Parc Monceau vs Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Both nice parks. both have playgrounds suitable for the kids. I would choose Buttes Chaumont although it is a lot less convenient to get to. The Follie on the faux mountain is fun for everyone and picturesque, and there are grottos and water falls and fake streams that kids really enjoy, although whether they want to run under the waterfalls will depend on the weather. Butte Chaumont would be a good place to picnic with kids. There is also a nice little cafe where you could get lunch in Butte Chaumont. There is a kiosk with food in Parc Monceau but not a cafe. Butte Chaumont is huge and hilly and more fun to explore.

We've stayed several times at an apartment near the lower entrance to Park Butte Chaumont on Simon Bolivar. I too recommend this park for active kids who like to explore. The apartment owner's tip for getting back and forth from the center of the city to the park was to take the Metro to Pyrénées and walk down to the entrance of the park. When you leave the park walk down to Colonel Fabian to go back to the city center. If you do this route, there is a charcouterie, greengrocer and a bakery before the park entrance on Simon Bolivar. There is also a three spouted water fountain in the triangle to the left of the park entrance to fill water bottles. As you exit the park near the summit or back at the lower entrance/exit you can continue to walk down to the locks at Juarez between two main canals and watch the boat traffic. There is a nice little brasserie, Cafe Juarez, at this corner. The canals themselves are worth exploring and walking around. They eventuually lead further east to the Cite de Science which your kids may like but this would all add up to a very long day! Sometimes you can catch an inexpensive boat at the Bassin de la Villette that will take you for a nice ride to the science museum.

EDIT: I just noticed that you are from Springfield. I grew up near there and my sister still lives there. Practice walking up any hills you can find before you get to Paris! At the park there are grassy slopes for kids to run and roll down, what fun.

Buttes Chaumont is on my list to visit, so I have no basis to compare. But Monceau is a gem, crawling with kids and families, and not an American in sight. Maybe visit both? In any case, have a great time!

Monceau is flat and well-groomed, Buttes-Chaumont is very hilly and dramatic. I think your boys would find the latter more interesting.

Thank you all for responding. This kind of feedback is great and one of the many reasons I love this community that Rick and Co. have built. Take care!