Paris Attractions for Teenagers: An Alternative Guide to the City

Paris may be renowned for its art and elegance, but for teenagers it’s also a place of energy and discovery. Beyond the postcard views and grand boulevards lies a more spontaneous city – one that rewards curiosity, independence and a sense of fun. These eight Paris attractions for teenagers combine activity, street culture, views, music and food, balancing the famous sights with more offbeat adventures.

Climb to Parc de Belleville, one of the highest (and most underrated) viewpoints in the city. From its belvedere terrace you can see the Eiffel Tower framed by street murals and rooftops. The surrounding lanes buzz with creative energy, especially Rue Dénoyez, a legal graffiti street where new works appear daily. The area has a small skate zone and hillside gardens for picnics. Time your visit for late afternoon when the area fills with musicians and artists. 

• 47 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris
• Métro Gambetta or Ménilmontant
• Novotel Paris 20 Belleville is a four-star hotel just opposite Couronnes station (line 2). 

This giant science museum in Parc de la Villette is a playground for curious minds, making it a popular Paris attraction for teenagers who prefer doing rather than seeing. Once your teens have finished splitting the atom, operating robots, running the European space programme or playing at being Archimedes, they can explore the Argonaute submarine (from periscope to engine room), take in a movie at the the IMAX cinema or go starry eyed at the 3D planetarium. Weekday mornings are the quietest time.  

• 30 Av. Corentin Cariou, 75019 
• 20 minutes from central Paris by Métro (La Villette, line 7) or tram (T3b)

One of the newer green spaces in Paris, this 10-ha park is built on a former railway yard and buzzes with local life. Surrounded by urban architecture, it has basketball courts, skate ramps and wide lawns with deckchairs for hanging out. Unlike the formal gardens of central Paris, it feels relaxed and modern – ideal for spontaneous picnics. The surrounding cafés make good pit-stops for crepes, ice-creams and smoothies too. 

• 147 Rue Cardinet, 75017 Paris
• Métro Porte de Clichy or Pont Cardinet
• Check into nearby Novotel Paris 17 for a convenient base nearby. 

If your teen is more into murals than museums, head straight for the Canal de l’Ourcq. This long stretch of water has become an open-air canvas for huge, colourful murals, and artists like Marko93, Da Cruz and international names have turned it into one of Paris’s best outdoor galleries. You can walk or cycle along the canal, stop for a drink on a floating café or take a short canal cruise to see the art from the water.

• Quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris
• Start at Métro Stalingrad or Jaurès, both about 15 minutes from the centre. 

Shopping in Paris isn't all about expensive boutiques. Galeries Lafayette turns it into an experience. Inside, you can browse streetwear brands, grab a bubble tea and marvel at the ornate Art Nouveau dome, but the real draw is the free rooftop terrace overlooking the city. The view of the city skyline is just as spectacular as the Eiffel Tower's, and it's rarely crowded. Arrive around sunset for golden-hour photos and enjoy a drink at the rooftop café. 

• 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris
• Métro Chaussée d’Antin–La Fayette (lines 7 and 9)

The hilltop district of Montmartre is where teenagers really 'get' Paris – part village, part art history and full of people to watch. The climb to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is a mini adventure, with steep steps, winding alleys and one of the most jaw-dropping views in Europe. The area feels safe during the day and teens love the independence of exploring the backstreets – from encountering artists at work in Place du Tertre to browsing vintage shops down Rue des Martyrs.  

• 75018 Paris
• Take the Métro to Abbesses or Anvers. There's also a funicular for tired legs.

A Seine cruise is an easy win for families with teens: you sit back, glide under bridges and see all the big-name landmarks – Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay – without queues, crowds or walking. The best time to go is early evening, when the city lights start to glow; sitting outside on the top deck is a magical experience. You can also do a hop-on hop-off cruise to explore the sights at your own pace. 

• Departures are available near Pont Neuf, the Eiffel Tower and Musée d’Orsay. Depending on your start point, take the Métro to Saint-Michel, Bir-Hakeim or Assemblée Nationale.
• A short walk away, Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel has a rooftop pool, sauna and breathtaking river views. 

If your teens love a bit of mystery, the catacombs might just be the most unforgettable stop of the trip. Hidden beneath the city's busy streets lies a vast network of tunnels lined with millions of neatly arranged skulls and bones – eerie, historic and absolutely fascinating. It feels like stepping straight into a graphic novel: dimly lit passageways, whispered legends of secret societies and a peek into the city's darker past. 

• Closed for renovations until Spring 2026
• 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris
• Métro Denfert-Rochereau

Need more ideas? Mix up your itinerary with these alternative Paris attractions for teenagers. 

• Eternelle Notre-Dame VR: Explore a virtual Notre-Dame cathedral complete with a VR headset.
• Perfume or macaron workshops: Short, creative sessions where they can make something to take home.
• La Tête dans Les Nuages: Visit Europe’s biggest arcade, full of games and bright lights.
• Outdoor escape rooms: Get outdoors and explore Paris through clues.
• Emily in Paris tour: Visit the show’s filming spots, from cafés to courtyards.

• Plan ahead. Major attractions, like The Louvre and Catacombs, often sell out weeks in advance so be sure to book ahead. 
• Mix famous with free. Pair famous landmarks with offbeat neighbourhoods: the Eiffel Tower plus Canal Saint-Martin, or the Louvre plus Belleville.
• Stay flexible. Teens appreciate downtime. Resist the urge to overplan and build in breaks for snacks and spontaneity.
• Let them lead. Some of the best experiences happen when you let your teens decide the itinerary.

For parents, exploring Paris attractions with teenagers is a chance to step back, loosen the plan and experience it through their eyes. Don’t worry about ticking every box; Paris shines brightest when explored at a teen’s pace. The best moments often come from the spontaneous moments in between: stopping for ice cream in a park, watching street performers along the Seine or exploring a hidden side street. Are you ready to begin your next family adventure?