We have recently moved to the UK (as expats) and we are trying to make the most of the time that we have in Europe (lucky us). The kids have a week off at the end of May so I've decided to quickly throw a trip to Paris together (normally I'd plan this out a little farther but I'm having a hard time keeping up with the holidays and breaks!). Family of 4 (DD 12; DS 9). We are staying 6 nights in an apartment near the Louvre Museum and I'm mapping out what we might do for the 5 full days that we have (remember no jet lag . . .).

Other than DW, we aren't huge museum and art fans but I plan to take in some for sure as we've never seen anything like this before.

We'll have some of the usual must-sees: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre. Although touristy, a Seine river cruise might be nice too.

From my quick review, the following also sound interesting:
Rodin, Sewer Tour, Military/Napoleon and perhaps Versailles.

I'm trying to strike the right balance of planning activities while also planning on some walking the streets/neighborhoods and parks/gardens.

Is that enough info to suggest an itinerary?

Some other questions:
1) How will Ascension Day (bank holiday) factor into things?
2) Best time for the Eiffel Tower? (I plan to book this ahead of time)
3) If we get the 4-day museum pass, what's recommended for the off-day? Or just get the 6-day?
4) Any river cruise suggestions?
5) Park recommendations?
6) Any tips for making the most out of the art museums with tweens?

Thanks for your time and help.

I would suggest planning an entire day for Versailles. The grandes eaux and Jardins musicaux will be going on in the gardens and it really is something to see. Even if you don't make all the places at Versailles, it is interesting. I would get tickets for Versailles before you go. The lines can be brutal. Also, my family lived in Germany when I was 7 and I enjoyed every castle my parents took me to!

Eiffel Tower: I went in the morning. The tower lights up at night but to really see that, take the night Seine cruise.

Museum pass: price out what you want to do and then compare to the museum pass...it may or may not be worth the money.

Seine River cruise: I've gone on the Bateaux Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf and had an excellent guide. You can find discount offers on their website.

Museums: I've taken the tour at the Louvre. We had an excellent guide. It includes teh history of the Louvre and the key art elements: Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, etc. These fill up quickly so make sure you go early to signed up for one. If I remember correctly (it has been a couple of years), you buy your tickets and then go sign up for the tour. Follow the signs...I think the tour sign up is behind the ticket booth. Hopefully, someone who had done this recently can give you more exact info.

The museum pass will save you time and for me, that's as important as money.

The Louvre is massive and can be crowded...I much prefer Musee d'Orsay.

I have not done a Seine cruise but would definitely go at night.

A suggestion for tweens other than museums is the Catacombs.

Luxembourg Gardens is my favorite park. Buy some pastries or other snacks. Gerard Mulot in the 6th has great pastry and also lunch items you could take.

Versailles is gorgeous...don't go on the weekend when it is even more crowded.

Thank you both for your replies.

Definitely getting the Museum Pass for the time savings even if the financials don't fully merit it (and perhaps they will).

It will be hard not to see the Louvre but I'm sure there are going to be some tough choices will only 5 days.

Versailles will also be an interesting choice. I'm sure it's magnficient and unique, but we do have our share of grand estates in the UK whereas some of the other Paris attractions might be more remarkable (relatively speaking).

Any other tips/suggestions out there?

You won't "see" the Louvre. You will see a part. If you get the Michelin Green Guide to Paris, it tells you what different parts have and you could plan to see "something". What might be most interesting to your children might be the basement to see how this castle was constructed.
A really good investment might be to hire Michael Osman for a day. he is an American, an artist, and a truly GREAT guide, and guy. He would engage your children in particular, as no one else can. He could design at least a day that would really come together so well. And he is very reasonable for what he gives you.
I think the Carnavalet Museum is interesting, and might be so to you and your children--it is the history of the city of Paris in art (and free). The French REvolution floor is terrific, and then there are the very old times--and then the 20's. it is a small museum.
I think your children are free for museums. I wouldn't buy a 6 day pass, personally.
I like the Seine cruise in the late afternoon, so the lights are just beginning to come on, and by the time you get to the Eiffel Tower its lights are on.

