What to Do on a Rainy Day in Paris with Young Kids

Is traveling to Paris with toddlers and preschoolers the worst idea ever, especially in the spring and fall when the city gets the most rain? Mais non! With advance planning (we can help!) and a few indoor attractions at the ready when the weather (or a tantrum) threatens, Paris with younger kids can be just as dreamy a location as it is with older children.

Trust us, you’ll be glad you said “Oui!” to the chance to visit Paris with little ones, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Indoor Paris Activities with Babies and Toddlers

A rainy day in Paris can be a real bummer. Take it from me, I’ve done it, and the first time we were not prepared. As new parents, we should have known that when traveling with a baby or toddler, it’s wise to have a list of indoor activities available. On our return trips, we have gathered a slew of great options that even Parisian parents appreciate.

Cité des Sciences

At the Cité des Sciences, La Villette (Science Museum), you’ll find La Cité des Enfants, a dedicated section for children ages 2 to 7. You and your kids can experience five different zones:

• I Discover Myself
• I Can Do
• I Locate Myself
• All Together
• I Experiment

Note that guests visit La Cité des Enfants in scheduled 90-minutes sessions. The museum recommends that you focus on one or two areas only, as time is limited.

We highly recommend advance booking, especially during France’s school holiday periods. Remember that La Cité des Enfants is just a small part of the museum; there is plenty of fun for older children and families who want to explore after their pre-booked session in the baby and toddler area.

Ages: 2 and up

Le 104 and La Maison des Petits

Le 104, an artistic place that organizes exhibitions, performances and has a great bookshop, café and restaurant, also houses La Maison des Petits (House of Children). Created by acclaimed French industrial designer Magali Crasset with unique shapes, colors, materials and light, you’ll find a place for “listening, speaking, meeting, using art and play,” as described on the 104 website.

La Maison des Petits is only open during select hours but has free access (no booking necessary). Space is limited, so try not to visit on weekends and school holidays when it may be more crowded.

Ages: under 6, accompanied by an adult

Le Forum des Images

Le Forum des Images is a kid-friendly movie theater where you’ll find films you cannot see elsewhere — artistic films, limited run films, independent animated shorts, etc. Le Forum des Images has a dedicated section on their site for children and regularly suggests specific films for kids age 2 and up.

Ages: 2 and up; note that films are only in French, not English.

Grandes Serres at the Jardin des Plantes

The greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes have been open to the public for almost 400 years, and it’s the perfect spot to warm up when it is cold and raining in Paris. We love to go to these beautiful, family-friendly greenhouses when we need a little nature in the city and want to wow the kids with colorful plants and crazy flowers.

Four greenhouses are accessible to visitors:

• Tropical Rainforest Greenhouse, the hot and humid atmosphere of an imaginary tropical forest
• Desert and Arid Land Greenhouse, dedicated to the adaption of plants to dryness
• New Caledonia Glasshouse, with plants from New Caledonia
• Greenhouse of the History of Plants, a walk through time and the evolution of botanical species from 430 million years ago to the present

You can also duck into the Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée (Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy) to see the dinosaurs; the Grand Galerie de l’Evolution (National Museum of Natural History); and the Galerie de Geologie et de Mineralogie (Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology).

If the sun pokes out, visit Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, the zoo of the Jardin des Plantes, which is housed in the same complex.

Ages: all ages

Cineaqua (Aquarium Paris)

Located in the Jardin du Trocadéro facing the Eiffel Tower, Cineaqua (Aquarium Paris) is perfect for babies who can’t quite track animals in the zoo yet but can easily spot the fish swimming around them. Families with toddlers might need to pack a snack, as your kids will never want to leave the shark tunnel. Visitors can enjoy 43 aquariums (including a gigantic one!), the aforementioned shark tunnel, a touch pool, shows and more.

It’s a great place to go before or after experiencing the views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower. Playing in nearby Champ de Mars is a fun way to round out the day, especially if the weather lets up.

Ages: all ages

Atelier des Lumieres

In an age of technology, when our toddlers already know how to unlock our phones, mixing a little art and tech can be a relief for many parents. At Atelier des Lumieres, art comes to life through projections on the walls with which your children can interact as you walk around.

Like similar exhibits in the U.S., this indoor venue hosts displays that allow you get up close to Van Gogh’s paintings or ancient screen prints from Japan, and also to wander through the lives of the Egyptian Pharaohs.

Ages: all ages

Wander the Covered Passages of the 2nd Arrondissement

Take a stroll through the many covered passages of the 2nd Arrondissement on the Right Bank, starting at Passage du Grand-Cerf. The high glass ceilings will protect you from the rain, let in some natural light, and you can let your toddler walk or simply look around at the shops and cafes, all while being protected from the elements.

There are plenty of off-the-beaten-path places to visit even on a rainy day in Paris. You don’t need to drag your young children on a sightseeing mission around the many tourist attractions or limit your time to Disneyland Paris, although a day trip there is sure to please.

With so many museums (the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay are always worth popping into with kids) and a cafe culture perfect for sitting and enjoying a hot coffee or glass of wine while the baby naps, there really isn’t a reason not to visit Paris with young ones.

Relevant links:

Browse all accommodations and activities in Paris on Ciao Bambino

52 tips for traveling in France with kids

Guide to visiting Paris with toddlers

Paris with kids: Guide to the 8 central arrondissements

Insider guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower with kids

Camille Spanjaard, founder of baby’tems, contributed to this article. 

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.