FRANCE: PARIS
SEE
Louvre: Regardless of what the Carter's want us to think, this place is packed with people daily so visit as early in the day as you can! Families with small children will be brought to the front of the line, skipping hours of waiting outside. Find a staff member to be directed to the front, but in our experience, they usually find families first. The crowd in front of the Mona Lisa can/will be nuts and a gross display of humanity, but go anyway!
Update 4/23: There's now a queue to see the Mona Lisa! I love that the Louvre has improved its system...it's so much better now than it used to be with the mob of visitors. Also, skip the line outside of the pyramid and enter through the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall. This will lead you to a quieter and quicker line into the museum. Also, it's indoors!
Musee de L'Orangerie: Beautiful panoramic display of Claude Monet's The Water Lillies.
Versailles: Located about 45 minutes away from the center of Paris, a visit to Versailles should also be done in the morning if possible. Families with small children or expectant mothers can skip the long line in the front and go straight to the front. Breathtaking palace, a must see.
Eiffel Tower: You can take a ride up the tower, but you can enjoy it just as much from the ground (but that may just be my wobbly knees talking!). The Eiffel Tower is especially magical at night when it is lit up with twinkle lights. This happens at dusk at the beginning of each hour, and lasts only a few minutes. Find a spot on the grass in front, or head up to Trocadéro for the best view.
Update 4/23: We weren't able to purchase lift tickets to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but we did purchase tickets to walk the stairs to the second level. It was incredible and I highly recommend it, even over the lift tickets to the very top. It's such a lovely way to enjoy the views and the experience was a 10/10. On the first level of the tower (not ground level), there are little gift shops, cafes, and restrooms. A great waiting spot if you're traveling with people who don't want to climb to the second level. We were surprised to learn that even if you purchase the ticket to climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, you are still allowed to take the lift down the tower after your visit. Loved it.
Trocadéro: The best view of the Eiffel Tower, and a surprisingly great place for photos. The plaza is so large that photographers are often able to snap photos with nobody else in the background. We had our family photos taken here twice, and I can definitely recommend using I Heart Paris to capture your time in Paris. The best and most unique souvenir!
Arc de Triomphe: Also a famous Parisian icon located in the Champs-Élysées shopping district.
SHOP
Champs-Élysées: Find all your favorite stores here, from designer to H&M.
Louis Vuitton Flagship Store (101, avenue des Champs-Élysées): If you are a Louis Vuitton fan, a visit to their flagship store is a MUST! Boasting several levels of goods, you will find everything you need here and will be treated to drinks while you shop. For non-EU residents, make sure you bring your passport so that they can provide paperwork for your VAT refund. Luxury goods in Europe are cheaper, and combined with the VAT tax refund, you can potentially save 30-40% off US prices (click here to read more about how to shop tax free in Europe). I purchased a wallet here that had Champs-Élysées actually printed on it, which makes this one of my most favorite LV items I own!
*There is typically a long queue to enter this store if you aren't already conneced to a sales associate. The store is beautiful and iconic, but if you are short on time, head a few minutes away to the Louis Vuitton on 22 Avenue Montaigne. The associates are so kind and the store is less likely to be packed with tourists.
City Pharma (26 Rue du Four): My favorite store in all of Paris! Stock up on all your favorite French pharmacy finds. Not sure where to start? No worries, I made a shopping list for you!
Update 8/10: I've found a better Pharmacy in Paris! It's quite big and part of a mall, so, unlike my fav City Pharma, there is a comfortable and air-conditioned place for husbands and kids to hang out while you shop. The pharmacy is located at Westfield Forum des Halles. It's still a bit busy (perhaps due to its new-found fame on TikTok), but it's more spacious than the tight aisles of City Pharma and overall offers more options and stock.
STAY
Hilton Paris La Défense: Located in the business district and a little outside of the center of Paris (but right at a metro stop), this hotel is beautiful and has fantastic covered parking if you're traveling by car. Every time we've stayed here the front desk staff has greeted our kids with goodie bags and treats. Very family friendly and across from a mall that has great quick dining options.
Disneyland Hotel: We stayed at Disney when we traveled to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. While it's a bit away from the city center, we knew that it would be clean and safe with adequate space to fit our family of five. The Disneyland Hotel is conveniently located steps away from the park. We loved walking to Main Street in pajamas at night to watch the drone and fireworks show...just magical! The hotel is also a short walk to the metro station, connecting guests to the city center in less than an hour. Tip: Instead of spending exorbitant amounts for breakfast at the hotel, visit the grocery store Auchan at Val d'Europe (one metro stop away from Disney), or grab a quick bite at the station. We love the food options at Pret A Manger and ate there multiple times on our recent trip to Paris.
SAVOR
Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie: My husband and I spent hours trying to find the best place to have a kid-free meal in Paris (thanks mom and dad)! This is a fantastic place, reservations are definitely required as the seating area consists of a few tables inside of a market. I still dream about the foie gras and escargot...incredible!
Update 4/23: Visited again with a party of seven, including three kids. This place is still amazing and the people are so kind. Escargot...yum!!
Angelina: Home of the BEST hot chocolate in the world, Angelina is located near the Louvre and is a great, quick breakfast option to stop at before you head to the museum. When you walk up to Angelina's, you will see a very long line but don't worry! That line is for people dining in the restaurant. If you're short on time, go through the door on the right for treats to-go. They have delicious pastries and macaroons and even have to-go cups for their famous hot chocolate.
Cedric Grolet: If you follow Cedric on Instagram (and you totally should!), you already know about his signature pastries that look like fruits. While you can make a reservation at the Opera location, please note that this location's signature pastry style is flowers and not fruits. Fruits are only available by walk up or click and collect at the Le Meurice location (near the Louvre).
Au Bon Accueil: Wonderful restaurant a few blocks away from the Eiffel Tower. It's small, so make sure you have a reservation. Set three-course meal for around $40.