Planning a trip to Paris with teens in tow? Here are 12 awesome activities and experiences you can do with your teens in Paris to ensure your trip is fun and memorable!
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1. Visit Historic Landmarks
No trip to Paris is complete without visiting a few historic sites. How many you visit is another matter entirely! Some teens will be super into these sites. Others lack this fascination! Try to gauge your kids’ interests in advance so you know how many of these things to put on your schedule. Here are a few historic sites in Paris that might appeal to your teens:
- Sainte-Chapelle – this exquisite Gothic chapel was built in the 13th century and features stunning stained glass windows. It’s a very Instagrammable!
- Notre Dame – this famous Gothic cathedral was completed in the 14th century and should reopen later this year after being repaired from a fire that occured in 2019. Until then, you can tour the Archeological Crypts on site.
- Eiffel Tower – this iconic tower was completed in 1889 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
- Arc de Triomphe – located in the heart of Paris, this monument was built in the early 19th century to celebrate Napoleon’s military victories.
- Place de la Concorde – this public square is where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and others were beheaded by guillotine during the French Revolution.
- Hôtel National des Invalides – pay your respects at Napoleon’s tomb and marvel at the gold dome on this building that was built as a hospital and retirement home for veterans in 1674.
- La Conciergerie – medieval royal palace where prisoners were kept during the French Revolution.
- Palais Garnier – tour or take in a show at this opulent opera house dating from the late 19th century.
- Panthéon – this historical mausoleum contains the final resting place of many famous French people including Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Marie Curie.
- Hôtel de Ville – this stunning building dates from the 19th century and serves as the seat of the French government.
2. Appreciate Fine Art
Paris is chock-full of art museums and other art experiences your teens will love! Of course you must visit the Louvre. It is one of the largest art museums in the world located in a 12th century royal palace. Not only are there paintings and sculptures, there are also elaborate period rooms. The museum contains over 380,000 works of art spanning from the ancient civilizations to the 19th century. Lore says that it would take 100 days if you spent 30 seconds looking at each piece of art it holds.
Other Art Museums
There are plenty of other fantastic art museums in the city as well:
- Musée d’Orsay – dedicated to art of the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements.
- Centre Pompidou – largest museum of modern art in Europe.
- Musée Rodin – showcases the works of sculptor Auguste Rodin.
- Petit Palace – has a large collection of European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts.
- Le musée du quai Branly – dedicated to art from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs – focused on decorative art including fashion, textiles, jewelry, glassware, etc.
- Musée Marmottan-Monet – has a large collection of Claude Monet’s works.
- Musée de l’Orangerie – contains Claude Monet’s water lilies series and other Impressionist works.
- Musée de Cluny – dedicated to art and artifacts from the Middle Ages.
Interactive Art
Teens will love experiencing art in an entirely new way at the Artelier des Lumières digital art display. This unique venue combines projections of images and animations of renowned artists with carefully curated soundtracks to create an immersive experience.
Interested in learning about French culture from not-so-famous artists? Then take a street art tour to see the murals and graffiti throughout the city. This is a great way to explore neighborhoods that aren’t on the common tourist paths! Better yet, learn how to make it your own street art through this graffiti workshop.
3. Explore Diverse Museums
If your teens aren’t into art, don’t worry. There are still plenty of interesting and diverse museums to visit in Paris. Here are a few options:
- Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie or Le Palais de la découverte – these science and exploration museums offer hands-on exhibits on physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry and more. The former is large and covers a broader array of exhibits and activities while the latter is small and provides a more focused exploration of topics.
- Musée des Arts Forains – this unique museum features fairground objects, rides, games, and other artifacts dating from the 1850s to the 1950s.
- Le Musée de l’Armée – this museum is in the Hôtel des Invalides and focuses on the military history of France.
- Le Musée de la Magie – dedicated to the history and art of magic and illusion.
- Le Musée d’Histoire Naturelle – this natural history museum has a large collection of specimens, fossils, minerals, and taxidermy animals and is adjacent to the Jardin des Plantes.
- Musée des Égouts de Paris – AKA the sewer museum showing the evolution of the city’s sewer system over the years; make sure to visit when they are offering an English tour.
4. Enjoy Nature
Paris is famous for its many gardens. Historically, taking a turn in a Parisian garden was a must for those in high society to see and be seen. And you never have to go to far to find one! Dating from the 16th century, the Jardin des Tuileries is located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. It’s a great place to enjoy a picnic on a day you are visiting these sites.
The Jardin du Luxembourg features French formal gardens and terrific views of the Luxembourg Palace and Panthéon. The park features many water features, including the Medici Fountains and Fontaine de l’Observatoire.
