I would love some great suggestions about where to eat with the kids. We are not planning to go to any of the fancy restaurants. I think a great cafe or casual bistro would be nice. Also what about the wine bars? We were in Venice and it started pouring we ran into an oseria(is that the correct name) and it is one of my favorite memories. We are staying in the 1st arr. by the Louvre- which way should we head out at night? I think we will be better off if we at least have an idea of which area to start looking. Thanks

There's a place called Chez Pento where we've eaten with our kids on Rue Cujas in the 5th a few times (near the Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens, etc.)It's a small neighborhood bistro, pretty informal and we've found it to be quite child friendly. We've often seen Parisian families eating there who seem to be regulars. It's an attractive place, good food, good wine selection - also a great deal - they have a very reasonable daily 3 course menu (like an American "prix fixe&quot that offers a lot of choices, so it's easy to find something the kids will like (these types of 'menus' don't always offer many choices.)They've also been accomodating - for instance when my youngest (the picky one) wants to order a dish but, hold this, hold that..

Thanks Hadley-I'll write that down. That is just the type of place I'm interested in-somewhere the french would take their own family. I just thought of another question- I think I'll put it under another title-because I'll prob. get more respones that way. Thanks again.

I'm working right now, but type in 'Flunch' and select France for a search about this cafeteria-style restaurant...

I think you will find a large number of casual, drop-in bistros in the 5th, which is where the Sorbonne is, so lots of students eating inexpensively. Many of those places serve all day, or most of the day, so you could have early dinners.
The 1st, where I enjoy staying, doesn't have a wide choice of casual cafes and such.
One of my favorites on the left bank is La Bucherie. Not extremely cheap, but moderate, they serve all day, there's a fireplace going in cooler weather, serve lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
It's a simple but quite attractive place, might make a nice change one day from the student places.