Paris with a family

Have you considered renting a 2-bedroom apartment in Paris? You'd have a kitchen but possibly just one bathroom. If you plan ahead long enough it would probably be possible to find something large enough for all of you. Maybe even at short notice, since many people rent studios or one bedrooms. You could start by checking vrbo - vacation rental by owner. It gets good reviews on this board. I've used it in the US several times but not in Europe.

How many nights will you be in Paris? When are you going? Depending on the length of time, I would also recommend renting an apt instead of staying outside Paris. In addition to a kitchen you get a washer, and sometimes a dryer. There are many good rental companies besides vrbo. Try parisbestlodge.com and vacationinparis.com for a start. There's a recent thread that lists many others as well. Schlepping into Paris every day from Versailles and back again costs money, as well as valuable time.

If you stay in Versailles, you're going to loose an hour each way running back and forth (and that's assuming the acceptably priced hotel is close to the train station) and spend ten bucks per person per day on rer tickets. What's going to happen when the kid gets cranky? I'd bet if you gave an idea of how much you'd be willing to cough up for the crowd per night, somebody would have an idea or three for something closer in.

Thank you all for your thoughtful posts. I think it is clear that staying out away from Paris would not be wise logistically. We love the apartment idea and will search.
Thanks again!

A apartment is a great idea for your group. There are hundreds of choices but be warned that 90% of them will require a week stay with changover on a Saturday. See if you can make that work...

An well located apartment in Paris will be a blessing. You will save alot of money by not needing to buy breakfast each day( hotels rarely include it, and its expensive in hotels, often more then 10 euros a head!) .. Getting some yogurts, fruits and cheese and biscuits for snacking from a grocers will be a good economy.. You can still eat out, but just being able to have light breakfasts , and night snacks is great. Whats also great, with a centrally located hotel one adult and child can go back to apartment to nap while others carry on sightseeing .. its a nice option for the child, and sometimes for the adult! As noted, staying outside |Paris not only adds time, but money ,, for four adults thats going to add up.

Don't know how long you have left this to book, but if its a few months in future, look at Parisbestlodge, they are a well recommended and reputable company to rent from. Mostly one bedrooms, but they do have some two bedrooms, and the owner ( Thierry ) is great to deal with.. check out their reviews by just googling "reviews of Paris Bestlodge Apartments"

When we go to Paris, we sometimes only book a month out. We are always able to find a decent apartment for Fri-Mon, usually in the 2nd district. For a 1bedroom with a sofa/bed for the kids we pay 110-150Euro a night. We use homeaway.com

we are staying in paris at the end of the month in an apartment. it is actually an apartment in a hotel, i paid about $200/nt and it sleeps 6. it is the adagio buttes chaumont, i know that brand, adagio has other apartments around the city, some smaller. however if you are going in the next few months, you might be outta luck. i booked my summer rentals back in december and january. hope that helps!

one more thing, check out the website, www.skyscanner.com. i found most of my great hotel finds on it, it seems to specialize in europe.

I concur with the advice given abovedon't schlep a toddler for an hour each way every day. That would be a recipe for disaster. Having a crash pad nearby will be invaluable. Note that many accomodations do not have A/C. You don't say when you are going, but a hot , cranky baby could be a disaster.
Paris is delightful for kids. So many people doted on my little boys! The parks are lovely. The little park next to the Cluny museum has a nice little playground. The Jardin d'Acclimatation is amazing for little ones. The highly recommended Luxembourg gardens really are better for older kidsmost of its attractions are lost on toddlers.

I have to disagree about the Luxembourg Gardens for toddlers, I think it's great for any age. They have play areas for toddlers as well as the large, wonderful, playground. There's a carousel, marionette shows, and often live music at the bandstand.