Suggestions for Paris, please.

Sarah, I just got back from Paris and would highly recommend staying in the 5th or 6th arrondissements. The area is so walkable to the Seine, Notre Dame, and Luxembourg Gardens. Lots of cheaper places to eat in the Latin Quarter. Walking around Paris, we noted lots of little parks, most with playground equipment for the little ones. I do recommend staying in an apartment so you can get a 1-2 bedroom to make it more convenient with the kids.. Also most of them come with washer dryers. I used airbnb.com and vacationinparis.com for my stays in London, Paris, and Barcelona. I found vacationinparis cheaper than sites like paris perfect or Paris for rent. I don't know what your budget is but feel free to check those sites too :)

Hello, I have recently purchased a book called "DK Eyewitness Travel Family Guide Paris." It has a wonderful layout and lots of suggestions for where to go, eat and stay with children. We are going to Paris in July and I have a lot of ideas for some great outdoor fun for our kids.
Good luck, have a great time!

Merci bien, Claudette! Will do!

Tania, that's a great idea. I'll go to one of the few brick and mortar bookstores left today!!!

Sarah, one park that comes to mind is the one behind Notre Dame. It made my kids wish they were little enough to use the playground equipment :). Also when we were there, there was a man in front of Notre Dame feeding birds by holding a piece of bread in his hand. He saw my daughter watching him so he showed her how to do it. She loved it! Not sure if your pre schoolers would be up for that but they may get a giggle watching one of the grown ups do it! There's a gelato chain called Amorinos that shape their gelato scoop into a flower. So pretty and yummy. There is a stand by the fountain at the Tuilleries and one in the 6th on Rue du Buci. Good hot chocolates too.

Since you have limited time, let me put in a plug for Musee d'Orsay over the Louvre. Was just in Paris two weeks ago, and the Louvre was so crowded -- even at 9 a.m. -- that it was impossible to enjoy anything there. Also it's so huge you can only see a tiny fraction in one visit.

Carolyn, what a great thought. I keep forgetting that not everyone feels like going to the museum (or whatever) when I do, and with museums, the less off-putting for youngsters (meaning anyone younger than I am), the better. I'll check it out. Thanks!

Sarah, If you prefer to stay in the area near Luxembourg Gardens, as the others mentioned an apartment might be a good option with the kids and may be cheaper than a hotel. If you think a hotel might work better, have a look at the Paris or France Guidebooks, as they have lots of good suggestions in various price ranges. I'm not too familiar with that area as I usually stay in Rue Cler in the 7th. I'm sure you'll want to visit at least some of the Museums, although you may have to go on your own as the kids won't have much tolerance for that. If you're planning to visit the Louvre, don't try to see it all as it's HUGE. I'd suggest focusing on the Denon Wing, which is where the Mona Lisa is located (watch your wallet while there, as there WILL be pickpockets - be sure you're wearing a Money Belt). The Musee d'Orsay is one of my favourites. You might consider picking up the two day version of the Paris Museum Pass (at least for yourself) as that will help to get past the queues quickly (in July it could be VERY busy there). If your group wants to visit the Eiffel Tower (at least to the first level), it would probably be a good idea to reserve online. I find the Hop On / Hop Off Buses to be a good way to get a good overview of the main sites (and also to rest my aching feet). As I recall there are Red and Green versions in Paris (take your own headphones to listen to the narration - the ones they supply are cr@p). Although you're only be there 3 days, it might be an idea to pack along a copy of the Pocket Paris Guidebook. It would be good reference for figuring out transportation, Museum hours and prices, etc. I've just ordered a copy for myself, as I'll be back in Paris later this year. Cheers!

A block or so from the Pompidou Centre is the doll museum, Musee des Poupees, I think. And just next to it is the Anne Frank Garden, with a wee playground designed for tots. If you're in Paris on Wednesday or Friday evening, go to the Louvre then. I was there on a Friday in June and many of the rooms were empty. There were only about a dozen people around the Mona Lisa. You can get good picnic food at a supermarket cheaper and easier than the open markets - but not nearly as much fun. If you don't get an answer here about the violets, then try on Trip Advisor. It's a good resource for that sort of information.

One other thing to add about this for any non-Americans reading who need a visa to travel to any country within the Schengen Zone for any length of time: The websites also say that if you receive a long-stay visa/resident permit for a country in the Schengen Zone, you can travel to the other Schengen countries - for a maximum of 90 days in 6 months - without having to obtain an additional visa for the countries you are traveling to. Your resident permit for one country + valid Passport are sufficient.

I have been going to Europe for the past 8 years annually, and I have never seen a "connector room". I am not saying it doesnt exist but I have just never seen it. I wonder if an apartment would be the best accomodations when a person has kids. More room to spread out, a fridge and stove make meals when ever you want. Sometimes an apartment is way more cheap than a hotel and you get way more room. We rented apartments for the first time earlier this year in Spain; it was awesome as we had multiple floors to roam around, usually a great terrace to hang out on, and laundry facilities. It will be my way to stay from here on out.