Hello from Spain! This is our third summer spending a month in Europe and once again, we are having the best time. But, before we arrived in Spain, we kicked off our European adventure with a few days in Paris! JB and I visited the city of love 13 years ago and it was so special to have John and Wes with us this time. Today I’ll be sharing what we did, where we ate, how we traveled, and where we stayed. Although we went during the week, these recommendations would be perfect for a weekend in Paris! And if you’re traveling abroad, be sure to also check out my Europe packing list!
Planning for a Weekend in Paris
When we traveled to Europe last summer, we started the trip with a couple of days in Lisbon, followed by Marbella and London. We really enjoyed exploring these areas. We also loved how it helped us get acclimated to the time change before the boys started their summer immersion school. So, when we started planning this year’s trip, we asked the boys where they’d like to kick it off. Luckily, they both had the same destination in mind – Paris! Their main wishes were to see the Mona Lisa and the Eiffel Tower.
We booked flights for our Europe trip back in January. However, I didn’t start planning until maybe 10 days before the trip. This felt very similar to not planning anything for a Disney trip too far in advance. A bit worrisome, but in both circumstances it always seems to work out! Except for one dinner reservation, Madame Brasserie. If you’re planning for a weekend in Paris, you’ll want to book that one 90 days in advance. Keep reading to find out why!
Beating Jet Lag
One of the questions I’m often asked is how to handle jet lag with kids. First off, I think it depends on the child’s age. My boys are 8 and 10, so our plan this year was to have them stay up as late as possible. My other recommendation is to get outside and go for a walk upon arrival. Everyone needs fresh air after a long flight. It’s especially helpful during this time of year because it stays light outside for so long. Additionally, I recommend adding on an extra day to your weekend in Paris, if possible, to help adjust to jet lag.
Our flight from the US arrived in Paris around 3 pm. We dropped our bags at our Airbnb, ate crepes, got groceries, unpacked, and walked to grab a quick dinner. We all lasted until 8:30 pm Paris time and didn’t wake up until 8 am the next morning, ready to take on the day!
Weekend in Paris: Day One
On our first day in Paris, we took it easy in the morning, relaxing around our Airbnb. Then, we met up with some friends who were also in Paris!
An Outdoor Lunch
I looked up “kid friendly nice spots near Luxembourg Gardens” and Treize au Jardin popped up. So that’s where we went! Funnily enough, it’s a French take on Southern US food, so the kids felt right at home. We ate outside and the weather was perfect. The staff was kind to all of our kids and the food was delicious. If you visit this restaurant during your weekend in Paris, definitely get the sampler!
Luxembourg Gardens
After lunch, we walked over to the Luxembourg Gardens. JB and I visited these gardens 13 years ago and I can vividly remember us saying that when we had kids we would bring them here someday to do the toy sailboats! It’s six euro for 30 minutes and all four of our kids had a blast. Each child gets a toy sailboat from a different country and they were all so into it! My kids would still be there if they had the option and both asked to do it again for the two following days. Not only did we love watching the kids have so much fun, but the gardens are lovely. This area truly is a must if you’re spending a weekend in Paris!
Le Bon Marché
After the gardens, I suggested we go to Le Bon Marché. This was the first department store in the world and it is an unreal shopping experience! As we were walking toward Le Bon Marché, we stopped at the playground for the kids to run around. It’s a couple of euro to go inside the playground, but they have clean bathrooms (which is a shortage in Paris) and it’s all fenced in. Then, we got our shopping on! This is another destination that my kids asked to go back to the next day – the toy section is pretty incredible. After Le Bon Marché, we headed home to change for dinner.
Dinner at Madame Brasserie
My friend Mary (who shares wonderful travel content) highly recommended that we dine at Madame Brasserie. She also shared that we needed to make the reservations 90 days in advance. So JB scheduled an alarm on his phone for 90 days out to ensure we got our reservation. If you plan a weekend in Paris, you will want to do the same!
We met back up with our friends for dinner and the entire experience at Madame Brasserie was wonderful. The restaurant is on the first level of the Eiffel Tower and it’s a prix fix menu. A huge bonus to dining here is that your meal comes with a “fast pass” to go up the Eiffel Tower! After eating, we ended up visiting with our friends on the Eiffel Tower’s lawn until it started twinkling (11 pm). It was such a special night with our friends, one that we will never forget!
Weekend in Paris: Day Two
Seine River Cruise
The next morning, we went on a Seine River Cruise with Le Bateau. The boat was beautiful, the snacks were delicious, and my kids are still asking for mango juice! I loved hearing from the owner, Clement, all about the history of Paris through the eyes of the river. We really loved this experience and I would highly recommend this tour for a weekend in Paris!
Favorite Meal in Paris
After the river cruise, we took a TukTuk to Angelina for hot chocolate. Heads up, TukTuks are expensive here, so make sure they give you a price before you get on.
Next, we headed back to our Airbnb, relaxed, and got ready for dinner at L’accolade, which was nearby. It was storming that night, so we were looking for a restaurant that was within close proximity. We ended up having our favorite Paris meal here, taste-wise. The food was outstanding and the restaurant is even Michelin rated!
Weekend in Paris: Day Three
Montmartre
On our final morning, we explored Montmartre, which is a stunning large hill full of things to see. We took a Montmartre tour by the Mary Poppins of Paris, Zoë from Petite Guide, and we all enjoyed it! Zoë made the tour fun and educational. She also did a great job keeping the kids moving along the steep climb. I’m no Paris expert, but when we go again, I’ll book Zoë first!
We had lunch in Montmartre, but unfortunately, I forgot to get the name of the restaurant. I really loved this whole area. It’s very charming and feels more like a small village than a bustling Paris. If your schedule allows, I would definitely add this stop to your weekend in Paris itinerary.
The Louvre
Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Louvre! After Montmartre, we headed there via the metro. My biggest tip for the museum is to be sure to reserve your tickets in advance. And even then, you’ll have to wait, unless you get a special tour.
So to quickly recap, there are three things you will want to book in advance for a weekend in Paris – a meal at Madame Brasserie, a tour with Zoë, and tickets for the Louvre!
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Paris
Unsurprisingly, there are tons of lodging options in Paris. We opted to stay at this Airbnb and had a great experience. We thought it was so charming and it had a good amount of space for the four of us. It’s in the 15th, so lots of walking and metro-ing around.
How We Got Around
For the majority of this trip, we rode the metro. We did take a couple of Ubers here and there. And for getting from and to the airport, we used a car service.
Paris Family Vacation
Spending a few days in Paris was such a wonderful way to kick off our summer in Europe! We’re now exploring a few different cities in Spain before the boys start their Spanish immersion school. So keep checking back because there’s a lot more Europe content to come!
For additional European travel inspiration, be sure to check out my posts on Lisbon, Marbella, and London. You also won’t want to miss out on my Europe packing list!
