What a great site this is and what a shame I didn't find it earlier! We're flying from Ireland to Paris this Saturday (15th October)for four nights. Any recommendations for what would be good for our 12 year old twin boys? I've visited Paris before but not with the kids. They love soccer and horseracing but are open to cultural activities as well! One day will be spent in Disneyland and at least part of one day in the Science Museum(la Villette). We are on a tight budget so would appreciate any suggestions, including Cafes/restaurants that might be family friendly, even at night.
Many thanks.

Matt2dan, we took our 10 year old son to Paris last year. He was a little doubtful since he thought it would be all museums (yeah, we did go thro the Louvre where he was actually excited to see works he'd only seen in photos). He had a blast & begs to go back. We went to a soccer game too. We stopped by a park where some kids invited him to join their pick up game (didn't need to know French to figure out what was being asked ) We didn't eat in any fancy restaurants. One of his favorites was eating the wonderful crepes late at night; during the day-buying food in the outdoor markets to take to Luxembourg gardens. And he was fascinated by the underground cemetery tour.

You must to take them up, via the twisty stone steps, to the top of Notre Dame to see gargoyles face to face (and you'll enjoy the view of Paris as well). If you continue up to the very top, you can also see the bells of the church. If you do this, get there early as the line gets very long. Facing Notre Dame, the entrance is on the left side. Afterwards, if they take an interest in the gargoyles, hit the shops on the street to the left side and buy them each their own gargoyle. My son loved them so much that he now has a collection of about 8, some of which are over a foot and a half tall - and which I have carried all over Paris!!! He was 8 when he went the first time, and he went once again at 14. He's looking forward to adding to his collection next summer so we found a hotel near Notre Dame so he can walk over (now age 17) whenever he wants.

Walk through the bird market a couple of blocks from Notre Dame before the visit or afterwards.

Let them each select a section of the Louvre they would like to see. My son was enthralled with the Egyptian mummies.

We sailed the large toy boats in the pond in the Tuileries when my sons were 11 and 14. That is a typically French thing to do - many more French kids sailing the boats the day we were there. When we were there, there was a huge ferris wheel at the end of the tuileries. It was beautiful at sunset/nighttime and fun to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. (Need I say that my kids loved going up the ET!)

It was also fun to go up the top of the Arc de Triomphe during rush hour. It's amazing how many different directions the cars circling the monument can go all at once. It's more amazing that there isn't a crash every 4 seconds!

I almost forgot the highlight for my boys - the Catacombs! There was a recent thread on this - you can find it under my name.

Our trip next summer we will stop at Berthillion for ice cream as the forum recommends over and over. How could we haved missed it?!

This sounds corny, but my boys loved going to a French McDonalds - and being grossed out by salads with goat cheese! ("What kind of McDonalds is this anyway!!!&quot

The boys will love Paris! There are so many things for kids to do. Have a great trip!

Oh yeah...and the gelato! My kid went crazy over the gelato & pastry shops plus he enjoyed mapping out the Metro route wherever we went. He was impressed by Sainte-Chappelle too.

Check out Fat Tire Bike tours for a different way to see the city.

I've not taken a tour of them myself, but they might enjoy the oddity of the sewer tour - les égouts.

We took our daughter for the first time when she was 13, but she loves museums, but even if they don't I think they'll like the Pompidou--just the escalators and the views and the setting are great and some of the art inside might appeal to them (Modern). Also, there's an Internet Cafe nextdoor.