Where to Stay in Paris with Kids: Family-Friendly Neighborhoods & Tips You Need to Know
This post is all about where to stay in Paris with Kids and other helpful Paris tips.
Where to Stay in Paris with Kids Table of Contents:
Where to Stay in Paris with Kids
Choosing where to stay in Paris with kids can feel overwhelming. There are so many neighborhoods, so many hotels, and all you want is a place that feels safe, convenient, and family-friendly. I’ll keep this simple and share where we stayed, as well as where I’d consider staying next time, now that we’ve experienced Paris. (And if you need help with family-friendly stays in Italy, read this next.)
The Marais
We chose the 3rd arrondissement, often called the “Upper Marais” or “New Marais.” The broader Le Marais neighborhood spans the 3rd and 4th arrondissements and is one of the best areas for tourists. From here, you can walk to the Seine, Notre Dame, charming cafés, museums, and restaurants for every taste.
We stayed at an apart-hotel booked through Airbnb (see the exact listing below). You can also book directly through their website, Quartier Libre Marais. It gave us the best of both worlds, the privacy of a two-bedroom apartment plus the convenience and security of a hotel reception desk. The staff held our luggage before check-in, and for a small fee, we were able to check in early (2 p.m. instead of 4 p.m.). Also, it’s worth noting that these apartments have central A/C (which worked perfectly), a small gym, and a modern elevator to service all floors.
We arrived around 11:30 a.m., about 10 days into our summer trip, with a mountain of laundry to tackle. Thankfully, the Airbnb had a shared laundry room (two washers and two dryers). We started a load, left the rest of our luggage with reception, and spent the next two hours exploring the neighborhood and grabbing lunch before settling into our room. Truly, it could not have been an easier arrival into Paris.
And multiple balconies with that Paris feel…
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The 6th arrondissement, in my opinion, is everything you picture when you imagine this city—elegant architecture, the lush Jardin du Luxembourg, charming cafés, and all still walkable to the most popular Paris attractions. Ideally situated on the Left Bank of the Seine, it’s an area we kept coming back to again and again. Many of our planned activities were here, including a must-visit stop at the iconic Café de Flore. We loved it so much, we went for breakfast twice. And trust me, the hot chocolate with whipped cream is absolutely divine.
For our next trip to Paris, I have my heart set on the 6th. I’ve been eyeing a few stunning Airbnbs that capture the essence of a true Parisian apartment—soaring windows, wrought-iron balconies, herringbone wood floors, and that timeless charm you can only find here. Yes, it will be pricier than our stay in the 3rd arrondissement, but sometimes the experience is worth the splurge. And in my opinion, the location can’t be beat. The vibe of this area was more laid back and family-friendly compared to the Marais. I guess I’m officially a Left-Banker! Below are a few of the standout places I’ve bookmarked for when we return.
How to Ride the Paris Metro with Kids
We found the Metro to be very easy to navigate, and we probably used it more than we should have. Paris is a very walkable city, so if you are able, walk. But with the kids, we were trying our best to keep the walks short to keep the complaints to a minimum. IYKYK.
When getting around Paris with kids on the Metro, each person will need their own Navigo Pass card. For older teens and adults with an iPhone, it’s even easier—just download the IDF Mobilités app to purchase and use tickets directly from each individual phone. Reloading physical cards is also simple and can be done right from the app. Kids under 10 qualify for half-price tickets, and honestly, no one would have blinked if I had also bought reduced-fare tickets for my 12-year-old. But you didn’t hear that from me.
The YouTube video below really helped prepare me for buying the Navigo passes at the Metro kiosk. It can be a bit stressful at the kiosk, but watch this video and you’ll breeze right through it. And this video also helped me navigate traveling from London to Disneyland Paris via the Eurostar and RER trains.
Useful Apps
Lastly, get the Citymapper app (see below) to help you get from place to place in Paris. I found it more accurate than Google Maps. And when selecting the Metro, it will tell you the best entrance, which line to take, which direction to go, and even the best area of the train to sit. I felt completely safe traveling via the Metro with the kids, but we were not big fans of the RER, which we only had to take to and from Disneyland. It was crazy crowded, and traveling with our luggage wasn’t fun.
Transportation Tip:
If you decide to take a car service while in Paris, book through G7 over Uber. G7 is usually quicker since they can use the bus lanes. So, if you’re worried about traffic and time, book through the G7 app.
In summary…
Whether you land in the buzzing Marais or the dreamy Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where to stay in Paris with kids is the ultimate question. Staying in an apart-hotel or Airbnb has been our best hack for space, comfort, and keeping everyone happy. But here’s the real secret: don’t stress too much about “the perfect” location. Pick a neighborhood you’ll actually enjoy strolling in every day, because that’s where the magic (and the memories) really happen. Croissants, cafés, terraces—and a Paris address that feels like yours for a little while.
