Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
With mismatched vintage furniture in a warehouse-style space looking out over old train tracks, this collective café/bar/farm reminds me of Berlin somehow. Kids love to smell the herbs in the garden. The colorful, light-filled café is child-friendly and is a good place to encourage little ones to clear their own plates and recycle.
If you get a grenadine or juice for your kid, they give free refills, which is rare in France!
499 os moradores locais recomendam
La Recyclerie
83 Bd OrnanoWith mismatched vintage furniture in a warehouse-style space looking out over old train tracks, this collective café/bar/farm reminds me of Berlin somehow. Kids love to smell the herbs in the garden. The colorful, light-filled café is child-friendly and is a good place to encourage little ones to clear their own plates and recycle.
If you get a grenadine or juice for your kid, they give free refills, which is rare in France!
This “cultural café for children” celebrates all customs and religions, so I bring my kids here to open up their horizons. The vibe is very laid-back and chill—it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or if you come by bike or Uber. It is an artistic place to have a cheap coffee and exchange ideas while the kids learn poetry or play music.
My kids love the storytellers because they always do more than just read a book: They animate the story by doing all the voices. The kids pay attention like they’re watching a movie. It’s even perfect for the little ones.
17 os moradores locais recomendam
Cafézoïde
92 bis Quai de la LoireThis “cultural café for children” celebrates all customs and religions, so I bring my kids here to open up their horizons. The vibe is very laid-back and chill—it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or if you come by bike or Uber. It is an artistic place to have a cheap coffee and exchange ideas while the kids learn poetry or play music.
My kids love the storytellers because they always do more than just read a book: They animate the story by doing all the voices. The kids pay attention like they’re watching a movie. It’s even perfect for the little ones.
When we want to eat something nice, but we know the kids won’t sit for long, this is where we come: an old covered market in the heart of Paris. We don’t have to worry about bothering other people because it’s already a busy, energetic place filled with the sights, smells, and sounds of people cooking various cuisines.
We like the organic restaurant because there’s a nice terrace where you can sit for a long time, especially in the summer. But you can also get Cuban food, Chinese dishes, or French sandwiches. It’s all very good—sometimes we choose based on where there’s an open table.
1003 os moradores locais recomendam
Marche des Enfants Rouges
39 Rue de BretagneWhen we want to eat something nice, but we know the kids won’t sit for long, this is where we come: an old covered market in the heart of Paris. We don’t have to worry about bothering other people because it’s already a busy, energetic place filled with the sights, smells, and sounds of people cooking various cuisines.
We like the organic restaurant because there’s a nice terrace where you can sit for a long time, especially in the summer. But you can also get Cuban food, Chinese dishes, or French sandwiches. It’s all very good—sometimes we choose based on where there’s an open table.
Arts & Culture
If you have kids of different ages, this science museum is cool because some areas will really appeal to younger kids, some to older ones. Their exhibits are educational and playful. With my teenager, I recently visited one about videogames from Pac-Man through the present.
On a rainy day, head to the on-site theater, La Géode, where they play 3D and IMAX movies about animals and space. Tickets are separate from the admission price.
565 os moradores locais recomendam
Cidade das Ciências e da Indústria
30 Av. Corentin CariouIf you have kids of different ages, this science museum is cool because some areas will really appeal to younger kids, some to older ones. Their exhibits are educational and playful. With my teenager, I recently visited one about videogames from Pac-Man through the present.
On a rainy day, head to the on-site theater, La Géode, where they play 3D and IMAX movies about animals and space. Tickets are separate from the admission price.
Everywhere you look there’s something incredible to discover at this museum-like store! Both parents and children will be delighted by the life-size taxidermied lions and tigers. My kids also like the old maps, gemstones, and butterflies from all over the world. The shop has been open since 1831 and was featured in the film Midnight in Paris.
Since it’s a store rather than a museum, they don’t display explanations about the items for sale. But the sales clerks are very helpful, so if you ask they may offer up some valuable information about the treasures you find here.
