Long pretty boat rides do not work with my kids. Most kids like to do, not see (unless it is TV or a movie or something like that). Guidebooks commonly make the mistake of seeing what kids like through adult eyes.

Any more input on what kind of food you can get at the Eiffel Tower cafe on the second level?

I can recommend the Jules Verne in the Eiffel tower and Le Cinq at the George V hotel for an upscale restaurant for your family if you have the fixed price lunch. The JV is a Michelin 1 star and LC a Michelin 3 star. Food, decor and service better at LC but you do get to dine in the E. Tower with the Jules Verne. Noticed other children about the same age as your children in both restaurants. Would check the menus to make sure there is something the children will eat but we were told that the chef in both restaurants would whip up something appropriate if necessary for the children.

Here's an option that probably would be more fun for the kids than for you. I didn't find many comments about it, so go at your own risk.

Le Refuge des Fondus
(tel 01 42 55 22 65, 17 rue des Trois Frères, 18e, metro Abbesses or Anvers). This establishment has been a Montmartre favourite since 1966. You can get an aperitif, red wine (or beer or soft drink) in a baby bottle and a good quantity of either fondue savoyarde (melted cheese) or fondue bourguignonne (meat fondue; minimum two people). It opens for dinner 7pm to 2am daily (last sitting at midnight or 12.30am).

Refuge des Fondus - 18ème
17 rue de Trois Freres
Metro: Anvers / Pigalle
Phone: 014 255 2265 7pm - 2am
Lots of food, masses of fun and a favourite with foreigners, Refuge des Fondus is not one of Paris' most exclusive - or even most culinary outstanding - restaurants, but it is one dining experience that will forever stick in your mind and leave fond memories of Paris. Be prepared for strangers to become friends very quickly, as everyone sits side by side at two long tables and the only way to get to the outer seats is to climb over your table. For around 20 euros, you'll get a meat or cheese fondue, accompanied by a liqueur aperitif, hors d'ouvres, dessert and wine? served in a baby bottle! So if you're looking for a fun night that's one part dinner and one part chumminess with complete strangers, then Refuge des Fondus is an absolute hoot.

" Author: Christine
Date: 03/05/2001, 02:45 pm
Message: Beth - I've been to that fondue place. I want to say it's on Rue des Trois Freres ou quelque chose comme ca. It would have been much more fun if there weren't 4 loud american men sitting right next to us! It was also very hot in there.
I suppose it was an interesting experience, but we had better fondue closer to where you're staying. Just a little place on a side street - I don't remember the name.
If you do go to the fondue restaurant near Montmartre, you should know that there are only two long tables - each has one long bench seat against the wall. So 1/2 of your party will need to get up on a chair, then step onto the table and down onto the bench on the other side. So don't wear skirts or dresses. Which if fine because it's a very casual place.
Enjoy!"

If you happen to be in Paris on a Sunday, you might take the kids to Sunday brunch at the Musée Jaquemart-André. Gorgeous old mansion, lovely art collection, and fabulous brunch.

I don't believe children are allowed on those Seine dinner cruises, anyway, they are for adults (at last Bateaux Mouches). I think 12 is the cutoff age.

I imagine the Eiffel Tower cafe is similar to the rooftop Samaritaine -- I think of that just as a snack bar, or yes, cafeteria--not a cafe. I would not go there purposely to dine.

I think the kids would enjoy Altitude 95 but that isn't really upscale if the idea is for the fine dining experience. I would recommend Bouillon Racine in St-Germain. It's really not that expensive (maybe 30-40 euro pp--they have a prix fixe at 25 euro) but is a very pretty Belle Epoque restaurant that I think would give a fine dining, very French ambience. I like the ground floor which has nice large windows in front (which can be open in summer), so that gives it a lighter, airier feel than many restaurants where you are closed in a room. They have a decent variety of things to order, I thought. Here is their web site with photos and menu:
http://www.bouillon-racine.com

In Paris, as well as other places in Europe, we took our kids (also 9 & 12 at the time) to all the same places that appealed to us, including Jules Verne. They weren't terribly adventurous in their choices, but did fine just about everywhere. The biggest challenge, I think, is the late hour and leisurely pace of European dining. But it gave us great opportunities for family conversations and memories. I have a photo of my son at Vagenande with his face in a book. Don't know how mannerly that was, but at least he was QUIET ;) Bofinger in the 4th near the Bastille is a fun, kind of boisterous place to go with kids. Also, if you feel comfortable doing so, I recommend getting a take-away or room service dinner for the kids a couple of times, so that you and your husband can enjoy at least one or two meals "a deux."

LOL - Carmen, his face in a book; that sure beats him being hunkered down over a GameBoy!

My kids will eat a fair amount of ethnic food so I plan on doing a little (Thai, Vietnamese). There is a well-rated Lebanese restaurant very close to the hotel we will be staying at in the 16th, Byblos Cafe. As for expensive, formal dining experiences, I think I would be wasting my money -- they just would not care. For lunches, I am looking at sandwich shops or cafeterias, such as those in Galeries Lafayette or Au Printemps (which also happen to come with a view). Dinners will be ethnic or brasseries, I think.