Paris? Madrid?

Without a doubt I would say Paris. Madrid is nice but not for a 10 day visit. There are lots of day trips you can fill your time with though like Toledo, Segovia, and Salamanca. However, with Paris you could easily spend a week there and then do day trips out from there. Another thought would be to do both cities. You can connect them easily buy budget flight. Look on www.skyscanner.com for deals. I hope this helps some.

Nothing wrong with Madrid, but it doesn't compare with Paris.
One worry though: would 10 days in a big city not be a little boring for the young ones? A break for two or three days on the Loire?

I definitely would plan on doing some day trips from either destination. This will be the first time my children are traveling outside of the United States (other than a trip to Mexico, when my oldest was a baby). I have personally traveled extensively throughout Europe, but it was always on my own. I know that bringing the children along will be a whole new adventure!
I am leaning towards going to Paris, as my husband has never been. I speak Spanish, though, and not French, so Madrid did appeal to me for that reason.....
Any suggestions on things to do and see in Paris with the children?

Is there any reason you cant do both?
Vueling and easyjet offer low fares Madrid-Paris when booked way in advance.

This is a great question. Having just been to europe with kids, I definitely think having language skills in the country is more important than when I traveled without kids. Also, the likely warmer weather in March and the newness of Madrid as a destination makes is compelling. However, 10 days would definitely be too long though and Madrid is rather isolated to stray too far from and get back to for your flight home and there's a ton of stuff to occupy your time in and around Paris (and I like Paris better). No good answers I guess....

When you say best prices, do you mean on airfare? Add the costs for your lodging, food, sights, transportation and you may find that you'll do better just about anywhere in March (after Easter and still low season) than Paris which is one of Europe's most expensive destinations. With young children, I'd look for somewhere that you can be outdoors a lot - i.e., mild climate.

Maybe a combination of Seville and Barcelona? Or just Barcelona. I don't think Madrid has much at all to offer you. The top sights are the art museums and the palace, which will bore the kids silly. Italy is another good place for kids.

Yes...for some reason, flights to Paris and Madrid are several hundred dollars cheaper than any other European destination (as are the flight/hotel combinations). I did suggest to my husband that we maybe fly into Paris, stay a couple of days, and then go somewhere else. He's concerned about moving around too much with this kids (although, I am sure they'd do just fine).
I would LOVE to do Italy, but my husband said there's too much he wants to see there, and that 10 days would not be enough time.... That's a big part of my dilemma. While I have been to many of the places in Europe (and have lived in Italy), he has never been, so it's a challenge to just pick ONE place to show him.

Paris and Barcelona. it will be warm in Barcelona and you can spend time by the sea. There is a cable car the kids will love.

Paris is a wonderful city for kids but will be chillier.

Fly into one and out of the the other.

I've been to both with young children and I'd vote Paris. My kids do better with cities, as long as there are parks and interesting things for them. I went when mine were just under 2 and 5, and Paris was hit. The Eiffel Tower, Seine boats, playing in the parks, and also some museum time all were very popular. Get the museum pass - being able to pop into the Louvre for 20 minutes on 4 separate days was a godsend - kids don't have the patience to spend long, but can be entertained for a short visit. Museum pass allows plenty of short visits!

But I agree, 10 days is a bit long for Paris with kids. I'd do 5 there, then off to either London or Barcelona. I pick these because they are close and kid-friendly. Maybe Amsterdam could be a choice as well.

Madrid is a good city, but I prefer Southern Spain or Barcelona with kids. Madrid is especially good for art (Prado etc) and nightlife. Of course, if you do go, your kids will find plenty to do. But given the choice...Paris.

I love Spain but don't love Madrid. It was built very late by European standards. Because it's a new city, it has no old center - my favorite part. Madrid's old center is Toledo. I could happily spend ten days around Madrid and not waste a day in Madrid.

In March, however, I'd opt for southern Spain (Seville and Granada plus some white towns and maybe Gibraltar). Northern Spain can be very cold in winter.

My vote goes to Paris ( of course) but I would think a few days in Barcelona might be nice too, however while it may be a bit warmer that far south, it will not be beach weather even them...still averages in 50s - 60s...
Personally there's a lot for kids on London too , and that is by far the " easiest move" with kids, no commuting back and forth to airports , being there 1.5 hrs ahead, going through tighter security etc..Take the Eurostar!!!! Easy cheapmand fun( cheap if you buy tickets well in advance)

2.5 total city center to city center! Bring a picnic onboard, kids can walk around!
Weather will likely be similar o Paris ( cool and damp) but you may also hit some nicer spring weather!

You made a very telling comment-

Blockquote I would LOVE to do Italy, but my husband said there's too much he wants to see there, and that 10 days would not be enough time.... That's a big part of my dilemma. While I have been to many of the places in Europe (and have lived in Italy), he has never been, so it's a challenge to just pick ONE place to show him.
Blockquote

Right now, your mindset seems to be focused on showing off Europe to your husband (nothing wrong with that) but there is no mention of the kids in there. Two kids, 2 and 6, completely changes the trip. It's not a couple trip exploring Europe but instead a full-on Disneyworld thing with cribs and strollers and diapers and nap times and fussy eaters. There also won't be any babysitters (you could but you likely won't) so your trip is going to be 24/7 with the little people. The little people don't know about and can't appreciate anything including art, culture, history, etc. Dinner in Madrid starts at 9-10pm when the little folk will be asleep.

You may want to considering leaving the kids at home with grandma and going as a couple. If not, I agree that fly into Paris and then either stay in Paris or split the trip with London, returning to fly out of Paris is the smart bet. Between them you have Asterix, Paddington Bear, the changing of the guard, big red busses, driving on the wrong side of the road, Madeline, boats on rivers, castles, subways, the Paris gardens where you sail the boats, street artists. Those are the things the kids will enjoy.
Good luck!

Paris is a great town with kids and well, just a great town overall. For me Madrid would not be a great destination with young kids. But March is a generally fairly terrible month in Europe for weather. I would expect Paris to be cold and rainy and so all those lovely outdoor sites that are so great for kids would not be that pleasant. Madrid is likely to have somewhat better weather but we were there in May a couple of years ago and the weather was chilly and often showery then so I would expect March to be less than congenial.

What do you envision doing with young children in a big city when the weather is not terribly pleasant? Most indoor venues like museums, concerts, churches etc are tough with young kids.