Family weekend activities near Versailles don’t have to be a headache—believe me, I’ve been there. When I first moved to the area over a decade ago, trying to please four very different kids felt like Mission Impossible.
I used to spend my days at work endlessly scrolling through search results, desperate to find something—anything—that would entertain all four kids.
After years of testing every zoo, garden, and hands-on museum within an hour of Versailles, I’ve finally been able to shortly a few that actually work. These are the tried-and-true spots that bring real joy to the whole family—from tenacious toddler to my eye-rolling tween (which in itself is basically a miracle).
Zoos Near Versailles That My Kids Still Talk About
Zoo de Thoiry: Our Go-To Safari Adventure
Zoo de Thoiry is about 30 minutes from Versailles, and it’s so freaking fun. We’ve been so often that at one point, we had an annual pass! I’ve also been able to tag along on many-a-field trip with my kid’s schools.
There are two parts – walking and the drive-through safari.
The glass tunnels underneath the big cats are really fun and the lions really engage with the crowd. I lifted my youngest to my shoulders and she was able to tap on the glass while a female lion lounged just inches above her face!
Watching my kids’ faces when we drive through the African plain section of the drive-through is worth every penny of the admission price, just make sure you fill up the gas tank before you drive through!
Every time we go my kids beg to try the zipline that goes right over the animals. There is an additional charge for this adventure, but if your kids are like mine, this it totally worth it. Be sure to line up early, as the line can get long after lunch!
Tickets run about €32 for adults and €25 for kids, which isn’t cheap, but we always pack our own lunch and bottles of water to save some cash.
Pro tip: go early on weekends to avoid the afternoon crowds!
ZooParc de Beauval: Worth Every Minute
I’ll be honest – the 1 hour 15 minute drive to Beauval used to seem daunting. Then we finally made the trip last year, and now my kids won’t stop asking when we’re going back! This is the biggest zoo in France… and they have a freaking PANDA!!!
The pandas are obviously the stars of the show We waited in line for 40 minutes to see them while my husband got ice cream.
But what really blew me away were the bird shows. I’m not typically a “show” person at zoos, but watching those birds of prey swoop inches over our heads had every member of the family engaged.
Plan for a full day – you’ll need it. And bring good walking shoes. My feet were killing me after wearing my cute but impractical sandals the first time around!
La Tanière Zoo Refuge: The Hidden Gem with Heart
This place near Chartres is special, and not enough locals know about it! It’s a zoo refuge where they rehabilitate rescued animals, and you can really feel the difference in atmosphere compared to regular zoos.
My middle child, who’s going through a serious animal rights phase, absolutely connects with this place. The staff are amazing at explaining each animal’s rescue story, and my kids have learned so much about conservation without it feeling like a lecture. It’s smaller and more intimate than the other zoos, which makes it perfect for younger kids who get overwhelmed by the bigger parks.
One time, we watched the caretakers working with a rescued circus bear, teaching him to forage for food. Seeing my kids’ faces as they realized what the poor bear had been through – and how he was healing – was one of those parenting moments I’ll never forget.
Outdoor Adventures That Didn’t Break My Budget
Parc du Château de Versailles: Not Just for Tourists!
Living so close to Versailles, I used to think the palace gardens were just for tourists. Boy, was I wrong! We now spend at least one weekend a month here, and it costs us practically nothing.
Last summer, we rented rowboats on the Grand Canal, and I laughed until I cried watching my husband try to row in a straight line (spoiler alert: we went in circles for most of the hour). The bike paths through the grounds are incredible, and my kids love racing down the wide allées. We’ve made it a tradition to bring a big blanket and a picnic basket full of baguettes, cheese, and fruits from the local market.
If you go during the Musical Fountain Shows (April-October), you’re in for a real treat. Yes, it’s a bit pricier then, but watching the fountains dance to baroque music while my kids try to mimic the classical dance moves is priceless entertainment!
Ferme de Gally: Where My City Kids Learn About Country Life
This working farm on the back end of the Versailles estate has become our go-to for seasonal activities. We’ve handmade bread and learned about how honey is made at their workshops in the summertime, picked strawberries in spring, carved jack-o-laterns in fall, and picked out Christmas trees there around Christmas.
The petting-zoo area is perfect for younger kids – my 5-year-old daughter could spend hours just giving hay to the goats.
