Take a trip to Paris with your kids. All you need is a computer, a box of crayons and a little imagination. Teach your children about Parisian monuments, art and French culture with these free printable Paris coloring pages.
Bonjour France
Begin your French tour with an overview of the country. France is known as l’Hexagon (pronounced lex-ah-gohn), because of it’s distinguishable six sides. France borders the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Mediterranean Sea, and Spain. Color this map of France: http://www.hist-geo.co.uk/france/outline/france-borders-b-1.php
The French Flag
Le Tricouleur (pronounced leh tree-coo-ler) is the nickname for the French flag because of it’s three colors: blue, white, and red. Or, as they say in France: bleu, blanc, et rouge. The flag was created in 1790 during the French Revolution. Color this French flag: http://www.coloringcastle.com/pdfs/flags/flag-france-123.pdf
Eiffel Tower
Everyone knows the most famous monument in all of Paris–the Eiffel Tower. But did you know that it was never meant to be standing today? Many people hated this “atrocity” built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair. In fact, some respected French artists and writers even signed a petition to have it torn down. Fortunately, its practical use as a giant 1,063 foot antenna saved the Eiffel Tower. Visitors take elevators to the top and visit souvenir shops and restaurants inside. Color la Tour Eiffel: http://thecoloringspot.com/images/wonders/eiffel-tower.jpg
Fans of the storybook character Madeline will enjoy this classic illustration of the Eiffel Tower and “twelve little girls in two straight lines”: http://coloringbookfun.com/madeline/originalimages/madeline2.gif
Children will also like this scene of the Eiffel Tower from the movie Ratatouille: http://www.jedessine.com/c_6053/coloriage/coloriage-ratatouille/paris
Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon commissioned this famous arch to commemorate his victories. It stands majestically at la Place Charles de Gaulle, in the middle of twelve avenues radiating out like a star. Many patriotic parades (not to mention the Tour de France) have travelled the famous Avenue des Champs-Elysees to end beneath the Arc. This is the resting place of France’s Unknown Soldier. The Arc is a symbol of French national pride, often adorned with French flags. Color the Arc de Triomphe: http://petitweb.lu/textespetitsclics/coloriages/vrac/monume2blc.gif
Louvre Museum
The Louvre, the largest art museum in the world, was once a royal fortress. Today, visitors enter this historic building through the ultra-modern glass pyramid designed by the Chinese American architect I.M. Pei. You don’t want to miss Leonardo DaVinci’s Joconde. Color this masterpiece, known in English as the Mona Lisa: http://z.about.com/d/arthistory/1/0/i/b/monalisa_cp.jpg
Notre Dame
The Notre Dame cathedral is an amazing example of gothic architecture, complete with flying buttresses and Rose windows. Terrifying gargoyles, once believed to protect the church from evil spirits, carry rainwater off the roof. The Notre Dame Cathedral is immense–9,000 people can attend church here at one time. Children might like to hear the story of Victor Hugo’s hunchback, who rang the church bells and was in love with the gypsy girl, Esmeralda. Color Notre Dame: http://www.jedessine.com/c_1571/coloriage/lieux-et-batiments/notre-dame
Pont Neuf
The oldest bridge in Paris has an interesting name–the “New Bridge.” Of course, at the time it was built that name made a lot of sense! There are small gargoyle heads embedded in the side of the bridge. Follow a code to color the gargoyles of the Pont Neuf: http://www.gommeetgribouillages.fr/BateauParis/gargouillecode.pdf
La Ville de Paris
Once your children have learned a little about Paris, the City of Light, give these fun activities a try. First, help Madeline find her dog, Genevieve in this Parisian maze: http://coloringbookfun.com/madeline/originalimages/madeline13.gif
You can also play a game of Paris monument bingo with these photo bingo cards: http://www.gommeetgribouillages.fr/BateauParis/LotomonumentsParis.pdf
Grab your crayons and enjoy your trip to Paris with these free printable coloring pages. Bon Voyage!
