The best parks in Paris with kids

I’ve always thought London is very green for a major city. But after exploring more than half a dozen of Paris’ parks in two days, the French capital has the edge. Because not only is there plenty of outdoor space for children to burn off some energy, the city has quite a variation among its different jardins.

Along with the formal layout of the Tuileries and Luxembourg gardens, the wilder woods of the Bois de Boulogne and the unexpected river-side sculptures in the Jardin Tino Rossi – all covered in my two buggy-friendly Paris walks – there are animals and amusement parks to be found as well in the best parks in Paris with kids.

Jardin d’acclimatation

Towards the west of Paris, the Jardin d’acclimatation is quite possibly child heaven. Enter at the Porte Maillot metro side and there’s a ‘petit train’ to take you into the park itself with a special trailer for buggies.

Once you’re in there’s everything from vintage-style carousels to rides and small rollercoasters (which need additional tickets), a playground, farmyard animals, a puppet theatre and even a ride on the ‘enchanted river’.

There are also workshops at the Musee des Enfants, some in English, although you’ll have to book ahead. Currently they’re running street art sessions for six to 10-year-olds, for example. In between there’s crepe and snack stalls to keep you going, plus plenty of green space to run around in.

Need to know: Entrance costs 7 Euros and children under three are free, or you can buy passes including attraction tickets

The train needs one attraction ticket (or an unlimited pass) and is free for infants under 80cm. It only runs at weekends and holidays, so it’s worth checking before you go.

Jardin des Plantes

Paris’s botanic gardens include a series of different themed sections along with several small playgrounds, the Natural History Museum and a small zoo – so you can wander tree-lined avenues, look at formal gardens, explore greenhouses, marvel at roses or even explore one garden designed for birds and bees (the literal kind) at the Jardin des Plantes.

And the menagerie is ideal for younger kids. Originally a home for Marie Antoinette’s collection of animals after the French Revolution, the focus these days is mainly on smaller animals and birds – fortunately, as space is limited, although there are ongoing attempts to modernise the enclosures as far as the listed buildings allow.

Home to nearly 2,000 animals and insects, there are separate monkey and reptile houses, parrots and birds of prey galore plus a few larger cats, including a prowling panther which did leave me feeling slightly uncomfortable as it paced back and forth.

In the cold of February, the porcupine was wisely tucked away and the red pandas curled up together but everything from flamingos to yaks (via foxes and and ostriches) was out enjoying a spot of winter sunshine.

Need to know: Entry costs 13 Euros, or 10 Euros for children aged four to 16. Under-fours are free. Open daily between 9am and 5pm in winter, with longer hours during spring and summer.

Check out my two buggy-friendly walks of Paris as well, which takes you through some more of the best parks in Paris with kids

Images copyright MummyTravels

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