Our Favorite Non Tourist Activities in Paris

by Jason Carlton

My wife and I were in Paris recently and even though we did not have the kids with us, we were scoping out things that we thought the kids would enjoy. Most families will want to do the common touristy things – like the Louvre, Versailles and the Eiffel Tower (which are all great), but here are a few other non tourist activities in Paris that shouldn’t be missed. 

A Cooking/Baking Class in Paris:

Paris cooking class family vacation

We took a class on how to cook macarons. There was a family there, too – two adults, two kids. We all enjoyed the class and were able to each do our part. The kids were included in every element of the process. 

Le Grevin Wax Museum

We had a lot of fun at the wax museum. There were opportunities to snap a selfie or grab a prop for a photo with the Sun King, Nicholas Cage, Le Petit Prince and several others. The only downside to this one – you may not recognize many of the wax figures because they are French. But there are enough in there that you’ll likely recognize to make it worth a visit.

La Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint)

I’ve been to the U.S. Mint in Philly and loved it. But the Paris Money Museum blew that one out of the water. There were interactive exhibits – even allowing guests to stamp their own coin. There were machines to explore and even live demonstrations of smelting and metalwork (though you have to be there on the right day and time to see those). It’s just the type of museum that would likely interest a kid in picking up coin collecting.

The Gardens around Paris

We enjoyed the Jardin de Tuileries and the Jardin de Luxembourg. One of the coolest parts were the kids who would rent a little sailboat from a nearby stand and play with it in one of the open ponds. It was really fun to watch the kids – and I was half tempted to rent a sailboat myself and play with it. But I chickened out!

ChocoStory Paris

It’s a chocolate museum where you can not only learn about the history of chocolate, but they have stations with unlimited chocolate samples. Don’t worry, after eating a few of them, you’ll be good for a bit. They also have a little demo to show you how they make chocolates. In the basement there is an Eiffel Tower made out of chocolate, as well as an Arc de Triomphe. Grab an activity book at the front desk and find the Playmobile characters and clues to put the stickers in the right place, then on your way out, turn it in to get a little prize (it’s not grand, so keep your expectations low).

Overall, Paris was an amazing destination to explore and one I look forward to bringing my kids back to once we’re able to afford seven round-trip tickets from Salt Lake City to Paris. 😉 I hope you have added some non tourist activities in Paris to your itinerary!

Popular Reads
boy with his dad pointing Baldlands National Parat
5-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Badlands National Park

Gather your family together for a memorable meander through the jetting, dusty rock formations sprawled across Badlands National Park! Located Read more

A family of three stands together enjoying a view of Sedona's iconic red rock formations on a sunny day.
Exciting 5-Day Sedona Itinerary For Families

Planning a Sedona itinerary for families is a great way to ensure that everyone enjoys their time in this beautiful Read more

Burj al Arab in Dubai surrounded by water
Our Exciting Family Vacation to Dubai and Abu Dhabi​

Recently, we visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi with our family, including a toddler and two teenagers. We went during Ramadan Read more

family of five in Nohoch Mul Playda in Mexico
A Guide to Climbing Nohoch Mul with Kids

To climb, or not to climb Nohoch Mul with kids, that is the question! While many Mayan pyramids in the Read more

Thanks for reading!

Love our content?

Stay in the know by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.

Immerse yourself in a world of limitless exploration by joining us on Instagram at families.love.travel.

Join our vibrant Facebook community, "Families Who Love to Travel," (where family travelers like you can ask for advice and share tips with other families!).

Plus, you can read our latest articles by following our Facebook page.

Shop for Family Travel Memorabilia on Shop Families Love Travel.

Latest Articles

Child hiking trail through Yellowstone National park.

How to Plan a Yellowstone National Park Family Vacation

Everyone knows that Yellowstone National Park makes for a classic family vacation. Strolling the boardwalks...

Read More...
A family of five stands on a sandy beach on a sunny day in Turks and Caicos.

Best Beaches® Turks and Caicos Review By A UK Family

Beaches Turks and Caicos may not seem like a typical vacation destination for a UK...

Read More...
Three children swimming in blue water in Cayman Islands.

All About the Cayman Islands With Kids: Important Information You Need to Know

If you’re traveling to the Cayman Islands with kids, there’s some important information you need...

Read More...

Travel Gift Ideas

National Park With Kids

Family Travel Tips

A mom holds her infant son on an airplane.

Use These 10 Tips For Your Baby’s First Flight

Families Who Love To Travel contributor Meghan Oaks provides her 10 best tips for your...

Read More...
A young boy plays with legos on his airplane tray table during a flight.

18 Exciting Travel Toys For Young Kids That Will Keep Them Entertained The Whole Trip

When you're planning a family vacation, it's important to pack travel toys that will keep...

Read More...
crusing with baby

Tips for Cruising with a Baby

Cruising is a great option for families with babies who want to relax and not...

Read More...

Families Who Love to Contribute

Our contributors are dedicated to sharing some of the best tips for traveling with children! Often parents recounting first-hand experiences, contributors of Families Love Travel present a unique view on the destinations they’ve visited, the cultures they’ve been immersed in, and the memories that have prevailed to tell the story. We open our platform to anyone interested in contributing to our website (and welcome suggestions on how to make vacationing with kids all the more smoother!) Families Love Travel’s growing community could not be possible without each and every one of you.