Les Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art is an opportunity to extend the theme of handicrafts, which is being given pride of place at Union School this year. In Paris, many craftspeople are opening their workshops to the public, and several museums are offering a special programme. Here is a selection :

• Restoration of paintings and gilded wood in a Batignolles workshop
• Discover the craft of decorative glassmaking at the Maison du Vitrail
• Meet students from the Haute Ecole de Joaillerie at the Petit Palais
• Demonstrate the work of stonemasons on the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette church site
• Flower arranging demonstration at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
• Visit the Tuileries gardens with the Louvre's art gardeners.

Reservations for the last two events can be made directly on the websites of the museums concerned. For other events, the official JEMA website is particularly well designed for easy, intuitive geolocation.

From 31 March to 6 April 

The Louvre never ceases to offer new visitor and exhibition experiences. The next few weeks promise to be even more exciting.

• Louvre Couture : objets d'art, objets de mode. This exhibition is remarkable ! A 20-minute introductory mini-tour led by a tour guide is ideal for families. These evening visits are available on Wednesdays and Fridays (until July).
  
  
• Carte blanche to Gaël Faye. The Franco-Rwandan writer and singer takes over the museum with a series of original events combining words and music :
  –  a master class and concerts by the artist.
  –  a poetic night-time exploration of the Louvre galleries accompanied by actors, musicians and dancers.
  –  a performance by Rwandan dancers accompanied by the drums of Burundi. Tickets opened on 13 March, so don't wait to book ! 

• Dessine-moi un chef d'œuvre is a new show concept that's family-friendly, funny and educational. On the stage of the grand auditorium, the treasures of the Louvre are told and drawn, live and to music ! The next show is on 12 April on the theme : Sacré Charlemagne. The fascinating legacy of the emperor will be revealed through his crown, his sword and an imperial statuette.

Located in the commune of Issy-les-Moulineaux, this island in the Seine is packed with cultural, natural and ornithological attractions.

• The impressive Tour aux Figures is well worth a visit in itself. Opened to the public in 2020 after several years of restoration, this monumental sculpture by Dubuffet is open exclusively to guided tours (family visits are followed by a creative workshop). Like the works at the Fondation Dubuffet in Périgny-sur-Yerres, which we also recommended, the Tower invites visitors to take an immersive exploration, somewhere between a cave and an ascending labyrinth.
  
  
• The island is home to several themed gardens (Mediterranean, fruit, wild...). One morning a month, ornithologist Denis Joye leads free guided tours, organised by the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux (bookings on 06 81 57 26 33).
  
  
• An open-air Guignol theatre offers a classic repertoire that changes every week. Performances take place at weekends and on Wednesdays, as well as every day during the school holidays.

Numéro 2 is the stage adaptation of the novel by David Foenkinos, which tells the story of the co-finalist in the Harry Potter cast who saw the role slip from his grasp in favour of Daniel Radcliffe.

The staging is sparkling and the cast brilliant. Children aged 8 and over will be touched and entertained, whether they are fans of J.K. Rowling's universe or not. It's a great opportunity to discuss failure, difference and celebrity after the play !

Until 5 July

Théâtre Tristan Bernard

64 rue du Rocher - 75008

The most kid-friendly restaurant for lovers of healthy food and climbing is at the foot of the Butte Montmartre, just a stone's throw from Place Clichy !

Cuisine : a short menu featuring seasonal produce, tapas and classics, with vegetarian options like the Veggie Burger.

Dining room : the huge glass roof of a former car garage has been converted into a loft, with 128 blocks accessible to all levels and a special area for children aged 3 and over.

Here, everything is designed to make you feel ‘at home’ with your children, your friends and their children.

16 bis rue Caulaincourt, 75018

The Merlin speaker was designed in collaboration with Bayard and Radio France. It allows your children to listen to rich and high-quality content, disconnected from the airwaves : stories and tales (from the magazines J'aime Lire, mes Belles Histoires, Pomme d'Api, etc.), news podcasts (Salut l'info, Président c'est comment ?,etc.), documentaries (Les Bestioles, Les Odyssées, etc.), music and even meditation (by Petit Bambou).

Supplied with several hundred hours of content, it comes with a dedicated application for parents, enabling them to select new titles, transfer them and programme listening times. The child is then autonomous.

The little extra : it's made in France from recycled plastic !

Les Deux Balais is Harry's cave ! Over 3,500 items related to the world of Poudlard. Costumes, of course, for young and old (including a fun baby pyjama-body), board games, but also more unexpected items, such as the Alohomora doormat, placemats depicting the Black family tree or my favourites : the magic potion drink (fizzy with colourful edible glitter) and Bertie Crochue Jelly Belly (fruit flavours, but also boogers, ear wax, dirt...).

The shop is located just a few minutes from the theatre where Numéro 2 is being performed, making it ideal for immersing yourself in the world of the play before or after the show !

For an even more immersive experience, the shop in the 12ᵉ arrondissement has a café-restaurant serving the famous butterbeer (the Wizards' famous beer).

61 Boulevard des Batignolles 75008

11 Cour Saint Emilion 75012