Yes You Can Travel To Paris With A Baby - Here's How

Paris is a beautiful city that many dream of travelling to. If you are thinking of travelling there, but are apprehensive because of your baby, don’t worry! This guide will help you prepare to travel to Paris with baby.

Paris is my absolute favorite European city, and I’d go back multiple times if I had the chance. We were initially apprehensive about travelling to our dream destination with a baby, but with proper preparation, we were able to make beautiful memories in this city of love.

Preparing for the Trip

Traveling to Paris with a baby requires some preparation beforehand to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your trip.

Choosing Accommodations

When choosing accommodations for your trip to Paris with a baby, consider staying in an apartment instead of a hotel. Apartments offer more space and privacy, which can be beneficial when traveling with a baby. Additionally, apartments often come equipped with amenities such as a kitchen and a washing machine, which can be helpful when traveling with a baby.

If you’d rather stay at a hotel, look for family-friendly or baby-friendly hotels that offer amenities such as high-chairs, cribs, and baby equipment rental services. The hotel we stayed at was First Hotel, which was literally steps away from a train station, a 15 minute walk away from the Eiffel Tower and also had high-chairs and cribs available for use by families with babies. Although the room we stayed at was small, it was enough to accommodate an additional crib and we were also able to stay cool with air conditioning.

Getting Around Paris

Paris has an extensive public transportation system, including the metro, buses, and trains. When traveling with a baby, consider using a baby carrier or a lightweight stroller instead of a bulky stroller. The metro and buses can be crowded, and it can be difficult to navigate with a large stroller.

If you need to use a stroller, consider using an umbrella stroller or a compact stroller that can easily fold up and fit into small spaces. You can also rent a stroller from companies such as Baby’tems, which offers baby equipment rental services in Paris.

This was the stroller we used when we went to Paris, and we had no regrets! It was lightweight, fit the overhead cabin in the plane, and easy to carry up and down stairs in Paris.

Pro tip: If you are going to take a cab to and from your hotel, you don’t need to have a car seat, just make sure that you and your baby are well secured in the back of the vehicle.

Make sure you use a backpack style diaper bag to make it easier to carry your baby and your belongings. We used this diaper bag and we used the stroller straps to secure it on the handles of the stroller. This made it so easy to walk around without having to carry a heavy bag of baby essentials.

Additionally, consider using a backpack diaper bag instead of a traditional diaper bag to make it easier to carry your baby and your belongings.

What to Pack

Don’t leave packing until the last minute if you’re travelling with a baby! Make sure you have a list of things you want to bring, and pack everything a day or two in advance so that you can minimize the change of forgetting things and lower your stress on the day you’re travelling.

With that said, here are essential items you should pack for your Parisian adventure.

Essential Items

Diapers and Changing Pads: Just bring enough diapers for the next few days and buy the rest in Paris. They sell diapers in small packs, so you don’t have to worry about having to buy a big box of diapers when you’re there. I do recommend packing disposable changing pads for easy and hygienic diaper changes on the go.
Formula and Bottles: If you are bottle-feeding, pack enough formula and bottles for your baby’s needs. You can also consider packing a bottle warmer to easily warm milk or formula.
Baby Carrier: A baby carrier is a must-have item for exploring Paris with a baby. It allows you to keep your hands free while carrying your baby close to you. This is especially useful for navigating crowded areas or taking public transportation.
Stroller: While a baby carrier is great for short trips, you’ll also want to bring a lightweight stroller for longer walks or trips to museums or parks.

Clothing and Accessories

Weather-appropriate Clothing: Make sure you look up the weather for when you’re going to be in Paris. Paris weather can be unpredictable, so make sure to pack clothing appropriate for the season. Bring lightweight clothes for summer and warm layers for winter.
Sun Protection: Paris can get quite sunny, so pack a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen to protect your baby’s delicate skin.
Blankets and Swaddles: Pack a few lightweight blankets and swaddles for your baby to use as a cover or to keep warm. They can also double as a cover for the stroller in case your baby falls asleep on the road.
Toys and Books: Bring some of your baby’s favorite toys and books to keep them entertained during downtime.

