This Saturday, it’s allowed! On September 28, Paris inaugurates a new event specially designed for children and families, the Fête des rues aux enfants! On September 28, some forty pedestrianized streets will host events for the young public (but not only), and it’s all free.
Children’s conquest of the asphalt
Letting children run around, play ball or have fun in the open air can be a real headache in Paris. Between a lack of facilities and gardens and the saturation of urban space (particularly by motorized traffic), the capital is probably not the most “kid-friendly” city in the world!
To remedy this situation and offer children, their families and local residents alike more play space and freedom, the City of Paris has created the “rues aux enfants” scheme. A small revolution has been underway in the capital for less than 10 years, as certain streets near schools have been pedestrianized, made safe and redeveloped to give children back their place in the city! Some of them are even planted with greenery, and are regularly taken over by neighborhood associations and artists, who breathe a little cheerfulness into them!
Rue du Capitaine Lagache (17th), Rue du Jourdain (20th), Rue Victor Cousin (5th)… There are now 200 children’s streets, and the aim is to reach 300 by 2026! There’s a map of all these streets!
The first Children’s Street Festival
This Saturday, these areas will be particularly lively and busy as part of the first Children’s Street Festival! Some forty of them will be taking part, with a special program of workshops, sports and fun activities to enchant and brighten up these areas, and invite everyone to join in the fun!
On Rue de l’Arbre Sec (1st), the Musée en Herbe will be offering a plastic arts workshop, on Rue Pierre Foncin (20th), the Police municipale will be introducing children to the highway code through games, and on Rue de la Providence (13th), there will be a drawing and puppet workshop. Elsewhere: quizzes, participatory snacks, hip-hop dance initiation, treasure hunts, tasting workshops, libraries outside the walls… Accessible to all and 100% free!
📌 Fête des rues aux enfants – Saturday, 09/28/2024
in several arrondissements of Paris
More info on Fête des rues aux enfants