Paris is full of cultural treasures, but not all of them are equal when you are accompanied by young children or demanding teenagers. Whether you’re looking for a museum in Paris for a first visit or a hidden gem, here is our selection of the best cultural outings for your family.
Top 5 museums in Paris: The Must-sees
A must-see for a first visit: discover the mythical Parisian museums with tours adapted to the youngest.
Guided tours: The stress-free family experience
Don’t lose your children in the corridors anymore: enjoy our fun guided tours designed to captivate young and old.
Which museums for teenagers in Paris?
For your teenagers, bet on the unusual and the immersive. Here are the most “Instagrammable” and captivating spots in the capital.
Exhibitions in Paris
In addition to the permanent collections, discover the current temporary exhibitions not to be missed with your children.
Unusual museums: Get off the beaten track
From magic to the sewers of Paris, discover original museums that will surprise the whole family.
Art, in all its forms
From painting to sculpture, your children will discover art, painting techniques, or even the great masterpieces!
Science to learn and discover
Manipulate science experiments in these interactive locations.
History and Heritage
Explore the history of France in these fascinating places. To revise your history and geography program while having fun
Free museums and cultural tips
Enjoy a Parisian museum adapted for children at no cost thanks to the free permanent collections and access under 26 years old.
- The Carnavalet Museum (3rd)
- The Museum of the Prefecture of Police (5th)
- The Musée du Petit Palais (8th) (museum of fine arts from Antiquity to the end of the nineteenth century)
- Museum of Modern Art in Paris (16th)
- The Museum of the Liberation of Paris – General Leclerc Museum – Jean Moulin (14th)
Practical Museums
Access, strollers and services: all the information you need for a serene visit to a museum in Paris with children.
Birthday: treasure hunts in museums for your children
What could be better for a child than to have fun while learning! This is the successful bet of these fun, interactive treasure hunts at the Louvre, the Cluny Museum, the Cité de l’Architecture or the Carnavalet Museum.
All year round in Paris
Beyond the museums, Paris offers a thousand activities. Check out our guides for family fun, no matter the season.
Paris and its museums, it is difficult to choose as the cultural offer is so rich! Indeed, there are more than 200 museums in Paris. There are several ways to visit museums in Paris: independently, with or without an audio-guide, on a group tour with a tour guide, by privatizing a guided tour. Schoolchildren, leisure centres, youth associations and rallies can also privatize visits to many museums in Paris.
But we also have a soft spot for all the museums on a human scale such as the Picasso Museum, the Orangerie or the Rodin Museum , which are very pleasant to see with the family.
Not to mention the science museums that will fascinate your children such as the Cité des Sciences or the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution which are in our top 5 Parisian museums to see with the family. For the little ones, the Musée en Herbe is a little wonder. Interactive, the works are exhibited at children’s height.
The Cité des Enfants at the Cité des Sciences is the science museum especially for children, from 2 years old. The museums of Paris are open at night on certain nights of the week (it is often less crowded). Finally, good to know: some Parisian museums are free all year round as well as on the 1st Sunday of each month.
Questions
All museums are interesting with teenagers. The 3 major museums are a must with teenagers: the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou… (Do not spend too much time on it at the risk of boring them if they are not demanding). With teenagers, we also recommend the following museums: the Musée de l’Armée – Invalides, the Cité des Sciences, the Grévin Museum, the Museum of the Great War in Meaux, Paradox Museum (very fun), the Museum of the Prefecture of Police
Our suggestions for nice museums with children: the Museum of Magic (one of our favorites), the Museum of Illusion (one of the most fun), the Science Experiments scientific trail (very instructive), the Museum of Budding (a very small museum dedicated to young children), the Museum of Hunting and Nature (yes! We won’t think about it, but it’s a museum that we recommend with children), the Musée de l’Orangerie (and its Water Lilies rooms) ideal for introducing impressionism to children, the Chocolate Museum,
The major national museums are free for children and teenagers. They are even generally free for those under 26 years old, who are EU nationals
Ideally 6-8 years old. But there is no age limit for being interested in Art. The earlier we take them to a museum, the more we arouse their curiosity and interest in culture. Many museums offer booklets for children and organize workshops around the exhibitions. Targeted labels for young people are offered during temporary exhibitions. The Musée en Herbe is aimed at children from 3 years old. At the Cluny Museum, the Louvre or the Hunting Museum, we offer guided tours for 3-6 year olds.
Yes! It is even free for minors and under 26 years old from the EU.
– The City of Science and Industry : A paradise for curious children, with interactive exhibitions.
– The Grévin Museum : To meet wax celebrities.
– The Museum of Magic : For a magical moment with the family.
– The Musée en Herbe : A place designed for children, with fun exhibitions.
– The Natural History Museum: With its large gallery of evolution, children will be amazed.
Yes, absolutely. The Musée en Herbe and the Children’s Gallery at the Centre Pompidou are excellent examples. In addition, many major museums such as the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay offer tours and workshops suitable for families.
– Choose museums with interactive exhibits.
– Take part in workshops or guided tours specially designed for families.
– Plan regular breaks and moments of relaxation.
– Adapt the duration of the visit to the age of the children.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book tickets online, especially during school holidays or weekends, to avoid long queues.
Yes, some museums are free all year round, such as the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, the Petit Palais and the Musée Carnavalet. In addition, many museums offer discounted rates
for families or free for children.
The Banksy Museum (Street Art), the Museum of Arts and Crafts, the Paradox Museum (original and above all very instragrammable), the Musée de l’Armée – Invalides (if they like history) or the Cité des Sciences for the curious and passionate about science.
– Choose museums with stroller-friendly spaces.
– Bring snacks and drinks.
– Bring games or books to keep the kids busy during wait times.
– Bring a baby carrier if your child is small.