The sun is beaming down on the capital and a festive atmosphere is sweeping the Paris region, inspiring us to take advantage of the great things to do in Paris. The kids are out of school, and the whole family is out and about, enjoying the Parisian summer to the full. There's no doubt about it, the spirit of the summer vacations has well and truly taken hold of Parisians for a day and for ever.
Summer in Paris plunges us into an atmosphere of Dolce Vita, and the capital vibrates to the rhythm of numerous events for young and old alike. So here you are, in search of the best plans for family outings and memorable moments with your children. And just in time,summer promises to be full of great events! With theme parks, green walks, fun exhibitions, festivals and other surprising concepts, there's plenty to do to make the most of your summer vacations in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.
To help you find your way around, we've put together a roundup of the not-to-be-missed family outings in Paris this summer. Here you'll find all the must-sees of the moment, as well as a host of suggestions for a great vacation with the kids in the capital. And don't forget to stay tuned: this guide is updated as we make announcements and discoveries, so don't forget to check back regularly for new outing ideas!
L'Hippodrome en famille: free weekend events for children in 2024, in Paris
From March 31 to November 17, 2024, it's possible to take the whole family to the racecourse! Every weekend, France Galop offers pony christenings, sack races, lots of horse-related discovery games, and for parents, horse races at Ile de France racecourses. [Read more]
La Mer de Sable 2025: new attractions in the Ermenonville forest (60)
La Mer de Sable, this lovely children's amusement park, awaits you once again for the 2025 season. Come and experience the gold rush, take on the cowboys, sail on the wild river, cross the suspension bridge and even take a pony ride with your children aged 2 and over. Here's the program! [Read more]
Winnoland, the Essonne theme park and its new Wild West Coaster attraction for 2025
Winnoland, formerly Babyland-Amiland, the human-sized amusement park in Essonne, is set to reopen for its 18th season on April 5, 2025. Now the most visited amusement park in the 91 region, it has plenty to delight families in search of entertainment. Once again this year, the park is renewing itself with a new attraction: the Wild West Coaster. [Read more]
Roissy Meaux Airshow 2025: an aviation event not to be missed
The Roissy Meaux Airshow returns to the Meaux-Esbly airfield on Sunday July 6, 2025. After the cancellation of the 2024 edition due to unfavorable weather conditions, this new edition will put the spotlight on women. Ticketing is now open. [Read more]
Japan Expo 2025 at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, dates and tickets
Japan Expo, the European festival dedicated to Japanese culture, is back in summer 2025! See you at the Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, from July 3 to 6, 2025. Tickets are now available. [Read more]
L'Été du Canal 2025, the must-see summer festival on the canals of Paris
L'Été du Canal is the must-attend summer event in Paris! And the good news is that this Parisian summer hotspot is back from July 5 to August 10, 2025. On the program for this 18th edition: free workshops, floating concerts, street art, open-air cinema and strolls along the canals. [Read more]
Les Grandes Eaux Musicales du Château de Versailles 2025: a poetic stroll not to be missed
The Grandes Eaux Musicales and Jardins Musicaux at the Château de Versailles return to embellish the garden's basins and fountains for a new season. From April 1 to October 31 2025, enjoy strolls around the estate's groves and fountains in a magical atmosphere worthy of Louis XIV. [Read more]
Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes 2025 at the Château de Versailles: illuminated fountains and fireworks!
Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes will take place in 2025. The program includes a sublime nocturnal stroll through the gardens of the Château de Versailles to admire the illuminated fountains and a sublime fireworks display. Saturday evenings from June 7 to September 20, 2025. [Read more]
La Sérénade Royale 2025 at the Château de Versailles, an immersive journey through the court of the Sun King
The Sérénade Royale is one of the highlights of the summer in the Paris region. This immersive experience takes us back to the court of the Sun King, where we discover the leisure activities of the era. The Chapelle Royale, the Galerie des Glaces, the Grands Appartements du Roi et de la Reine and the Cour Royale unveil historic scenes with baroque dancers, sword fights and even theatrical skits. Saturdays from June 7 to September 13, 2025, as well as July 14 and August 15, 2025. [Read more]
What to do with teenagers in Paris this summer 2025? Our must-do outings with grown-ups
Summer vacations are approaching, and whether you're planning a family trip to Paris or live nearby, the question of teens-friendly activities always arises. So, here are our teens-friendly outings in the capital! [Read more]
Le square de la Jungle: a playground that makes you feel like you're in the heart of the savannah, in Puteaux (92).
