Metro: Trocadero (lines 6 and 9)
Escape the rain and plunge into the water world at the Aquarium de Paris, located in the Palais de Chaillot at Place de Trocadero. Its darkly-lit rooms create the perfect ambiance for a mysterious tour of the large, underwater tanks with more than 100,000 species including clown fish, puffers, sharks and stingrays. With two cinemas screening documentaries and cartoons, as well as live entertainment on weekends and holidays, there’s plenty to keep you entertained for a couple hours.
Metro: Porte Dorée (line 8)
It may not be very big but, housed in the beautifully maintained Art Deco building, Le Palais de la Porte Dorée, this small aquarium won’t disappoint. Learn about the richness and diversity of the aquatic world and the importance it represents. Its 84 aquariums contain about 5,000 animals, including 300 species of tropical fish and fauna.
Guédelon has been described as the “world’s largest archaeological experiment”. It all began in 1995, when an archaeological study at Saint-Fargeau Castle revealed a medieval stone fortress hidden within the red brick walls.
A team of construction builders works from medieval financial records, manuscripts, stained-glass cathedral windows and research. Their mission is to build a 13th century castle over 25 years using the construction techniques and logistical organization of the Middle Ages. The site, located in the heart of Burgundy’s wine vineyards in eastern France, possesses all the resources necessary for the building of a castle: a stone quarry, an oak forest and a water supply.
Read abotu it here: “Archaeological Challenge: Building a Real Medieval Chateau Today”
Metro: Filles du Calvaire (line 8), Oberkampf (lines 5 and 9)
For a traditional circus, the Cirque d’Hiver is an institution in Paris. Watch lions and tigers, elephants and clowns in an authentic, round, high-top arena. The Bouglione Circus has been dazzling audiences with its shows for over 170 years and brings you new thematic shows each season.
You can also rent out their space for medium to large-scale private events such as corporate parties, meetings and concerts.
Check out more family activity ideas in our guide to 15 Indoor Activities for Children in Paris on Rainy Days!
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To consult his versatile work visit his website: http://www.alexisduclos.com
The American School of Paris (ASP) in Saint Cloud, a western suburb of Paris, is a great place for families to find innovative activities and holiday camps in English. Through its Extension Program the private, international school opens its world-class facilities to external students aged 4 to 18 during school vacations as well as Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the school year.
Camps and year-round activities led in English include basketball, tennis, soccer, coding, science, fashion design, filmmaking, theatre and more. Kids looking to improve their English skills have a choice of English immersion classes and even intensive workshops to prepare for the English BAC exam or the SAT American college entrance exam. At ASP, there’s bound to be a camp or workshop right for your child.
Check out their WEBSITE for all the details!
Metro: Iéna (line 9)
The first Chinese restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star in France, this is the place to splurge on special occasions when you want to treat yourself to fine, Cantonese cuisine in a refined, elegant setting. Chef’s recommendations include: BBQ Iberian pork with honey, sautéed sole filet with XO sauce and Lobster prepared any one of eight ways. Thinking of their Peking Duck has us drooling, and we love their dim sum lunch, with two set menus for 52€ or 72€. Savor. Every. Morsel.