Paris Family Holiday Guide
A Paris family guide
Thanksgiving in Paris sounded a little unconventional, especially because Thanksgiving is my husband's favorite holiday. The solution? We celebrated over dinner at Breakfast in America, then enjoyed the best of Paris dressed for Christmas.
We traveled as a family in November 2025, with two boys who were 10 and 16. Finding experiences that could interest both ages, while still feeling special for the adults, was part of the fun. We made macarons and personalized fragrances, sampled food in the Latin Quarter, explored the Louvre and visited the Eiffel Tower summit. The Christmas markets made the city feel especially festive.
I've also included my family's actual hotel experiences, especially Hôtel du Louvre, my personal favorite, and SO/ Paris, where we stayed for Thanksgiving. For 2026 travelers, I've added current market dates, booking links and family logistics so you can make this holiday season your own.
Affiliate & booking disclosure: This guide includes affiliate links for tours. If you book through one, I may earn a commission. Hotel bookings through my Curated by Collins portal may also generate a travel advisor commission. Your final price, inclusions and cancellation terms are provided by the booking supplier.
01 / The family story
Thanksgiving, Paris-style
A little taste of home, in the middle of Paris
My husband loves Thanksgiving, so spending the holiday in France called for a creative compromise. We went to Breakfast in America, an American-style diner, for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a small family tradition in a completely different setting, and that's what makes the memory so good.
The city was already decorated for Christmas. There were beautiful lights, the weather was cool enough for a coat, and we could build our days around museums, food, shopping and festive stops without making the trip feel rushed. I love Paris any time of year, but this trip showed me how lovely it can be for families in late November.
02 / Holiday magic
The Paris Christmas markets we recommend for families
The Tuileries Christmas market was part of our own November trip, and it's a particularly easy match for children. It mixes festive chalets and seasonal food with fairground-style attractions, making it a fun afternoon or evening even when family members have different interests.
Our family visited
La Magie de Noël at the Tuileries
2026–27: November 14 – January 3
Right beside the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this is a family-friendly Christmas outing with wooden chalets, seasonal snacks and attractions. Its central location makes it easy to pair with the Louvre, the gardens or holiday shopping.
Admission to the market area is generally free; individual rides and experiences may have separate charges.
A second market to consider
Paris La Défense Christmas Market
2026: November 12 – December 31 (traditional market)
With more than 350 chalets advertised for 2026, La Défense is a bigger, livelier option. Older children and teens may enjoy the food stalls, entertainment and skating area. The separate Sommet festive zone continues through January 3, 2027.
It's outside the historic center and easily reached on the RER A. Check official hours.
Dates checked November 4, 2026. Opening hours and activities can change. Paris tourism's Christmas market guide has seasonal updates.
03 / Firsthand activities
Seven Experiences We Enjoyed as a Family
These recommendations come from trips we took together, including our Thanksgiving 2025 visit. Where I've linked a guided tour, I identify whether it's the actual experience we booked or a family-friendly option for planning a similar day.
01 / A hands-on family favorite
Make macarons with a Paris pastry chef
Our macaron class was one of those experiences that gave everyone something to do. We worked through the steps of making a classic French treat and had something delicious to bring away from the workshop. It's an engaging option for families who enjoy learning together.
Family booking tip: We attended in 2025 with our 10-year-old. Le Foodist currently lists its regular small-group classes for ages 12 and older and offers private classes for families with younger children. Confirm the right format before reserving.
02 / Creative and personal
Create your own fragrance at Molinard
This one came from the family: everyone wanted to make a scent of their own. At Molinard, we explored fragrance notes and blended personalized perfumes, each with a different result. I love experiences that let children and teens express their own taste, and the finished fragrance makes a wonderful reminder of Paris.
What to book: The linked Classic Workshop is approximately one hour and includes a 50 ml fragrance. Molinard also offers other workshop formats for different ages.
03 / Taste your way through the city
Take a Latin Quarter food tour
A food tour is one of my favorite ways to introduce children to a neighborhood. Rather than only seeing historic streets, you experience Paris through its bakeries, cheeses, pastries and food traditions. We took a Secret Food Tours experience in the Latin Quarter / Notre-Dame area, which turned an ordinary sightseeing afternoon into something delicious.
Family tip: Come hungry and share any allergies or dietary needs with the provider when booking.
