Paris with Kids: Where to Stay, Eat and Sightsee on a One Night Eurostar Stopover

Taking the train from London to or from the Alps makes for an easy and fun adventure; and adding an overnight stop in Paris with kids can be a brilliant way to break up the journey.

Rather than rushing straight through, spending one night in the city is a great way to give everyone a change of scene and sneak in a mini adventure along the way.

Paris is big and busy; there’s no getting around that. But with just a short stopover, it can actually be great fun. Do one or two well chosen things, keep it simple, and leave before it all gets too much.

Everything I’ve included in this post is within easy reach of Gare du Nord (where the Eurostar arrives and departs) and the Gare de Lyon where trains to and from the Alps terminate.

In this guide, I’ll share where to stay, what to eat, and what to do nearby, based on our own experience of making Paris part of the journey rather than just a stop along the way (we’ve done this multiple times ourselves!).

🛤️ Arriving by train: Navigating Paris’s main stations

While you might not be travelling that way this time, it’s useful to know how close the two stations are if you’re ever stringing together a longer European rail trip.

If you’re continuing your journey to the French Alps, your train will likely depart from Gare de Lyon, in the southeast of the city.

It’s about 10 minutes away from the Gare du Nord by RER (take the green “D” line two stops), or a 25 minute taxi depending on time of day and traffic; easy to reach the following morning or even after lunch if you’ve got a bit of time to explore first.

Gare de Lyon also has a few good cafés and facilities if you find yourself waiting around.

🌿 A calmer corner: Canal Saint-Martin

🛏️ Where to stay in Paris with kids (close to Gare du Nord)

Paris is expensive. Accommodation prices can be eye-watering, especially for families needing more than a tiny double room. But if you’re just stopping for one night, you don’t need anything too fancy.

I’ve stayed at all of the options below with my family, and they all worked really well for a short stopover.

Canal Saint-Martin

For a short stay, especially when you’re arriving or departing by Eurostar, location really matters. You want somewhere easy to get to, preferably without having to navigate multiple changes on the sweaty metro, and pleasant enough to actually and enjoy your time in the city – as well as feeling safe. For me, Canal Saint-Martin ticks all those boxes, and I’ve stayed in two hotels in this area:

⭐ Best pick: Hotel Magenta 38 by Happyculture

There’s a small lift, helpful staff, and offers a buffet breakfast. It’s not the cheapest, but if I were booking again, this would be my first choice.

Book Hotel Magenta 38 by Happyculture here »

💼 Budget-friendly chain: Ibis Styles Paris Gare de l’Est Château Landon

North of the Gare du Nord

The 18th arrondissement is just north of Gare du Nord. It’s a bit further out than the Canal Saint-Martin. The walk from the station felt slightly gritty in the evening, and there isn’t much in the way of cafés or family friendly restaurants nearby, but it’s not a bad area and it’s a decent low budget choice if you’re hoping to keep costs down — just don’t expect the postcard version of Paris right outside your door.

🛌 Hostel: Auberge de Jeunesse HI Paris Yves Robert

🎨 Things to do in Paris with kids (without overdoing it)

I hate racing around trying to tick off landmarks, in fact we actively avoid the most famous landmarks and museums in most cities we go to (see my Venice itinerary for more evidence of this)!

That’s not to say we don’t do some touristy things, but standing behind a crowd 30 metres deep trying to see a tiny painting of the Mona Lisa is not my or my kids’ idea of fun. If the touristy thing is outdoors, or free, meaning we have more flexibility to come and go whenever we choose, we’re more likely to give it a go.

I choose one or two outings each time we’re there (we’re lucky that we do travel through Paris quite often), and find that works really well to give the kids a taste of Paris without getting citied out.

These suggestions are all easy to reach from Gare du Nord or Canal Saint-Martin, and can be comfortably slotted into an afternoon or morning.

Free things to do

🏞️ Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

Just north of Gare du Nord, the district of Montmartre is about a 20 minute walk, but feels worlds away from the bustle of the station.

You can get to the Sacré-Cœur (and the views) at the top via the funicular (included in your metro ticket if you have one) to save tired legs, or just walk it.

The square behind the basilica is busy but lively, and my kids love watching the street artists at work.

It is pretty touristy, but the streets around the square have that classic “old Paris” feel, with cobbled lanes, iron balconies full of geraniums, and a jumble of cafés and crêperies.

Most of the places to eat are aimed at tourists, but they do the job if you want a snack or a drink while soaking up the atmosphere.

💦 Centre Pompidou (outside and free bits)

The Centre Pompidou is about a 35 minute walk from the Gare du Nord and 25 minutes walk from Canal Saint-Martin. It’s a brilliant building to walk around, even if you don’t go inside.

The colourful pipes and escalators on the outside are fun to explore, and the Stravinsky Fountain, just outside the centre, features playful sculptures that squirt water in every direction – great for a quick stop, especially in the summer.

The public areas around the building are free, and there are often street performers nearby.

You can also go up the “caterpillar”, the huge transparent escalator on the outside of the building, to visit the top-floor viewing terrace on level 6 for views across Paris (including the Eiffel Tower). Access to the caterpillar, the gangways and the terraces is free.

🏰 Musée Carnavalet (and the Marais)

The Musée Carnavalet – dedicated to the history of Paris – is my top pick of family friendly museums in Paris. It’s located about a half hour walk from the Canal Saint-Martin, or 10 minutes on the orange metro line 5 from Gare du Nord to Bréguet-Sabin, and then a 10 minute walk through the Marais, a lovely old part of the city that’s worth exploring in its own right.