Eating in Paris with a Baby

Paris has plenty of places to eat at, and many of them accommodate for families with babies.

Restaurants and Cafes

Because Paris is a popular tourist destination, many people speak english so you don’t have to worry about having to translate to order food. Many also have english menus if you ask for it. One tip is, before you go into a restaurant to eat, make sure you ask them if they have a highchair that you can use for your baby.

Most restaurants have outdoor seating so you can eat outside if it’s a nice day. However, many restaurants allow patrons to smoke in the outdoor seating area, so it might be best to ask to be seated indoors especially if you have a baby.

Depending on whether your baby is already eating solids or not, you might want to pack baby food such as purees or baby cereal so that you can easily feed baby no matter what the menu is at the restaurant you’re eating at.

Grocery Stores and Markets

Paris has many grocery stores and markets where you can find baby food. They often sell purees, but it was difficult for me to find rice cereal, so if that’s something you’d like to feed your baby, it might be best to pack one box of rice cereals in your suitcase.

Here are some grocery stores and markets in Paris:

Grocery Store/Market	Address	Features
Monoprix	Multiple locations	Offers baby food and diapers
Naturalia	Multiple locations	Offers organic baby food
Marché Bastille	Boulevard Richard Lenoir	Open-air market with fresh produce and baby food
Marché Raspail	Boulevard Raspail	Open-air market with fresh produce and baby food

When shopping for baby food, make sure to check the labels and ingredients to ensure they are suitable for your baby’s age and dietary requirements.

Visiting Museums and Attractions

Paris is home to some of the world’s greatest museums and attractions, and you might be wondering if it’s possible to visit them with a baby. The answer is yes!

With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy some of the best cultural experiences in the world with your little one. Many attractions also have priority lineups for disabled and parents with young babies in strollers. In this case, having a baby can be beneficial, and it can literally be your ticket to the front of the line!

Here are some tips for visiting museums and attractions in Paris with your baby.

The Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, and it’s a must-visit when you’re in Paris. However, it’s also one of the largest museums in the world, so it can be overwhelming to navigate with a stroller. The good news is that the museum is stroller-friendly, and there are elevators and ramps throughout the building. The Louvre is one of the places where staff will actively look for people in strollers and bring them to the front of the line so you can get in faster (based on our experience, that is).

In terms of touring the Louvre, it’s best to rent an audio tour or download one on your phone. We used the Rick Steves Audio Tour app, and it made us appreciate the art that much more.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and it’s a must-visit when you’re in Paris. However, it can be difficult to navigate with a stroller, especially during peak tourist season. The good news is that there are elevators that can take you to the top of the tower, and strollers are allowed on the elevators. However, keep in mind that there may be long lines, and the Eiffel Tower doesn’t have a ‘priority line’ for patrons with young babies. This means that you will just have to wait like everyone else, so it’s best to plan ahead and arrive early.

Versailles

Versailles is a popular day trip from Paris, and it’s a great place to visit with a baby. The palace and gardens are stroller-friendly, and there are plenty of places to stop and rest along the way. If you visit in the summer, there are plenty of shaded areas where you can lay out a blanket and sit on the grass. We particularly liked sitting in front of the lake and admiring the castle from afar and watching people row their boats in the lake.

While Versailles doesn’t have a priority line for patrons with strollers, you can easily book your entrance ticket for a specific time, so you don’t have to wait in line. There are also elevators in the palace, so it’s easy to go up and down the stairs with a stroller.

While at Versailles, we ate at the Angelina’s Restaurant right inside the palace. The food was fantastic and the servers were very kind.

Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter in Paris is a wonderful place to visit with a baby. This vibrant neighborhood is full of life and energy, and it’s the perfect place to go for a stroll.

The Latin Quarter is home to a number of family-friendly restaurants and cafes, making it easy to find a place to grab a bite to eat with a baby in tow. It’s a beautifully preserved medieval street in the middle of Paris. From cozy bistros to trendy cafes, there is something for everyone in this vibrant neighborhood. Tired of walking through the quarter? Cross the bridge and admire the Notre Dame. You can also look for the ‘center of paris’ plaque on the floor in front of the Notre Dame.

