Seven reasons you’ll be glad to have a stroller in Paris

by Shelly Rivoli March 6, 2015

written by Shelly Rivoli Published: March 6, 2015Last Updated on August 23, 2022

Paris by stroller? It may be easier than you think.

Paris with a stroller? It may be easier–and even more worthwhile–than you think. That’s us on what I knew may be our family’s last grand entrance into the Louvre in the open-top elevator.

As your children grow, there is one undeniable advantage when it comes to travel: you will have significantly less gear to beg, borrow, or schlep on your family adventures. But when it came to kissing goodbye our final trusty travel stroller last year, it was with not just a little tear of sadness in my eye. That stroller (like its predecessors) served us very well on numerous occasions, but perhaps never so obviously as on our most recent visit to Paris.

If you are lucky enough to be headed to Paris and your child is still young enough to use the stroller–at least sometimes, here are seven reasons you’ll likely be very glad to have a stroller with you:

Skip the entrance line at the Louvre (in high season, that alone could be worth it!).
Skip the line–and the main stairs–at the Arc de Triomphe.
Avoid coat check fees by stuffing your jackets beneath your stroller.
Enjoy a handy place to stuff those souvenirs and take-out goodies for your picnics.
Spend more time on your feet in museums, without the extra weight of your baby on them.
Let your jet-lagged toddler take a snooze without taking a toll on your back.
Keep your toddler or preschooler safe from toddling out into harm’s way while you gawk at (understandably) and photograph Parisian landmarks.

Tip: If you’ll only need the stroller while visiting Paris, consider renting a stroller in Paris from one of the agencies listed here. And for the best go-anywhere travel strollers, see my recommendations of the best lightweight strollers for travel.

For more tips on visiting Paris with a baby, toddler, or little kid–including how to get around Paris with a stroller, be sure to see these related posts:

France – Tips for using the Paris Metro with a stroller… if you must

France – Tips for riding Paris buses with a stroller

France – Paris with Kids: Why and how to get the Paris Museum Pass

France – Paris with Kids: Make a Post-Louvre pitstop at this playground in the Tuileries

France – Paris with Kids: Say bonjour to the Parc de Jeux at Jardin du Luxembourg

France – My recommended Paris Airport Shuttle providing car seats and boosters

France – Best use of airline miles to get from San Francisco to Paris with baby?

France – Montmartre Carousel, Paris

France – Car seat advice for Paris airport shuttle with baby

France – Paris: 5 Best with Children Under 5

France – Best baby-friendly cafe in Paris

France – Finding diapers in France