Exploring Paris with Kids: A Family Tour of the Old Town and Grévin Museum
If you’re visiting Paris with children, finding a tour that balances history, fun, and authenticity can be challenging. This Family Tour of Paris Old Town and Grévin Museum offers a smart mix of sightseeing, storytelling, and interactive experiences, making it a great way to introduce your family to the City of Lights. For $234 per person, you get a two-hour private walk through historic neighborhoods with a guide who’s skilled at engaging kids of all ages. Opt for the 3.5-hour version if you want to include the famous Grévin Museum with its wax figures.
What we love most about this tour is how it combines educational storytelling with playful tasks and riddles, keeping children entertained while you soak in sights like the Conciergerie and the Louvre Pyramid. Plus, the personalized guidance ensures that the tour is tailored to your family’s pace and interests. A minor consideration is that the shorter 2-hour option does not include the museum visit, so if you’re eager to see the wax figures, plan on the longer version.
Ultimately, this experience suits families who want a flexible, engaging, and authentic way to explore Paris’s historic heart without feeling overwhelmed. It’s especially good for those traveling with young children who need a more interactive approach rather than a traditional sightseeing tour.
Key Points
- Private, family-focused approach: The guide customizes the experience for children and parents alike.
- Educational fun: Discover legends, fairy tales, and local history through stories, tasks, and riddles.
- Iconic sights: See the Louvre Pyramid, Notre Dame, Conciergerie, and more.
- Flexible options: Choose between a 2-hour tour or extend to 3.5 hours with museum access.
- Authentic Paris experience: Walk along scenic bridges and view landmarks with historical context.
- Museum visit: The Grévin wax museum is a highlight, especially for younger travelers who love meeting famous personalities.
A Deep Dive into the Tour Experience
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What’s Included and What You’ll Love
This private, family-friendly tour is led by a 5-star guide whose enthusiasm and storytelling skills shine through. The private format ensures your family gets personal attention and a flexible itinerary, allowing the guide to adapt to your children’s curiosity and energy levels. The tour includes tickets to Grévin Museum if you opt for the 3.5-hour version, otherwise, it’s just a walk with plenty of sights and stories.
The price of $234 per person might seem steep, but when you consider the personalized guidance, exclusive access, and engaging storytelling, it offers strong value—especially for families looking to turn sightseeing into an adventure, not just a list of monuments.
The Itinerary: A Walk Through Paris’s Historic Heart
Starting at the Britannique Hotel, your guide will meet you with a friendly smile, ready to introduce your family to the scenic Seine River and its bridges. The tour begins with a stroll along the Pont au Change, where they’ll share stories about the river’s significance and the bizarre tale of the Nile crocodile found in the sewage in 1984. It’s quirky stories like these that keep children alert and amused.
Next, you’ll head to the Fontaine du Châtelet and the Saint-Jacques Tower. Your guide will weave in tales of French revolution events, making history accessible and lively. As you cross the Pont Neuf, the oldest standing bridge in Paris, kids can ponder the amusing legend of the Nile crocodile and marvel at the views of the River Seine.
Once on the Île de la Cité, the birthplace of Paris, you’ll explore the Conciergerie, which once served as a royal palace and prison—famous for imprisoning Marie Antoinette. The guide’s stories about these historic buildings make them come alive, sparking kids’ imaginations about royal intrigue and revolutionary upheaval.
Highlights and Sights
The Fontaine du Châtelet is a lovely spot for photos and a quick story about Parisian life centuries ago. The Saint-Jacques Tower offers a visual connection to the history of Paris’s religious and political upheavals. Crossing Pont Neuf introduces a fun, lively element, especially with the crocodile story. Your family will love the view of Notre Dame, even if it’s just from outside, and the Louvre Pyramid, where your guide will share legends about the mummy Belphegor that is said to haunt the museum.
The 2-hour version is ideal if your children are younger or you want a quick overview, but the 3.5-hour option adds a visit to the Palais Royal and its gardens, plus the Grévin Museum, which kids find particularly engaging because of its lifelike wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters.
More Great Tours NearbyThe Grévin Museum: Wax Figures and Fun
The highlight for many families is the Grévin Museum, where children can pose beside wax figures of famous French personalities like Louis XIV, Napoleon, and Victor Hugo, or fictional characters like the Little Prince. It’s a lively, interactive experience that feels like stepping into a storybook. One review mentions how their kids “loved the chance to take selfies with their favorite celebrities,” which is a fun and memorable part of the experience.
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Practical Tips
- The meeting point is convenient, just outside the Britannique Hotel in central Paris.
- Be sure to check your email the day before for any updates or instructions.
- The tour is private, so it’s perfect for families who want a tailored experience without the crowds.
- Tickets to Grévin are included only in the 3.5-hour option, so if you’re on the shorter tour, plan to buy tickets separately if you want to visit.
- The guide’s language options include English, German, French, Italian, Russian, and Spanish, so you can select the one that suits your family best.
What Can Be Improved?
While the tour offers a lot of engaging content, some families might find the shorter 2-hour version a bit rushed, especially if they want to include the museum. Also, the museum visit requires a separate ticket unless you choose the longer option, so budget accordingly. Children with limited patience for walking might prefer a slightly more relaxed pace, but overall, the guide’s ability to tailor the experience helps mitigate this.
Who Will Love This Tour?
This tour is an excellent choice for families who want an interactive, kid-friendly way to explore Paris’s historic sites. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a private, flexible experience that balances education and fun. If your children enjoy stories, riddles, and meeting famous figures (real or wax), they’ll find this tour particularly delightful. It’s also suitable for those with limited time but who want a meaningful, memorable taste of Paris’s heart.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with kids can be a challenge, but this Family Tour of Paris Old Town and Grévin Museum makes sightseeing accessible and enjoyable. The personal attention of a knowledgeable guide transforms landmarks into stories, legends, and adventures that children will remember long after their trip ends. For just a bit more than a typical city walk, you get a tailored experience packed with fun, education, and authentic sights.
If you’re after a balance of history, lively stories, and interactive fun, this tour ticks all the boxes. It’s especially wonderful for families who want a private, engaging introduction to Paris and its timeless charm.
FAQ
Is this tour suitable for young children?
Yes, the tour is designed with children in mind, using stories, tasks, and riddles to keep them engaged and entertained.
Does the 2-hour option include the Grévin Museum?
No, tickets to the museum are only included in the 3.5-hour tour. The shorter tour focuses on the Old Town sights and storytelling.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is in front of the Britannique Hotel, 20 Av. Victoria, Paris. Do not enter the hotel—just meet outside.
Can I choose the guide’s language?
Yes, the tour is available in multiple languages including English, German, French, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.
What if I want to see more landmarks?
You can opt for the longer 3.5-hour tour, which includes additional sights such as Palais Royal and more stories.
What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and it’s wise to bring a small water bottle and weather-appropriate clothing.
Are tickets to the Grévin Museum included in the shorter tour?
No, they are only included in the 3.5-hour tour. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase tickets separately if you wish to visit.
Is the tour private?
Yes, it’s a private group, offering personalized attention and flexibility.
Traveling with your family through Paris doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This tour offers a chance to enjoy the city’s historic charm while keeping everyone happy and engaged. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, these stories and sights will add a special touch to your Paris adventure.
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