The little farm café serves the most amazing fresh apple juice. I may have told my kids it was “for adults only” once or twice so I wouldn’t have to share!
La Serre aux Papillons: The Magical Butterfly Experience
Just 15 minutes from Versailles in La Queue-les-Yvelines, this butterfly greenhouse is like stepping into another world. It’s especially nice in the winter, a warm jungle haven in the middle of the cold world outside. The greenhouse is FULL of butterflies, which makes the place magical.
I hear that if you wear bright colors (think, like a flower), the butterflies are more likely to come to you. The first time a butterfly landed on my daughter’s shoulder, she froze in place for about 10 minutes, afraid to move and scare it away.
It’s not a huge place, so you won’t spend all day here, but it’s perfect to combine with another activity. Last time we paired it with a stop at the local crêperie and snacktime afterward – because let’s be real, bribing kids with food is sometimes necessary!
France Miniature: See the Whole Country Without the Traffic!
I put off visiting France Miniature in Élancourt for ages, thinking it would be boring. When we finally went with one of our au pairs who insisted that we go, I realized I couldn’t have been more wrong! Seeing my kids’ expressions as they towered over perfect miniature replicas of landmarks we’d actually visited was priceless. You literally can see all of France in one go!
The Mont Saint-Michel model is ridiculous – the detail is incredible, right down to the tiny people climbing the steps! My son was fascinated by the working trains that run through the exhibits, while my daughters loved the interactive buttons that make things move.
I embarrassed myself by getting way too competitive at the miniature golf section, but hey, that’s what family memories are made of, right?
The park is open from April to November.
Indoor Play Options That Saved My Sanity on Rainy Days
You Jump Trampoline Park: Where My Kids Burn Off Energy
Whoever invented trampoline parks deserves a parenting medal! You Jump in Elancourt has been our rainy-day savior more times than I can count. The first time we went, I foolishly thought I’d join in and show my kids my “cool mom” moves. Let’s just say jumping isn’t as easy on a 40-year-old body as I remembered, and I spent the next day hobbling around like I’d run a marathon!
The dodgeball zone is where my 11-year-old spends most of her time, while my youngest loves the foam pit. They have special sessions for younger kids too, which is great if you’re worried about bigger kids bouncing too close to your little ones.
Môments Family Café: Where I Actually Get to Enjoy My Coffee
This cozy spot in Versailles is one of my favorite parenting hacks, especially for moms of littles (toddlers and below). The play corner keeps my kids entertained while I actually get to drink a hot coffee! Imagine that – coffee that doesn’t need to be reheated three times before you finish it!
They run the cutest workshops too. My daughter did a storytelling session there last month and talked about it for days afterward. The staff really understand what parents need – sometimes that’s just ten minutes of peace with a good cappuccino!
Creative Activities That Make Me Feel Like a Good Parent
Musée du Jouet: Toys From My Childhood That Made Me Nostalgic
This toy museum in Poissy, just 20 minutes from Versailles, is a trip down memory lane for parents and fascinating for kids. I spotted toys from my own childhood and embarrassed my kids by getting way too excited about them. “Mom, it’s just an old Tamagotchi!” Yes, but it was THE thing to have when I was your age!
The interactive exhibits kept everyone entertained, and it was actually really sweet watching my kids play with simple toys that didn’t need batteries or screens.
Market Adventures and Our Weekend Traditions
We’ve made it a family tradition to start our weekend adventures with a trip to Marché Notre-Dame in Versailles. My kids each get a small amount of money to buy one special treat, which leads to about 45 minutes of serious deliberation between pastries, cheeses, or fruits.
Our Typical Weekend Game Plan
Here’s how we usually structure our family weekends:
Saturday: Morning: We grab breakfast at home, then head to the Versailles market to pick up picnic supplies. Afternoon: If the weather’s nice, we bike through the palace gardens or visit Ferme de Gally. If it’s raining, we hit up a trampoline park where I can read a book while the kids burn off energy!
Sunday: Morning: This is our big excursion day – Zoo de Thoiry or France Miniature are our go-tos. Afternoon: We wind down with something low-key, like a creative workshop or a walk through the butterfly greenhouse.
I’ve learned that trying to pack too much into one weekend leads to overtired kids and stressed parents. Sometimes the best moments happen when we slow down and just enjoy being together, even if that’s just skipping stones on the Grand Canal or sharing a massive ice cream at a local park.
