Museums

Rainy Day Adventures: Indoor Activities for Families in Paris

When the rain comes pouring down in Paris, it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Embrace the charm of the City of Light with these engaging indoor activities recommended by our vibrant Facebook community. 1. Indoor Climbing at Arkose For an exhilarating adventure on a rainy day, head to Arkose, Vertical Art, or Climb Up Gym for indoor climbing. Channel your inner adventurer and conquer climbing walls with your family. It’s a fantastic way to stay active and have a blast. 2. Musée des Arts Forains (Victoriana Carousel Museum) Uncover the magic of a bygone era at the Musée des Arts Forains, often referred to as the Victoriana Carousel Museum. Step into a world of whimsical carousels and carnival wonders. It’s an enchanting experience that will captivate both young and old. 3. Atelier de Lumière Explore the world of art at Atelier de Lumière, where immersive exhibitions and dazzling light displays create a mesmerizing atmosphere. Perfect for art enthusiasts, this venue promises an engaging and visually stunning rainy day escape. 4. Family Cinema Trip Take a break from the rain with a family cinema trip. Choose a film that everyone can enjoy and create lasting memories together in the cozy confines of a Parisian cinema. 5. Aquarium de Paris Dive into the depths of the ocean without getting wet at the Aquarium de Paris. Marvel at the fascinating marine life and discover the wonders of underwater worlds. For a perfect follow-up, head to the nearby Trocadero and treat your family to a delightful meal at Mokus, where even the bathrooms have a surprise in store. 6. Ice Skating at Bercy Surprise your family with a twist – indoor ice skating at Bercy! Whether it’s Bercy Arena or Bercy Village, lace up your skates and glide gracefully across the ice. It’s a unique and enjoyable activity for all ages. 7. Palais de la Découverte Unleash the curiosity in your kids at the Palais de la Découverte. This science museum offers interactive exhibits, engaging displays, and hands-on activities that make learning a joyous experience. 8. Mad Golf at Boulevard Sébastopol For a quirky and entertaining indoor activity, try Mad Golf at Boulevard Sébastopol. This indoor mini-golf course promises laughter, challenges, and a fantastic time with your loved ones. 9. La Tête dans les Nuages Discover the joy of indoor leisure at La Tête dans les Nuages. With locations in Paris, Aéroville, Nice, and Lyon, this entertainment center offers a range of activities, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Keep these suggestions in your back pocket, and the next time the rain clouds gather over Paris, you’ll have a treasure trove of indoor adventures to explore with your family. Rain or shine, Paris is always ready to delight and entertain!

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Take off at the Paris Air and Space Museum

The Paris Air and Space Museum, also known as Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, is a fascinating destination for families, offering an immersive experience in aviation and space exploration.  Here are some of our favorite parts to enjoy an amazing visit: 1. The main hall The first room of the museum gets you into the spirit of the day with models of the first airplanes to take flight, the first hot air balloons, and a short summary of the evolution of flight. The kids were in awe. Be careful not too spend too much time in the first room as the actual museum is immense. You will find yourself running out of energy later on and regret it because this is only about a tenth of what there is to see and do! 2. The space exploration hall: Entering the big exhibition where you can see rockets hanging all around, learn about shuttles and satellites, and explore the international launch locations via an interactive map. The exhibits even includes space capsules and informative displays about the history of space travel. My little ones loved navigating the many levels of this hall to learn about space and its exploration. 3. Fighter Planes: WW1 and beyond Explore the many types of fighter planes including models from World War 2 in which kids can match the symbols from these planes with those on the key to determine which country each was from. Outside, there are examples of more modern planes as well. This was a highlight of our visit. 4. Boarding real planes In addition to looking at planes from the outside, the museum aims to be interactive with the chance to board a variety of planes, including a model of the concord jet! This was a highlight for the parents! The museum is kid-friendly with a cafe, gift shop, and family rooms for changing diapers and feeding. Many exhibits feature interactive elements, allowing children to press buttons, manipulate controls, and engage with the displays. This hands-on approach makes the museum particularly appealing to young visitors. Check it all out on the Musée Air + Espace website: https://www.museeairespace.fr/en/family-visits/

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Kid-Friendly Museums in Paris TO Explore Art, History, and Fun!

