Paris Museums and Monuments  There is a rich variety of museums and monuments for the culture vultures!  Of course such attractions aren't always suited to children.  Some of these recommendations make a special effort to cater for the family, others are places we think you cannot afford to miss (and a brief visit will make it more palatable!).

The Louvre

Location: Alongside the Seine, facing the Jardin des Tuileries.
General Info: Website. Admission to the museum is free on the first Sunday of each month and on 14th July (Bastille Day), except for the exhibitions at Hall Napoléon.  Otherwise it costs €9.  Free admission at all times for under 18s (with ID). You can avoid queuing by buying your tickets in advance (in person) at any FNAC bookshop – see their website for a list of outlets. Alternatively buy online through ticketmaster.fr or ticketnet.fr (in which case the tickets are sent to you and there is an additional booking fee).
Description: Built in 1204 as a fortress and rebuilt in the mid 16th century for use as a royal palace, the Louvre became a public museum in 1793. Today it holds one of the richest art collections in the world, including the Mona Lisa painting and Venus de Milo statue. Complete guide books have been written on the museum, so we will not attempt here what others have written about much more knowledgeably.
Our recommendations: Don't try to see this museum all at once but make repeat visits instead – it really is vast; that will also make it more tolerable for the children! Perhaps chose a wing to visit or one of the collections. TIP: If you have already purchased your tickets save some time by entering the museum via the Passage Richelieu off the rue de Rivoli.
For the children: Not so interesting for the kids but you can make it up by letting them run off some steam in the Jardin des Tuileries afterwards. You may be fortunate enough to be able to take a ride on La Grande Roue (Paris’ version of London’s Millenium wheel). This moveable attraction can be found by the Tuileries Gardens/Place de la Concorde, but apparently it is not a permanent fixture. Interestingly it was there the last few times we were in Paris (2007/2008), so any more information would be appreciated. Costs are €9 for adults and €6 for children up to the age of 10.

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!