Paris with kids in 3 days: a no-fuss itinerary

Three days is the perfect length for a first encounter with Paris. You'll see the icons, walk the parks and taste croissants — without exhausting yourselves. Kids remember Paris not for museums, but for the carousels at the Eiffel Tower, the toy boats at Luxembourg Gardens, and the view from Montmartre. Adults — for coffee on a terrace while the kid draws with chalk on the square.

Move from southwest to northeast: start at the Eiffel Tower (7th arrondissement), then down to the Seine, day 2 in the center (1st and 6th arrondissements), day 3 on Montmartre (18th arrondissement). This avoids cross-city zigzags and changes the neighborhood every day. Between points — no more than 20 minutes on foot or one metro stop.

Start the morning at the Eiffel Tower (Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007). Tip: don't take kids to the top — the second floor is enough (lift, €16.70 adult, kids 4-11 €8.40). Queues are shorter before 10 a.m. After the tower, the Champ de Mars (the park in front of the tower), where you can picnic with baguette and cheese. There's a free playground nearby.

Lunch: Crêperie La Tourelle (5 Rue du Général Beuret, 75015) — budget crêpes from €6. Afternoon — Seine river cruise (Bateaux Parisiens, dock by the tower, €15 adult, kids under 12 €7). One hour long; your child will see Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the bridges. Evening — Tuileries Garden (Place de la Concorde, 75001) — carousels and pony rides (about €5).

Morning — Louvre (Rue de Rivoli, 75001). With kids, stick to the Denon wing: Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace and Mona Lisa. Free entry under 18, adult €17. Tip: enter via the Carrousel (99 Rue de Rivoli) — shorter queue. After the Louvre — Luxembourg Gardens (6th arrondissement). On offer: toy boat rental (€3 per hour), playground, ponies (€5). Lunch — Crêperie des Arts (27 Rue des Écoles, 75005) — galettes from €7. Afternoon — walk through the Latin Quarter: bookshops, fountains, street musicians. Evening — Pantheon (Place du Panthéon, 75005) — free outside, €11 inside, free for under 18.

Morning — Sacré-Cœur (35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018). Free entry, dome climb €6 (under 4 free). View over all of Paris. Down the stairs — to Place du Tertre (Place du Tertre, 75018): artists paint portraits (from €20), souvenirs available. Lunch — Le Relais de la Butte (12 Rue Ravignan, 75018) — moules-frites from €12. Afternoon — Saint-Ouen flea market (Porte de Clignancourt, 93400 Saint-Ouen) — toys, vintage postcards, vinyl. Free entry. Evening — Moulin Rouge (82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018) — view from outside; inside is pricey.

1. Don't try to cover everything — 5 museums in a day kills any love for Paris. 2. Don't buy Eiffel Tower tickets on the day of visit — book 2 weeks ahead. 3. Don't dine in the center — you'll pay double. 4. Don't take a stroller in the metro — too many stairs; a sling or walking is better. 5. Don't forget the discounts: many museums are free for under 18.

If it rains, swap parks for the City of Science and Industry (30 Av. Corentin Cariou, 75019) — interactive exhibits kids love. Ticket €12, free under 6. If the Louvre is closed — Musée d'Orsay (1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007) — Impressionists, entry €16, free for kids. If Montmartre is too crowded — Parc de Belleville (47 Rue des Couronnes, 75020) — panorama without crowds.