Buy the art museum combo ticket online ahead of time to save money.
Recommended day/time
Don't do this on a Monday or a Tuesday as one museum is closed on each of those days.
Recommended time of the year
You can do this anytime of the year. Late spring is the prettiest time of year in Paris with all the spring flowers in full bloom. Summer is very crowded and hot; be prepared for lots of tourists and be mindful of scam artists during this time of year.
Save Money
Museums are free the first Sunday of the month, but are also more crowded that day.
About This Day
Paris is a favorite for art lovers - large and small. Parents and kids will enjoy seeing the city while also enjoying world-class art during this family-friendly mini-adventure. Use the art museum combo ticket to visit two of Paris’ most famous galleries: the Musée de l’Orangerie and Musée d'Orsay. Follow up your morning of art with an afternoon picnic at the gorgeous Trocadéro Gardens. Enjoy your meal while gazing at the Eiffel Tower and then stroll around the park, making sure to visit the numerous fountains and ride the carousel. The perfect art-filled day in Paris with kids!
The Musée de l'Orangerie is home to Monet’s beautiful Water Lilies. Whether you're an art buff or not, you'll look at these giant canvases in wonder as you walk into the two circular rooms where the they hang. Our littlest nugget loved looking at all the colors and pointing out all the flowers, while I enjoyed looking at world-famous paintings. There's also a downstairs worth checking out of other famous artists' works, including art by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, and more.
DIRECTIONSTake the metro to the Concorde station and walk a few minutes to the museum. If your accommodations are nearby, enjoy walking through the city to the museum.
TIP Strollers are not allowed inside the exhibits, but the museum does provide stroller parking inside.
Not only is the building itself beautiful (it was originally an old train station), but the impressionist art collection is amazing! I loved seeing art from renowned artists like Monet and Van Gogh and our oldest nugget loved all the "swirly" art. There are also mini tours that children ages six and up can pick up at the information desk that will take children on different adventures throughout the museum depending on what theme they chose.
DIRECTIONSFrom the Musée de l’Orangerie, walk across the Pont de la Concorde and turn left. Walk along the Seine until you reach the museum (about a ten-minute walk).
TIP The museum is stroller friendly, but can be a little difficult to navigate at times.
The gardens offer stunning views of the Eiffel Tower while also providing plenty of green space for your nugget to run around on. There's also a beautiful carousel and fountains for the whole family to enjoy. I loved relaxing during a picnic here while also taking in the beautiful views of the city, and both our nuggets loved picking wildflowers in the grass in between games of tag. If you have extra time, there's also an aquarium on site.
DIRECTIONSFrom Orsay, walk 40 minutes along the Seine until you reach the Eiffel Tower and then cross over the Pont d'Iena to reach the gardens (or you can take the metro to the Trocadéro stop.) Stop for a bite to eat at one of Paris' many cafés on the way. Order the plat du jour (dish of the day) at any café and you're sure to have an amazing meal. Or, grab a baguette sandwich or crêpe from a street vendor and bring it with you to have a picnic in the gardens.
TIP Summertime can be a bit crowded, so make sure to keep an eye on your nuggets so they don't get lost in the crowds.