The museum is free, the exhibits are varied and well-presented, and the building itself (a grand 16th-century mansion) is fun to wander through. It’s not interactive in the modern sense, but the rooms, artefacts, and models of old Paris are charming – and it’s a fantastic indoor choice if the weather isn’t great!

🗼 Eiffel Tower

You don’t need to go up the Eiffel Tower to enjoy it — sometimes seeing it from the ground is enough. You can easily reach it by metro – it’s about 20 minutes on the RER. (Take the blue B line from Gare du Nord to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame and then change onto the yellow C line at Saint-Michel Notre-Dame to Champ de Mars Eiffel Tower).

There’s a good playground for smaller kids in the park below and it’s a nice place for a picnic or an ice cream. There’s also a lovely old carousel here for little ones that doesn’t cost a fortune for a ride. If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower (which we have done, and it was fun, despite being super touristy) you’ll need to book in advance to skip the queues.

Paid things to do

🍽️ Where to eat in Paris with kids

Paris offers an amazing array of dining options that can be a bit overwhelming (and pricey!), and it’s tricky to know how suitable for kids some places are.

We love a French crêperie, where it’s customary to enjoy savory crêpes (galettes) made with buckwheat flour, often filled with ingredients like ham, cheese, and eggs. Pairing them with a glass of Breton cider (for the grown ups!) is traditional. And if you’ve got space, you can follow your savoury crêpe with a sweet one. Delicious.

These are places we’ve tried and enjoyed, mostly around Canal Saint-Martin, where the vibe is a bit more laid-back. A few are more polished than others, but all work well for families, with either a kids’ menu or child friendly food.

Canal Saint-Martin & Environs

Breizh Café – Canal Saint-Martin

This spot offers high-quality ingredients and a more upscale twist on traditional crêpes. While the food is excellent, it turned out to be slightly too refined for my kids’ tastes! Great for adults or older kids, but we preferred Lulu la Nantaise for a more laid-back vibe.

La Marine

This is a proper neighbourhood brasserie overlooking the canal. A lively spot with classic French dishes, including kids’ favourites like croque monsieur and steak haché. The outdoor seating is a bonus on sunny days and the staff were helpful and relaxed when we visited.

Holybelly

One of the best places in Paris for breakfast or brunch. They do stacks of pancakes, eggs every way, hash browns, and great coffee. It’s busy and buzzy, but the staff are friendly and used to families. It’s a great way to start your day before hopping on a train or heading out for sightseeing.

Restaurant Georgia

An American-style diner just a few minutes’ walk from the canal, with burgers, fries, and soft drinks in proper big glasses. It’s informal, cheerful, and hits the spot when you need something easy and familiar. Great for kids who might be flagging a bit or craving something they recognise.

Centre Pompidou Area

Crêperie Beaubourg

A super-convenient stop right next to the Pompidou Centre. It’s not fancy, but it’s fast, friendly, and very child-friendly. You’ll find a big menu of savoury galettes and sweet crêpes, and it’s perfect for a relaxed meal after visiting the fountains or roof terrace at the Pompidou Centre.

Marais

Café Crème

A stylish café with a bit of a retro feel, located toward the Marais. The food is fresh and tasty, and there’s a mix of brunch dishes, burgers, and lighter bites, with food served all day and into the late evening. It can get busy, but you can book a table online and we’ve found the service friendly and the atmosphere relaxed. A good option if you’re exploring the Marais or visiting the nearby Musée Carnavalet.

Gare du Nord

Terminus Nord

🧳 Tips for a smooth stopover in Paris with kids

A one night stay in Paris with kids is more than enough to give them a taste of the city — and keep things fun without tipping into cultured-out complaining. Here are a few final tips to help your stopover run smoothly:

⏱️ Be realistic with your time: With just one night, focus on one or two simple activities — a crêpe dinner and a visit to Montmartre, or a stroll to the Pompidou Centre followed by a good French meal. It’s better to do less and just enjoy the experience of being in Paris than rush from place to place.

🛏️ Choose accommodation close to the station: Staying in the Canal Saint-Martin area gives you the best of both worlds – a really lovely neighbourhood with great places to eat, which is also close to the Gare du Nord; especially important if you’re arriving late or leaving early.

🛅 Use hotel luggage storage or station lockers: If your onward train isn’t until the afternoon or evening, leave your bags to squeeze in a Paris visit without dragging suitcases around.

🎒 Making the most of one night in Paris with kids

You really don’t need days to enjoy Paris with kids. Even 24 hours – or less – can be a great way to introduce them to a big, busy city without it feeling overwhelming.

It’s a chance to explore somewhere unfamiliar, get used to finding our way around on foot and using public transport, practise some French, and experience a bit of culture along the way.

And although I’m not a fan of big touristy cities in general, sometimes it’s really good to all be pushed out of our comfort zone! It teaches kids that big unfamiliar cities don’t need to be scary, that they can learn to find their way around somewhere new, and that travel is about exploring with confidence, not just ticking off sights. And we have fun doing it, too.

We’ve stopped over in Paris like this more than once, and each time it’s reminded me how easy and enjoyable a big city can be when you keep your plans light and your expectations flexible.

If you’re planning a Eurostar trip and want to build in a family-friendly Paris stopover, this is a good place to start.

My Favourite Guide Books to help you Explore Paris with Kids

• Lonely Planet Kids: A Kid’s Guide to Paris
• Lonely Planet Paris
• Lonely Planet Kids: Paris City Trails
• Lonely Planet Pocket Paris: Top experiences, Local life (Pocket Guide)

If you have Kindle Unlimited, check whether the kindle editions are free – often they are!