France Itinerary
France Family Adventure
Paris · Montpellier · Liévin · Disneyland Paris
Trip Overview
Your 17-night France journey at a glance
Paris
Aug 12–15 · 4 nights · Airbnb
Arrive CDG → Take RER B into Paris
Direct train from the airport to central Paris. ~45 min, ~€12/person. No need for a taxi — trains run every 10–15 min and go directly to Saint-Michel or Châtelet-Les Halles.
→ RATP train infoTuileries Garden (afternoon)
Perfect jet-lag recovery. Wide stroller-friendly paths, a carousel the 7-year-old will love, and fountains to splash near. Walking distance to the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
→ Google Maps💡 Tip
Pick up groceries near the Airbnb tonight. August in Paris is peak season — book all attraction tickets online before leaving home.
La Ménagerie Zoo — Jardin des Plantes
One of Paris's best-kept secrets — one of the world's oldest zoos, compact enough not to exhaust a 1-year-old. Exotic animals, beautiful gardens, and far fewer crowds than larger parks. Go at 10am to beat the August heat.
→ Official site → Google MapsPicnic in the Jardin des Plantes (afternoon)
Pick up lunch from a nearby boulangerie and picnic in the botanical garden adjacent to the zoo. One of the loveliest, least-touristy green spaces in Paris.
Jardin d'Acclimatation (full day)
Think mini-Disneyland without the crowds. Rides, splash pads, a mini-farm, a small train, and a huge variety of activities. The all-day pass is excellent value. Buy in advance online. Both ages will have a blast — opens at 10am.
→ Official site & tickets → Google MapsEiffel Tower (morning — 9am)
Book timed entry online weeks in advance. Go before 9am to beat the crowds. The 2nd floor is perfect for families — stunning views without the full climb. Stroller-accessible via elevator.
→ Book tickets → Google MapsTrocadéro Fountains + Seine River Cruise (afternoon)
Let the kids run at the Trocadéro with the Eiffel Tower backdrop, then take a Bateaux Mouches cruise on the Seine. The 1-year-old rides free, fully stroller-accessible, ~1 hour, passes Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and all the great bridges.
→ Bateaux Mouches tickets💡 Departure tip
Tonight or tomorrow morning: pack up the Airbnb. Your TGV to Montpellier departs from Gare de Lyon on the evening of Aug 15. Allow 45 min to get there from central Paris.
Montpellier
Aug 16–19 · 4 nights · Airbnb
Palavas-les-Flots Beach
The classic family beach 20 min from Montpellier's center. Sandy, calm, and with shallow water near the shore — perfect for both kids. Take tram line 1 to the terminus then bus 131 (~45 min total, ~€2 each). Go before 10am or after 4pm — August midday peaks at 35°C.
→ Google Maps💡 Beach essentials
Pack a UV beach tent for the baby — shade is critical in August. Arrive early to claim a good spot. Restaurants and ice cream kiosks are plentiful along the beach promenade.
Planet Ocean Montpellier (morning)
A world-class aquarium with sharks, penguins, a storm simulator, and dedicated interactive kids' zones. Reviewers specifically note it's great for 7-year-olds and calmer than the Paris aquarium. Allow 3 hours. Buy tickets online. Open 10am.
→ Official site & tickets → Google MapsPlace de la Comédie (evening)
Montpellier's grand central square — beautiful Haussmann architecture, café terraces, street performers, and great gelato. Perfect for a slow evening stroll with the stroller.
→ Google MapsSecond beach day — Palavas or Carnon-Plage
Return to Palavas or try Carnon-Plage (slightly less crowded, similar distance). Option: rent bikes and take the flat, scenic canal-side bike path to the beach — fun for the 7-year-old, and there are cargo/tag-along bike options for the baby.
Parc du Domaine de Méric (morning)
A gorgeous, shaded riverside park along the Lez — a true hidden gem. Perfect for a morning stroll at a 1-year-old's pace. Picnic tables, woodland trails, and a beautiful river. Opens 8am.
→ Google MapsL'Écusson Old Town (afternoon)
Montpellier's medieval old town — narrow lanes, beautiful facades, great street food and patisseries. Easy to explore with a stroller. Then pack up and take the evening TGV north toward Liévin.
→ Google Maps💡 Travel tonight
Your train departs Montpellier Saint-Roch this evening — allow ~1 hour to get to the station with luggage. The journey to Liévin goes via Paris (~5.5 hrs total). Book seats near the doors for stroller space.
Liévin — Wedding Weekend
Aug 20–22 · 3 nights · Hotel (provided)
💍 Wedding & Reception
Public Garden of Liévin (Aug 20 morning)
A gorgeous rated 4.7★ garden — fish pond, flowers, statues, playground, and a music bandstand. Perfect for letting the kids burn energy the day before the wedding.
→ Google MapsLouvre-Lens Museum (Aug 20 afternoon)
Only 15 min from Liévin — a stunning satellite of the Louvre with FREE general admission on the permanent collection. A truly unexpected world-class museum in this region. Closed Tuesdays. Also great on Aug 26–27.
→ Official site → Google MapsWedding Ceremony — Aug 21
Hotel accommodation provided for the wedding weekend.
Wedding Reception — Aug 22
Celebrate! Hotel accommodation provided.
Disneyland Paris
Aug 23–25 · 2 nights / 3 days
Travel from Liévin via train to Paris Gare du Nord, then RER A directly to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy (the Disneyland stop). Total ~2.5 hours.
