FAMILY ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY IN PARIS THIS SUMMER

Summer in Paris has that singular charm of great cities that slow down without ever falling asleep. Blond façades catch the light, gardens become open air salons, the Seine reflects golden late afternoons, and children discover the capital as one vast playground for adventure. From the Champs Élysées, Paris can be explored as a family with an almost effortless elegance: just a few minutes are enough to reach a museum, a cruise, a funfair or a green escape.

Here is our selection of family activities to enjoy in Paris this summer, imagined as an elegant local guide: lively, accessible and inspiring experiences to savour between two ice creams, a stroll and a peaceful return to Hôtel Vernet.

MARVEL
at the Jardin d’Acclimatation

Among our favourite addresses for a day out with children in Paris, the Jardin d’Acclimatation remains an essential destination. On the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, this historic park brings together rides, water games, shaded walks and the atmosphere of a Parisian holiday retreat. People come for the attractions, of course, but also for that delightful feeling of having left the city without truly leaving it. And because the Fondation Louis Vuitton is just next door, the outing can easily continue with an artistic interlude in one of the most spectacular cultural venues in western Paris.

This summer, the garden unveils its flower lined paths, play areas and family entertainment, including its new Pirates & Corsaires universe, designed as a life size adventure. The park is especially pleasant in the morning, when the light still filters softly through the trees and younger children can enjoy the attractions before the hottest hours of the day.

SEE PARIS
from the Seine

Some simple experiences remain in the memory for a long time. A cruise on the Seine is one of them. For children, Paris suddenly becomes a picture book: the Eiffel Tower appears around a bridge, Notre Dame takes shape in the distance, and the Louvre passes by like a film set. For parents, it is an opportunity to rediscover the city without a complicated itinerary, comfortably seated as the river carries them along.

Among our favourite addresses, Bateaux Parisiens stands out for its departure point at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, its approximately one hour route and its very smooth format for families, with audio guided commentary and materials adapted for children. For a more playful approach, Vedettes de Paris also offers a family cruise led by a guide specialising in young audiences, ideal for turning the outing into a little Parisian adventure.

In high season, departures are generally very regular throughout the day, making it easy to fit the cruise between two visits, or at the end of the day when Paris takes on its golden reflections. From Hôtel Vernet, the embarkation points near the Eiffel Tower can be reached in just a few minutes: a perfect interlude for admiring the capital without fatigue, to the rhythm of the Seine.

Insider tip: choose an early evening departure. The monuments gradually light up, the quays come alive, and the experience becomes almost cinematic.

STROLL
through the Fête des Tuileries

Just a few minutes from Hôtel Vernet, the Fête des Tuileries captures the most joyful spirit of a Parisian summer. Set in the heart of the Jardin des Tuileries, between Concorde and the Louvre, it brings together rides, sweet treat stalls, skill games and a big wheel with views over the rooftops of Paris. Entry is free and attractions are paid for individually, allowing each family to shape the outing according to the children’s ages and the mood of the moment.

From 20 June to 23 August 2026, this family funfair transforms one of the capital’s most beautiful gardens into a holiday setting. Go for candyfloss after an exhibition, a duck fishing game with the little ones, or simply to look out over Paris from above.

Good to know: the neighbourhood is particularly pleasant in the late afternoon. You can begin with a walk through the gardens, continue with a few attractions, then return to the Champs Élysées for dinner.

EXPLORE ART AS A FAMILY
at the Musée d’Orsay

For a cultural activity in Paris with children, the Musée d’Orsay offers a rare balance between wonder and accessibility. The former railway station, with its immense clock and luminous nave, impresses from the moment you enter. The collections tell stories that children understand intuitively: dancers, landscapes, portraits, scenes of everyday life and vibrant colours.

During the holidays, the museum offers visits and workshops designed for families, with formats adapted to children. Creative workshops allow young visitors to approach the works differently: modelling, observation, imagination and games around the paintings. A beautiful way to introduce children to art without ever making the visit feel static.

Insider tip: book activities in advance and choose a morning time slot. After the visit, cross the Seine to reach the Tuileries or extend the walk towards Saint Germain des Prés.

DIVE INTO THE DEPTHS
at the Aquarium de Paris

In the Jardins du Trocadéro, the Aquarium de Paris offers a refreshing interlude that is especially enjoyable in summer. Behind its monumental tanks, children discover glowing jellyfish, tropical fish, colourful corals and fascinating species in an immersive, almost hypnotic atmosphere. It is an ideal outing when the weather is hot, or when you want to alternate outdoor walks with a calmer, more contemplative activity.

The address is also appealing for its location: after the visit, just a few steps lead to the Trocadéro esplanade and one of the most beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower. The Aquarium de Paris is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on 14 July, with a late opening on Saturdays until 9 p.m. The venue also offers playful activities throughout the year, designed to awaken the curiosity of younger visitors.

Good to know: choose a morning or late afternoon visit, then extend the outing with a walk through the Trocadéro gardens. From Hôtel Vernet, the route is simple and quick, perfect for an effortless family activity.

DISCOVER CALDER
at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

For an artistic experience that is both playful and spectacular, head to the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Until 16 August 2026, the exhibition devoted to Alexander Calder invites children and adults alike into a world of mobiles, balance, suspended forms and colours in motion. It is an ideal exhibition with children: visual, dynamic and almost choreographic.

The visit continues naturally into the Bois de Boulogne or towards the neighbouring Jardin d’Acclimatation, allowing you to create a full day between art, contemporary architecture and nature. The building designed by Frank Gehry, with its glass sails, is itself part of the wonder.

Insider tip: combine the Fondation and the Jardin d’Acclimatation in the same itinerary. It is one of the most beautiful family days out in western Paris.

ENJOY AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
at the Atelier des Lumières

When the Parisian heat calls for a cool and spectacular refuge, the Atelier des Lumières is an ideal address. In a former foundry in the 11th arrondissement, artworks unfold across the walls, floors and volumes in a monumental digital scenography. Children do not need to know how to visit: they step into the image, follow the colours and let themselves be carried by the music.

The experience is especially precious for families, because it makes art immediately accessible. No overly long route, no imposed silence, but a sensitive, living and almost cinematic immersion. Children and adults discover together another way of looking at masterpieces.

Good to know: the Atelier des Lumières presents immersive digital exhibitions in a former foundry dating from 1835. Booking your time slot online is recommended, especially during the summer holidays.

A PARISIAN AND FAMILY SUMMER
from Hôtel Vernet

After a day of discoveries, Hôtel Vernet offers what families often seek in Paris: an elegant, central and peaceful address, just a few steps from the Champs Élysées. From this confidential 5 star house, the great Parisian classics and more local escapes can be reached with ease.

A family summer in Paris is thus lived in perfect balance: the energy of the city, the beauty of the gardens, the magic of the museums, then the pleasure of returning to a hushed atmosphere. A way to discover Paris not as a succession of visits, but as an experience to share, to recount and to prolong.