I would think that there are a few better things to see in Paris than stuffed animals

As for Louvre, I have been a couple of times, but have avoided it for recent trips. While I like the area, there are some smaller, more bite size museums that I prefer, especially with limited time.

Shopping in the Marais area would probably interest them. Near Louvre, Rue du Faubourg St Honore has a lot of the top fashion houses. One trip I went to Laduree, picked up a decadent sweet, and wandered Place Vendome (where Ritz is) looking at the very high end jewelry shops. Galeries Lafayette has a regular fashion show.

greenerpastures,

Sorry to digress from the OP's original request but I did not experience the "joys" of taxidermy until adulthood. No access to museums as a child and only one field trip to the Fleischacker Zoo in elementary school--at least those animals were still alive.

Back on topic I like Michel_Paris' Laduree suggestion. Yum.

S

Scootoir,

There is a Paris Walks Chocolate Tour

I would think that a friendly competition to find the best patisserie would be a good all-ages activity. And then after each 'event', a walk around the neighbourhood.

Pierre Herme...

Wed Aug 24 - what do you plan for the evening here? I was thinking the girls need to see a little bit of the night lights and life (other than from the Seine).

Perhaps metro for dinner and a walk in either the 5th (student/Latin quarter) around the St. Michel metro or the Mouffetard area or walk up rue St. André des Arts (some ok shopping here), through the historic Cour de Commerce. Dinner could be on the go/cheap at one of the myriad of food stands or you could have moules/frites on St. Germain at Léon de Bruxelles or walk up to one of the great little restos on rue Guisarde & rue Princesse near St. Sulpice...someplace where they will be a part of young people having a good time.

Actually, my suggestion was made with regards to the teenage girls in particular. We have no idea the interests of Montyesther and here daughters; for all we know they may love the place, or detest its existance! To suggest all teenage girls would not enjoy a visit at a place like deroylles is a bit far fetched I would think?
Luckily I didn't recommend Musee de la chasse, as it also contains animals. Funnily enough I visited this place aswell and their were kids with parents, and to me they didn't look horrified, but moreso interested.
And ofcourse agree their are lots of other things to see and do in Paris. I'm sure Montyesther and here teens will be intelligent enough to make up their own minds relative to their likes and dislikes based on any recommendations, and enjoy their visit either way.
My suggestion was obviously something aside from the normal!

On the Wednesday, after Eiffel, I would just walk Left Bank from Eiffel to the Latin Quarter. Champ de Mars, walk by Rodin, walk by Orsay...stops at Pont des Arts, Square du Vert Galant, bouquinistes, walk down below along Seine. Maybe a side trip down some street into St Germain. When hunger strikes, will be in perfect area.

Need some time in Paris just to wander, and this trajectory would be a nice one.

Michel_Paris,

Definitely like your idea of a competition find the best patisserie. I'm still searching for the best macaron. Was it the very first one I had at Le Notre years ago, or another years later at Laduree, or still another while wandering through the 6th and can no longer remember the shop? I'll have to reexamine this puzzle in October.

S

I rank myself in the amateur category of patisserie taster, with ambitions to make the big leagues

My last trip I remember walking down Faubourg St Honore, checking out windows, and came upon this nirvana setting of a chocolate 'sculpture'. I was wondering "why did they" then decided "why not"

One trip I discovered pain au chocolat with almond paste. Ooh lala.

A long time goal has been to make pilgrimages to the food award winners in Paris: best baguette, best macaron...

Forget Versailles for that short a time.
Make a reservation for the Eiffel Tower if you are planning to go up in it.
Don't wait in line for the Notre Dame tower--unless that is something you just HAVE to do.
The Louvre is not my favorite museum, but if you are going, plan exactly what you are going to see, do it and leave.
Much the same for the Orsay--I recommend the third floor.

bookmarking

By the time you reach and check-in to your hotel (and have lunch - unless you brown-bag it on the Eurostar - which we do), it will be past 1 pm.

You can't do much on Saturday (except maybe a short walk around your neighbohood). CDG can be a mess - I'd get there at 11 a.m. for a 2 p.m. trans-Atlantic flight. Hit the RER by 10:15.

Thus, you have only a little more than two-and-a-half days.

Some thoughts to maximize your time use:

--- Do not wait in line at Gare du Nord to buy your Metro carnets - get them at the tobacco shop nearest to your hotel, after taking a cab.

--- Cut out Versailles. Takes the batter part of a day.

--- Cut out the Louvre..unless you feel confident you can do what Gretchen (above) says -- and that is not easy for a first-timer. At any rate, choose between that and the Orsay (which may be more interesting to teenagers) - don't do both.

--- Do a historic self-guided walk around the ND area - there are many available in most guidebooks. You'll get the biggest bang for the buck ("time" buck, that is.)

--- Eat only dinners in regular restaurants. Parisians dine slowly in restaurants. For breakfasts, grab pastry at the nearest shop and coffee at Starbucks -- I know, that sounds ridiculous, but it's the best place for takeout cofee in Paris -- and eat in your hotel room as you plan the day. For lunches, stop in sandwich/salad places or grab street-vendor or mini-mart food and eat in the nearest park (even more fun!).

SS

thank you so much for all inputs. i will review my itineraries again.