Navigating Paris with Little Explorers: Lessons from 14 Trips and Counting

I still remember the chaos of navigating Charles de Gaulle Airport alone with a newborn and a 3-year-old who believed travelators were the most terrifying invention in history. That first post-baby trip to Paris was anything but smooth, but it taught me invaluable lessons about traveling with young children. Here’s what I learned:

• Always have a backup snack: Trust me, there’s nothing worse than a cranky toddler and an empty bag of crackers.
• Check if the museum lift is working before booking tickets: Nothing kills a day out faster than realizing you can’t get back down from the third floor.
• Book a baby-friendly café table in advance: A high chair and nearby bathroom can make or break your morning.

Since that initial disaster, I’ve made 14 trips to Paris with my two kids. We’ve rolled our stroller through every arrondissement, tested the changing tables at the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou, and even had a heated debate with a Luxembourg Gardens park attendant about stroller parking rules.

Every tip I share on Tiny Traveler Tips has been field-tested on my own children — who, while excellent critics, are also relentless in pointing out what works (and what doesn’t). My goal is to make your Paris adventures as smooth and enjoyable as possible, so you can focus on the magic of exploring one of the world’s most beautiful cities with little ones in tow.