Ten months in Paris

In that case I'd look for one in the 6th. Would be nice for him to be close to work (I assume working) and it's a nice area, convenient for sightseeing and getting around for you and the kids. It might also depend on where the kids are in school unless you're doing online homeschool.

I'm going to step outside the box a little bit and suggest an apartment in the 15th around Mo: La Motte Picquet-Grenelle. It is more of a Parisian neighborhood than the tourist areas and the metro stop has three major lines running through it that will take you to many parts of the city (including the 6th). The Paris Metro is going to become one of your best friends! The area has plenty of shops and restaurants including a big Monoprix and an outdoor market once a week under the overhead metro tracks. The cost of an apartment might be a little cheaper here than in the more popular areas. It is also just around the corner from the Champ des Mars and the Eiffel Tower at the Ecole Militaire end. I once lived in this area and loved walking around the Champ; viewing the Eiffel Tower day and night never got old for me!

Yes, yes, Tom is right. The 15th would be great for a long-stay. We have stayed at a hotel on Emile-Zola a few times and it is a great area. It is the real Paris in my opinion .... Oh, sorry, I mean IMO. (Being a smart ass)

Shannon, Apologies in advance if you have this sorted out already, but you will need a French visa for this stay. 10 months is way over the "90 days in 180" limit for tourists.
If you or your spouse are working you will need a work visa, and will probably end up paying French income and other taxes. You also need to think about schools for you children, the location of which and cost (if you want English-speaking schools) may also affect your choice of location.

Thank you for those thoughts on the 15th. We really hadn't considered that area. We will check into it. As to visas, yes, thank you. Those are taken care of already.

If you are going to be part of the ex-pat community, there are many ex-pats everywhere, but a lot who are sent for business live in the western suburbs, as well as the 7th and the 16th, both next to the 15th, all on the west side of Paris. The American School (elementary school) is in the suburb of St. Cloud, a western suburb. If you are going to send your children to a French school, I'd base the neighborhood on the school and the advice of a relocation specialist. Though not a relocation specialist, Kim who lives in Paris and posts here should be able to help you.

Or you could give your child(ren) a true French immersion experience by keeping them in public French neighborhood schools. When my friend went to Montpellier for 1 year to attend graduate school she enrolled her 5 year in the local neighborhood school. What with attending school, living in a local neighborhood, and watching French television, the child was fluent in French after after 3 months.

I would add my vote for the 16th! It's one of the more expensive arrondissements of Paris but it is very central being right across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. There are some beautiful parks for kids, the neighborhoods are very livable and convenient with everything you'll need, and it's extremely safe. It's an easy metro ride to the 6th!

I'm adding my vote for the 15th. We stayed on Boulevard de Grenelle last month and loved the neighborhood. There's a farmer's market on Wed and Sun that was very nice. Plenty of restaurants and getting around on metro or bus is very easy and nearby.

Very helpful feedback from Bets. Based on that, it all depends on where your kids go to school. My 2 cents is that I don't like the 15th at all. We stayed there for 6 wks, way too working class for me. I did not find it charming. My family moved to Paris when I was 4 and my parents put my 2 sisters and me right into French school.. it was a good experience and I have happy memories of our years there.

Thanks Susan. My own kids were always immersed to their delight or disdain, but they not only grew up in a bilingual household, but also went to bilingual schools in the States. A lot of people sent by corporations send their kids out to St. Cloud as American school tuition is part of the transfer package. People we know on university sabbaticals usually send their children to French schools or French bilingual schools if the child has reached high school. I'm surprised about your reaction to the 15th, as I've always found it fine. My very picky French niece has lived there for several years.

I am really loving the replies you are giving me. My husband is already there and has looked at a few apartments. There is one he really likes in the 7th. But the interesting thing is that you've sparked another conversation. We aren't corporate so tuition isn't part of the package. Husband is getting an LLM at the Sorbonne. We had intended to put the kids in a transcripted distance learning program BUT you all have me thinking about putting them in a French neighborhood school...

At 8 and 11, they will gain a lot from a year in a neighbourhood French school... least of all, people and life skills that will enrich their whole life afterwards.