We will have one, possibly two days in Paris in the summer of 2011.

These are the most important things for me to see with my family of 5 (three kids).

Any idea of how to organize these into a suitable itinerary? Thanks!

The Louvre
Musee d'Orsay
Notre Dame Cathedral
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe and Champs-d'Elysees
Catacombs (kids and DH really want this one!)

In one day you will not be able to see everything. There are long lines to get up the Notre-Dame towers (I assume that you will want to do that). Both the d'Orsay and the Louvre are very big. You will have to choose what you want to see. If two days, do the Louvre one day, and the d'Orsay the next. From the Louvre you can walk through the Tuileries garden to the Place de la Concorde and the beginning of the Champs Elysées; the Arc de Triomphe is at the other end. Notre-Dame and d'Orsay and the Catacombs might be doable in one day. After that you will need to rest from your quick vacation.

We're starting in London for 4 days, Barcelona for 2, 10 night Med cruise and then Paris for 4 days (incl 2 days Disneyland Paris). It will be a long and $$$ trip!! Especially considering we are coming from Western Canada! The luxury of time will not be on our side... We can rest when we get back

How old are the children? I can't imagine dragging young ones thru the Louvre. It wears me out after an hour or 2

BTW, there is usually no line to get to the top of the Arc and the view is great. Lots of room to walk around , not cramoed and jammed up like the Tour.

That's a tall order. The d'Orsay is much easier to handle than the Louvre, which I would not recommend with so little time. Notre Dame tower is unforgettable but lines can be long.

Go to the top of the Arc at night; it's spectacular when the Eiffel light show goes off.

Why not go to Disney in California another time, or spend only one day there this trip. But as avalon points out, that may depend on the age of the children.

jtw,

My teens liked the Louvre infinitely better than Musee D'Orsay. Loving Impressionism, I felt differently, but you would likely enjoy either. We had a guided tour at the Louvre - Paris Muse - and it was excellent. Did this twice actually - once with each girl (at 14 and 17). It's called "Highlights of the Louvre" and in a few hours you will have an incredible time. The guides were fascinating and knew their audience!

Save the Eiffel Tower for the evening after dinner when you are rested. It looks best at night anyway...Do the Louvre first thing in the morning when you all are fresh.

gruezi

I urge you to skip the museums in favor of some of the true thrills of Paris -- a boat trip along Seine, a funicular ride up to Sacre Couer, Notre Dame and Ste Chappelle on sunny days. A stroll down the Champs-Elyesess at night, looking for french fries. I would sooner the crypts at St Denis than the museums.

When you go to the Eiffel Tour (take the Batobus there!), don't go any higher than the first stage. To go higher is true time waster. The views are not as good.

Let your kids explore the parks of Paris -- they are just as much the greatest artworks of France as anything in the museums of Paris. The Luxembourg and the Jardins des Plantes are gorgeous. They'll grow into art museums later. Let them enjoy the free public spaces of Paris.

Have a great trip!