One afternoon in Paris with three DC

[PepeLePew]

Just that really - we are catching a night train at around 8pm, our Eurostar arrives at noon. I thought we would have lunch near the Gare du Nord, take our bags to Gare du Lyon and leave them there, and then spend the afternoon doing something fun, before picking up some food to have on the train.

They have been up the Eiffel Tower, on a river boat and to Montmartre. I haven't taken them to any of the museums - would the Louvre perhaps be a bit overwhelming? They are 11, 9 and 7....

The queuing situation for the Louvre would put me off.

If you're there on Sunday- Tour de France?

How about playing in the Champ des Mars, or going to the Musee D'Orsay with the Luxembourg Park as a stop?

The view from the top floor/ restaurant in Lafayette Galleries is beautiful and it's free.

The Catacombs, if a bit creepy = fun?

Or the Pompidou centre? Going up the escalators is fun and there's bound to be an interesting exhibition somewhere inside. And then you can sit in the square outside watching the buskers.

I hate the Louvre - too big, too overwhelming, too oppressive. I expect if you limited yourself to just one room or something it would be okay but IME having queued for ages and paid all that money, you end up feeling you want to get your money's worth and then you end up not actually having fun.

Centre Pompidou and a walk round the Latin Quarter?

I would go for the Musee d'Orsay everytime.

I agree Musee D'Orsay is fab.

Third vote for the Musee d'Orsay. And they have a family entrance so never had to queue for any time really.

They'll love the Musee d'Orsay, that's a good idea. Easy and central...thanks!

The catacombs might be an idea, especially if the weather isn't great.

I've enjoyed these free Paris walking tours the last few times I've been there think it was discoverwalks.com.