Parks, Playgrounds, Schools, and Safety: The 5 Best Neighborhoods in Paris for Families
Coming up in this guide: cycling, drinking, dancing, trendy districts, world-class schools, chic wine bars, finding fun for you AND your kids, and the best neighborhoods in Paris for families.
Paris is one of the planet’s most popular relocation hubs: around 15% of the city’s residents are non-French. And presumably, because you’re reading this guide, you’re planning to join them.
Well, a while back, we already covered the best neighborhoods in Paris…
… but what about specific advice for families?
Where can you find the most affordable homes? Which neighborhoods have other families? Where will me and my kids be safe? Which areas have the best international schools? And where are the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris?
Coming up, all that and more! In this guide, your home-finding friends at Homelike have brought you everything you need to know about the best neighborhoods in Paris for families. Expect parks, prices, safety, security, and a surprising bunch of fun. On we go!
Passy
Located in the western corner of central Paris, Passy is one of the city’s most underrated areas…
… but it’s absolutely one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families.
Sitting on the banks of the Seine, and just over the water from the Eiffel Tower, it’s fancy, safe, and chic. Known for gourmet food, many museums, and lots of art nouveau architecture, it has a village vibe of its own. Running right through it is La Rue de Passy, one of the city’s prettiest streets.
Expect fancy wine bars, high-earning families, and lots of culture and class (but without being surrounded by tourists!).
Rental Prices in Passy
On average, a rental here will cost you around €36.80/m² per month. But in the southern part of the neighborhood, you might be able to find something a little more affordable.
Safety and Security in Passy
In terms of safety, Passy is one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris. It’s very safe and very quiet, and crime is rare.
Some would recommend avoiding the neighboring Bois de Boulogne park after dark… but most locals would say that’s overcautious.
Parks and Playgrounds in Passy
Bordering the neighborhood to the west is the massive Bois de Boulogne:
One of the city’s biggest green spaces, it’s twice as big as New York’s Central Park, and features lakes, boating, a big waterfall, lots of walking and cycling routes, and many gardens and playgrounds. It’s one of the city’s best family-friendly green spaces.
Also: Passy is just over the Seine from the Champ de Mars (the park where you’ll find the Eiffel Tower).
And the neighborhood’s Jardin du Ranelagh features playgrounds, picnic spots, and pony rides—though much smaller than the area’s other parks, it’s packed with fun.
Schools and Educational Facilities in Passy
For good proximity to good schools, Passy is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families.
The neighborhood is home to the popular and well-respected International School Of Paris (it’s one of the best in the city), and Kingsworth International School. And just over the river from Passy, you’ll find the excellent Bilingual International School Of Paris (where classes are taught in both English AND French).
There are also many other international (and non-international!) schools within a 10-15 minute drive.
Batignolles-Monceau
Only a 30-minute walk north of the very center of Passy, Batignolles-Monceau is relatively similar to its nearby neighbor.
Again, you get lots of green space, a family-friendly atmosphere, more locals than tourists, couples with young kids, and a huge amount of charm.
… in short, it’s one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris.
It’s especially good for young families: aside from the neighborhood’s kid-friendly perks, you also get trendy cafes, a relatively young population, lots of bustling wine bars, and many independent stores and bakeries. It’s relatively bohemian, but not in any loud or pretentious way.
If you like neighborhoods with a fun community vibe, you’ll love living in Batignolles-Monceau.
Rental Prices in Batignolles-Monceau
You’ll likely pay around €34.50/m² per month here…
… although; the further north you go (away from the city center), the better chance you’ll find somewhere a little more affordable. To save money, you also want to avoid the area around the Arc de Triomphe.
But, some bad news: for finding a nice home, this isn’t necessarily one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families.
Why? Because it’s such a popular place to live.
Because of all the neighborhood’s perks, many local families move here. And because they speak French and have local contacts, they have an advantage over you.
So: if you struggle to find a place, move into one of our cozy homes instead—they’re fully-furnished, ready to move into today, and all utilities (including internet!) are covered in one fee.
Safety and Security in Batignolles-Monceau
Again, in terms of safety, this is one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris.
Watch out for pickpockets in the touristy areas, and super-cautious people might want to avoid the parks at night. But otherwise, you’re perfectly safe!
