Paris is a dream destination, but for parents traveling with young children, it comes with its own set of challenges—especially when navigating the city with a stroller. From cobblestone streets to metro stations without elevators, knowing the best ways to get around can make your trip stress-free and enjoyable. This guide covers everything you need to know, including stroller-friendly attractions, the best transport options, and essential tips for parents.
Is Paris Stroller-Friendly?
The short answer? Yes and no. While Paris is walkable and packed with family-friendly parks, some areas—like Montmartre’s steep hills or the narrow sidewalks of Le Marais—can be tough with a stroller. The metro system is not very stroller-friendly, as many stations lack elevators. However, with a lightweight stroller, good planning, and the right transport choices, Paris can still be an amazing city for families.
Choosing the Right Stroller for Paris
To make your trip easier, pick a stroller that fits Paris’s unique challenges:
✅ Lightweight and Compact – Ideal for carrying up stairs in metro stations or small cafés.
✅ Easy to Fold – Some attractions may require you to fold your stroller.
✅ Good Suspension – Essential for cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks.
🔹 Best Option: A travel stroller like the Babyzen YOYO or GB Pockit+, which is compact, lightweight, and fits in airplane overhead compartments.
Getting Around Paris with a Stroller
1. Walking: The Best Option
🚶♀️ Paris is best explored on foot, especially in stroller-friendly areas like:
- Jardin du Luxembourg (wide paths, a fantastic playground)
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (green spaces, scenic views, but some steep parts)
- The Seine Riverbanks & Île de la Cité (wide walkways, stroller-friendly paths)
- Tuileries Garden (flat terrain, near the Louvre and fun fair in summer)
Tip: Avoid peak hours when sidewalks are crowded, especially around popular sights.
2. Paris Metro with a stroller: A Challenge, But Doable
🚇 The Paris Metro is not very stroller-friendly, as most stations lack elevators and require stairs. However, if you do decide to take the Paris Metro with a stroller here’s how to it work:
- Use stroller-accessible stations: Some major ones, like Châtelet, Gare de Lyon, and La Défense, have elevators.
- Avoid rush hour (8-10 AM & 5-7 PM) – Crowds make it difficult to maneuver a stroller.
- Take RER trains: These suburban trains have more space and elevators in many stations.
- Be prepared to carry the stroller: If you’re traveling with a partner, one person can help lift it over stairs.
🔹 Alternative: Take the bus! It’s more stroller-friendly than the metro.
3. Buses: The Best Public Transport for Strollers
🚌 Why Choose the Bus?
- Strollers can stay open on most buses.
- More space than the metro.
- Great sightseeing while you travel.
✅ Best stroller-friendly bus routes for sightseeing:
- Bus 72 (follows the Seine past the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Trocadéro)
- Bus 42 (goes from Gare du Nord to the Eiffel Tower)
- Bus 69 (a great way to see major landmarks without a tour bus)
Tip: Enter through the middle door—there’s a designated stroller space.
4. Taxis, Uber & Private Transfers
🚖 Taxis & Uber in Paris with a Stroller:
- Most taxis do not have car seats, so bring a travel-friendly one if needed.
- Uber Family offers cars with child seats.
- For airport transfers, private car services (affiliate links coming soon!) provide pre-booked rides with car seats.
Stroller-Friendly Attractions in Paris
Paris has plenty of family-friendly places where a stroller won’t be an issue.
Top Stroller-Friendly Attractions:
🎡 Disneyland Paris – Wide paths, stroller rentals available.
🎨 Musée en Herbe – An interactive art museum for kids.
🚀 Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie – Perfect for curious little minds.
🌿 Jardin des Plantes – Botanical gardens, a small zoo, and shaded paths.
🦖 Grande Galerie de l’Évolution – Huge museum with animals and dinosaurs.
🏰 Château de Versailles – The gardens are stroller-friendly, but inside the palace can be crowded.
Avoid with a Stroller:
❌ Montmartre – Steep hills, cobblestone streets, and stairs everywhere.
❌ Catacombs of Paris – Narrow tunnels and no stroller access.
❌ Sainte-Chapelle – No elevator, and stairs are required.
Essential Tips for Exploring Paris with a Stroller
✔ Use a baby carrier for places where a stroller isn’t practical.
✔ Always bring a rain cover – Paris weather is unpredictable
. ✔ Plan for diaper changes – Many public restrooms lack changing tables; department stores like Galeries Lafayette have better facilities.
✔ Take breaks in parks – Paris has plenty of green spaces to let kids run around while you rest.
Final Thoughts: Is Paris Worth Visiting with a Stroller?
Absolutely! While there are challenges, Paris is a fantastic city for families, with endless parks, museums, and attractions for young kids. With the right stroller, smart transport choices, and good planning, you can enjoy a seamless Parisian adventure.