit this summer and the city really set itself up to host families. Now that the Olympics are over, there are still so many things to do in paris with children – and I’ve rounded everything up in the post below!
We’ve actually just returned from a family trip with the kids to Paris, and GG and TJ absolutely loved it! I was surprised at how much there was for them to engage with given they’re so little (GG is 10 months and TJ is 2.5).
But there were also some challenges with the city and getting around with two little ones – which I’ll cover below. But if you’re there with the little ones this year, you’re guaranteed to have the best time with your little ones in the City of Light.
My guide combines recommendations for indoor and outdoor activities, keep both children and adults happy and entertained whether you’re visiting Paris with the kids in Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter!
Here are the places I’d recommend visiting to make your Paris 2024 Olympics family trip truly golden… no pun intended 😉
Table of Contents
1. Adventures at The Olympic Village
First things first, let’s focus on the heart of the action – the Olympic Village.
The Olympic Village officially opens on Thursday 18 July, and can be found on the banks of the River Seine in the north of Paris. The Village is going to provide accommodation for most of the athletes competing at the Olympic Games, and there’s going to be a heaps of different activities you can take part in around the village:
- Explore the Olympic Village: Take a stroll around the perimeter of the Olympic Village. While you can’t enter the athletes’ living quarters, you’ll feel the electric atmosphere and are quite likely to spot some sports stars!
- Visit the Olympic Museum pop-up: Cool off and learn about Olympic history at the special pop-up museum. Interactive exhibits will captivate kids and adults alike.
- Participate in “Try Olympic Sports” sessions: Many of the sports venues offer the opportunity for visitors to try out Olympic sports, which is very cool! Try your hand at archery, fencing, or table tennis. Perhaps you might spot a talent with your kids and have the next Olympian on your hands!
2. Spend a Day By The River Seine
The River Seine is the lifeblood of Paris and a primary venue for the 2024 Olympics. There are so many activities you can get involved in along the riverbanks over the olympics”
- Watch the rowing: Cheer on the best rowers in the world as they go for gold! The atmosphere for rowing is truly incredible, and given the course is 2km long, its definitely a sport where you can really soak up the Olympic atmosphere outdoors.
- Take a family-friendly river cruise: Rest your feet while seeing Paris from a new perspective. Many cruises offer special Olympic-themed tours during the games.
- Explore the Musée d’Orsay: Finish off your day with some world-class art. The Musée d’Orsay can be found directly beside river, on the left bank of the River Seine. There’s an impressionist collection at the museum which is a real crowd pleaser for all ages. AND did you know… the building itself is a former train station!
3. Eiffel Tower and Surrounding Area
It goes without saying that no trip to Paris is complete without visiting the number one iconic symbol of the city – the Eiffel Tower. I’ve been to Paris so many times over the years, but can never leave without taking a trip over to the Tower, to take it all in. It’s just so impressive! Here are my ideas of how to make it extra special for the Olympics:
- Have a picnic at Champ de Mars: This is the large park at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and it’s likely to be a viewing area with big screens for some of the events. You’re well worth packing a picnic blanket, some french bread and cheese (of course!) and soak in the festive atmosphere whilst also having space for your children to run around.
- Climb the Eiffel Tower: Get a bird’s eye view of Paris AND the Olympic buzz. It is absolutely worth being organised for this one and booking your tickets in advance to avoid crazy long queues!
- Visit the nearby Quai Branly Museum: This lesser known museum in Paris is one of indigenous art from around the world. I think that makes it a perfect complement to the international spirit of the Olympics.
4. Louvre And Tuileries
Here we’ve got a day of combining of world-class famous artworks with outdoor fun, in the heart of Paris:
- Another location where you can’t miss when making a trip to Paris is the Louvre. My suggestion is to spend the morning at the Louvre with an Olympics-themed art hunt: Challenge your kids to find artworks depicting ancient Olympic sports or athletes. You’d be surprised at how many relevant pieces of art you find!
- After the Louvre, think about spending the afternoon in Tuileries Garden with outdoor games: Here you’ll be able to rent remote-controlled sailboats at the pond, or enjoy a fairy-tale carousel ride. The play areas in Tuileries Garden are a huge part of the iconic Parisian image. Most of the fun can be found towards the north of the garden, on the side of Rue de Rivoli.