Parks and Playgrounds in Batignolles-Monceau
Just like Passy, Batignolles-Monceau borders the huge Bois de Boulogne park.
The quaint and flower-filled Parc Monceau also sits inside the district, while the thin long Promenade Pereire (filled with sculptures, benches and people-watchers) runs through the neighborhood.
All these parks have playgrounds… while there are other little playgrounds dotted around some of the city’s residential streets.
Schools and Educational Facilities in Batignolles-Monceau
For schools, this is another of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families.
First up, you’re very close to all the excellent international schools in Passy.
But Batignolles-Monceau itself is also home to the massive (and massively popular!) Honoré de Balzac International School, and Stewart International School (a small place where the vibe is very homely and wholesome).
So: if you live here, you’re basically guaranteed to find a school you and your kids love.
La Villette
Perfect for young parents who want to balance real life with fun, La Villette is one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods. An edgy recently-regenerated nightlife hub, it’s very safe, but also offers plenty to do.
The busy Canal de l’Ourcq dominates the district, running right through its middle, and offering loads of waterside eating and drinking.
You also get many museums, pop-up arts events, and some of the city’s most unusual experiences at Le Centquatre (which was once a hefty funeral parlor). Much like Passy, La Villette is pretty hip, but without any pretense (and not too many tourists come here).
Overall, this isn’t just one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families—it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for anyone!
Rental Prices in La Villette
Prices here average around €29.90/m² per month… but they’re swiftly rising. These days, La Villette is one of the most sought-after districts in the city.
Just like in Batignolles-Monceau, it can be hard to find a home here—again, many people want to move here, so you have lots of competition.
So… again(!), one of your possible solutions is getting a home with Homelike. We have cozy and comfy places throughout La Villette, and they’re all ready to move into today. All utilities and internet are included and covered in one fee—so you don’t need to deal with any landlords, bureaucracy, or infuriating life admin.
Safety and Security in La Villette
In terms of safety, there are admittedly better neighborhoods in Paris for families:
Some parts of the canal areas (and parts of La Villette Park) can be a little shady at night. But major crime is very rare here, and you’ll rarely feel unsafe.
In the grand scheme of the entire world, this is still a safe place.
Parks and Playgrounds in La Villette
Villette’s Jardins d’Eole is home to sports courts and a play area, while the green spaces running along Canal de l’Ourcq have many kid-friendly cafes, hangouts, and picnic spots.
But the neighborhood’s most famous green space (by a very long way!) is La Villette Park. One of the city’s biggest parks, it offers playgrounds, fountains, live music, regular events, lots of festivals, and many other families.
Also in the neighborhood, you’ll find the popular Le Bassin de la Villette. This canal basin is home to playgrounds, three swimming pools, and kid-friendly food and drink. It’s very popular in summer.
Schools and Educational Facilities in La Villette
For being close to many schools, this isn’t one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris.
Yep, La Villette is home to the international and unusual Living School (where all students are treated as unique individuals), along with two for-adults business schools.
… but for a wider choice of children’s international schools, you’ll typically need to drive.
Neuilly-sur-Seine
If you want to live just outside the central Paris area (when we say ‘the central Paris area,’ we mean the big circle enclosed by the city’s ring road), Neuilly-sur-Seine might be the place for you.
Right beside both Batignolles-Monceau and Passy, but on the other side of the ring road, Neuilly-sur-Seine lurks right on the city’s outskirts. And as you might have worked out, it sits on the banks of the Seine.
So: it offers riverside eating and drinking, a quiet residential vibe, and good proximity to the city center. A great option for families who want a quiet life, and those who don’t want to feel like long-term tourists. That said, young parents looking for fun will want to avoid the neighborhood (cos you’ll probably find it boring)
Posh and upmarket, it has a relative village vibe, and is very quaint and cozy.
Neuilly-sur-Seine also borders La Défense, Paris’ major business district—here, you’ll find offices, big-name businesses, and lots of headquarters. If you’re looking for a job in Paris, it’s an ideal location.
Rental Prices in Neuilly-sur-Seine
For finding low prices, this isn’t one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris. Prices are comparable to those in both Batignolles-Monceau and Passy, but typically a little higher.
And because Neuilly-sur-Seine is both small and desirable, you won’t find a huge number of properties here. So if you see one you like, act fast!
