Is Paris stroller friendly? Many people will tell you that getting around in many cities in France, especially Paris, with a stroller is almost impossible. While it is true that there are cobblestones, stairs and narrow sidewalks, I will say let’s not exaggerate: Paris with a stroller is fine to visit.
Should you bring a stroller to Paris?
Over the years we visited Paris 6 times with children as they grew from babies to toddlers to preschoolers. We brought different strollers into town each time, so I can also compare what works and what doesn’t.
I can say that without a stroller my trips to Paris with children would not have been pleasant. Toddlers simply can’t walk that far, and carrying them and their things around all the time will tire out even the strongest adults.
Parisians are kind to children and parents, despite stereotypes, and they will make this work for you. For example, we used to visit cafes with outdoor seating when the children were sleeping in their strollers and the staff were always friendly and helped us settle somewhere.
When out to eat with a napping child, make sure their stroller doesn’t stick out into the street. Police are apparently conducting random checks at cafes, making sure there are no chairs or strollers blocking the sidewalks. We only had a problem once, but the waiter quickly found a table inside.
What is the best travel stroller for Paris?
When you look around you, you will see that most Parisians carry small, foldable strollers. I haven’t seen a double stroller in Paris yet, as it would be annoying for parents to navigate the crowd.
babyzen yoyo stroller It was invented in France for a reason: it’s lightweight, quick to fold, and narrow. Elevators are also not common in many parts of France, including Paris, so you will have to go up and down stairs with your stroller a lot, including in hotels or rental apartments.
I personally used a few strollers in France and recommend them. Yo-yo either Joolz AirUnless you are traveling with two children and coming in winter, I suggest a van (read double stroller).
As long as you bring a small travel stroller you will be fine as there are smooth paths everywhere so small wheels won’t be a problem. If you have two children, you can get a stroller for the older ones, but everyone in their right mind in Europe has one stroller per child when they travel.
Umbrella strollers are a bad idea because they are not sturdy enough to be reliable for you and they are not comfortable for the child. I honestly can’t imagine having to force it in Parisian parks, which you will visit frequently with children.
Is it a good idea to bring a double stroller to Paris?
If you’re thinking about bringing a large tandem or side-by-side stroller to Paris, I think you should reconsider. You won’t even enter the bus or your apartment door with him, which defeats his purpose. However…
When we visited during the Christmas markets we decided to bring a stroller and ironically it wasn’t bad at all. It was difficult to carry a heavier item up and down the stairs on the subway, but we used Larkdale, which is narrow and basically as wide as a normal stroller.
A big advantage of bringing a stroller to Paris was that during the winter, the children could hide under the canopy and blankets and still talk to each other, so they wouldn’t get bored when there wasn’t much to see during the afternoon walks back to the hotel when it was dark outside. We could have bought a stroller bag and still brought two travel strollers, but in winter I was happy with this choice. In summer it would have been completely unnecessary and inconvenient.
Would a baby carrier be better for Paris than a baby stroller?
If you plan to go on a hike, you’ll obviously need a baby carrier too, but I wouldn’t recommend venturing out without the stroller – babies sleep a lot and even toddlers who don’t nap can be tired after exploring all day and need a place to nap.
During the summer or even early spring, Paris can be very hot. I personally couldn’t imagine having to carry a baby all day in the sun, since I was already sweating, and so was the baby.
Traveling on the Paris Metro with a stroller
Don’t believe everything you read: the Parisian metro is absolutely manageable with a stroller. We take it all the time without major problems.
Babies and toddlers enter the metro free of charge and only require a child fare when they turn 4 years old.
When entering the subway with a stroller, it is not necessary to fold it, you can carry it open. There is a wider entrance for strollers and luggage; You just need to press the button and the assistant will open it.
If your children walk, you can fold the stroller, hang it on your shoulder, and hold the child’s hand while going down the stairs. Once you reach the platform, keep it folded or open it as you wish.
We developed a method during rush hour, when the subway was very busy, so we always had the children sit in their strollers. That way, the children wouldn’t be crushed. I noticed local parents doing the same.
Are strollers allowed at the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, strollers are allowed on the Eiffel Tower. You can take your stroller in the elevator to the top.
Officially, it is necessary to fold the stroller in the elevator, but this rule does not apply. Don’t even try to bring a giant American stroller, or even worse, a double stroller, because you won’t even fit in the waiting line with it and will be forced to leave it outside.
Can you bring a stroller to the Louvre?
Yes, you can and should bring one because it is a huge place that requires a lot of walking. The stroller allows you to skip the entrance line and go directly to the museum, which saves a lot of time during peak season.
Similar to the situation at the Eiffel Tower: bring a small travel stroller, because while full-size strollers are allowed, you’d be doomed to use elevators and they’re not always the easiest to find. In many cases, it is simply easier to simply pick up a lightweight stroller and lift the baby up a few steps. I’ve done it a million times.
Can you visit the Arc de Triomphe with a stroller?
You can’t take a stroller to the top of the observation deck, but it’s okay to take it to the attraction itself. Once you buy your tickets (although I recommend booking them in advance!), and get to the line for security, someone from the staff comes and takes care of it.
A nice lady gave us a cloakroom ticket for the stroller and told us to return to the guards once we were done with the tour. Our stroller and bag were perfectly secure and not a problem.
There are a lot of stairs to get to the top and I personally waited until the kids were 4 and 6 to enjoy climbing, but I noticed another couple with a baby in a carrier. I wouldn’t recommend it for small children due to the stairs and also the fact that they may not be able to see much from the top.
Can a stroller be used in the catacombs?
Unfortunately, the Catacombs are probably the only attraction that not only doesn’t allow strollers, but also doesn’t store them.
You can purchase a bike lock and secure your stroller to the fence or tree near the entrance at your own risk and remember that you exit from a different place than you entered. We left the stroller at the hotel and came back to pick it up later that day.
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