PalenQ

Check out the Paris Museum Pass that would cover all your paid sights except Eiffel - also gives priority entrance at places like Versailles and Orsay and Louvre - come and go anytime within validity: Paris Museum Pass | Official Website

paonia

I would also skip Moulin Rouge, especially with kids 7 and 9. Adding some time at the Luxembourg Gardens for the kids is a must, and there are lots of good little cafes around there, towards the river. Allow for plenty of time at sidewalk cafes, with amazing hot chocolate for the kids. Don't forget to stop in patisseries for macarons!
Save Versailles for another trip; with just 4 days in Paris that's too much (although when we took our 12 & 15 yr. old, we did Versailles and the Louvre in one day, but I don't recommend it).
Skip the Champs E., unless you get off the metro for a quick look at the Arc d T. You don't need to spend much time to get an impression.
And I agree, don't have lunch on the boat trip, unless you're pressed for time.
Musee Orsay is a must for all ages.
Kids might do better with a small museum the other two days (with a half day each for the Orsay and Louvre on the other days). Rodin and Picasso museums are doable for short attention spans, and they're in interesting neighborhoods. Rodin is fairly close to Lux. Gardens. You might want to go to the Marmottan, which isn't on the museum pass, but is amazing and doesn't take too much time. Little park very nearby, for kids.
I'm sure there are websites for Paris with kids which will give you excellent advice.

TPAYT

The most reasonable buy for Eiffel tickets is from the official site

https://www.toureiffel.paris/en

We used this in June. All the other sites seemed to be tours....not necessarily the best choice.

dwatson

I was trying to book online then asking the following. I am travelling from Canada and will not use my cell phone there. What phone number should I used for buying this ticket.If you have a Mobile phone number account, Enter the field Mobile phone number and the corresponding password.Mobile phone number* assword* :Did you forget your password?

thibaut

That is intersting to have a compartive study of different travel forums

Same questions; mostly same answers... OP being more agressive on TA though.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo...is-France.html

and the same on Rick Steves

https://community.ricksteves.com/tra...is-need-advise

(Maybe some answers are from the same posters...).

ssander

Suggestions...some of which have already been given (and with which I agree):

• Do NOT do HOHO bus
• Do NOT waste time walking Champs-Elysees.
• Do NOT go to Moulin Rouge

• Do take regular buses and use the Metro...get yourself one or two carnets of ten tickets. Do study the map and bus & Metro system before you go. Your most valuable resource is time. Make a list of the places you plan to see and include the Metro line and stop and bus number and stop to get there and back. Print it on a small card and put it in your wallet.
• Do get your tickets from the Vedettes du Pont Neuf website. Discount price and no requirement to pick day & time. Board at the far-west end of Ile de la Cite.
• The problem with going up the Eiffel Tower is that you either have to:
  • Buy advance no-wait tix and pray that bad weather doesn't ruin everything...or...
  • Wait in line a long, long chunk of your very limited time.
    Instead, you can view it at night from Trocodero, across the river...very enjoyable.
• Do take a self-guided walking tour of the historic core from one of the many guidebooks that have one.
• Unless you are an art freak, and given your limited time, pick one:
  • Orsay Museum - best collection of impressionist & post-impressionists anywhere.
  • Louvres - unbelievable collection of pre-late-1800 art.
• Do NOT got to Pompidou...In my opinion--not shared by many, but mine--it has limited decent art compared to the other two museums mentioned above. The City Museum of Modern Art has a lot of good 20thc art, and it is free and will have no line.
• If you are an cathedral freak, go to Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle...otherwise go only to ND.
• IF you go the Versailles, assume you will spend most of the day on that outing...don't plan on much afterward.
• I think the Carnavalet Museum (history of Paris) is a must-see place to learn about the city...but my understanding is that it is closed for renovations.

Hope this helps.

ssander

Nikki

I just looked at the threads on Trip Advisor and Rick Steves that were linked. A very interesting exercise.

Exactly the same questions, exactly the same answers. At least we know we are the same as everybody else, in case we were wondering.

PalenQ

Yes all opinions on Champs-Elysees are thumbs down but if going to Arc de Triomphe for its wondrous views over Paris then easy to walk a few blocks on the Champs eastward and hop on metro. Tacky as may be everyone wants to at least see one of the world's most famous streets - why I don't know but is. Would not make a separate trip to see the Champs but if there anyway...

apersuader65

https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/france/paris

PalenQ

Loved going up in Pompidou Center on escalators to roof-top views over Paris and besides the art museum there - of marginal interest to me - there are always some free exhibits and the plaza out front the museum is a perpetual venue of street performers.