Traveling to Paris with kids can feel like a logistical nightmare—jet lag, picky eaters, and the constant need to keep everyone fed without blowing the budget. But trust me, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. I’ve dragged my family through enough tough food situations to know what works and what doesn’t. From backpacking across Southeast Asia with a six-month-old, to keeping my Parisian princesses (both my daughter and my wife) from reaching critical hunger levels on a daily basis.
If you are visiting Paris for the first time with kids or staying in self-catering accommodation, my paris food guide for families will help you avoid the common mistakes, keep everyone fed, and actually enjoy the food along the way.
Table of Contents
Step One: Pack Smart, But Don’t Overthink It
Before you leave home, resist the urge to overpack food. You don’t need to bring half a suitcase of emergency snacks. Paris isn’t some distant outpost—it’s a city filled with supermarkets, boulangeries, and even the odd K-Mart or English bookshop if you’re feeling homesick.
That said, a few well-chosen items can save you stress, here’s our families go to packing list:
- A small stash of familiar snacks for the first 24 hours (think rice cakes or cereal bars).
- A good water bottle for everyone—hydration matters, and Paris tap water is perfectly fine.
- Triple-bagged liquids if you’re bringing anything messy (lesson learned from past explosions in my luggage).
- An Aeropress and an Opinel knife No12—because bad coffee and unopened wine bottles are the real travel disasters.
- Tea or coffee lovers, take note—bring a little of what you love, but leave room to pick up a new, tempting pack while you’re here. It might just become your favourite travel souvenir.
Side Note: Bottles & Formula for Babies
If your little one is bottle-fed, plan ahead:
- Formula – If they’re particular about a specific brand, bring enough for the trip. While France has plenty of formula options (lait infantile), they might not be the same as what your baby is used to.
- Bottles & a good bottle brush – Easy to pack, and cleaning them in an Airbnb is simple enough.
- Sterilizing tablets or microwave sterilizer bags – Compact and a lifesaver if you don’t have access to boiling water.
- Pre-portioned formula dispenser – Makes prepping a bottle on the go much easier.
Step Two: The First Grocery Run
The moment you check into your Airbnb, your first priority (after maybe a shower and a nap) should be stocking up on food. Dragging a hangry, overtired child (or spouse) through unfamiliar streets in search of a meal is a rookie mistake. Instead, hit up the nearest supermarket (Monoprix for convenience, Franprix for quick essentials, or a larger Intermarché if you’re planning a big haul).
Here’s what to grab:
- Butter, cheese, and ham—the holy trinity of easy French kid-friendly eating.
- Fruit, compotes, and yogurt—simple, healthy snacks that keep well.
- Something easy for early breakfasts—because waking up jet-lagged at 5 AM with no food is hell. My daughter loves chocapic a breakfast cereal with lots of good local grains and chocolate.
- Coffee and tea—a Paris trip is a great excuse to try something new.
- Haribo and Carambars—because sometimes, a little sugar keeps everyone in good spirits.
- Bottled juice for day trips.
- Chocolate or wine for parental survival.
Step Three: Mastering the Art of the Snack Stop
In France, kids don’t graze all day—they have set meal times and a goûter (afternoon snack). My best trick for avoiding meltdowns? Preempt the hunger. I watch my daughter and my wife for the signs that they’re getting cranky and make a strategic pit stop at a bakery before things spiral.
And this is key—not all bakeries are equal. You’ll be tempted by the shiny Paul chains everywhere, but avoid them unless you’re desperate. Instead, find a proper local boulangerie (bonus points if you spot older locals heading in before the lunchtime rush). Grab a viennoiserie or a simple baguette tradition to share.
And if your kid refuses everything? I’ve been known to use the classic excuse of “Oh, we just need to stop in here for a toilet break” or “Let’s grab some water” to trick them into eating something. Whatever works.
Step Four: Easy Meals with Minimal Effort
When you’re juggling kids, jet lag, and the general chaos of travel, cooking a full meal in your Airbnb is rarely the dream. Instead, keep things low-effort:
- Breakfast – Bread with butter and jam, fruit, yogurt, or even just pastries from the bakery.
- Lunch on the go – Supermarket finds turned into a picnic (baguette, ham, cheese, fruit, and some crisps).
- Dinner without drama – Rotisserie chicken and salad, pre-made meals from the supermarket, or even just a good sandwich from a proper bakery.
Chefs Tip: if your looking for easy and tasty instant meals don’t be ashamed to head to your local Picard. These frozen food stores offer an amazing selection of instant meals that are actually great quality and can be found all over Paris.
And when all else fails? There’s no shame in grabbing a kebab or a burger near a train station. Sometimes, food is fuel, not gastronomy. Some mcdonalds even serve beer here in Paris!
Step Five: Don’t Overdo It
If I could give one piece of advice to any parent traveling with kids, it would be this: Slow down.
When we backpacked across Southeast Asia with our daughter as a baby, we did too much. We were always moving, always chasing the next experience. But my best travel memories? Sitting on the side of a road in Vietnam, watching people dash in and out of doorways to escape a sudden rainstorm, while doing some coloring with my little one.
So don’t stress about cramming in every restaurant or chasing the perfect Parisian meal. Some of the best moments will happen when you’re just sitting with a piece of bread and butter, soaking it all in.
Because when you’re traveling with kids, the real survival skill isn’t just feeding them—it’s learning to enjoy the ride.
Final Thought
Traveling with little ones is stressful enough without confronting them with challenging new tastes. I know it can seem like a waste of the experience when they order chicken nuggets and chips at that posh restaurant you spend hours hunting down and choosing. But understand they are far from home and just getting them to try a little taste of what you ordered will be the beginning of their culinary journey.
More Tips for a Stress-Free Paris Trip with Kids
Planning a family trip to Paris? Make sure to check out these guides to help you navigate food, restaurants, and mealtime like a pro:
🥖 How to Eat Like a French Child – Learn how French kids eat, what foods they love, and how to introduce your little ones to the local food culture.
🍽 Eating Out with Kids in Paris – Practical tips on where to go, what to expect, and how to make dining out a stress-free experience with children in the City of Light.
These guides, along with this Paris Food Survival Guide for Families, will help ensure that your trip is smooth, delicious, and meltdown-free!
What’s Your Best Travel Food Hack?
I’d love to hear from other parents who’ve braved the food scene with kids—what’s your go-to survival strategy? Drop a comment below or share your best “desperate meal” story!
From the bustling streets of Paris to the heat of a professional kitchen, my life has always revolved around food. A Brit who moved to France at 16, I trained as a chef in a Parisian palace kitchen at 18 and have spent decades cooking, eating, and living like the French.
By day, I run kitchens and events, but Eat Like The French is my side hustle—a way to share my passion for French food through writing and food tours. After a detour into tech recruitment, I returned to what I love most: cooking and storytelling—one dish, one tour, and one bite at a time.