Enter the heart of the jungle, without even leaving the outskirts of Paris: head for the magnificent Square de la Jungle and its children's playground in Puteaux, for a family break all year round! [Read more]
Good plan for families: free creative workshops every Sunday at Fluctuart
It's the place to be for families and, above all, for children: every Sunday, Fluctuart offers workshops for kids, to introduce them to urban art. [Read more]
Naturoscope, the free museum of biodiversity and its large aquariums, in Puteaux (92)
On the island of Puteaux, in the heart of the Parc Lebaudy, you'll find Naturoscope, a place dedicated to the environment that aims to raise awareness among young and old through educational exhibitions and events. [Read more]
The Boom Boom Villette kids club: free entertainment for children every Saturday and Sunday
Every Saturday and Sunday, from 12pm to 4pm, Boom Boom Villette, the brand-new foodcourt in the 19th arrondissement, offers free entertainment for children in its kid-friendly area. [Read more]
Free guided tours for children at the National Assembly
Having already opened its doors to the public, the National Assembly continues to invite citizens to discover this mecca of democracy, from an early age, with a dedicated children's trail! [Read more]
Le Jardin du Dragon: the must-see children's playground at Parc de la Villette
The Parc de la Villette is one of the capital's largest parks: combining sport, large lawns and ruby-red infrastructures, the park is the playground of families and children, who have a blast in the outdoor play areas. [Read more]
Reopening of the Bourdelle Museum: the current workshops for children
It's all new and beautiful: the Bourdelle Museum has just reopened its doors on March 15, 2023, after nearly two years of work. What if we went to discover it with the children around a playful and creative workshop? [Read more]
25 of the most beautiful villages and walks to discover near Paris, nuggets in Ile-de-France
Escape around Paris with these 25 must-see getaways less than 100 km from the capital. [Read more]
Partir en livre 2025: date and theme of this major children's book festival
The great festival of children's books returns in 2025 for its 11th edition on the theme of animals! The Partir en Livre festival runs from June 18 to July 20, 2025, and features writing and drawing competitions, walks, exhibitions, meetings and other surprises! [Read more]
Ganesh Festival in Paris 2025: discover the date of the next parade
The annual festival of the elephant god Ganesh in Paris's 18th arrondissement returns on August 31, 2025. On the program: religious celebrations and a colorful parade. [Read more]
Square René-Viviani and its flowering trees, the unusual garden with the oldest tree in Paris
Located just a stone's throw from Notre-Dame de Paris, Square René-Viviani offers a unique bucolic setting in the heart of the capital. With prunus blossoms heralding spring and a robinia tree planted in 1601, the oldest in Paris, this confidential garden is a veritable bubble of greenery steeped in history. [Read more]
Jardins du monde en mouvement 2025: free botanical & artistic festival at Cité Universitaire
Join us at the Cité Universitaire de Paris from April 30 to September 28, 2025, to discover the five ephemeral gardens selected as finalists in the "Gardens of the World in Motion" competition. On the program: free poetic strolls through the creative green landscapes that have sprung up in the Cité's immense grounds. [Read more]
Behind the screen, the making of animated film: free exhibition at Le Lavoir numérique
Le Lavoir numérique reveals the secrets of animated cinema in a free exhibition on view from March 7 to August 17, 2025. [Read more]
Women's Rights Day: a Paris stroll in the footsteps of women who made history
To mark International Women's Rights Day, take a stroll around Paris in the footsteps of the great female figures who left their mark on history, and discover the important places in their lives. [Read more]
A dream destination for two: a magnificent trip to the Fontainebleau region
Sponsored - Treat yourself to a romantic break in the heart of spring in the Pays de Fontainebleau, less than an hour from Paris. The Pays de Fontainebleau invites you on a gentle getaway, where the lush nature of the Fontainebleau forest blends with the elegance of the imperial town and the charm of the artists' villages. From flower-filled residences and authentic alleyways to soothing landscapes, every corner of this exceptional place promises a true escape. [Read more]
Interactive stroll in the forest of Méridon: "Mélida's tale, the spirit of the forest" in the Yvelines department
We're taking you to the Forêt de Chevreuse for a family-friendly stroll through the Forêt de Méridon. Discover two nature trails, accessible via an app or a booklet-game, that plunge you into a fantastic tale or an original forest exploration. A fun experience for the whole family or for adults. [Read more]
Free Harry Potter and My Hero Academia events in shopping malls
From February 2025 onwards, shopping centers in the Paris region will be offering free, immersive family events in the worlds of Harry Potter and My Hero Academia! [Read more]
The Denecourt trail to the Denecourt Tower in Fontainebleau, the historical walk
We take you back in time to the forest of Fontainebleau in Seine-et-Marne with the Denecourt-Colinet trail no. 2, a signposted route lasting around 1h30. This historic trail combines rocky landscapes, fountains and artistic curiosities, all the way to the mythical Tour Denecourt. Did you know? Denecourt was the inventor of the world's first signposted trails in the Fontainebleau forest, and the forerunner of green tourism. [Read more]
The Pernod Ricard Foundation: a free art venue to promote young contemporary artists
The Fondation Pernod Ricard has been waiting for you to fill up on contemporary art, free of charge since May 19, 2021. A facility just a stone's throw from Gare Saint-Lazare that offers exhibitions by young artists, lectures, workshops and debates. [Read more]
Grandeur Nature II: the contemporary art exhibition in the gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau
From May 25 to September 21, 2025, take a stroll through the gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau and discover the works on display. The Grandeur Nature contemporary art trail is back for a 2nd summer edition, free of charge. [Read more]
The Glasswalk at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, the hot photo spot under the store's Cupola
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann unveils the Glasswalk, a 9-metre-long glass walkway on the 3rd floor of the Coupole store, suspended 16 metres above the ground. Perfect for an unforgettable shot, this spot offers a unique perspective on 120 years of history. A must for lovers of architecture and quality Instagram spots! [Read more]
Square Sainte-Odile, a small wooded park with a pirate playground in the 17th arrondissement
Adjacent to the church of Sainte-Odile, known for its neo-Byzantine architecture, the eponymous square offers a bucolic stroll with, as a bonus, a beautiful playground for children. [Read more]
The Hôtel de Soubise, a remarkable setting for the French National Archives
In the heart of the Marais district, discover a private mansion and its hidden garden, home to the Archives nationales and a free museum open to all. A chance to admire the sublime architecture of the Hôtel de Soubise! [Read more]
If, with all that, you don't know where to go out with the kids this summer, you haven't looked hard enough, so take another look! Have a great summer in Paris!
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