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Arc de Triomphe, Paris (Scarborough photo)

Ah, the City of Light. 

April (or whenever) in Paris. 

There's a reason that people tend to get all goo-goo about Paris....it looks like, sounds like, feels like everything you would imagine after reading about it in books and seeing pictures or movies.   At least once, every new visitor there probably stops like I did, a goofball in the middle of the sidewalk, and exclaims, "I'm in Paris!"   Why not?  It's a grand, centuries-old metropolis that pretty much meets every traveler's expectations.

And yes, you should travel there with kids.

Really young children won't remember it, but there are things for them to do just as in any big city, and if you the parent have a great opportunity to go, then I'd recommend doing so if you can stand the hassles of a long flight, jet lag, etc.  Plus, you'll simply have to return when they're older, so they'll remember it, right?

Certainly, the appeal is greater for older children (say, ages 8-10 and up, although one Mom did it with a 5-year-old.)  They will find many delights and you will have the joy of a shared memory.

Let's get to the nutshell stuff:

Know your Right and Left Banks:  In very broad terms, the area on the Right Bank of the Seine River is more upscale and fantabulous, the Left Bank is more bohemian and cozy.  For a great description of Paris neighborhoods, see the official tourist bureau descriptions here.  Once you arrive, pay a visit to one of the Welcome Centers that dot the city, then pick up a Pariscope weekly magazine at any kiosk to see what's on during your visit.

Lodging:   You must understand, rooms will be tiny and the cheapest prices usually mean sharing a bathroom down the hall with other guests....c'mon, you share a bathroom at home, right?  We've stayed on the Right and the Left Banks, with two adults and two kids, and each time seemed to involve bed-sharing with the little one and turning sideways to get around the room.

There are great options listed here and here, and take a look at Durant and Cheryl Imboden's Paris for Visitors hotel page (Durant is always helpful to read when it comes to travel in Europe.)

If I had to vote on a location, I'd say the Left Bank feels the most homey and is central to so much of the eye candy that is part of daily Parisian life.

Things to See:   No question -- the Eiffel Tower, some of the Louvre (you'll never get through all or even most of it unless your legs are stronger than mine) Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and a stroll down the broad, tree-lined boulevard known as the Champs Elysees. 

Look for helpful itineraries like this Fodor's Paris with Kids mini-guide; you'll want to focus your efforts and have a flow to your day.

My additional recommendations:

**  Take one of the tourist-y boat rides on the Seine, but do it at night.  Simply spectacular views.

**  Make history come alive.   Did you know that there are medieval music concerts at the Left Bank's Cluny Museum of the Middle Ages?  It's the home of the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestry. Info is in French here -- look for concerts du soir (concerts at night) or L'heure musicale avec Ultreia (Music Hour with Ultreia) playing music from the Middle Ages on period instruments in knightly surroundings.

**  There are two restaurants inside the Eiffel Tower ("Eyfee Towee" as my son called it.)  Great fun and the food's pretty good, too.

**  Disneyland Paris, of course!

**  Want more accessible art than the miles of treasures at the Louvre?  Try modern art and a fun fountain at Centre Pompidou, or the gorgeous Musee d'Orsay.

Food:   Are you kidding?  This is France!  Yum!

OK, so kids aren't always too cooperative about trying new things to eat, but you can bet they'll love the rich hot chocolate, the buttery croissants at breakfast, the wildly varied French macaroon cookies at Laduree (try the amazing rose petal ones!) and the cheesy croque monsieur sandwich in any bistro (just avoid ordering a Coke; they're pricey.)

You can always burn it off riding a bike around the city.

Have a magical time, mesdames et messieurs.