Paris Attractions  Paris is packed with tourist destinations such as the Eiffel Tower,  although not enough to keep the children entertained for a full week, unless you want to make the most of Disneyland Resort Paris.  However the attractions here will easily give you several days of entertainment and you could mix and match a few carefully chosen monuments/museums in between to keep the balance of culture!

Historic sites in Paris

Paris has many, many historic sites most of which are beautiful, architecturally pleasing buildings. However by and large these may not be of much interest to young or even not so young children – they will more likely than not give many of these sights a cursory glance and a ‘what’s next…..?’ Below is an outline of some of the more memorable sites around the city.

Panthéon: Situated in the 5th arrondissement of the Left Bank in the Place du Panthéon and not far from the Sorbonne University. Modelled on its namesake in Rome, the Panthéon is a neo-classical building (see left) and while undoubtedly an architectural masterpiece and free for everyone under 17, adults may baulk at a €7 entrance fee.
Le Palais Royale: This former royal palace is not open to the public but the gardens, (completely surrounded on three sides by arcaded buildings) and the courtyard known as the Cour d’Honneur are. Both can be a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Fun for children are the modern art sculptures of black and white truncated columns in the courtyard and the metal ball sculpture in the gardens.
Hotel Les Invalides:  This huge building is situated south of the Seine directly across the river from Le Grand Palais and Le Petit Palais. It is in the 7th arrondissement. Conceived by Louis XIV and originally built to house up to 4000 war veterans the complex is now home to several museums as well as the tomb of Napoleon in the Royal Chapel. The museums not surprisingly have a military bias, so may be of more appeal to male family members. The Museé de l’Armeé has one of the most comprehensive collections of military history in the world with displays spanning the years from the Stone Age to WWII; the Museé de l’Ordre de la Libération focuses on General de Gaulle and the Free French movement of France in the Second World War; while the Museé des Plans-Reliefs has a collection of scale models of French forts and fortified cities. All have entrance fees, although you can visit the inner courtyard and the chapel (although not Napoleon’s tomb) for free.
Museé Rodin: Not far and within easy walking distance of Les Invalides at 77 rue de Varenne, 75007, is the elegant 18th century manor house (pictured left) - the Hôtel Biron - which was the former home of the sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). Do visit if you are a fan of modern sculpture/art or to enjoy the solitude of the gardens. Admission charge. Otherwise rest your weary limbs at the excellent people watching café – the Café du Museé.
Tour Montparnasse: Website. An oft quoted statement about the tower (a building that can’t really be missed) is that the view from the top is one of the best in Paris, by virtue of the fact that you cannot see the tower itself! 38 seconds in Europe’s fastest lift is all it takes to get to the 56th floor of the tower where there is an exhibition on Paris, a theatre, bar and gift shop, and an observation area reached by stairs on the 59th floor.
Le Grand Palais and Le Petit Palais: Facing each other across the Avenue Winston-Churchill on the right bank these grand buildings are home to an art museum and temporary art exhibition space. Check online to see what is currently showing. Website.

Other historic sites in Paris.

Within easy reach of Paris are the splendid châteaux of Versailles and Fontainebleau, as well as Monet's home town of Giverny.

HOT TIP: Many museums are free on the first Sunday in each month!