As you and your family prepare for one of the biggest changes in your life, we would like to help you prepare for life in the city of lights. Life in France has its ups and downs, and now you can be prepared for some of the advantages and disadvantages of Parisian life.
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ADVANTAGE : Cosmopolitan capital: Paris shines with its multiculturalism. You can overhear all sorts of languages in the metro. And it is beautiful to see all cultures live together peacefully. English is widely spoken here (in all its accents!). It is worth noting; however, that speaking English is clearly not the strong suit of the French, but in a district like the 16th, most people working in service speak English, and if you won’t any issues with making yourself understood and being easily understood.
ADVANTAGE : Paris is a cultural center. There is an exceptional concentration of iconic monuments, museums, exhibitions, and art galleries in Paris. Unmissable neighborhoods steeped in history where heritage, art, and culture mingle within the city streets. A multitude of outings and activities await you, such as unusual and family friendly activities to La Cité des Sciences, escape games, and more suitable for both young and old. See the list below for our top recommendations for things to do in Paris with young children.
Family Friendly Activities in Paris:
Great for all ages. Located in a big bookshop in the center of Paris, they regularly offer an interactive story time that they call ‘Story Shows’ are performed by actors within life-size decor that helps our favorite stories come to life. They also host art sessions, baby gym, and a café space. Make sure to reserve your spot in advance online.
Musée de la Musique - Great for all ages
This beautiful space in the newly built Philharmonie of Paris offers a host of workshops, also known as ‘ateliers’, to welcome visitors. They have several workshops throughout the year that cater to young audiences and that are 100% interactive. Each workshop takes one and a half hours. They also have free guided visits for little ones to play a game and interact with their collection of traditional and renowned musical instruments. Open from 12 to 6pm during the week and 10am to 6pm on weekends. Make sure to reserve your visit in advance to ensure you will have a spot.
Museum of Illusion - Best for children from 5 years of age. Over 70 different installations that will throw into question your hold on perspective, captivate your senses, and create powerful reactions among your little ones. Prepare to lose your bearings on reality. Children under 5 are free. The museum is open from 10am until 8pm or until 10pm from Thursday to Saturday.
Little Villette - A lovely space for young children. Offering a cinema, puppet shows, interactive workshops, an learning farm, a circus exhibit, water works space, a baby-gym to work on coordination, and so so much more. Film showings are free for all, and children under 2 are always free. Make sure to reserve your session online, as they tend to book up.
DISADVANTAGE : Lacks Greenery- Green spaces are relatively few in Paris compared to its neighboring capitals, but all parks and gardens are carefully maintained. The Champ de Mars, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries, Parc Monceau, the Buttes Chaumont, etc... You will be seduced by the diversity of natural experiences these places offer. Not to mention the Bois de Vincennes - admittedly remote - or the Bois de Boulogne very close to the 16th arrondissement for that matter!
DISADVANTAGE : Jobs for Expats - Not surprisingly, like in all major cities, there is intense competition in the job market for those with limited French; however, Paris remains a huge job market in all fields. Speaking French in addition to English would obviously be a major asset, regardless of the sector. Only speaking English will necessarily limit your job search, as there are many English speakers residing in Paris. See below a few of the english-focused job boards that employers regularly use in France.
DISADVANTAGE : Crowded Transit - Public transportation can be particularly crowded in Paris even outside of peak hours. It's not necessarily wiser to travel by car either due to traffic density and numerous roadworks. Cycling remains an option within the city, and the development of cycling lanes has made biking even easier. The best option is obviously to live as close as possible to work and school. It's worth noting that Kingsworth International school is located in the center of Paris, which is a major advantage as it will save you from losing hours in transportation; unfortunately the case for most people commuting between Paris and its suburbs.
ADVANTAGE : Center of Europe - Paris is THE ideally located capital. Thanks to the high speed rail network, also known as TGV, it's possible to reach the Normandy coast for a seaside getaway, or head south to explore Provence, or even venture into the mountains for a more sporty weekend. On the scale of Europe as well, Paris stands out as THE true hub of the continent. You can easily explore other European capitals by train or airplane within a few hours.
ADVANTAGE : Cuisine - In France, eating well is considered one of the true arts of living. Needless to say, Paris is also essential for its gastronomy. There is a growing number of restaurants and Michelin-starred chefs. From traditional cuisine to the most refined dishes, including delicious pastries and viennoiseries, wines and cheeses, not forgetting the traditional baguette!
Special thanks to Lacy Audry for our main photos and the folks at Thought Catalog and Unsplash for providing the last photo.