We just returned from our second Paris trip with 3 kids (11, 8 and 5) Although our time in museums is more limited with younger kids, we managed to see a lot.

Do the museum pass. As for 4 or 6 days......4 is probably fine. You can do the eiffel tower, river cruise and just relax in a park that day. There is also a free but neat little museum in Marais called Les Musees de la Ville de Paris that we enjoyed. It is also fun just to walk around some of the neighborhoods(Latin Quarter, Marais). Sacre Coeur is neat to see and free as well as the neighborhood it sits in Montmare.

We were going to do Versailles this past trip and decided we were having so much fun in Paris that we did not want to go see another castle (we had been in england the week before). I would still love to see it, but the city is so fun!

Even teens will have fun watching the street performers and trying to figure out who has the best ice cream in Paris.

They will love climbing to the top of Notre Dame to see all the gargoyles.

You should be in a great location being close to the louvre. You can even break up your trip to the louvre and go on the evening it is open late.

Rodin can NOT be missed. The gardens were in bloom and still will be and it is just spectacular. YOur kids can have fun posing as the sculptures.

Orsay was a big disappointment this time around. It is still worth seeing for the first time, but not photos allowed now and they only have 2 levels open.

Orangerie (with Monet's water lillys ) was also a favorite.

Even though your kids are tweens, our oldest was taking the sticks from her younger siblings to sail the boats in jardin de tulleries. Have your kids try the hot dog at the street sandwich vendors (AMAZING) and I don't care for an american hot dog! LOL! You will all LOVE Paris

Get Rick Steves Paris guide book (Fodors is good too), but we carried it with us the entire trip and it helped tremendously! ietelling us the side entrance to the louvre)

Also consider a Fat Bike Tour, Segway Tour and maybe something like a Paris Walk.

Perhaps the Catacombs?

Vedettes du Pont Neuf is good for a night cruise.

Okay, here's a stab at some specifics. Feedback appreciated. I plan to get a 4-day museum pass so I tried to cram the non-pass activities on the first day.

Sunday
Luxembourg Garden
Vedettes du Pont Neuf river cruise
Eiffel Tower

Monday
Notre Dame (tower/gargoyles)
Sainte Chappelle
Islands
Berthillon

Tuesday
Versailles

Wednesday
D'Orsay
Tuilleries Garden
Louvre at night (late afternoon)

Thursday (Ascension Day)
Rodin
Napoleon / Army Museum
Sewer Tour?
Walk/Dinner in Marais
(not that close but only night to visit recommended restaurant)

Currently off agenda: Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysess, Orangerie.

Thanks!

Going up the Tower? I might go first thing in the morning (buy tickets on-line), approach via Trocadero metro stop on Right bank. Tnen Orsay (or Rodin or Military Museum), Left bank meander (including Luxembourg gardens) followed by night Seine cruise after dinner.

1. The Sewer tour is a must see.
2.Go to the Eiffel early morning before the crowds and go all the way to the top using the stairway at the end level (great view)
3. Check out Ile St. Louis Island next to Notre Dame. (very old ) I stayed in an apt there twice.
4. Latin Quarter at night (touristy but fun) many restaurants and fun with kids.
5. Do go to the Marais (another old area)
6. Parc Monceau ( small non tourisy people's park)
7. Luxembourg Gardens and the Palace
8.Bois de Boulogne Park is beautiful on the west side of Paris if you have some extra time and renting a bike is a must to see most of it. ( like Central Park in NyC very large
with beautiful gardens.
9. do go to the Champs Elsess and the Arc
10. take metro to La Defence (on the out skirts of Paris) ride the elevator to the top of the large arch and get a great view of the Eiffel and the Arc de Triomphe
Have a great time