Disneyland Hôtel
The iconic pink castle hotel right at the park entrance. Zero shuttle stress with a 1-year-old. Book character dining at the Royal Banquet — a highlight for the 7-year-old.
→ Book on Disney site → Google MapsDisney's Hotel Santa Fe
Cars-themed, budget-friendly, ~15 min walk to the park. Great family rooms, solid breakfast, and good value if the Disneyland Hôtel is booked.
→ Book on Disney site → Google MapsCheck in + Disneyland Park (afternoon)
Head straight to Fantasyland on arrival — Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World, Dumbo, and the Mad Hatter's Teacups all suit both ages perfectly. Book Lightning Lane passes for the 7-year-old's priority rides on the app before arriving.
→ Disney planning tipsWalt Disney Studios Park (full day)
Toy Story Playland is incredible for the 7-year-old, Cars Road Trip works for the whole family, and Avengers Campus has several experiences for older kids. The 1-year-old can enjoy Toy Story Playland's gentler rides with a parent.
Return to Disneyland Park — Parade at 5pm
Spend the morning on favorites or rides you missed. The 5pm Disney parade down Main Street USA is unmissable — arrive 30 min early to claim a good spot on the curb. Then check out and travel back to Liévin.
💡 Disney tips for babies & toddlers
- Baby care centers inside both parks: quiet rooms, changing tables, bottle warming
- 1-year-old rides FREE, no height requirement on gentle rides
- Rope-drop (arrive at opening) is essential in August peak season
- Book character breakfast at the hotel weeks in advance
Back to Liévin — Birthday Celebration
Aug 26–28
🎂 Aug 28 Birthday Plan
Order birthday cake from L'Atelier de Loulie (collect morning)
A perfect 5-star local patisserie known for stunning themed custom cakes. Reviews rave about birthday cakes specifically — "a huge hit with all 50 guests." Order well in advance by phone or via their Linktree. Open Sat 9am–2pm.
→ Order online / contact → Google MapsBirthday lunch — Le Comptoir du Malt (12pm)
A well-loved family-friendly brasserie in Liévin with a kids' menu, great atmosphere, and good food. Perfect for a casual birthday gathering with the whole group.
→ Restaurant website → Google MapsBirthday dinner — Le Club Bistronomique (7pm)
The area's best-kept secret. Hidden above a Volvo dealership (yes, really!), this restaurant serves truly exceptional French cuisine — a 5-course tasting menu is available. Rated 4.8★ from 1,100+ reviews. Book weeks ahead for a Saturday night.
→ Book a table → Google MapsArras — Flemish Baroque City
Only 20 min from Liévin by train or car. Arras has one of France's most beautiful grand squares (Grand'Place & Place des Héros) — stunning Flemish baroque architecture, excellent boulangeries, a historic belfry, and WWI history. Very stroller-friendly with wide cobbled squares.
→ Google MapsTrain Travel Summary
All intercity travel by TGV — book on SNCF Connect or Trainline
CDG Airport → Paris (RER B)
Direct train, runs every 10–15 min. No taxi needed.
Paris Gare de Lyon → Montpellier (TGV)
Direct TGV. Book 90 days in advance for best prices.
→ Book on SNCF ConnectMontpellier → Liévin (via Paris)
TGV to Paris Gare du Nord + TER to Lens. Book as two separate tickets.
→ Book on TrainlineLiévin → Disneyland Paris
Train to Paris Gare du Nord, then RER A to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy (Disneyland stop).
Disneyland → Liévin
RER A to Paris Gare du Nord, then TGV/TER to Lens.
Liévin → CDG Airport
Via Arras or Lille TGV to Paris CDG. Allow 3 hours before your flight.
💡 Train travel tips with kids
- TGV has dedicated stroller spaces — no folding required. Reserve seats near the doors.
- Book via SNCF Connect (app) or Trainline
- Families with young children can usually board first — ask at the platform
- Book 90 days out for best Paris–Montpellier prices
Family Travel Tips
Everything you need to know traveling with a 7-year-old and 1-year-old
👶 Baby on the go
- Formula & baby food: widely available at French pharmacies (pharmacie)
- Build in a 1:30–3pm rest window daily — great for the 1-year-old and the August heat
- Buses in Paris are all stroller-accessible (better than the Metro)
- Pack a UV beach tent for Montpellier beach days
🧒 7-year-old engagement
- Get them a small travel journal + France sticker map — collect stickers in each city
- Give them a "job" — map reader, photo taker, or restaurant orderer
- Disney: let them plan one full morning at their own pace
- Aquarium in Montpellier: get the audio guide — it's in English
🌡️ August heat
- Paris: 25–30°C — warm but manageable, less crowded as locals leave
- Montpellier: 32–36°C — plan outdoor/beach before 10am and after 5pm
- Midday = aquarium, indoor time, or long lunches in shade
- Always carry water — hydration is critical for the baby
🎟️ Must book in advance
- Eiffel Tower — book weeks ahead, go before 9am
- Jardin d'Acclimatation — all-day pass online
- Planet Ocean — online tickets skip queues
- Disney — Lightning Lane + character dining
- Le Club Bistronomique — birthday dinner, weeks ahead
- L'Atelier de Loulie — birthday cake, order well in advance
Pre-Trip Checklist
Tap to check off as you go