Safety and Security in Neuilly-sur-Seine
For safety, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families. It’s among the safest places in the entire city!
Parks and Playgrounds in Neuilly-sur-Seine
Like all the neighborhoods we’ve brought you, Neuilly-sur-Seine offers plenty of outdoor action.
Just like both Batignolles-Monceau and Passy, Neuilly-sur-Seine borders the massive Bois de Boulogne park. It also offers riverside green spaces along the Seine, along with lots of little playgrounds in the neighborhood’s residential streets.
Schools and Educational Facilities in Neuilly-sur-Seine
Another of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families seeking good schools!
Marymount International sits just on the outskirts of the district, while you’re also very close to all the international schools in and around both Batignolles-Monceau and Passy.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Sitting right in the VERY center of the city, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is great for families who want to feel like tourists.
It’s right beside attractions like Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, and Jardin du Luxembourg… while you’re only a short walk from Notre-Dame Cathédrale, the Pantheon, the Louvre, and most of the city’s famous bridges.
Expect lots of bars and restaurants, countless tourists, constant busy-ness, and to never feel bored. Living in Saint-Germain-des-Prés is like living inside the picture-postcard version of Paris.
Broadly speaking, this isn’t one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris in the typical sense. But for adults and kids who want endless fun, it doesn’t get much better.
Rental Prices in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
As you might have guessed, you’ll pay a lot to live here.
Generally, expect to pay around €40.25/m² per month… but some parts of Saint-Germain-des-Prés can be even more expensive.
Safety and Security in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Although Saint-Germain-des-Prés is VERY central, it’s surprisingly residential, safe, and clean.
Yep, you’ll want to be watchful for pickpockets… and scams can be rife around here. So, if someone tries to give you a ring or a bracelet, don’t take it.
Generally though, you’re very safe here. In terms of safety in the city’s central areas, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for families. Some parts of central Paris can be sketchy; but not here.
As a nice bonus, there are many hospitals and clinics in and around the district—ideal if you or your kids might need regular access to healthcare.
Parks and Playgrounds in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Saint-Germain-des-Prés itself is home to zero parks or playgrounds…
… but living here, you’re very close to both Jardin Catherine-Labouré, and Jardin du Luxembourg—both of which have many green spaces, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly fun.
Jardin du Luxembourg in particular is great—it features fountains, tennis courts, pony rides, puppet shows, swings, museums, and more.
And in the neighborhood’s tiny park of Square Boucicaut, you’ll even find a little carousel!
Schools and Educational Facilities in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
For schooling, this isn’t one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris.
Yep, the neighborhood is home to some language schools (great if you want to learn French!)…
… but for your kids’ schooling, all the good options lie outside the neighborhood:
Lennen Bilingual School and the excellent Montessori International Jardin Du Luxembourg lie just on the outskirts of the neighborhood… but most of the biggest and best-known options are a little further afield.
All that said, there are many great non-international schools in and around Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
5 Best Neighborhoods in Paris for Families: Final Thoughts
And that’s us done—that’s everything you need to know about the 5 best family-friendly neighborhoods in Paris!
To sum up, western Paris is best for most families. Here, you get the three districts of Neuilly-sur-Seine, Batignolles-Monceau and Passy (all of which are quiet, safe, untouristy, and offer a village-like vibe).
But for a bit more excitement: La Villette is hip, happening and has incredible pockets of nightlife, while living in super-central Saint-Germain-des-Prés will make you feel like a tourist.
As we’ve already covered, you might struggle to find a place to live in Paris (no matter which neighborhood you move to!). With a population of 2 million people (and more moving to the city every day!), Paris isn’t an ideal place for easily finding a new home…
… and it’s ESPECIALLY tough if you don’t speak French, or don’t have any local contacts.
So, if you struggle, we can help you out. Here at Homelike, we have lots of family-friendly homes throughout Paris—they’re all comfy, cozy, fully-furnished, and ready to move into today. Whether you’re looking for a 2 bedroom apartment or a 3 bedroom apartment in Paris, our site has several options for families seeking ample space. And because all utilities and internet are covered in the cost of one fee, you don’t need to do any haggling, or organize your own utilities.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Homelike, and enjoy your new life in Paris. Bye for now!
