We're going to be spending three days in Paris next week with two small kids (8 and 5). Staying in an apartment close to Opera Bastille. Any recommendations or suggestions on what to dos as well as what not to dos most welcome!

Bonjour

In the evening pick up an icecream at Amorinos in picturesque Ille St Louis - http://www.amorino.fr/stlouis.htm. Then stroll to the square in front of the Notre Dame where they have entertaining street performers. Lively atmosphere.

Au revoir

After doing a short "highlights" tour of the Louvre, play in the playgrounds at the Tuilleries. The playground equipment is different than what we have in the US...a whole lot of fun. Your kids may even end up playing with French kids, which will be a good experience. They even have trampolines that they can bounce on for one euro.

My kids loved anything that could be climbed to the top of and looked out of...the top of Notre Dame, the top of Sacre Couer, the top of the Arch de Triomphe (and of course, the Eiffel Tower.) They found lots to complain about, but they never complained about climbing.

The Centre Pompideau and the Picasso Museum are fun for kids if you make a quick tour and don't take it too serously. Nicholas Flammel's house is close to the Pompidieau, if they are fans for the 1st Harry Potter book or movie.

It's interesting to me that the museums are free for kids, but that many of the playgrounds charge a small admission fee!

Of course, the kids loved the crepes from the street, the ice cream, the hot chocolate, the pastries, etc.

PLEASE make at least the 8 year old write in a jounal every night...it will be priceless. On night my 8 year old daughter wrote about visiting "Sack Rock Coor." Also, teach them a few phrases in French if they don't already know some French. Even the gruffest, most impatient waiter was nice to us after my daughter said "Je voo-dray le poo-lay."

Find out from your landlords if there is a street market near the apartment on any of the mornings you will be there -- like the one that travels up and down Boulevard Richard Lenoir. I think the kids might get a kick out of seeing that.

Perhaps:

http://travel.discovery.com/destinat...s_20220_1.html

A boat ride on the Seine at night taking funiculaire up to Sacre Coeur.
Jardin de Luxembourg
Musee de la Poupee (doll museum)

http://www.webscapades.com/france/pa...r-children.htm

Hope this helps,
Mike

We're off next week for our third trip to Paris with our kids. Past highlights have included the Tuileries(boats in pond and the large playground).
Playground to the right of Notre Dame.
I did not go (I went to the markets), but the kids and my husband went to the Science Museum and loved it. There are timed tickets so it doesn't get too crowded.
Kids loved the crepes from the sidewalk.
Our trip to the Lourve was too short- but we hit the highlights.

This trip we're going to include the d'Orsey and Rodin Museums.