… a lovingly curated selection of the essentials you need for living in the City of Lights – prepared by people in the know.
New and innovative reusable food pouches. Now available for purchase on Amazon.fr as well as numerous online children’s product websites – see possibilities on the Squiz website.
6 Rue Dupont des Loges, 75007 Paris, France
4 Rue Papillon, 75009 Paris, France
Specialist children’s hairdressers with TVs at each seat, a playroom for waiting, and a small toy when finished. They’ve been a fixture in the 17th near Parc Monceau for 15 years and are now in the 7th and 9th arrondissements . Also, the owner recently designed her own children’s clothing line which is available for purchase in the salons.
Metro: Charles Michels (line 10) Other ways to get there: CLICK HERE
Underground parking and valet parking available.
The spanking new Beaugrenelle shopping center is one of our favorite one-stop destinations in central Paris: a 50,000m2 modern shopping center and cinema complex in the 15th arrondissement. Shoppers, You’ll find some of your favorite brands. Hungry? Try the food court which offers a range of family-style restaurants.
A multiplex Gaumont Pathé cinema offers online bookings with your choice of seating–including love seats for snuggling up to someone.
Want to drop off your kids while you shop? Viens Jouer à la Maison offers workshops and an indoor playroom with regular activities to keep your little ones busy on Wednesdays and weekends!
Look for more activity ideas in our Guide to After School and Weekend Activities or in 15 Indoor Activities for Children in Paris on Rainy Days!
Metro: Hôtel de Ville (lines 1 and 11)
We could spend hours in one of Paris’s original department stores, where you can find everything from high-end art supplies and stationery to an eclectic selection of lighting for your home, to curtains and doorknobs, or specialty items for home maintenance, decoration and repair, to clothing, shoes and accessories for the whole family. And in the summers you can enjoy evening drinks on the rooftop at the Perchoir Marais (entrance at 37 rue de la Verrerie)
With its selection of over 120 French and international luxury brands, from Armani and Burberry to Zadig & Voltaire, La Vallée Village is a favourite spot for tourists and Parisians alike. You’ll enjoy walking through the charming shopping village with its cobblestone lanes, cafés and ice cream stands. Best of all, La Vallée Village offers a range of exclusive discounts, so it’s is the best way to spoil yourselves with beautiful clothes, jewellery and bags, with less guilt!
La Vallée Village is located just 45 km East of central Paris, and the shopping centre can be reached by car in less than 40 minutes. It is also possible to take RER A from central Paris to the station Val d’Europe in under 45 minutes.
Offering a large selection of arts & crafts in stores all over France. Great for home decorations and craft projects for all levels of expertise.
(NOTE: Due to a major renovation between September 2017 and May 2018, attractions and ateliers at the park will be affected. Please check WEBSITE for details before going.)
Metro: Les Sablons (line 1)
One of INSPIRELLE’s favorite family destinations, this is a 20-hectare (49-acre) children’s amusement park located in the northern corner of the Bois de Boulogne. The under 12 crowd will love the carnival type games, climbing wall, puppet shows, petting zoo, donkey and camel rides and sprinklers in the summer!
Their Maison des Ateliers offers workshops through the year and a party package for 350€, which includes an interactive workshop for 10 kids, birthday cake, drinks, candies and goody bags. All parents need to do is show up and take photos! But it’s very popular, so make sure to reserve at least one month in advance.
Metro: Les Sablons (line 1), Louise Michel (line 3)
One of the nicer fully-equipped aquatic centers around Paris, with multiple pools for leisure and for training, as well as an outdoor pool, two solariums and a “beach” in the summer. Clean and well-organized, they also have a spa, hammams, saunas, and UV cabins.
Metro: Les Sablons (line 1)
An ideal setting for a festive family brunch, the Pavillon des Oiseaux sits in the middle of the Jardin D’Acclimatation, so you can turn brunch into a family outing. On weekends, there’s an all you-can-eat buffet and entertainment to keep the little ones entertained. (Not recommended for couples looking for a quiet and romantic setting!). You can also privatise part or all of the restaurant for private parties.
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
This non-profit, volunteer association aims to help entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs “to be” to gain access to new and valuable skills, through workshops, networking, and real opportunities to showcase their products and services. Based in Paris’ western suburb of Yvelines, come and meet like-minded women who want to share their knowledge and experience as business-owners in France.
Metro: Anatole France (line 3)
The Institut Hospitalier Franco-Britannique is a private non-profit making hospital. It provides quality care for its patients under French Social Security health tariffs, therefore no supplementary fees are applied.
Every THURSDAY ENglish-speaking VOLunteers run a welcome and information desk – EN-VOL are there to help English-speaking patients.
We adore this charming, chalet-style restaurant and event space on its own island in the Bois de Boulogne in the West end of Paris. The voyage there itself is unique – you can row, yes we said row, your way across the lake. Or, you can park and then take a ferry from the public parking area (free for restaurant goers, 1,50€ round-trip for island hoppers). On fine days, you can pack a picnic and find a spot of grass to spread out. Or, you can book a brunch at their elegant restaurant.
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
A non-profit association founded over 50 years ago by UNESCO and the Education Nationale, SIS, Sections Internationales de Sèvres, operates within several French public school campuses in Sèvres, Chaville and Boulogne-Billancourt, on the western edge of Paris. SIS offers bilingual English/French and German/French education from nursery school through high school. An entrance exam is required to evaluate the child’s language level.
