Hi all. We'll be stopping in Paris this August for 1.5 days. We'll have 2 young children (under 10) so were planning something quick and simple: check in and have dinner the first afternoon, then visit Montmartre on the second day, walk around Eiffel Tower/Seine and have lunch, then get dinner. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to make this more efficient or better? Any must-visit restaurants or cafes nearby? We're hoping to get a hotel or Airbnb around the 2nd District...somewhere between Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower? Your input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Just very quick - am leaving for the day. But, is there a specific reason you have prioritized Montmarte? With young children I would think places like the river, Tuileries, Luxembourg Gardens, maybe the Louvre might have more appeal to kids.

Use a hotel. You will not have to worry about any Airbnb glitch and will have staff to back you up if you need it for problems small and large.

It's been a long time since I was a kid, but here goes. First, I like the phrase "kids in a candy store" so take them to one of the amazing chocolate shops. There is also the Museum of Fairground Arts https://arts-forains.com/en/visitors which is kid friendly for kids of all ages, including adults. The Jarden des Plantes (botanic garden) has a mini zoo and a glass house with multiple ecological sections that may appeal to the kids also.

I adore Montmartre, but please realize it will be a zoo in August. Maybe the greatest density of tourists anywhere. If your kids are not terribly young and can walk up stairs, then my favorite activity in all of Paris is walking up to the rooftop of Sacre Coeur. Magnificent view, with the EIffel Tower in the background and the baroque architecture of the basilica in the foreground. But your kids will have to like the challenge.

Luxembourg Gardens. A True Parisian experience for children and adults. Rent boats and let them spend an hour sailing them. It could be a scene in an impressionist painting. After renting boats, we ended up buying our girls some wooden sailboats. We still have one of those little boats. Wish I could have taken my GD to Paris at that age.
Some kids really enjoy an hour or so at the Louvre. Mine liked looking through books before the trip (you could more easily do it online now), finding paintings they liked or some that even looked like themselves, then tracking them down in the museum.

August is Paris Plages time (until the 21st that is) . So consider taking an afternoon off, find a fun activity to do (you can always play boules as a family if nothing else appeals) and kick back a little. It's Paris as a beach destination. It's aimed to give Parisian kids who can't go on vacation a beach vacation inside Paris, so there's lots for kids to do. My son learned Polynesian dancing at PP lol. (and we played endless rounds of Boules, alternated with a quick dip in the pool, then back to Boules, Orangina etc.)

Id keep it simple and go for a crepe, sweet and the savory kind. Id recommend staying around 17th, perferably by Parc Monceau where its more quiet but not far from Montmartre etc. There are thousands of good restaurants, cafes, etc....crepes are easy for kids and filling. You can get a complete with ham cheese and eggs..all diferents kinds... There are a few good ones around Monmartre e.g. Broceliande . more info: https://theparisshortlist.com/best-crepes-in-paris/

I wouldn't even consider getting an Airbnb for 2 days. You must use them a lot though or I don't thnk you'd say that, so maybe you like the issues that can come with them (like checkout arrangements/time). Parc Monceau isnt' a bad idea. Or maybe the 9th.

I don't think kids would enjoy Montmartre much. The last time I was there it was so crowded I couldn't wait to leave. I, too, suggest the kid-friendly Luxembourg Gardens and other activities more geared for children.

I would go up the Eiffel Tower (not just walk around it) but suggest you do so after it gets dark as the lights twinkle for about 5 minutes on the hour and I think your kids would enjoy that. The Paris Catacombs might be fun unless you think your kids are too young. The Arc de Triomphe is fun to climb up and watch the traffic swirl around.

The Orangerie Museum is small and doesn't take long to go through (get tickets in advance.) The huge Monet paintings are stunning and I think most children would enjoy them. Afterwards, they can let off steam in the Tuileries gardens.

Finally, Berthillon ice cream!