Street Atlas [148 B5] | Google Map
One of the largest water parks in Europe, featuring pools with waterfalls and a number of fun waterslides under its glass roof. Daily 7am–1am | admission 20 euros, April–Sept 25 euros, children 3–11 yr. 10 euros | Porte de Sevre | 4, rue Louis Armand | M 8: Balard | www.aquaboulevard.com
Impressive, three-hour canal trip between the Musée d’Orsay Street Atlas [138 A4] and the Parc de la Villette Street Atlas [135 E2] through locks, bridges and tunnels. Mar–Nov daily | departure: 9.30am from the Quai Anatole France or 2.30pm from Parc de la Villette | fare 17 euros, children 10 euros | tel. 01 42 40 96 97 | www.pariscanal.com
Street Atlas [140 B4] | Google Map
The magnificent circus venue which has existed for over 150 years is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. The Bouglione family provides the best in circus tradition from September to March. Fri 8.30pm, Sat/Sun 2pm, 5.15pm, 8.30pm | admission 10–48 euros | 110, rue Amelot (11 arr.) | M 8: Filles du Calvaire | www.cirquedhiver.com
CITÉ DES SCIENCES ET DE L’INDUSTRIEA futuristic science museum where visitors can pretend to be researchers, with a submarine, flight simulator and planetarium. The giant silver ball La Géode provides a 360-degree big screen presentation on scientific topics every hour. Tue–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–7pm | prices structured according to selection of attractions starting at 8 euros; free admission for children under 7 yr. | 30, av. Cortenin Cariiou (19 arr.) | M 7: Porte de la Villette | www.cite-sciences.fr
With 12 million visitors every year, Walt Disney’s fairy-tale dreamland featuring Mickey, Donald and the gang is one of the foremost tourist attractions in Europe. 40 km (25mi) east of Paris | RER A: Marne-de-la Vallée or Val d’Europe | www.disneylandparis.com
Street Atlas [128–129 B–E6] | Google Map
In this elegant area in the Bois de Boulogne, this garden exudes the charm of the 19th century with its unusual playground areas, roundabouts, animals and watercourses. Daily from 10am–6pm | admission 2.90 euros | M 1: Les Sablons | www.jardindacclimatation.fr
Something to suit every age group: at the Jardin des Plantes with a horticultural teaching garden there is also the 
Ménagerie, a well laid out zoo for smaller children, with reptiles, monkeys and wildcats, fanciful garden architecture and old trees. At the zoo on the opposite side of the park, older children and adults can explore the Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle. In the entrance hall there is a fascinating caravan of stuffed animals. The complex also contains a facility for palaeontology (including huge dinosaur bones) and mineralogy. The newly renovated 
greenhouses, Les Grandes Serres, with their forest-like lush vegetation are also a must-see. Zoo: daily in summer 9am–6pm; in winter 9am–5pm | admission 8 euros, children 8 euros (up to 4 years old, free). Natural History Museum: Wed–Mon 10am–6pm | admission 7 euros, children free. Palaeontology and mineralogy: Mon–Wed 10am–5.15pm | admission 7 euros, children (4–13 yr) 5 euros. Greenhouses: in summer Tues–Sun 10am–6pm; winter 10am–5pm | admission 6 euros, children (4–16 yr) 4 euros | 57, rue Cuvier (5 arr.) | M 5, 10/RER C: Gare d’Austerlitz | www.mnhn.fr
An excellent, slightly smaller, but French alternative to Disneyland. Asterix and his friends captivate visitors to the theme park with all sorts of fun activities and a replica of the small village of the indomitable Gauls. April–Aug Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat/Sun 9.30am–7pm (May/June Tue and Thu partly closed), Sept/Oct Wed, Sat, Sun 10am–6pm | admission 40 euros, children (3–11 yr) 30 euros | 60-Plailly (30 km (18½mi) north of Paris) | by bus: from the Louvre coach park, departure: 8.45am (49 euros incl. admission), by car: motorway A 1, exit: Parc Astérix | www.parcasterix.fr