Flying to Paris - where to go with kids?

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

We have rescheduled flights from this summer to Italy to Paris next summer. Before I start, I realise none of this may happen thanks to COVID and will be booking things on a refundable basis.

I know that we want to spend a couple of days in Paris doing the sights and a couple of days at Disney Land. We have 10 days and I can't figure out how to do things.

Have found a hotel near to Disney we could book for three nights but that would still then leave us with 7 nights in Paris which is too much (I think). Debating whether we should do 2 nights near Versaille then 5 in Paris? Or we could do 2 or 3 nights in Paris and 4 in a different place entirely. I know nothing about the areas surrounding Paris but we love seeing new places and not bothered about them being 'for kids' type places e.g. farms and things.
Is Versailles a bad plan for a couple of nights? How long would you spend in Paris with kids? (we want it to be fairly chilled than ramming in lots of stuff in a day or two) and are we missing a gorgeous area outside of Paris we could enjoy a few nice days in?
We can hire a car but equally happy on trains etc

How old are the kids? Paris is an amazing place for all ages, but what you do will depend on their ages.

I would do 5 nights there. Maybe 2 in a château hotel, for something different?

Just one thought: when in summer are you going? Paris (and DLP) can get unbearably hot in August. I'd actually move around less at that time of year, take more time (eg 4 nights at DLP and 6 Paris) and see things early and late, resting at midday.

Thanks for the reply :)
They’ll be 5 8 and 9. I have booked (no pre payment etc) a hotel near Disney for three nights, an apartment in walking distance to Louvre for 4 then three at a hotel near Versailles. Both hotels have pools so was hoping that we could cool off in those. All Disney type places are already booked up.
I hadn’t really thought about the heat - that’s a very good point. Was hoping to spread Versailles over two days and go there early and back to hotel for a swim then go back later in the evening. Hadn’t thought about Disney land as every time I Google it stresses me out it’s all so complicated. The hotel we’ve booked has a shuttle - is it feasible to go in and out of a day to break it up with a siesta and a swim? Was hoping to do two Disney days and one day chilling when we get there as an easy flight arrival.
Same with central apartment - figured we could potter more if central so will be paying a fair whack more than I planned but we could retreat for a rest

In August the very famous places will be incredibly busy but slightly less obvious places are much calmer. We had a lovely time in Musee Rodin as there is a brilliant garden for the children to wander round. Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens) was wonderful too. They weren't empty by any means but compared to Notre dame, Eiffel tower etc they were an oasis of calm!

Montmartre and Eiffel Tower were hits. Rest of paris not so much!

I'd skip Versailles entirely at that time of year with small children.

Paris is wonderful for children. What do yours like doing? My eight year old son has been going to Paris on and off for his whole life, and has loved the sewers and the catacombes, the Musée Quai Branly, sailing boats on the pond or riding in the Jardins du Luxembourg (and when he was younger, the very old carousel where you have to spear hoops with a stick), the Jardin d'Acclimation, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, the zoo in the Bois de Vincennes, the aquarium, the taxidermy at the Maison Deyrolle, a Mont Blanc at Angelina's.

7 nights is too long. 3 is plenty.

Take a ride on the Seine - everyone loves a boat trip

Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie - special children's area.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont - quirky park built on a quarry.

My kids were super excited about going up the Eiffel Tower at that age. Didn't mind the queue and it was their highlight.
The Forests of Fontainebleau are a short drive from Paris and would be lovely in the summer heat.