5 Surprising Things About Paris Kids Will Love
Published May 10, 2025
Paris isn't just for grown-ups! This famous city has plenty of secrets that make it perfect for young adventurers. Here are five fascinating things about Paris that kids find pretty cool.
1. Paris Has Its Own Mini Statues of Liberty
Most people think the Statue of Liberty lives only in New York, but Paris has some "little sisters" of the famous statue! France gave the big statue to America as a gift, but kept smaller versions at home. There's one on an island in the Seine River that looks like it's waving to boats as they pass by (and farther away to its big sister in New York), and another hiding in the Luxembourg Gardens. How many can you spot on your visit?
2. There's a Whole Hidden City Underground
Right under the streets of Paris runs a giant maze of tunnels called the Catacombs. These passageways hold the bones of over 6 million people who lived hundreds of years ago. While that might sound creepy, it's actually a fascinating piece of history. The bones are arranged in neat patterns, almost like artwork. Think of it as the world's spookiest museum!
3. You'd Need More Than Three Months to See Everything in the Louvre
The Louvre Museum is so big that if you spent just 30 seconds looking at each artwork (with no breaks for sleeping, eating, or bathroom visits), you'd need about 100 days to see everything! That's why families should never try to see it all in one go. Instead, pick one or two sections to explore each visit. The Egyptian area with its mummies and the Medieval moat buried under the museum are kid favorites!
4. Paris Once Created a Zoo Without Real Animals
Back in the 1940s, when the Paris Zoo had to relocate its animals during WWII, they came up with a creative solution. Artists built 135 giant animal sculptures to fill the empty zoo! Visitors could walk around and see stone elephants, metal giraffes, and concrete hippos while speakers played animal sounds. It wasn't quite the same as seeing real animals, but Parisian kids loved this unusual attraction.
5. Every Summer, Paris Builds a Beach in the Middle of the City
Although Paris isn’t on the coast, that doesn't stop Parisians from having beach days! Each summer since 2002, the city creates "Paris Plage" (Paris Beach) by dumping tons of sand along the Seine River banks. They add palm trees, deck chairs, volleyball courts, ice cream stands, and even sprinklers for cooling off. For a month, city kids can build sandcastles right next to historic monuments!
If you visit Paris, look beyond the usual tourist spots. This city has a playful side that's perfect for curious kids who love discovering secrets and surprises!