Summer Abroad Camp List: Paris, France Edition
7 summer camps for your kids to enjoy while you explore Paris
This past weekend, I was leading 45 women through a vision board and annual planning workshop at MNT. I scanned the room, and I can’t think of a single board that didn’t have TRAVEL on it.
I saw one woman had a photo of Spain, and when I asked how she was making it happen, she told me she’s joining Roam Collective in August. (If you are new here, I co-created Roam Collective this past Fall as a family summer abroad program in San Sebastian).
Talk about a surreal, full-circle moment of my worlds colliding. Another woman had a sparkling image of the Mediterranean Sea. She mentioned that since having kids, they’ve done plenty of road trips, but haven’t braved international travel yet. As I was giving her some encouragement, she subtly mentioned getting a newsletter all about summer camps in Barcelona and thought it might be the perfect solution to finally get her kids abroad.
I had to laugh as I realized… “Wait, I think that was my newsletter!” She had no idea I was the one who sent it. HA!
But that conversation clicked something into place for me. While my intention for this series is to encourage you to spend your entire summer differently, I’m realizing there is a massive use case for a shorter stint, even just one or two weeks. It’s the ultimate hack: the kids get a curated experience, and we as parents get to explore a bucket-list destination exactly the way we want, while still creating those core family memories.
Which brings us to edition number two: Paris, France.
Personally, Paris is a bit larger of a city than I tend to gravitate to for a long-term stay, but it’s worth mentioning because it has so much to offer for families. If you live in a smaller town or suburb, you might be craving this type of high-energy pace! Jason and I traveled to Paris pre-kids, and I dream of returning with my little ones having massive picnics in front of the Eiffel Tower, eating Steak Frites (my kids LOVE steak and fries), and scootering along the Seine.
And you know I had to find another photo of Jason and I back in the day. Babies!
Logistics: Getting There & Staying There
Ease of Getting There:
Major Airports: You’ll likely land at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) but Orly (ORY) is another option.
Flights: Direct flights are standard from major U.S. hubs like New York, Boston, and San Francisco, typically taking between 7 to 11 hours.
The Commute: CDG is roughly 45–60 minutes from the city center via taxi (fixed rates: €56–€65) or the RER B train is about 40 mins (€13). You can also take
Getting Around:
Skip the Rental: Driving in Paris is notoriously stressful due to congestion and a complete lack of parking.
Public Transit First: All city buses are 100% accessible with ramps for strollers, just look for the low-floor entries.
Stroller Pro-Tip: Most old Metro stations have plenty of stairs and few elevators. Stick to Line 14 or the bus network for a step-free journey.
Cost of Living & Rentals:
Average 2-Bedroom Rental: For a family-friendly Airbnb in a safe arrondissement (like the 6th or 17th), expect to spend between $4,000 and $7,500 per month in July.
Outsource the Stocking: Don’t waste your first 48 hours in a supermarket. Use apps like Uber Eats or Deliveroo for express grocery delivery from Monoprix or Carrefour to have the essentials waiting for you.
The “American Reality” Check:
Air Conditioning: Central AC is rare. Always verify “climatisation” in your listing if you’re heat-sensitive.
Laundry Habits: Standalone dryers are uncommon. Most rentals use a washer-dryer “combo” unit (which takes hours, and the dryer rarely works well) or traditional folding racks.
The Weather: What to Expect in July
Parisian summers are generally mild but increasingly prone to heatwaves.
The Temperature: Daily highs average around 75°F to 80°F, but can spike into the 90s during “canicule” (heatwave) events. So if weather patterns hold strong, I’d expect at least one heat wave while you are there.
Evening Vibe: Balmy nights average around 60°F, perfect for those late picnics.
The Paris Food Scene & Typical Schedule
What to Eat:
Casual Classics: Look for neighborhood Bistros and Bouillons for Steak Frites or Quiche.
Kid-Friendly Atmosphere: Crêperies and outdoor park cafés are a lifesaver, universally loved by kids and very casual.
