Paris is such a great city for teens because it’s got tons of cool stuff to see, eat, and explore. With so much going on, there’s a pretty good chance your teen will find something they’re into (and maybe even catch the travel bug while they’re at it).
Doing fun things in Paris doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. Tons of top sites, like the Louvre, the Chateau de Versailles, and the Arc de Triomphe, are free for anyone 17 and under, and a lot of other attractions offer youth discounts. From quirky historic places to fun ways to explore the city, here are some very cool things to do in Paris with teens.
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Image Courtesy of our partner Boutique Tours
Have some evening fun on a bike ride with a boat cruise
I’m very aware that figuring out what to do in the evening while traveling with teens can be trickier than the day time stuff. This combo bike-boat tour makes that daunting task much easier. You’ll kick things off with a guided bike ride around the city as the sun starts to set, then hop on a boat for a totally different and pretty magical view of the city. You’ll glide past icons like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and a bunch of dreamy bridges. It’s active, it’s scenic, and it doesn’t feel like a “tour” that’ll bore your teens.
Take a Paris: Evening Bike & Boat Tour | Various Arrondissements
Image Courtesy of our partner Devour Tours
Sample all the best French pastries and chocolates
There are pretty decent chances that your teen has a sweet tooth, so this fabulous chocolate and pastries tour is a guaranteed win. Paris is dessert heaven, and on this tour, you’ll bounce between amazing pâtisseries, cafés, and crêperies, tasting everything from buttery pain au chocolat to colorful macarons, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, and warm salted butter crêpes. It’s an incredibly delicious experience, so no one will be complaining about this activity.
Book a Paris Pastry and Chocolate Tour | 2nd, 9th, and 10th Arrondissements | WA*
* This tour route is not fully wheelchair accessible. However, an alternate route can be arranged to accommodate guests in wheelchairs. Contact the Guest Experience Team to discuss arranging a private tour that meets your accessibility needs.
Image Courtesy of Invader
Hunt down Space Invader street art
This is one of the coolest free things to do with teens in Paris, and it turns sightseeing into a game. A mysterious street artist known as Invader has been secretly placing mosaic-tiled “Space Invaders” all over the city for years (and now there are over 1,400). You can download the Flash Invader app, track them down, and score points as you go. Basically, it’s a city-wide treasure hunt that keeps teens entertained (and walking!) without them even realizing it.
Download the Flash Invader app | Various Arrondissements
Image Courtesy of our partner Viator
Discover la mode francaise on a fashion tour
Got a fashion-loving teen? This private fashion history tour is the perfect Paris activity for him or her. Led by fashion insider Ivo, you’ll learn about the history of Parisian style and also see what’s trending now. You’ll wander through chic areas like Rue Saint-Honoré, popping into everything from vintage boutiques to high-end designer stores. By the end, your teen will really know how Paris became one of the fashion capitals of the world.
Book a Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour
| Various Arrondissements | WA
Go underground in Paris at the Catacombs
If your teen is into anything a little spooky or unusual, the Catacombs are a must. Created in the late 1700s, the Paris Catacombs are a maze of tunnels lined with millions of bones (yes, really, about six million actually), arranged in surprisingly artistic ways. It’s creepy, fascinating, and not your average historic site, that’s for sure. Tickets sell out fast, so booking ahead is key, or go with a small-group tour to have skip-the-line tickets and to hear all the wild stories (plus access to a few hidden spots you wouldn’t find on your own).
Join a Paris Catacombs Tour | 14th Arrondissement
Image Courtesy of our partner Cook’n With Class
Try your hand at French cooking
Maybe you’ve got a teen who watches cooking shows or dreams of being the next top chef? This is their moment to shine. These hands-on cooking classes held near Montmartre are designed with older kids in mind. You’ll team up with your teen to whip up a full three-course French meal. It’s not just about eating, they’ll actually learn real techniques they can bring home. If your teen is more into baking, the school also has focused classes on French baking, macarons, bread, and croissants.
Take a Family French Cooking Class | 18th Arrondissement
Image Courtesy of Bouillion Chartier via Facebook
Enjoy a fun meal at a Bouillon restaurant
If your teen would rather eat than cook (fair enough), take them to a bouillon. These are big, buzzing restaurants that serve classic French dishes at super reasonable prices, all in a lively, slightly chaotic atmosphere. There are about eight in Paris, but my favorite pick for teens is Bouillon Chartier, where the fast-paced service, old-school waiters in black-and-white uniforms, and trays piled high with food make the whole thing feel like a show. It’s loud, it’s energetic, and it feels very Parisian, which is exactly why teens tend to love it. I recently went with a visiting friend and his 13-year-old, and he said it was one of his favorite experiences of their whole trip.
Go to the Bouillon Chartier | 9th Arrondissement | WA
Image Courtesy of our partner Boutique Tours
Visit Versailles by bike with a picnic brunch
The Palace of Versailles is on many visitors’ bucket lists, but its massive size (and crowds) can be a bit much for teens. This bike and picnic tour makes the whole experience way more relaxed and more fun than a classic tour of Versailles. You’ll start by picking up picnic goodies at a local market, then cycle through the gorgeous gardens before heading inside the palace with a guide and skip-the-line tickets. It turns what could be an overwhelming visit into a laid-back, memorable day.
Join a Bike & Brunch, the Best of Versailles tour | Versailles
Image Courtesy of our partner Get Your Guide
Cruise around the city by vintage car
If you’re looking for other cool things to do with a teen in Paris at night that include some sightseeing, you’ll have an amazing time on this vintage car tour. Hopping into a classic Citroen 2CV, you’ll zip through the city, passing all the top Paris sites, like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, and Opéra Garnier. It’s entertaining, unique, and a super cool way to see the city, especially at night when everything is lit up.
Discover Paris by Night in a Vintage Car with a Local | Various Arrondissements | WA
Get a little spooked out on a ghost stories tour
Let’s add a slightly scary twist to your Paris trip. This evening ghost tour is perfect for teens who love a good story (especially the spooky kind). As you wander through the historic streets around Île-de-la-Cité, the island in central Paris, your guide brings the city’s darker side to life with eerie tales and legends. You’ll hear chilling stories tied to places like the Latin Quarter, Notre-Dame, and the Pont Neuf. It’s just the right amount of spooky, more fun than terrifying, and a cool thing to do with teens in Paris after dark.
Join a Paris by Night Walking Tour: Ghosts, Mysteries and Legends | 1st, 4th and 5th Arrondissements
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