The Jardin des Plantes is part of the the Le Musée d’Histoire Naturelle and features exhibits on paleontology, mineralogy, geology, botany, and evolution. There are three gardens featuring alpine flora, roses, and 17th century medicinal plants. It also has one of the oldest zoos in the world.
Another place for animal lovers to visit is Aquarium de Paris with over 10,000 fish and other forms of marine life.
5. Experience Quintessential Paris
Montmartre is the historic hub for artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse, and others. Visitors today enjoy its maze of streets filled with artists, shops, and cafes. Want a one of kind of piece of art to remember your Paris vacation? Look no further than here!
Stop by Sacré-Coeur Basilica, a stunning example of 19th century Roman-Byzantine architecture that offers panoramic views of Paris from its dome. The famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show plays nightly at 7 p.m. It’s a bit edgy but appropriate for most teens. And teens in Paris will definitely want to take some photos of the Sinking House for Instagram!
6. Be Spooked!
Visiting the Catacombs with teens in Paris is a must-do. These artfully designed displays of actual human bones were created when they were moved to underground tunnels due to cemetery overcrowding in the 18th century. While the passages cover about 200 miles, you only visit a short portion on your tour. But it’s still amazing to see all of those remains in one place!
Love the Catacombs? Then experience more of the darker side of Paris with a guided tour of Père Lachaise Cemetery. Some notable people who rest here include Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frédéric Chopin. You can also opt for a ghost tour of the cemetery.
Spooks are not just in cemeteries in Paris! Take a city-based walking ghost tour to hear the history and stories of all of the hauntings that take place.
7. Do Something Experiential
Teens get tired of just looking at stuff, so do something experiential when you are in Paris! Here are a few ideas:
- Make your own French perfume.
- Take a cooking class and learn how to make french pastries, macarons, crepes, chocolates, and more!
- Design your own hat at a Parisian atelier.
- Create your own custom denim jacket with a French designer.
8. Shop ‘Til You Drop
Many teens will dream of shopping at the high-end and designer stores along the most famous street in Paris, the Champs Elysees. You can visit Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Apple, Adidas, the Disney Store, Gap, and more! Want more shopping? Try the Forum Des Halles shopping mall. It has a variety of shops, a cinema, and dining options.
9. Take a City Tour
Early in your trip, make sure to take some sort of tour of the city. There are many great options for your tour. Free Tours by Foot offers plenty of great options covering the entire city. Another great option is a bike tour by Fat Tire Tours.
But if your teens whine about exercise, you can take a hop-on/hop-off bus tour. Or you can explore the city via a Segway tour. Another non-cardio option is a Seine River Cruise for great views of Paris from the water.
10. Watch a Football (Soccer) Game
If you are traveling from September-May, watch the Paris Saint Germain football team play at Parc des Princes. This professional football club is one of the most successful in their league and has won several domestic cups.
11. Get a Birds-Eye View
Your teen will adore any of the many opportunities to get a birds-eye view of Paris! Here are some great options:
- Eiffel Tower – this is the tallest structure in Paris at 1.083 feet high.
- Arc de Triomphe – this 164 foot arch gives you views of Paris that include the Eiffel Tower.
- Ballon de Paris Generali – this tethered hot air balloon reaches maximum height of 492 feet.
- Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre – situated atop Montmartre hill, this 272 foot tall church offers splendid views from its dome.
- Montparnasse Tower – this skyscraper is 689 feet tall and offers an observation deck to see the view.
- Panthéon – this building has a dome that contributes to its 272oot height and providing panoramic views of the city.
12. Venture Out on a Day Trip
The best way to truly appreciate a country is to get outside of the major cities and see the countryside. There are a lot of charming towns and awesome sites worthy of a day trip from Paris. Here are some great options:
- Disneyland Paris – the happiest place on Earth has a home in a suburb about 45 minutes outside of Paris city center.
- Palace of Versailles – only one hour outside of Paris via public transportation, this beautiful chateau features lavish gardens, brilliant interiors, and fantastic works of art.
- Loire Valley – located about 2.5 hours from Paris, the Loire Valley is known as the “Garden of France. ” It features magnificent chateaus including Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, and Château de Villandry. Scenic landscapes are abundant, including charming villages, rolling vineyards and lush greenery.
- Giverny – about 1.5 hours from Paris lies Claude Monet’s Home & Gardens. See the gardens that served a a backdrop for his famous paintings and pay your respects at his grave.
- Mont Saint Michel – about 4 hours away from Paris on the coast of Normandy is this abbey perched on a rocky island surrounded by ocean water.
- Beaches of Normandy – about 4 hours away from Paris you can see the five beaches where the largest seaborne invasion in history occurred on June 6, 1944. The landing of the Allied forces at Normandy was a turning point for World World II. Also visit the American Cemetery and Memorial to remember the soldiers that fell that day.
Which of these activities in Paris would your teen like best?
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