We have been to Paris, and done most of the must-sees. This time we are bringing our 5 and 8 year old girls. We have three days. This is our current thought:

Day 1 Eiffel Tower and Marmottan Museum. Seine cruise?

Day 2 Ile St Louis and Ile de Cite, St. Chappelle and Notre Dame

Day 3 Champ Elylees, Tuileries Garden, Jacquemart Andre museum

Our kids enjoy museums, however we tend to keep the visits to them on the shorter side. We plan to relax and smell the roses, but also want to see something every day. Our hotel is in Marais- so I plan to have dinner there most nights.

Is there anything I should add (jardin de Luxembourg?), or eliminate? Is there a way to search for special events/fairs (we will be there June 13-16)?Your suggestions are appreciated!!

The first time our son visited Paris he was 12 at the time, a little older. He had been studying Louis Pasteur in school and told us about the museum in Paris, which was a fun visit. Nice he got to participate in planning also.

He also enjoyed, The Eiffel Tower, The Rodin (small enough to take in), Seine cruise, Notre Dame (and the rollerbladders in front I must say), d'Orsay (there were cartoon drawings in a room on the top floor he found fun), Arc de Triumph (his favorite) and just walking around the city.

That was his first trip and he has been with us on every trip since. It is really neat to see the city through their eyes. I am sure you will all have a great time!! Happy travels!

I would highly recommend going to jardin de luxembourg. We were there in 2006 when our kids were 10 and 13. I was truly surprised how much they enjoyed it there. The little children's play area even had fun things that my 13 yo daughter enjoyed. A great place to just let your girls have some fun. They would probably also enjoy walking through the food floor of the Bon Marche. (I can't remember if it is the first floor or one below that).

Another great idea is to take the petite train to Le Jardin d’Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne. It is fantastic and one of the highlights of my daughters 6th birthday:

http://www.soultravelers3.com/blog/A...CC79862BD.html

It is a very special place and park and when we were there we only saw French families ( no tourists). Enchanting and the park itself is spectacular with one of the best playgrounds in the world and of course beautiful.

My daughter really liked going to the Eiffel Tower at night when it was all lit up and we did the carousel ride also of course near by. Every night seems like a celebration there and it is less crowded then ( or was in September).

We spent two weeks there, so if you follow that link or look at the blog archives at www.soultravelers3.com, you might get some other ideas.

There are wonderful books for girls that age that will really enhance your trip. We enjoyed following "Storybook Travels" kids itineraries like hunting for Madelines house:

http://www.soultravelers3.com/blog/E...BADA80027.html

Hot chocolate at Angeliina's is a MUST ( Linnea does it in that famous book) and it is a beautiful, very central place. It will be my daughter's first place to visit when we return to Paris.


I agree with your quicker trips to Museums. We managed to do three museums one day, but also did playgrounds and fun in between. My daughter just looooved the Mona Lisa,so I would not miss that...go late in the day, they will have it to themselves...kids go up front any way.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/blog/C...58C9D4DCA.html


On your left bank day, stop at Cafe Flore-en-I’Ile for great hot chocolate and don't miss Shakespeare and company.My daughter loved it.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/blog/5...807408892.html

They will love the metro too and all the musicians playing. We let our daughter give the change to them ( she is a musician herself so enjoys that).

You will have a wonderful time!! Enjoy!

I would definitely try to add Jardin du Luxembourg. Also a bateau mouche trip at some point.
At Notre Dame, it is worthwhile to climb the tower and see the gargoyles and bell--also a great view over Paris. We also went to the small museum about Notre Dame and the surrounding area located at the far end of the parvis. It gave some idea of archeology and had dioramas showing how the area looked in different time periods

David Macaulay's book, Cathedral, is a good introduction for kids. There is a PBS version with an animated story about the building of a cathedral which is also good.

The Jacquemart Andre museum seems to cater to kids with a "cultural treasure hunt" game book so that does sound like a good choice.

If you are in Paris on Sunday afternoon some travel books recommend going up to Montmartre
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...062021105.html