Palais Garnier

While the Palais Garnier in Paris is not typically thought of as a destination for families with babies, there are actually many reasons why it can be a great place to visit with a little one.

First and foremost, the Palais Garnier is a stunning architectural masterpiece that is sure to captivate visitors of all ages, and you can take many beautiful pictures with your little one in this beautiful building. The grand staircase, the ornate ceiling painted by Marc Chagall, and the opulent auditorium are all sights to behold and can provide a visually stimulating experience for you and your baby.

Make sure you opt-in for the audio tours so you can go at your own pace and take plenty of stops so you can capture the moment with your baby. These tours are perfect for learning about the history and architecture of the building.

Other Museums and Attractions

Mommy And Baby In Front of Arc de Triomphe

Paris is home to many other museums and attractions that are worth visiting with a baby. The Jardin du Luxembourg is a beautiful park with a playground and a carousel, and it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. The Jardin des Tuileries is also stroller-friendly and offers a beautiful view of the city. The Centre Pompidou and Musee d’Orsay are also worth visiting, but keep in mind that they can be crowded, so it’s best to plan ahead and arrive early.

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Traveling to Paris with a baby can be a challenge, but with a little bit of preparation and planning, it can be an enjoyable experience for both you and your little one. Here are some tips to help you travel to Paris with a baby.

Using Public Transportation

Paris has an extensive public transportation system that includes buses, metro, and RER trains. While it may seem daunting to navigate with a baby, it is actually quite easy. Most metro stations have elevators or escalators, and many buses have designated areas for strollers. However, keep in mind that the sidewalks in Paris can be narrow and bumpy, so it is important to have a sturdy stroller.

Personally I highly recommend using public transportation, and in particular, the Metro. The whole time we were in Paris we took the metro and never had to hop on a bus. Many take the train with strollers and you won’t feel out of place, plus it’s much more cost effective than other options.

Taking Taxis

Taxis are a convenient way to get around Paris, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with a baby. Taxis can be found at taxi stands throughout the city or hailed on the street. However, taxis can be expensive, so it is important to budget accordingly.

Uber

Uber is widely used in Paris now, and is a convenient way to travel. But just like taxis, many ubers do not have car seats and may be more expensive than taking public transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paris a baby-friendly city?

Paris is a baby-friendly city, with plenty of parks, playgrounds, and family-friendly attractions. However, keep in mind that the city can be crowded, and some areas may not be stroller-friendly. It’s important to plan ahead and be prepared for the city’s unique challenges.

How do you get around Paris with a baby?

Paris has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, metros, and trains. Most stations have elevators or escalators, making it easier to navigate with a stroller. However, some older stations may not be accessible, so it’s best to check ahead of time. Make sure to bring a lightweight stroller that you can carry up and down stairs, as there are plenty of stairs in Paris.

Where to stay in Paris with a baby?

When choosing where to stay in Paris with a baby, consider proximity to family-friendly attractions, parks, and transportation options. Many hotels offer cribs or pack-and-plays, but be sure to confirm this ahead of time. Alternatively, renting an apartment or Airbnb can provide more space and flexibility for families.

What are the car seat rules for taxis in Paris?

In Paris, children under 10 years old are required to use a car seat or booster seat when riding in a taxi. However, taxis are not required to provide car seats, so it’s up to you to bring your own. There are also car seat rental services available in Paris, but it’s best to book ahead of time.

Can you take a baby to Disneyland Paris?

Yes, Disneyland Paris is a great destination for families with babies and toddlers. There are plenty of attractions and shows suitable for all ages. Be sure to bring a stroller and plan ahead for any necessary accommodations.

Should I bring a stroller to Paris?

Yes, a stroller is essential for navigating Paris with a baby. However, keep in mind that some areas may not be stroller-friendly, such as older buildings with narrow doorways or cobblestone streets. It’s also a good idea to bring a lightweight, compact stroller that can easily fold up and be carried on public transportation.

Yes You Can Travel To Paris With A Baby – Here’s How