04 / A museum with something for everyone
Explore the Louvre at your family's pace
We returned to the Louvre during our Thanksgiving trip, and this photo is from that winter visit. The museum is enormous, but its collections give every age something to discover, from ancient history to iconic paintings.
We also enjoyed the Louvre's Studio, a family discovery space with creative activities and room to take a break. The museum currently describes free, short drop-in workshops for ticket holders, in French.
How to plan: If you'd like a more structured experience, I've linked a private Louvre tour specifically designed for families. It's a recommendation for readers, rather than a tour we booked on our visit.
05 / The classic Paris view
Visit the Eiffel Tower summit
We went up to the Eiffel Tower summit on our own, rather than with a guided tour. My son took this photo of me during our visit, which makes it especially personal.
For families, the summit is memorable because it lets everyone see the city from a completely different perspective. For a holiday-season visit, late afternoon can offer daylight views and the beginning of the evening lights, depending on your reserved time and weather.
Booking tip: Choose a ticket that explicitly includes the summit. Official elevator tickets are typically released up to 90 days before the date.
04 / Putting it together
A five-day family holiday itinerary
This is how I'd arrange a similar trip today, using the experiences we've enjoyed. It's a suggested plan, rather than the precise order of our family vacation.
Arrive & settle in
Check into your hotel, take an easy neighborhood walk and enjoy a relaxed dinner.
The Louvre & Tuileries
Explore highlights of the Louvre and its Studio, then enjoy the festive Tuileries market.
Make something
Spend time at a macaron class and Molinard fragrance workshop, with a café stop between.
Food & neighborhoods
Explore the Latin Quarter with a food guide, then spend the afternoon shopping or walking.
Eiffel Tower finale
Reserve the summit, leave time for photos and enjoy one final festive Paris evening.
For a Thanksgiving trip, plan your family meal on the holiday itself; specific tour dates and opening hours may call for a different sequence.
05 / Curated family stays
Where to stay in Paris with kids
Rooms can make or break a family trip. Paris is filled with beautiful hotels, but layouts vary widely. These three choices serve different family needs, and I've stayed at the first two.
My personal favorite / Stayed on our first Paris family trip
Hôtel du Louvre, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Of all the family hotels we've experienced in Paris, Hôtel du Louvre is my favorite. I love the mix of a historic building and fresh, modern interiors. The service was exceptional, but one detail made it personal: when we celebrated my son's birthday, the hotel left cupcakes and a balloon for him. It's the kind of thoughtful hospitality that stays with a family.
The location is outstanding, directly across from the Louvre and close to the Tuileries, shopping and the Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre Métro station. The hotel's official Family Room offers adjoining King and Twin bedrooms for up to four, while its Family Corner Rooms offer three connecting bedrooms for up to six.
- Daily breakfast for two guests
- Welcome letter and welcome amenity
- Property credit, with value determined by the eligible program
- Priority consideration for upgrades and requested arrival/departure times
Availability and benefits depend on the specific rate and booking program. Room configuration should be confirmed before the reservation is finalized.
Explore Hôtel du Louvre in my booking portal
Our Thanksgiving 2025 hotel / Stayed here
SO/ Paris
SO/ Paris was our home base for Thanksgiving. We had a spacious King room connecting directly to a Twin room, a setup that gave everyone more space while keeping our family together.
The hotel's contemporary style made it feel like a very different side of Paris from Hôtel du Louvre. It sits close to the Seine and within easy reach of Le Marais, Place des Vosges and Métro connections.
SO/ Paris also publishes connecting-room and two-bedroom options. Request your family's preferred bed configuration when booking.
Limited-time offer · Book by November 11, 2026
Stay Longer, Enjoy More
Enjoy a complimentary third night on eligible stays of three consecutive nights or longer at SO/ Paris.
Eligible travel: October 26, 2026 – March 31, 2027.
Booking window: September 12 – November 11, 2026.
Available on selected dates, subject to eligibility and availability. Ask me to confirm the offer and applicable rates before booking.
Curated recommendation / Best for larger families
Hôtel Astra Opéra
This is an especially interesting option for larger or multigenerational groups. The hotel's four-bedroom family configuration accommodates up to eight guests, with two Double rooms and two Twin rooms linked by a private corridor.
It also has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and hammam. The location near major transit, department stores and the Opéra neighborhood is convenient for holiday shopping and getting around Paris.