In addition to preparing students for the Option Internationale du Baccalaureat (OIB), the international option of the French baccalaureate program, SIS offers post-bac counseling for applying to universities outside of France and organizes many extra-curricular activities, including a lively theater group, active book club and school trips abroad. Due to the school’s reputation and popularity, early enrollment is recommended.
7 Rue Gustave Courbet, 75116 Paris, France 25.4 km
Once known as the original American diner in Paris, Coffee Parisien now boasts 3 restaurants, with talk of a fourth opening! Count on American staples like eggs benedict, bagels with cream cheese and lox or French toast with grapefruit. For a French touch, enjoy a big cup of café au lait.
FIND MORE brunch recommendations in our: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris” article!
A non-profit, fully volunteer-run, network of global organizations wishing to advance women in leadership. The federation of 24 networks is present in 19 countries with 90 nationalities, and over 1,000 members in Paris. They hold numerous events throughout the year in both English and French to foster the personal and professional growth of it’s diverse network of women (and men).
When Parisian Cecile Birgand Ayasse couldn’t find original workshops for her own four kids, she set up Apprends et Rêve (“To learn and dream” in English) to create her own solution. From singing lessons with a coach from “The Voice” to Flamenco, computer coding or graffiti art, they offer imaginative weekend workshops and holiday camps where children aged 3 to 15. Activities are taught in French at various locations around Paris.
PERK FOR INSPIRELLE READERS! Mention INSPIRELLE when you sign up for a holiday camp or year-long workshop at Apprends et Rêve (“Learn and Dream“) and get a free yearly membership PLUS 15% off any one-day reservation.
Metro: Porte Maillot (line 1 and RER C).
Parking: Palais de Congres
On weekends, this hotel restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat buffet brunch, featuring a wide selection of traditional breakfast pastries, salmon and scrambled eggs, salads, seasonal meat and fish, cheese, fresh fruits and desserts. Professional entertainers also keep the kids busy so parents can enjoy chatting over a leisurely brunch.
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”
Caroline is an Independent Educational Consultant and founder of A+CollegeCoaching. Based in Paris, she helps families identify and evaluate options for college and universities abroad as well as navigate the admissions process with the goal of finding the best academic, social and financial fit for their child. Having raised her own children in Germany, Japan and now France, she is particularly sensitive to the needs of ‘global nomad kids’.
Caroline holds a BA from the American University of Paris, an MBA from the University of Hartford, and a Certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from UC Irvine. She stays on top of college admission trends by regularly visiting college campuses, attending conferences and webinars and is a member of IECA and OACAC.
Metro: Exelmans (line 9)
Based in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, Club Atheon offers adults and children a wide variety of sports and fitness courses throughout the year, including martial arts, pilates, yoga, zumba and more.
During school holidays, they hold one-week multi-sports, dance and English class workshops (only during school holidays) for kids aged 7-15 at Stade Jean Bouin in the 16th arrondisement.
As mentioned in our ultimate guide to kid’s activities…
Metro: Argentine or Porte Maillot (line 1), Neuilly-Porte Maillot (RER C)
Cute little shop located near Porte Maillot offering all of your party supplies. Check out the wide selection on their website before you make a visit.
Metro: Periere (line 3), Porte Maillot (line 1), RER C
Harvard-trained, English-speaking Dr. Bendahan will put your kids (and you) at ease with his friendly and laid-back demeanor. He can look after your whole family’s teeth, and also provides Invisalign clear braces as an alternative to traditional metal braces.
Ecole Internationale Bilingue (EIB) Paris is a network of bilingual schools which welcomes international students of more than 70 nationalities in its co-ed and secular campuses around Paris. EIB offers a bilingual education to students from preschool (maternelle) through high school, according to the British, American and IB qualifications.
EIB’s four campuses in the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements follow the official program of the French Ministry of Education (hence it is sous-contrat with the government e and tuition is partially subsidized), with daily lessons in English at various levels.
EIB Victor Hugo follows an English-language, international curriculum, with daily French lessons, from pre-school through high school. Students can earn an internationally-recognized High School Diploma or IB Diploma.
Contact individual schools for further information.
Metro: La Muette (line 9) Boulainvilliers (RER C)
Situated in what once was the “Passy La Muette” train station, in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, La Gare is an impressive spot for brunch. In nicer weather, you can enjoy sitting in one of its two lush outdoor terraces. On weekends, they have an all-you-can-eat buffet spread and entertainment for the little ones. It’s also an elegant spot lunch or dinner on Monday thru Saturday, too!
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
Metro: Jasmin (line 9), Michel-Ange Auteuil (lines 9 and 10)
A French and English-speaking American trained clinical psychologist with a PhD specialising in behavioral issues, ADHD, parenting, anxiety and mood disorders, OCD and behavioral medicine.
Member of SPRINT France, a non-profit group of English-speaking and bilingual professionals who work with children of all ages with special needs.
Metro: Jasmin (line 9), Michel-Ange Auteuil (lines 9 and 10)
A British-born and educated clinical psychologist working with adults, children and families, with a particular interest in the autistic spectrum.
Member of SPRINT France, a non-profit group of English-speaking and bilingual professionals who work with children of all ages with special needs.