Photo Essay: Paris is Paradise for Kids

- SUBSCRIBE
- ALREADY SUBSCRIBED?
BECOME A BONJOUR PARIS MEMBER
Gain full access to our collection of over 5,000 articles and bring the City of Light into your life. Just $60 a year.
Find out why you should become a member here.
Sign in
Fill in your credentials below.

“Le Petit Prince” themed carousel in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones
Editor’s note: Have you read Adam Gopnik’s Paris to the Moon? The New Yorker writer’s book of essays is a thoughtful memoir about an expat adapting to life in the City of Light, in which he also shares personal anecdotes about family life, raising an infant son in a new city where old-fashioned carousels are wildly entertaining. From the boats on the pond at the Luxembourg gardens to these magical manèges, Paris is truly a wonderful place to raise little kids. Here we illustrate some of the joys of Paris for children– as captured by photographer Virginia Jones. There’s a Natural History Museum, pony rides in Paris parks, rides in the Jardin d’Acclimatation (Napoleon III’s “amusement park”), chocolate goûters, and more. Enjoy!

Fun playgrounds in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones

Art installations in the Palais Royal, a veritable playground for kids. Photo: Virginia Jones

Exploring the Natural History Museum in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones

The Gallery of Evolution at the Natural History Museum, Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones

Riding ponies in the Luxembourg Gardens. Photo: Virginia Jones

Sandbox in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones

Rides in the Jardin d’Acclimatation, Napoleon III’s amusement park. Photo: Virginia Jones

Many different types of manèges, or carrousels, in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones

Exploring the bridges over the Seine in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones

Festive Christmas shop windows in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones

A merry-go-round near the Eiffel Tower. Photo: Virginia Jones
Lead photo credit : "Le Petit Prince" themed carrousel in Paris. Photo: Virginia Jones