Notre-Dame reopens: Paris with kids at Christmas 2024
Paris with kids at Christmas is extra special this year: Notre-Dame has reopened after the 2019 fire, and the city is full of lights, windows and festive treats. The cathedral was reopened with a ceremony on 7 December 2024 and celebrated its first Mass on 8 December. Here is how to visit with children, what else to do in Paris over the holidays and how to avoid the worst crowds.
What's on: dates, places and prices
Notre-Dame is free to visit, and Paris at Christmas offers a mix of free sights and ticketed family attractions. Check opening hours and booking rules on the official websites, especially between Christmas and New Year.
| Place or event | Area | Ages | Booking | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre-Dame de Paris | Île de la Cité | all ages | free time slots recommended | free |
| Sainte-Chapelle | Île de la Cité | 6+ | recommended | mid-range |
| Christmas windows and tree | Boulevard Haussmann | all ages | none | free |
| Musée Grévin | Grands Boulevards | 4+ | recommended | premium |
| Jardin d'Acclimatation | Bois de Boulogne | 1–12 | optional | mid-range |
| Cité des sciences | La Villette | 2+ | recommended | mid-range |
| Disneyland Paris | Marne-la-Vallée | all ages | required | premium |
Price per person: free, budget = under about €10, mid-range = about €10–25, premium = over €25. Approximate, prices change.
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What's in it for kids by age
Toddlers love the lights and windows, while school-age kids are fascinated by the story of how Notre-Dame was rebuilt.
- Toddlers (1–3): Christmas windows, carousels and short park walks.
- Preschoolers (3–6): the Jardin d'Acclimatation, the Cité des enfants and a quick look inside Notre-Dame.
- School kids (6–12): Notre-Dame's restored interior, the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and Grévin's wax figures.
- Teens: the restoration story, Disneyland's Christmas parade and an evening walk along the Seine.
Top attractions for Paris with kids at Christmas
Start with Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité, then mix festive sights with one big family attraction per day.
Notre-Dame de Paris looks brighter than ever after the cleaning and restoration of its stone and windows. Kids can look for the new spire with its golden rooster and spot the carved details inside. Entry is free; booking a free time slot online is the easiest way to avoid a long queue. At the reopening, the towers with the famous gargoyles were not yet open to visitors.
A few minutes away, Sainte-Chapelle has some of the most beautiful stained glass in the world, a big wow moment for children on a sunny winter day. The Ville de Paris website lists free Christmas events, light shows and ice rinks around the city.
For a festive indoor visit, the Musée Grévin wax museum is fun for kids who love famous faces. The Jardin d'Acclimatation has rides, playgrounds and farm animals all year. On rainy days, the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie is a great choice. And for many families, a Christmas trip to Disneyland Paris with its winter parade and decorations is the highlight.
Practical: parking, prams and baby change
Use the metro and walk; driving and parking in central Paris at Christmas is stressful and expensive.
- Prams: a light, foldable buggy is best; many metro stations have stairs.
- Notre-Dame: there are security checks at the entrance, so travel light.
- Baby change: department stores, museums and large cafés are your best bet.
- Cold and rain: dress in layers and keep a rain cover for the pushchair.
- Holidays: some museums close on 25 December and 1 January.
Where to eat nearby
Around Notre-Dame, eat on the Île Saint-Louis or in the Latin Quarter, a few minutes' walk away. Crêpes, croque-monsieur and hot chocolate are easy wins with kids. Book Christmas Eve or Christmas Day lunch in advance. Find kid-friendly restaurants near Notre-Dame on the Kid.ooo map.
Alternatives if it's busy
If Notre-Dame's queue is too long, come back early in the morning or late in the day, and enjoy the Seine and the bookstalls in between. For festive days outside Paris, see our Christmas markets with kids guide and winter light festivals across Europe. Our Paris Olympics guide also lists parks and playgrounds that are lovely in winter.
For family travel guides across Europe, take a look at @wanderingwagars on Instagram.
More attractions on the Kid.ooo map
Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share attractions, playgrounds and cafés across Europe. Look up things to do with kids in Paris, save a warm café near Notre-Dame and a playground for the afternoon.
Find playgrounds in Paris on the Kid.ooo map
Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family visiting Paris at Christmas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Notre-Dame open to visitors now?
Yes. Notre-Dame reopened with a ceremony on 7 December 2024 and the first Mass on 8 December. Entry is free, and you can book a free time slot online to shorten the wait, although visitors without a booking can also queue.
Can kids climb the towers of Notre-Dame?
Not yet. At the reopening, the cathedral itself opened to visitors, but the tower climb with the famous gargoyles was not yet open. Check the official website for news.
What can kids do in Paris at Christmas?
See the department store windows and giant Christmas tree on Boulevard Haussmann, visit Christmas markets and light shows, go to the Jardin d'Acclimatation, the Cité des sciences or Grévin wax museum, or spend a day at Disneyland Paris.
Is Paris crowded at Christmas?
Yes, especially in the week before Christmas and around New Year. Book tickets in advance, visit popular places early in the morning, and plan quieter park or museum time in between.
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