Once a slaughterhouse district, the 19th Arrondissement is now a serene, leafy suburb, where families can relax in green spaces. Take a romantic stroll along the canals and parks meandering through this pleasant area.

The arrondissement’s family atmosphere is enhanced by the Cité des Enfants, with interactive activities for kids. Watch your toddlers or young children learn about science through fun games in English. Take part in experiments in the factory, garden and body areas. A TV studio where kids can present the news is among the highlights.

This children’s museum is part of the City of Science and Industry, among Europe’s largest science institutions. It stands in the northern part of Villette Park, which has three large concert venues and the acclaimed Conservatoire de Paris music and dance college. Watch performers and artists at work in the park. Sit with a picnic on the lawn or participate in a sports game. Explore the many themed gardens, including the Dragon Garden and the Bamboo Garden.

Find the Canal de l’Ourcq and travel by boat to other parts of the arrondissement. Climb ashore at the Bassin de la Villette and walk a few blocks south to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Enjoy the romantic style of the park, with waterfalls and undulating green hills. A few blocks east is the Butte du Chapeau Rouge Park, which has a modernist design with sculptures and fountains.

For a window into the local art scene, visit the Centquatre-Paris. The centre displays many types of art, from theatre and dance to digital and urban art. Learn about emerging artists in this historic site, once an undertaker’s building.

The zone is beside the 10th and 11th arrondissements in the northeastern corner of Paris. Ride the metro on lines 5, 7 and 7B to one of the stops in the area. Trams and the RER Overground system also reach the zone.

The 19th Arrondissement offers a breath of fresh air with its green parks and family fun.