We're staying in Paris with my three kids (ages: 1.5, 5, 8) for a week in the beginning of July, and I don't know the city at all. What would the best neighborhood be to stay in (grocery store, park nearby)? Any specific kid-friendly apartments to recommend?

Thanks so much for any advice --

Kate

Kate take a look at this apartment:
www.lacigaleparis.com/
We stayed there two years ago with my two kids and thought it was great. The apartment is nice and fully equiped. The location is wonderful! You are in a real neighborhood with numerous small restaurant nearby where (in March) we were the only tourists. There is a supermarket a block away and at least 3 bakeries a block away in various directions. The Metro is practically outside the building door and a cab stand is across the street. I can't answer your question about best neighborhood for kids and parks but I can say that we found this apartment to be clean, safe, and very conveniently located. Good luck and enjoy Paris!

Thanks -- that apartment looks great. Unfortunately, it's booked already for the time we're there (first week in July). Too bad! Thanks for the tip though --

-- Kate

If you find a good apartment, I know a new site which proposes a lot of activities for child in Paris if you want to make activities with your children:
http://www.offi.fr/enfants
It regroups zoos, aquariums, but also workshop, to learn how to cook with your child.

We stayed here over Christmas last year:

http://www.vrbo.com/112368

I loved the location and it had an elevator (small); there was plenty of room to spread out. Only draw back - the wood floors seemed to echo any noise while walking and my family suffered from horrible jet lag so there was a walking about in the middle of the night.

I cannot give you a specific apt as the one we stayed in two years ago would not be good for the ages of your children, but if you can stay by Luxembourg Gardens, it is a wonderful are for kids. Numerous times during our stay two years ago we would walk over to the gardens to let the kids run around and play, and for a small fee, on Sun and Wed the playground is open. My kids had a blast there - it was amazing to see how kids just start playing with each other, communicating with their hands and a few words of each other's language.