The Paris List: From Emma Swinscoe

Last week while I was still in vacay mode and barely thinking about writing or la rentrée, I asked Emma Swinscoe, the creator and editor of The New Voyager, to take over our Instagram feed for a day. We love Emma’s work and have shared her illustrated city guides for kids before here and here. Naturally I knew my Insta was in good hands. If you missed the takeover read on to learn about her two daughter’s favorite spots in Paris and be sure to visit her website (www.thenewvoyager.com) and order your littles their very own city map. Bisous xx, Ajiri


Paris is familiar ground for me. I studied and worked here for 13 years before settling down in the 5th arrondissement with my family for three years. I love Paris, but we recently traded city life for country life in England. However I return at least twice a year with my two daughters who have a list of favorites they beg to stop at on our trips back. Hope you enjoy their favorites as much as I do.

Great toy store for kids | More on Mannaparis.com

L’Epée de Bois
Paris is renowned for its beautiful and old school toy stores. We were lucky to live so close to one of them. Le Magasin de l’Epée de bois (on that precise street) is a child’s heaven filled with stunning marbles, delightful trinkets, toy animals by Schleich and Kosen, fun boardgames, books, and more. Remi, the passionated owner, will talk you through finding the best gift, and introduce your kids to wonderful new games. This place is a true gem!

l’Epée de Bois
12 rue de l’Epée de bois
75005 Paris

Opening Hours
Tues-Sat 10.30am – 7.30pm
Sun 11am – 1.30pm
Mon 1.30pm to 7pm

Sharing kid-friendly Paris | More on Mannaparis.com

Kunitoraya
Lunch at Kunitoraya is a family tradition when we are in Paris. Our kids always order the same dishes: a small bowl of ramen with seaweed and the crispy Karaage chicken with spring onions on top. Make sure you arrive early to avoid the long queue at rush hour but it is worth the wait. Afterwards, head to Le Jardin du Palais Royal for a quintessential Parisian coffee and gluten free cookies at Café Kitsuné. Then chill by the fountain, surrounded by the prettiest row of buildings in Paris. We can’t think of a more blissful moment.

Kunitoraya
1 rue Villedo
75005

Opening Hours
Everyday 12pm – 3pm and 7pm – 11pm
Closed on Wednesdays

Sharing kid-friendly Paris | More on Mannaparis.com

Le Musée en Herbe
Another stop we always make is to a unique and tiny museum nestled in the center of Paris, and specifically designed for kids. Le Musée en Herbe hosts inspiring and educational exhibitions. Space Invader, on display at the moment, is hands down one of the most interesting shows we have seen there so far. It is linked to Paris street art and makes a wonderful and fun introduction to the city! Once your children have discovered Space Invader’s work in the museum, have them spot his mosaic characters on the streets of Paris. This game has kept our daughters busy for a whole afternoon!

Le Musée en Herbe
23 rue de l’Arbre Sec
75001

Opening hours
Mon-Sun 10am – 7pm

*The Space Invader exhibition is up till January 2018

Find more kid-friendly Paris addresses on Mannaparis.com

La Régulière
We are all bookworms in our family. Everytime we come back to Paris, we stock up on books. We have a few favorite bookstore like Shakespeare & Company, Chantelivre and Bulles en Vrac, a fantastic comic’s bookstore in the 5th.  One of our new favorites is like La Régulière, a bookstore, coffee shop and art space in the heart of La Goutte d’Or. Julia and Alice, the owners curated a cosy kid’s section at the back of their store, which my girls love. Also, don’t forget to take a sneak peek into the special water closet when you are there. It features a colorful painting by artist Steffie Broccoli, who also illustrated The New Voyager in Paris City Guide!

La Régulière
43 Rue Myhra
75018

Opening hours
Mon-Sat 10am – 7pm
Sun 2pm – 7pm

kid friendly paris at Mannaparis.com

Studio des Ursulines
We love to wrap up our days sometimes with a trip to the movies. Why not? With 376 cinemas (!!), Paris is the world capital of cinema! The diversity of films being shown here is mind blowing and there is always a tiny vintage cinema showing the classics somewhere. Our family loves the Studio des Ursulines, a 1920s theatre that screens only high-end animations for kids and classics. And just a little bonus, around the corner from the cinema you will find one of the most delicious bakeries in Paris, Solques. Their croissants are off the charts!

Studio des Ursulines
12 rue des Ursulines
75005 Paris

Boulangerie Bruno Solques
242 Rue St Jacques
75005

kid-friendly paris on Mannaparis.com

La Super Marquette
If you are looking for souvenirs and gifts, head to La Super Marquette. This tiny new store just opened a few weeks ago and specialized in handmade goods from France and unique Parisian trinkets. The shop also carries prints by Deyrolle, herbal teas and a great selection of postcards. Just the gigantic vintage metro map hanging in the shop is worth the visit!

La Super Marquette
65 rue Rambuteau
75004

Opening hours
Wed-Sun 11.30am – 7.30pm
Mon 11.30am – 7.30pm
Closed Tuesdays

About Ajiri Aki

Ajiri grew up in Austin, Texas and lived in New York City for 10 years. She worked in the fashion and museum worlds as an editor, stylist, research intern and associate curator at several fashion magazines, The Costume Institute of The Met, and the Museum of the City of New York. Recently she co-authored her first book, Where's Karl?, about the whereabouts of Karl Lagerfeld that became a NY Times best seller.

Related Posts