3 days Paris en famille

[0hCrepe]

What would you recommend seeing in Paris with 2 teens and toddler? We’re staying near Eiffel Tower so that and thought a river trip. They’ve banned galleries as DH is an artist and they’re sick of it! Any advice appreciated.

Catacombs. Book or go early as the queues get huge. This isn't somewhere to take your toddler though!
Jardin d'Acclimation in the Bois de Boulogne will have something for everyone www.jardindacclimatation.fr/en e.g a few roller coasters, carousel, pony rides, bumper cars, pedalos etc... www.jardindacclimatation.fr/en
The Fete des Tuileries in the Tuileries Gardens is a traditional funfair with trampolines, ghost trains, hall of mirrors etc... en.parisinfo.com/paris-show-exhibition/135470/fete-des-tuileries
Head to the Parc de la Villette playground in the north of the city on the banks of the canal for slides and various jungle gym-esque activities. The Jardin des Dunes et des Vents has kid-sized hamster wheels and zip lines for older kids. Games and carnival rides nearby will fill any extra time, with ample supplies of candyfloss.
The Museum of magic is interesting and a magic show is included in the entrance price.

Just back from DLP and have a bunch of flyers for things. I believe there’s a dinosaur event/exhibit near Paris just now that maybe your toddler would like. I’ll dig out the flyers!

Take the bus rather than the metro so you can rest your legs while still seeing the sights - the buses are really easy to use, the bus stops show which buses stop there (and usually how long you'll have to wait) and there is a map of the route so you can see where each bus goes and where it stops. You clip your ticket in a machine when you get on (same tickets you use on the metro) and it is valid for an hour-and-a-half so you can hop on and off or change buses in that time. A boat trip is an excellent idea. If you want to go up something, I'd go up the Montparnasse Tower rather than the Eiffel Tower, it is higher, there is no queue, you go up in a lift and best of all when you look at the view you can see the Eiffel Tower rather than the ugly old Montparnasse Tower! For your toddler, hang out in the Jardins Luxembourg where there is a fab adventure playground. My teens love the Marais with all its cool shops and cafes - you could wander though to the square outside the Pompidou where there is always loads of stuff going on in the plaza and round the fountains. The Bastille market on a Thursday and a Sunday morning has a great atmosphere. Personally I think the greatest thing about Paris is the city itself - you don't actually have to go in anything, it is so beautiful. Find a good spot on a cafe terrace and watch the world go by - and remember it is usually cheaper to eat than to drink so get something to eat and just ask for a carafe d'eau - you'll save yourself a fortune.

Agree with the Montparnasse Tower, great views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower (esp at night when it sparkles).

My DD liked the Aquarium near the Eiffel Tower, and liked the play equipment that you come across on the banks of the Seine at places.

You can climb the towers on Notre Dame and get up very close to the gargoyles (selfie close)
Catacombs
Just hanging out in Montmartre. You can ignore the art and just take in the view, watch the buskers and have a coffee
Teens might love the shopping around Champs Elysees and Opera - Galeries Lafayette etc

Is it just me who find the Champs Elysee completely over-rated? Go and see the Arc de Triomphe if you must - most visitors we take are fixated by the race track of cars speeding round it - but the Champs itself is very disappointing, lined with car showrooms and chainstores and cafes. It looks good when seen from afar looking up from the Place de la Concorde, or on a day like today for the 14th of July, but doesn't really bear close inspection. One of the great things about Paris is that there are still so many individual shops - but not along the Champs Elysee.

Brilliant advice thanks everyone! I think I can get a plan together interspersed with play areas!
Good to know about the food not drink thing too x