27 Things To Do With Teenagers In Paris

Paris is an amazing city to visit with teenagers.

From food tours to interactive museums, bike tours to relaxing boat rides, views from amazing heights to eerie human remains underground, there is something for every teen. Plus, if your teenager loves art they’ll be spoiled for choice with a variety of art museums and immersive exhibitions. There’s also the Paris beaches in the summer, water parks, theme parks and lots more!

Make sure you also take time to soak up the Parisian atmosphere on the streets. Enjoy the cafes, walking around the Latin Quarter, eat lots of crepes and try French patisseries.

Discover 27 fantastic things to do in Paris with teenagers. Whatever you decide to do have a brilliant time!

Climb up the Eiffel Tower

Most teenagers are keen to climb the Eiffel Tower while in Paris. The view from the summit is spectacular. Many teens will particularly enjoy a night climb of the tower.

If you go during the summer months, take a picnic to eat in the gardens around the tower. The gardens are pretty and there are many history boards to read. Even if you don’t climb up, it’s worth walking around the bottom of the tower with teenagers to see how impressive the Eiffel Tower is.

Climb the Arc De Triomphe

Another fun way to enjoy outstanding views of Paris is to climb the Arc De Triomphe. There are 284 steps to get to the terrace at the top. It’s a steep, swirly climb which adds an extra thrill for teens who get bored easily! The views are worth every step.

It’s much less crowded than the Eiffel Tower. On the first level, there’s also small informative museum about the history of the Arc.

More Ways To Get A Great View of Paris (Alternatives to the Eiffel Tower)

The Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triomphe are just two ways to see stunning views of Paris. However, the Eiffel Tower can be busy and crowded. If your teen enjoys climbing heights here are a couple more suggestions.

Climb the Sacre-Coeur

Go to Montmatre and climb to the top of the Sacré-Coeur. It’s quite high and there are amazing views from the top. It’s also less expensive than the Eiffel Tower. It’s one way traffic, you go up one route, over the amazing roofs and then down so you don’t have to stand and let other people pass. Montmatre is also a good place to visit and wander around.

See The Views from Montparnasse Tower

The Montparnasse Tower is an office skyscraper and the tallest building in Pairs. You get another great view of Paris from the top. In the winter months, there is often an ice skating rink where you can skate with views of the Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur and La Défense.

Go Underground at the Catacombs Of Paris

Photo Credit: Paris catacombs

The Catacombs are fascinating and show a darker side of Paris. Climb 130 steps downwards to underground Paris. Experience the tunnels and see the human bones they’ve brought underground. The history is interesting and displayed in informative posters along the way.

Visit Montmatre for a Chocolate and Pastry Tour

Wander through the streets of Montmatre in Paris and visit various shops where you’ll try some sweet Paris treats. You can do the tour with an English speaking guide who will introduce you to to local cafés, brasseries, art galleries and small museums on the way. Or you can embark on a self guided tour!

While you’re in Montmatre you can also do this self guided tour which takes you to some famous places including the Moulin Rouge, Vincent Van Gogh’s former home, the cafe from the movie Amélie, the Dali museum and many other cool places.

Hop on Hop Off Bus

If you want to see the main sites with your teenager in one day, the Paris hop on hop off bus tour is a great way to do it. You don’t need to figure out the metro or find your way from one landmark to another.

Batobus Hop On /Off Boat Trip

Another great way to get around Paris and avoid being stuck in traffic is the Batobus. It’s a good way to see the sights. You pay for a ticket and then hop and hop off as you wish. Stops include The Eiffel Tower, Musee D’Orsay, Notre Dame and the Louvre among others.

Cruise Along the Seine

Take some time to enjoy the beauty of Paris from the Seine on the Bateaux Mouche. It’s a relaxing way for teenagers to view Paris from another perspective.

See Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou

The Pompidou Centre houses the Musée National d’Art Moderne which is the largest museum of modern art in Europe. Some of the art is unusual and appeals to teenagers. Teens will also like the quirky. escalators on the outside of the building. The top floor of the Pompidou centre is another place to get some good views of the city.

Musée Du Chocolat

Chocoholic teens will love a visit to the musée de chocolate to learn about the history of chocolate. It’s a small museum but there is a lot of interesting information to read. There are some chocolate samples and and there is a chocolate demonstration. Pay a little extra and enjoy a gorgeous hot chocolate at the end of the tour.

Fly High in the Tethered Air Balloon in Park André Citroen

Photo credit : Aero04 / wikipedia

Parc Citreon was built on the former site of the Citreon factory in 1992. It’s a 14 acre park. Teens will enjoy going up 150m high in the tethered hot air balloon. There’s plenty more to do here as well. Play table tennis, visit the two hothouses and cool down on warm summer days in the fountains.

Try Some French Foods (Crepes, Baguettes, Macarons and more)

While in Paris, make sure hungry teenagers have the opportunity to try as many gorgeous French foods as possible.

Here is a quick list of what to try and where to try them:

Macarons – these bite sized meringue cookies are a must try when in Paris. Many tourists head to the famous Ladurée shop on the the Champs Elysee to buy them but there are several branches over the capital. Check them out here.

Crepes – Crepes are thin pancakes which can be filled with any sweet or savory filling of your choosing. You can buy crepes from street vendors or sit down and order them in a café. Breizh Café – (near the Picasso Museum) is a very popular place to try crepes.