5. Spend an Arty Day With The Kids Around Montmartre
Experience the artistic side of Paris in the wonderful 18th Arrondissement of Montmartre, but let’s add in an Olympic twist:
- Street art tour inspired by Olympic values: Many artists create Olympic-themed murals, particularly in the creative quarter of Paris. Take a guided tour or create your own scavenger hunt.
- Visit Sacré-Cœur and enjoy the view: Climb to the top of the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, and you’ll get to experience such a breathtaking view Paris, lit up by the Olympics rings. No matter what your reason for visiting Paris, this is a top 3 activity to do. The views really are worth it.
6. Combine Sports and Science
Keeping it Olympic, let’s explore the intersection of science and sports:
- Spend the morning at Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie: This science museum often has sports-science exhibits that are perfect for the little ones with their wonderfully curious minds. If you visit their website, there’s a section at the top that gives you a schedule of what’s on today.
- Afternoon at Parc de la Villette: Located in the North-East of Paris, this park is hosting several Olympic events. And all the French Olympic medallists will visit Parc de la Villette from 27 July to 11 August, and the Paralympic medallists from 29 August to 8 September 2024.
- More than 700,000 people are expected at Club France at La Villette to experience the Games together, with more than 300 hours of live broadcasts. Enjoy its unique playgrounds and outdoor spaces between competitions.
- Evening at the Paris Observatory: If open for special Olympic events, stargaze and learn about how ancient Greeks used astronomy to time the original Olympics.
7. A Right Royal Parisian Day Out
Experience Olympic grandeur in a truly royal setting, the Estate of Versailles:
- The Park at Versailles will host the equestrian events and the modern pentathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Even if you don’t have tickets for these events, you can spend a lovely afternoon in the Versailles Gardens. Why not bring along a couple of balls and a frisbee and organise your own mini “Olympic” games with the kids in the gardens?!
- Every evening from 8th June to 21st September, there’s a night show with lights in the fountains and groves of the gardens of Versailles. To close each evening of the Olympics, fireworks will be set off in front of the Grand Canal.
It is worth noting that because Olympic events will be held in the park of the Estate of Versailles, specific areas of the park won’t be accessible to the public like normal.
8. Paris Plages – The Olympic Edition
Who knew that Paris had an urban beach?! Paris Beaches pop up pop up along the banks of the River Seine every summer, and now’s your chance to enjoy them- with an Olympic twist! The riverside completely transforms, with sandy banks, sun loungers, beautiful gardens, and even 3 giant swimming pools! Here are the activities worth checking out at the Paris Plages:
- Beach volleyball: Watch Olympic beach volleyball or even have a match yourself, by playing on the public courts.
- Water sports activities on the Seine: Try your hand at kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
- Visit nearby Petit Palais for an air-conditioned art break: This often-overlooked museum offers a creative, calm and peaceful respite from Paris’ summer heat.
9. Parc Des Princes and Surrounding Areas
This set of activities is one for the sporting fans…
- Watch a football match at Parc des Princes: Experience Olympic football in this incredible and historic stadium.
- Visit the Roland Garros Museum: While not an Olympic venue in 2024, this tennis museum is such a treat for any sports fans!
- Explore the Bois de Boulogne: The Bois de Boulogne is actually the second largest park in Paris, and – interesting fact – it’s double the size of Central Park in NYC! Located on the western edge of the 16th arrondissement. This large park offers a lake with boating, botanical gardens, cycling opportunities, and more. a rose garden, lakes, waterfalls, rose and botanical gardens, the Hippodrome horse racing track, and Roland Garros where the French Open is held! This is a space to definitely add to your itinerary, and you can spend the whole day there for sure.
Your Olympic City Break in Paris With The Kids
With this guide, you’ll be able to blend the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event with the timeless magic of Paris. Remember, Paris will be a lot busier than usual during the Olympics, and the vast majority of tickets and accommodation will be booked up. My advice is to use public transportation to avoid traffic, but I do have a caveat to that… If you have young children, and plan to use public transport- bring a carrier and/or travel stroller.
This is where we found the real challenge with Paris- the vast majority of metro stations are not accessible and you’ll have to go up and down multiple flights of stairs to get around the metro. It was definitely my main pain point of Paris that it absolutely isn’t easy getting around the underground when you have babies and toddlers. That is just a minor hurdle though, and will easily be forgotten once you’re immersed in the buzz and spirit of The Games!
Are you heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics with your family? Which activity are you looking forward to the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!