Les Tuileries is the most central park in Paris. It stretches its 'à la Française' alleys and lawns along the Seine river from the Louvre museum to the Concorde square. There is a large round central fountain where an ancient Parisian hires out beautiful yachts made by himself - the boats sail across the fountain and the kids are armed with long canes to push them into another direction. We grabbed a coffee and sat around the fountain watching Paris go by and the kids were entertained by the boats for an hour - what more could you ask for 15 euros!

Use les tuileries metro station on line 1

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It is a sprawling park area with amazing outdoor play facilities and a huge children's museum and science museum. You could easily spend 2-3 days just exploring this area. There are theatres and restaurants as well.

www.villette.com/fr/mainprog.htm

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If you’re heading east from Paris and you’ve got some time to kill, there’s a quiet little park hidden away about 20m from the Gare de l’Est, but not that easy to find.

Stand with your back to the station and head down the road on the left, to the corner. Look for a green metal gate down the side of the rather imposing stone building. It leads into a small ornamental park with a great kids’ playground, and public toilets and baby change on the far side of the park.

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Particularly if you are visiting with children make sure you take a trip on Metro line 14. This is a new line from St Lazare to Olypiades and the trains are driverless. If you get in the front carriage you can sit right up front and pretend to drive! It is great.

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Traveling with kids to Paris? Need a place to let them burn off steam between the bateau-mouches and the Louvre? Then hit the trampolines and carousel in the Tuiliieres gardens.

After they get thirsty head to Angelina's (Angélina 226, rue de Rivoli) for chocolat chaud. Do this before the crowds arrive here and at the Louvre.

Another tip for children is to head to Sacre Coeur for the farmers' market on top of the hill on weekends, jugglers on the church steps and the carousel at the bottom.

Need a new children's shirt to replace the one covered in hot chocolate? There are some good bargain department stores on your way back to the Metro station.

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Visit the 'Salon Du Chocolat' at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Oct 19-22. It provides insight into the world of chocolate, tasting, purchasing, seeing how it's made, a fashion show where all clothes created are made from chocolate and this year they are creating a life-size wall of chocolate graffiti. A must see.

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Kids all cultured out? Take them to Aquaboulevard for the day (near metro Balard, southwest Paris) to let off some steam.

It's a great swimming complex with pools and hot-tubs, wave-machines, water-sprays, flumes you go down in inflatable boats, mini-golf, a "beach", and poolside cafes where you sit in your bathing-suit ... outdoor swimming is lovely and so are the outdoor hot tubs. It was the hit of our holiday.

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Queuing for a taxi at the Gare du Nord can be monstrous - but if you're travelling en famille with your kids by French law you're entitled to go to the front of the queue! And save time, temper and tantrums!

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Check out the Tuileries Gardens - some fantastic puppet shows for kids but they are not often advertised. Gives you a chance to admire the beauty while the kids are happy.

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One lesser-known museum that was very enjoyable was the café in the Musee Jacquemart André, the café is a wonderfully elegant old-style tea room which had everything we don’t have in the U.K. Great gateaux, various delicious teas and coffees, a stunning Teipolo ceiling, polite service, watch out also for the muted conversation, maybe because it’s a museum!

There were also free activities for the kids, the best bit being that they had period costumes the kids could dress up in and then a large frame you could take photos of them in, all in a French aristocratic style.

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For a very cheap way to entertain the kids while watching the world go by, go to the large fountain in the the Tuileries Garden where a Parisian with a wheelbarrow hires out large sailing boats and sticks. The boats sail from one side of the fountain to the other and then the kids use the sticks to turn them around and they sail the other way. In the meantime, you can have a coffee.

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If it's still summer and you want to avoid the more touristy places head to the "beach" at la Villette and enjoy free loungers, free mini-boats for kids aged 6 to 10 and even free tea snacks for the little ones.

There are two new excellent cinemas with bookstores/DVD/cds. Also, you can walk along the Canal and head towards La Vilette science and tech exhibition and the famous Cite de la Musique.

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If you have a motorhome, you can stay for about 20 Euros a night in the Eurodisney car park, which is a really cheap way of getting the kids to see Mickey Mouse!

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When travelling with small children you are entitled to a free porter service at both eurostar stations.

Just ask. This service normally costs £10. I didn't know until someone pointed it out to me as I had so much luggage I had to ask for help.

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Visit the Parc Floral de Paris, great for everyone - the most amazing play equipment for children, great cafe with amazing food especially the desserts, classical music at weekends.

Even better, it's free in the winter, and one Euro in the summer - a bargain for 70p!

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Although Paris is not the most toddler-friendly city, there are a few tricks that make life a lot easier when travelling with a young child.

One tip is if you're travelling to Paris via Eurostar - if you have a small child you can jump the taxi queue at Gard du Nord. People with infants can go straight to the front of the line.

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When travelling with small children buy some french bread and head to one of the cities beautiful parks.

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If you're travelling with children and you're looking to kill a few hours before departing from Gare du Nord, visit the Parc de la Villette.

There are some fantastic adventure playgrounds that will keep kids of all ages amused for hours. It's fully secured allowing you time to relax before leaving Paris.

With any luck, the kids will tire themselves out too, making for an easier journey home!

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Don't miss the Eiffel tower at night when the lights flash. My kids loved it.

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When visiting the Eiffel Tower take the lift up to the top and return via the stairs.

You get the best of both worlds - an amazing lift ride and a fantastic return journey taken at your leisure. The return leg affords you a magnificient changing view through the structure of an amazing construction (you will also largely escape the tourists as well).

The whole experince ranked as one of the best for all our family!

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