Are you planning a family trip to Paris and wondering about the best museums to visit with your curious 5-year-old? Look no further! Our community has shared some fantastic suggestions, making sure your little one has a memorable and enriching experience. Let’s dive into the world of art, history, and discovery with museums that cater specifically to young minds. 1. Louvre – Unveiling Ancient Wonders The Louvre, with its vast collection, might seem overwhelming, but fear not! Several parents recommend the Louvre for its engaging Egyptian section, perfect for children who have recently learned about ancient Egypt in school. One mom even shared a delightful anecdote about her 5-year-old giving her a personalized tour, complete with unexpected twists in historical narratives. Be sure to check out the Egyptian treasure hunt for an extra layer of excitement. 2. Centre Pompidou – A Modern Marvel The Pompidou Centre offers a modern twist on art and culture. While not specifically tailored for young children, its vibrant and unconventional architecture captures the attention of little ones. The colorful pipes and unique design provide a visually stimulating experience. It’s a great opportunity to introduce your child to contemporary art in an imaginative setting. 3. Arts et Métiers – Where Innovation Meets Fun For a hands-on experience, Arts et Métiers is a top pick. With its interactive displays and captivating exhibits on science and technology, this museum is an excellent choice for inquisitive minds. The engaging atmosphere and informative workshops make it an ideal destination for families. 4. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature – Animal Adventures in Le Marais Located in the charming Le Marais district, this museum offers a unique experience with its focus on animals. From stuffed polar bears to animal paw prints and poo, it’s a small, welcoming space where your child can explore the wonders of the animal kingdom. 5. Musée de l’Illusion – A World of Deception and Wonder Step into the Musée de l’Illusion, where reality takes a fascinating twist. This museum plays with perception, offering optical illusions and mind-bending exhibits. It’s an entertaining and educational experience that will leave your child in awe of the power of illusion. 6. Musée du Chocolat – Sweet Creations and Culinary Delights Indulge your child’s sweet tooth at the Musée du Chocolat. Beyond the delicious exhibits, families can participate in chocolate-making workshops, allowing your little one to create their own sweet masterpieces. 7. Musée en Herbe – Nurturing Artistic Mindssée du Chocolat – Sweet Creations and Culinary Delights Tailored specifically for children, Musée en Herbe introduces young ones to the world of art through interactive exhibitions and workshops. The museum aims to make art accessible and enjoyable for even the youngest visitors. Paris is a treasure trove of museums, each offering a unique experience for families with young children. Whether your little one is fascinated by ancient civilizations, modern art, science, or the animal kingdom, there’s a museum in Paris waiting to spark their curiosity and create lasting memories. Happy exploring! Note: Ideas all original. Some text generated with IA.

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Cite des sciences et de l'industrie

All You Need to Know to Visit the Cité des Enfants at the Paris Science Center

Le Cité des Sciences et de L’industrie is a gigantic science center located in La Villette. The center is comprised of several areas, each with their own science-related theme. And one wing is dedicated to an interactive area for children to discover scientific concepts through play and hands-on activities. There are two children exhibitions, one aimed at children 2 to 7 years old, and the other for ages 5 to 12. The “Cité des Enfants 2/7” section has five areas for kids to explore, with a message encouraging you to change areas every 15 minutes. Activities are appropriate for the age range of students and often include activities specifically for toddlers. The five senses are explored, children will play with water, and air, and a small maze keeps children entertained. My children were definitely entertained and want to go back as they did not have enough time to engage with every activity during the hour-and-a-half time slot. The five themes are pictured below. The “Cité des Enfants 5/12” section is comprised of six different areas in the same way as the 2 to 7 year old section. Yet in this exhibition, the areas focus more on scientific concepts centered around themes: There are signs in both French, English, and Spanish that give instructions and information. Children on the younger end of the age range can participate without a problem but there is definitely more cranking, more instructions, and some activities that are too tall for wee ones. Some of my children’s favorite activities were discovering different ways to pump water, using a giant fan to spin a variety of windmills, the TV studio in which they used a green screen to appear that they were flying, and the butterfly house in which they saw a variety of butterflies and learned about the metamorphosis process. Unlike on the 2/7 side, there is no announcement to change areas so participants must pace themselves to get through all spaces. My kiddos definitely ran out of time in the hour and a half and would like to go back for more fun! The gigantic Science Center also contains other exhibitions, some permanent and others on a rotating basis, as well as a planetarium. Many of these are accessible for older children, making the annual pass a great idea if you plan on coming back for multiple visits. Other Useful Info: For food, there is a restaurant on site and there are several restaurants in the park where the center is located, including Mcdonald’s right outside the entrance. Once you have entered, it is not a problem to enter again. So feel free to go in and out during the day. There are also plenty of bathrooms, with baby changing stations. The kid’s area also has small toilets made for little people. In addition, there are vending machines for quick snacks and drinks, and a gift shop to pick up games and toys. Finally, people all around the Science Center speak English so if you are not proficient in French, this is not a problem. Website: For more info, visit the Science Center website in either English or French. Getting there: One may choose to arrive on public transportation. There is both a metro and tram stop near the museum entrance. If you decide to drive, there is a parking garage under the Cité de Science at a rate of about 3 euros an hour. Parking on nearby roads is limited.

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