Click here for a map that includes all of our picks.

Le Marais is one of the city's hippest neighborhoods. With charming boutiques, falafel stands, and narrow streets, it's the best place to find a true Parisian treasure. The Île de la Citè and the Île Saint-Louis sit just next to the Marais, and the bridges that span the Seine provide some of the best photographic opportunities. Between Nôtre Dame and the ice cream at Berthillon, your kids will never want to leave.

Restaurants

Chef Alain Ducasse revived this 1912 restaurant—the only Parisian bistro to boast a Michelin star—and consistently turns out wonderful versions of classic favorites, including cassoulet and escargots. If your hotel has babysitting services, save this gem for a date night.
20 rue Saint-Martin, 01-42-72-2576

While many places around Paris serve Berthillon's fantastic ice cream to go, the original offers sit-down service and takeaway cones and cups on the picturesque Île St.-Louis in the middle of the Seine.
31 rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île, 01-43-54-3161.

Located in what used to be Paris's Jewish neighborhood, this place has the ultimate falafel sandwich: creamy, crunchy, tangy, and harissa-soaked, with or without fries on top. The shop is closed Saturdays.
34 rue des Rosiers, 01-48-87-6360

The closely spaced collection of stalls is the oldest covered market in Paris, named after an orphanage nearby. It has lush produce and vibrant flowers, as well as a good variety of prepared foods (everything from Asian chicken nuggets and seaweed salad to quiche and tarts) and picnic tables for immediate dining.
39 rue de Bretagne

This small neighborhood spot has simple, straightforward Japanese food and is a good place to stop after a shopping jaunt at Talc, Isabel Marant, and Soi.
58 rue du Saintonge, 01-48-87-2885

Shops

A great Haut Marais shop, AB33 has everything from sexy but wearable underwear for mom to chic clothes by young, emerging French designers like Vanessa Bruno.
33 rue Charlot, 01-42-71-0282

Stop in to admire inspirational children's furniture, including kid-size classics (Prouvé chairs) and the shop's line of mini modern pieces.
25 rue des Filles-du-Calvaire, 01-42-74-0149

Somehow the French manage to make even a hardware store aesthetically pleasing. Try a cup of excellent coffee and browse through the beautiful tapes, ribbons, wires, and shiny knobs.
52 rue de Rivoli, 01-42-74-9000

A great place to pick up quick snacks. The shop sells only organic goods, including dried fruit, nuts, instant soups, and organic beauty products. And, in a nice touch, all patrons are greeted with a cup of tea.
35 rue Debelleyme

All four Bon Ton locations have a fantastic edit of kids' clothes and gifts. While the versatile designs are simple with muted colors, there are also nice details like smartly tailored sleeves and Swiss dots.
118 rue Vieille-du Temple, 01-42-72-3469; check the website for other locations

Estelle Yomeda's shop is lined with her meticulously designed shoes—luckily, half the price of Christian Louboutin. She has everything from basic flats to swirled retro heels and leather boots.
4 rue de Normandie, 01-44-59-8033

One of the hippest kids clothing store in Paris, it stocks tons of Marc Jacobs products that never make it to the U.S. shops, T-shirts by London's No Added Sugar, and hippyish Belgian designs.
23 rue Debelleyme, 01-42-72-1559

Filled with impressive gadgets, toys, and games, the shop also has a clever owner who knows every inch of his extensive and tricky inventory and can demonstrate how everything works.
42 Rue François Miron, 01-40-27-9447

In addition to laser-slashed T-shirts and a Tokyo-punk sense of humor, the store has children's furniture and a kid-pleasing music-listening station.
5 rue des Filles-du-Calvaire, 01-44-54-0830

The famous tea shop is a Paris institution. Have a sommelier walk you through the flavors and brew your family cups from fresh leaves and flowers.
30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg, 01-42-72-28-11

This modern store has classic Scandinavian and German wooden toys, simple stuffed animals, clothes, and lots of games. It's a perfect place to pick up a gift, or to find items to replenish the toy box.
11 rue Saint-Paul, 01-48-87-2421

This store's gorgeous modern stationery will inspire you to take up the lost art of letter writing.
9 rue du Pont Louis Philippe, 01-42-77-7094

Opened in December 2005, this children's boutique has beautiful silk and bamboo kites, children's clothing, and chic home accessories.
39 rue François Miron, 01-44-54-9084

It carries great clothes for moms that are elegant, chic, and a little bit rock-and-roll: buttery tall boots, pretty dresses, and Notify jeans (a popular—and great-fitting—French brand).
15 rue de Poitou, 01-48-05-8010

Pop into this chic shop for cool bamboo plates, whimsical coin purses from Thailand, pretty notebooks, and other great gift items.
26 rue Charlot, 01-48-04-3187

The Converse of France, these coolest of kicks for kids and adults have been around since the 1930s.
22 rue du Renard, 01-48-87-2423

Owned by a Korean-expat mom, it carries designs for boys and girls up to 8 years old that are chic and affordable. She also has Korean paper dolls, stickers, and jewelry.
60 rue de Saintonge, 01-42-77-5263

This Cajun restaurant and grocery stocks all kinds of American goods—a lifesaver if your child is craving Quaker oatmeal, Campbell's soup, or Oreos.
20 rue Saint-Paul, 01-42-77-6828

Activities

Hundreds of vendors pile daily into the ële de la Cite's square. It's best to go in the morning; on Sundays, the usual blooms are joined by caged birds.
Île de la Cité

If you have young kids, walk by the cathedral's Grand Gallery to check out the gargoyles before heading to the play area on the south side of the building. Older children will be amped to climb the stairs all the way to the top and look out over the city. And if you can, catch a few minutes of a choir or organ rehearsal. Open 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
6 Parvis Nôtre-Dame-Place Jean-Paul II, 01-42-34-5610

While there's a lot of modern art to see here, the six-story escalator is captivating in its own way. Before you leave, be sure to enjoy a bite at the top-floor restaurant; to take in the view. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Tuesdays; 10 euros per adult, free for children under 18.
Place Georges Pompidou, 01-44-78-1233

This museum, housed in a Renaissance palace, teaches Paris's history through artifacts and objects and has a recreation of Marcel Proust's cork-lined bedroom. Open 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., closed Mondays; free for adults and children.
23 rue de Séveigné, 01-44-59-5858

The magic museum focuses on sleight of hand, and puts on magic shows every half hour. There are also antique magic props and interactive games. Open Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 2 to 7 p.m.; 9 euros per adult, 7 euros per child ages 3 to 12.
Espace Magique de Marais, 11 rue Saint-Paul, 01-42-72-1326

Formed to house the French state's Picasso collection when the artist died, the museum now has over 3,200 works on display—but somehow doesn't feel the least bit intimidating. The building itself is beautiful, too, with grand staircases and intricate moldings. Open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April through September, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. October through March, closed Mondays; 7.70 euros per adult, free for children under 18.
5 rue de Thorigny, 01-42-71-2521

Take a look inside this small church, which was built by Louis IX. Kids will be awed by the soaring windows and stained glass. Skip the long lines by going for a night concert.
4 Boulevard du Palais, 01-53-73-7852

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