This four-star hotel is a curated recommendation rather than a property I've personally stayed in. There are currently no special booking perks confirmed through my portal.
Explore Hôtel Astra Opéra in my booking portal06 / Family dining
Where we ate and what we'd recommend
Part of traveling with children is having a mix of special meals and easy options. These are the stops from my original family trip notes, from neighborhood favorites to the American diner that became our Thanksgiving compromise.
Breakfast in America
Our Thanksgiving stop, with familiar diner comforts and a little taste of home.
Vins des Pyrénées
A classic Marais bistro, appealing when the adults want a traditional Parisian dining atmosphere.
Chez Hanna
A Rue des Rosiers falafel favorite for a casual and satisfying meal while exploring the Marais.
Saveurs de Pain
A neighborhood bakery for croissants, baguettes and an easy breakfast or snack.
Aux Merveilleux de Fred
The signature meringue-and-cream pastry is lovely, and watching the pastry chefs work adds to the experience.
XV Burger
A relaxed burger option for a night when everyone wants something familiar.
Lulu Crêperie
Made-to-order savory galettes and sweet crêpes at the Marché des Enfants Rouges.
Restaurant opening days and holiday menus can change. Book ahead for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining when reservations are offered.
07 / Family logistics
Practical tips that make Paris easier
Getting from the airport
Official Paris taxi fares for direct trips between the city and its main airports are fixed by which bank of the Seine your hotel is on. These are the 2026 fares:
| Airport | Right Bank | Left Bank |
|---|---|---|
| CDG | €56 | €65 |
| Orly | €45 | €36 |
All three hotels featured here are on the Right Bank. SO/ Paris is just north of the Seine in the 4th arrondissement. For a family with lots of luggage, a prearranged private transfer can be a comfortable alternative.
Official 2026 taxi fare source. Airport rail tickets cost €14 at the full 2026 fare.
Using the Métro with kids
Use the official Île-de-France Mobilités app to plan routes and buy eligible tickets, or load tickets on a Navigo Easy card at a station. Each traveler needs their own phone ticket or physical pass.
For 2026, a standard Metro-Train-RER single ticket costs €2.55. Select the correct line and direction, tap in at the gate, and keep your ticket or card ready for inspections. Strollers are easier to manage when they're compact and lightweight, since stations often have stairs.
Room layouts matter
Parisian hotel rooms can be compact, and occupancy rules vary. We appreciated connecting rooms because they gave our family privacy as well as convenience.
For your own family, compare the exact room category, bed sizes, connecting doors, number of bathrooms and whether the hotel can confirm the configuration in advance.
Dress for market evenings
Late November and December can feel chilly when you're standing around outdoors. We like layers, gloves, comfortable walking shoes and a small hand warmer for the Christmas markets.
Mix outdoor activities with indoor breaks, whether that's a warm café, a workshop or time at the hotel pool.
VAT refunds on holiday shopping
Visitors who normally reside outside the EU may qualify for a VAT refund on eligible purchases. Ask participating shops for the tax-free documentation and validate the PABLO form when leaving the EU, before checking in items customs may need to inspect.
A VIP airport upgrade
For families who want extra assistance, I can help arrange airport Meet & Assist services where offered. Options may include a personal greeter, help through arrival or departure formalities, and an escort to transportation.
Participating lounge access and executive chauffeur services are available only in conjunction with Meet & Assist. Availability and the use of priority lanes depend on the airport.
08 / Make the trip your own
Ready to plan your family's Paris holidays?
I've gathered family-friendly experiences in one place, so you can compare the available tours and choose the activities that fit your children's ages and interests. For hotels, I can help you make sense of the room layouts and confirm the amenities that matter most.
My curated Paris family list
Explore the experiences in one place
Macaron classes, museums, food tours and other ideas for a family trip to Paris.
Curated by Collins
Your family. Your Paris.
Whether you're planning a Thanksgiving getaway, a winter birthday celebration or Christmas in Paris, I can help pair thoughtful experiences with family accommodations that make the trip feel easy and special.
Travel planning, curated hotels and memorable experiences / Curated by Collins
Travel details checked November 4, 2026
Seasonal dates, opening hours, fares, family policies and amenities may change. The most useful official resources are the Paris tourism market calendar, Île-de-France Mobilités fares, Hôtel du Louvre rooms, SO/ Paris room layouts and Hôtel Astra Opéra room listings.