Croque Monsieur  – a Croque Monsieur is a French take on a ham and cheese toasted sandwich. They are a staple on the menu in many Parisien cafes. You can also try a Croque Madame which has a fried egg too.

Baguettes, Croissants and other pastries – Boulangeries are everywhere in Paris. Make sure you try a freshly baked baguette during your stay. Croissants are perfect for a breakfast item or a mid morning snack. Of course, you don’t need to stop there. Many boulangeries sell a variety of baked goods that teenagers will love including pain au chocolates and eclairs. Yum!

Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum is a sculpture garden which features work from the artist Augusta Rodin. It’s great for teenagers who are art freaks. It’s a small museum so it’s also good if you want to see the sculptures but your teen has a short attention span.

The gardens are worth the visit on their own. Highlights include the sculpture of the Thinker and The Kiss. There are also huge bronze gates depicting Dante’s Circle of Hell. There is a lovely little cafe here too.

Parc Astrix

Photo Credit : The Goudurix Papillon Rollercoaster by Obélus / Wikipedia

Teens who love rollercoasters won’t want to miss Parc Astrix. It’s the biggest theme park in France and located just north of Paris (about 40 minutes drive). It’s the 10th most visited theme park in Europe. Teenagers will enjoy riding the 7 rollercoasters!

See the Graves of the Rich and Famous at Père Lachaise Cemetery

The Père Lachaise Cemetery is the most visited cemetery in the world. There are very ornate graves and tombs which are works of art. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Frederick Chopin and Edith Piaf are all buried here. You can scan a QR code at the entrance and see where each grave is on a map.

Aquaboulevard

Photo Credit : Mariiwakura / Wikipedia

Aquaboulevard is the biggest urban water park in Europe splash with lots of water chutes, outdoor beach and outdoor jacuzzi. It’s a great place for teens to have fun. Please note, they only allow speedo type swim shorts in the swimming pool and won’t let men or boys wear short style swim wear.

L’Atelier Des Lumières

Photo credit : Caroline Lena Becker / Wikipedia

Immerse yourself in art at the L’Atelier des Lumières.  This unique experience which provides an unusual way for teenagers to experience art, even if they’re normally not that interested. The immersive exhibition presents classic pieces of art with projectors and music. Moving images are projected onto blank canvas walls. It has excellent reviews and is often sold out so well worth a visit if you can get tickets.

Disneyland Paris

You’re never too old for Disneyland Paris. There is plenty for teenagers to enjoy in the theme park.

Experience rollercoasters including Star Wars HyperSpace Mountain and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril. Other rides teenagers enjoy include Buzz Lightyear Lazer Blast where you equip your lazer blaster and blast your way through different planets. There’s also the flight simulator Star Tours and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The night parade and fireworks are also popular with teens.

Paris Beach

Photo Credit : Peter Haas / Wikipedia

In the summer months (from early July to Augst) there are free beaches that pop up along the banks of the River Seine, Bassin de la Villette and other locations.

At the Basin de la Villette there are also swimming pools that are free to enter (only 200 people are allowed in each one at a time during a specified time slot). There are also other waterfront activities which are free and include pedalos, kayaks, canoes and zip lines.

Grevin Museum

Photo Credit : Myrabella / Wikipedia

The Musée de Grevin (Grevin museum) is a waxwork museum, similar to Madame Tussauds in London. It’s a fun attraction for teens. Enjoy a sound and mirror show on entry. Then walk through to see the waxworks. There are lots of interactive activities to do while you’re there. Put your face in the space of Mona Lisa, sit beside John Lennon and play a piano with Elton John.  There are some French celebrities that teenagers may not know but there are plenty they will know. There is also a torture area with some medieval history.

Visit the Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. Let’s be honest though, the Louvre isn’t going to engage every teen. However if your teenager likes art it’s a must. See the artworks from Renoir, Van Gough, Monet and Da Vinci. Another must is viewing the Mona Lisa and Venus De Milo.

Underneath the Louvre is a lovely little shopping mall with some intriguing shops.

Musée d’Armie and des Invalides

The Army Museum is impressive. Teens will enjoy seeing the armour, weapons and learning about the history of war spanning around 1500 years. There’s also a lot to learn about World War 1 and 2. This museum has great reviews on TripAdvisor and may be a welcome break from the art museums in Paris.

More Ideas of Things To Do With Teens in Paris

Here is a quick round up of a few more things to do in Paris with teens.

Escape Room – why not try an escape room in Paris with teenagers? There are plenty of Escape Rooms around Paris to choose from. One to try is The Game France. All their escape rooms are available in English.

Bike Tour – Discover Paris on a bike with your teenagers. Baja bikes provide bike tours around Paris that are suitable for families.

City of Science and Industry – The Cité des science et de l’industrie is the biggest science museum in Europe. There are plenty of interactive exhibits and it also features an excellent planetarium.

Orsay Museum – if your teen loves art, a visit to the Musée de l’Orsay is a must. It’s the number 1 attraction for Paris on trip advisor and  houses lots of impressionist artwork. The building itself is also beautiful and there are some lovely views of Paris from the upper windows.

Ghost Tour – see the darker side of Paris and hear creepy stories of the French capital on an evening walking tour. On the Darkest Secrets of Paris tour a guide will share stories about the dark history of Paris while you visit the Latin Quarter, Pont-Neuf and Hotel De Ville.

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