Paris again: Giggles in the Louvre and Endless Ice Cream

Coming back to Paris after fourteen years was a mix of nostalgia and pure excitement. The city still holds its timeless charm, every landmark in its place, shining brighter than ever. Sure, a few things have changed (Notre Dame has now a brand-new roof and restoration), but Paris remains Paris: dazzling, elegant, and alive.

Only this time, we weren’t just two travelers, we had the kiddos with us, which made the adventure even more memorable (and much funnier 😅).

The Champs-Élysées still bustled with life, its wide avenue drawing us straight to the majestic Arc de Triomphe, standing proud at the end like a timeless guardian of the city.

The Eiffel Tower then sparkled right on cue against the sky, as if showing off just for the kids, who stood in awe at its glittering display and grandeur.

The Louvre was, of course, non-negotiable. Kiddos wanted to see the Mona Lisa, so we bravely joined the ocean of tourists elbowing their way to the front. Fighting through the crowd was a sport, but their triumphant smiles when they finally spotted her tiny frame made every shove worth it.

Even better, their wide-eyed realization that many of the Classical and Renaissance statues are naked led to a priceless “Oops!” moment, followed by unstoppable giggles that echoed through the galleries 🤭.

Paris with kids is a series of strategic snack stops. Just when we thought we could squeeze in one more sight, french fries became the priority. Then pasta. Then ice cream. Then more ice cream. (Did I mention more ice cream?) And of course, at every stop, no matter how iconic, the inevitable question came: “Can we have our tablets now?” Paris in 2025, perfectly balanced between history, culture and screen time 😂.

...thankfully, terrace breaks also meant dad could enjoy a cold Kronenbourg 1664, perfectly crisp after a day of chasing little legs across the city...

We paused for fondue in the Quartier Latin, right in the shadow of the Gothic Church of Saint-Séverin. Yummy cheese, lively streets, and a whiff of history made it a short but memorable stop before the next adventure.

In Montmartre, we wandered up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, its white domes still watching over Paris with serene grace. Afterwards, we sat at our favorite spot, Chez Eugène, surrounded by music, laughter, and that unmistakable Montmartre buzz that makes it hard to leave.

While shopping filled a full afternoon for the girls, the highlight for me was the visit to the Les Invalides complex. Originally built by Louis XIV for wounded soldiers, today it stands as one of Paris’ great historic landmarks, housing the tomb of Napoleon beneath its magnificent golden dome. I always return with pleasure to the medieval section, and this time I was especially thrilled to spot the armor of “the good knight” Bayard displayed in all its splendor, an unforgettable moment for someone passionate about medieval armor and weapons.

Les Invalides 

Later, the Moulin Rouge flashed its bright red windmill, admired safely from the tour bus (some explanations can definitely wait another decade 😅).

And Crazy Horse? We “explored” it only from the distance of a nearby Italian restaurant, happily sharing pizza while chuckling at the irony of dining next to one of Paris’ most famous cabaret clubs.

Advice for families: Plan ahead! We actually managed to do everything we promised the kids, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, hop-on hop-off rides morning and evening, climbing the Arc de Triomphe, exploring Montmartre Hill, eating our way through the most diverse touristy spots, and of course, the spectacular Les Invalides museum.

But here’s the catch: Paris in July is packed with tourists. Many famous sites cannot be visited without pre-booking tickets, and “skip-the-line” really means skip-the-breakdown-with-kids.

Paris after fourteen years was a rediscovery. Sharing it with the kids made it even better: a little chaotic, often hilarious, and absolutely unforgettable.

If they remember even a little of France’s great history, able to connect names like Napoleon, Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, or simply carry it as a vivid memory wrapped in the charm of French atmosphere and culture—then it was completely worth it!