Typical Eating Schedule:
Lunch: Strictly between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The “Goûter” Ritual: Around 4:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m., children enjoy a ritual afternoon snack to bridge the gap to a late dinner.
Dinner: Restaurants rarely open before 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. For an easier night, Parisian park cafés often serve food through the afternoon gap.
Things to Do With Kids
Jardin du Luxembourg: Sail vintage wooden sailboats in the pond, watch a puppet show at the theater, or visit the fenced Ludo Jardin playground (note: there is a small fee for both kids and adults).
Splash Pads & Cooling Stations: For hot July days, head to Nelson Mandela Park (Les Halles) or Parc André Citroën, which features 72 randomly jumping water jets on a massive esplanade. Nelson Mandela Park also has misters and intermittent water mirrors.
Jardin d’Acclimatation: A historic amusement park in the Bois de Boulogne with rides specifically for younger kids, pony rides, and a massive paddling pool with water jets and giant slides.
Interactive Science Museums: Cité des Enfants (within Parc de la Villette) offers hands-on exhibits for school-age kids, or try the quirky Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature for nature-obsessed older children.
Seine River Cruise: Opt for the Batobus, it’s a hop-on-hop-off water taxi with 9 stops at major sites like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. It’s a low-key way to see the city without tired legs.
Eiffel Tower Picnic: Grab a still-warm baguette from Les Saveurs Cler and curated local cheeses from Marie-Anne Cantin or Laurent Dubois on the nearby pedestrian street of Rue Cler for an iconic spread at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. If it’s a Wednesday or Sunday, hit the Marché Grenelle for a whole roasted chicken and potatoes to bridge the gap between camp pickup and the tower’s hourly evening sparkle.
Things to Do Without Kids
A “Flâneur” Afternoon in Le Marais: This neighborhood is a masterclass in architecture and niche shopping. Wander through the historic Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, to explore hidden art galleries and high-end boutiques tucked under vaulted stone arcades.
The Ultimate Adult Lunch: Skip the kid-friendly crêperies and snag a midday table at an iconic spot like a terrace table at Loulou by the Louvre gardens.
Perfume & Scent Workshops: Lean into your creative side with an adult-only workshop. Fragonard offers hands-on perfume-making classes in the 9th arrondissement where you can design your own signature summer scent.
Canal Saint-Martin Picnic: Grab a bottle of wine and a picnic from a local market and sit along the canal banks like a true local.
Rooftop Cocktails: For the best golden hour views, head to Terrass in Montmartre or Girafe near Trocadéro. Arrive before sunset to snag a spot overlooking the Parisian rooftops as the lights begin to flicker on.
Underground Wine Tastings: Step into the 18th-century royal wine cellars of King Louis XV at Les Caves du Louvre for a guided nighttime tasting in atmospheric underground tunnels.
Speakeasy Hopping in the Marais: The neighborhood is full of hidden doors and world-class cocktails. Explore the narrow, cobbled lanes after 10 p.m. to discover candlelit wine bars that only truly come alive once the sun goes down.
Crazy Horse Paris: For a quintessential Parisian night out, book a show at this iconic burlesque. It’s sophisticated, artistic, and the perfect “adults-only” sharp contrast to your day at the playground.
Local Support
Camps end at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. You need a system for that bridge. For late-night U.S. Zoom calls or kid-free bistro nights, I recommend booking background-checked care through these platforms:
Babysits: A huge network of local sitters. It’s more of a platform where you can filter by language and experience. Average Rates: €12–€15/hour.
Nanny Please / Baby Prestige: These are higher-end, fully vetted agencies that specialize in hotel and holiday care. Expect professional, often bilingual caregivers. Average Rates: €25–€45/hour (sometimes higher on weekends or late nights).
The Paris Summer Camp List
I’ve researched and vetted 7 camps for ages 2 to 16 including dates, hours, pricing, activities and more!
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