Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - France from Nov.20-27

I suspect most kids aren't going to be interested in tons of museums, nor Versailles. I wouldn't go to Versailles myself, why do you want to do that? Obviously the gardens aren't going to be anything at this time of year, so I just think it's a lot of time/energy to go too that palace UNLESS you really are interested in the French history, etc. Don't go just because you think you are supposed to want to go. I just think a lot of these big palaces/chateaux aren't going to be tyhat great a trip without the gardens.

Instead, I would suggest the Chateau de Vincennes.
Château de Vincennes
It is easy to get to, being right near a metro stop, and it a smaller, more accessible site with some interesting old castle/fortress features. And not so dependent on gardens.

Now I don't think Normandy would be too much, I did it as a day trip, it is fairly easy, and really enjoyed it a lot. Lots of day tours companies leave from Bayeux (maybe they all do), and it's easy to get a train to/from Bayeux from Paris. I did a half day tour which was excellent. You take the train in the morning, then I even had time to view that tapestry and get a bite for lunch, as the tour met up near the center square around 1 pm. We finished and were dropped off near the train station around 5:30 pm, I-6 think. Those tours know people have to catch trains. The guide was excellent and I think that was a nice amt of time to spend on something like that.

Now with COVID I do not know about those small tours, however, as you are maybe 6-8 people in a small van. That's pretty close quarters. But if that doesn't bother you, this is the one I did.
https://www.normandy-sightseeing-tou...aha-beach.html

Guide was super. Now maybe your kids aren't that interested in WWII, but I think that would be infinitely more interesting for a day than going to Versailles. It was for me, actually, even though I have some interesting in the history of the monarchy and the Revolution. You'd have to check train schedules, I see on weekday, there is a TER from St Lazare at 9:01 to 11:18 am. That sounds about like the one I did. There is a return train at 18:37 to 21:03. That also sounds like what I did. I don't mind eating late as I usually do anyway.

That train going stops in Caen. Now actually I would think a day trip to Caen would be more interesting than Versailles. That have a super WWII museum, but also several other points of interest, like an old castle, a Normandy history museum, etc.

It really depends on you and your kids' interests. I'd probably go up Montmartre to see Sacre Coeur and the view. The funicular is kind of fun.

Lastly, I might go out west to La Defense. That have a great shopping mall there if you don't want high end stuff, but that arch is pretty neat. They have some outdoor sculpture art there, and lots of food trucks.
https://parisladefense.com/en/access/
https://www.parisinsidersguide.com/l...nse-paris.html
You may be sick of them, but they do have the largest Christmas market in the area out there, also.
quote from Paris discovery guide:-- The huge Christmas Market along the Esplanade at La Défense boasts 350 chalets, making it the largest in the Paris region. The holiday decorations and displays next to it on the Esplanade are also fabulous.

The market's spectacular setting in this glittering business district make the 9-minute ride from the Étoile/Charles de Gaulle metro station well worth your time - plus you'll find a vast selection of gifts ranging from trinkets to high-quality jewelry and leather goods, and well-equipped kitchens and restaurants turning out steaming plates of delicious Alsatian fare and Spanish-style paella. You'll find lots of specialty items not seen in smaller markets - Santa costumes, stuffed animals, huge bins brimming over with clementines and other seasonal fruits, candies from the South of France, freshly baked gingerbread, antique books and fine paintings, and large pop-up stores filled with Christmas decorations.Several stalls offer gorgeous finely-tooled leather goods from Morocco, while others have large selections of fashionable scarfs and coats, candies, and tins of herbal teas. You can easily spend an entire evening at this market. And definitely plan to have a meal and glass or two of wine here - this is one of the best Paris Christmas markets for dining.
More to Do Nearby: Arrive in daylight hours and check out the 60 sculptures and monuments along the Esplanade. Ice skate on top of the huge arch, which along with the Arc de Triomphe at Étoile and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel near the Louvre, forms the Historical Axis of Paris. After you've explored the Christmas Market, check out the enormous Quatre Temps shopping mall next to the Esplanade. --

of courser you'll have to check if it is open yet, it opens end of Nov. Here is a listing of opening dates, it says 11/25 for that one
https://www.parisdiscoveryguide.com/...-december.html

BEWARE of what you need regarding health passes for any of this stuff!