45 os moradores locais recomendam
Deyrolle
46 Rue du BacEverywhere you look there’s something incredible to discover at this museum-like store! Both parents and children will be delighted by the life-size taxidermied lions and tigers. My kids also like the old maps, gemstones, and butterflies from all over the world. The shop has been open since 1831 and was featured in the film Midnight in Paris.
Since it’s a store rather than a museum, they don’t display explanations about the items for sale. But the sales clerks are very helpful, so if you ask they may offer up some valuable information about the treasures you find here.
Entertainment & Activities
This very Parisian amusement park, one of the oldest in the city, has lots of retro rides with colorful blinking lights—great for photos! They also do puppet shows, have live animals to feed, and even put on a circus! The admission price is worth it because you can easily stay for hours.
During the summer, they turn the water on in the big playground—don’t forget the kids’ swimsuits.
383 os moradores locais recomendam
Jardin d'Acclimatation
Route de la Porte Dauphine à la Porte des SablonsThis very Parisian amusement park, one of the oldest in the city, has lots of retro rides with colorful blinking lights—great for photos! They also do puppet shows, have live animals to feed, and even put on a circus! The admission price is worth it because you can easily stay for hours.
During the summer, they turn the water on in the big playground—don’t forget the kids’ swimsuits.
I’ve been to aquariums in many countries, but this is the most beautiful because of the way they play with light. Sometimes you are in the darkness and the fish are in the light. Other times you are in the light and the fish are in the dark and you have to try to find them. It is magical. Plus, the kids must be quiet—ocean rules!
The aquarium is very interactive—you don’t just walk from one fish to another—and they offer many entertaining shows and programs with the ticket price. You can even see a mermaid swimming in a tank!
169 os moradores locais recomendam
Aquário de Paris
5 Av. Albert de MunI’ve been to aquariums in many countries, but this is the most beautiful because of the way they play with light. Sometimes you are in the darkness and the fish are in the light. Other times you are in the light and the fish are in the dark and you have to try to find them. It is magical. Plus, the kids must be quiet—ocean rules!
The aquarium is very interactive—you don’t just walk from one fish to another—and they offer many entertaining shows and programs with the ticket price. You can even see a mermaid swimming in a tank!
Parks & Nature
When you live in a city, kids don’t often get to see real farm animals up close. This is a good place to go if you want to feel like you’re in the country without going too far—it’s located in the Bois de Vincennes park on the periphery of Paris. Kids can help in the barn and even milk the cows. On Sundays, the farmers show newborn animals to visitors.
Weekends are a nice time to make a day of it and go for a picnic in the Bois de Vincennes. We pack food ahead, but sometimes buy cheese or yogurt made at the farm!
15 os moradores locais recomendam
Farm Paris
1 Rte du PesageWhen you live in a city, kids don’t often get to see real farm animals up close. This is a good place to go if you want to feel like you’re in the country without going too far—it’s located in the Bois de Vincennes park on the periphery of Paris. Kids can help in the barn and even milk the cows. On Sundays, the farmers show newborn animals to visitors.
Weekends are a nice time to make a day of it and go for a picnic in the Bois de Vincennes. We pack food ahead, but sometimes buy cheese or yogurt made at the farm!
Shopping
They have a very thoughtful collection of children’s books at this store. If you ask, they’ll spend time helping you find what you need. When I was pregnant, my daughter Lou had a lot of questions that I couldn’t answer and the friendly lady at this bookstore helped me find the right book to explain what was happening.
At the back of the shop, push open the little door to discover a space reserved for workshops and story time.
libellule et coccinelle
2 Rue TurgotThey have a very thoughtful collection of children’s books at this store. If you ask, they’ll spend time helping you find what you need. When I was pregnant, my daughter Lou had a lot of questions that I couldn’t answer and the friendly lady at this bookstore helped me find the right book to explain what was happening.
At the back of the shop, push open the little door to discover a space reserved for workshops and story time.