J'Adore Paris: Spring Break in the City of Lights

There is no shortage of things to do in Paris, even when traveling with kids. The following activities all come with the approval of my 17- and 10-year-old daughters!

After checking into our spacious family suite at La Clef Louvre, the first thing we did was head to the Eiffel Tower. It is just as impressive as you think it will be. I highly recommend taking the elevator to the first level at least. It's quite an experience to see Paris from above. We were lucky enough to snag reservations at Madame Brasserie, located inside the Eiffel Tower. This was quite an experience and a wonderful way to start our vacation.

• Tip: Book this experience in advance, as there are only a set amount of seatings per day and they are likely to sell out.

If you want to be able to see all the major sights in Paris on your own time, consider buying tickets for one of the hop-on, hop-off bus tours. It can be a great way to get around the city and learn at the same time. The Tootbus is one of the more popular and recommended of these tours.

No trip to Paris would be complete without a stroll down Champs-Élysées to see all the high-end designer shops and storefronts. My girls really loved the flagship Louis Vuitton store! If you hope to have the chance to shop inside, make an appointment in advance or be prepared to wait in line at the entrance for security to let you in. I've seen the line wrapped around the block!

• Here's a little secret: There are several Louis Vuitton stores all over Paris and many of them do not require appointments. I was able to walk right in to the Saint-Germain location.

One of our favorite activities was a chocolate and pastry tour in the Montmarte neighborhood, hosted by Secret Food Tours. Not only was it a great way to explore this former artist colony turned hip Paris neighborhood, but we also learned a lot about the chocolate and pastry culture in Paris, sampling both classic and creative treats in shops most often visited by Parisians "in the know."

Another shopping excursion not to be missed is a visit to the Galleries Lafayette. This shopping mall is like nothing I've ever seen. With its famed multicolor dome ceiling and impressive collection of designer goods, any shopper in your group is sure to be satisfied.

• Tip: Do not miss the chance to go all the way to the rooftop for some of the best views of Paris.

We happen to be a family of Disney lovers, which means Disneyland Paris was on our list of must-sees. There are two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. We only budgeted one day for both parks, which was plenty of time. The parks are much smaller than their American counterparts and being there in March meant little to no wait times. If you have smaller children that require frequent breaks or you'd like to spend lots of time exploring each of the two parks, I recommend allocating two days for this attraction and booking a stay at one of the Disneyland Paris properties.

• Tip: Taking the train from Paris to Disneyland is super easy. We pre-arranged a car service, but when I saw that the train literally ends at the gates to the park, I realized we would have been fine taking the train.

The highlight of the trip for everyone was our day trip to Versailles. We used a tour guide, who met us in the city center, then escorted us by train to the quaint town of Versailles. We started with a market tour, where we explored and purchased supplies for a picnic later in the day. Then, we got fitted for bicycles and embarked on a full-day tour of the grounds of Versailles, before ending at the palace.

• Tip: Do not miss the grounds and outbuildings! My entire family agreed this part was even more impressive than the palace itself. If biking isn't your thing, there are golf carts for rent as well.

We couldn't leave Paris without visiting the Louvre and the Mona Lisa. My family are not the biggest museum fans, so we opted to pay for the skip-the-line tickets with fast access to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and the Sphinx.

Madame Brasserie offers a unique experience, dining inside the Eiffel Tower. This is a prix-fixe, multi-course meal for lunch or dinner. Definitely make reservations in advance. There's nothing like experiencing the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower from inside!

Le Relais de L'Entrecote is a must if steak frites are on your list. This is one of the most popular spots, with steak frites being the only menu item. There is, however, an impressive dessert menu. Go hungry!

• Tip: Go early to avoid the massive line that will form by 1 pm.

Brasserie Fouquet's on the Champs-Élysées is a traditional but upscale brasserie located across the street from the flagship Louis Vuitton store. All my family's dishes were delicious but the highlight of this meal was the Crepes Suzette, flambéed tableside, for dessert.

For a light lunch near du Palais Royal, we enjoyed Bistrot Vivienne. Their French onion soup hit the spot on a chilly and wet day.

A lovely and popular spot in the Montmarte neighborhood is Moulin de la Gallette. It gets crowded and is a little touristy, but for good reason. The French classics are always on point here.

With all the walking you're sure to be doing, you will earn dessert. Here is a list of our favorites:

• Berthillon, in Île de la Cité, is one of the oldest ice cream shops in Paris. The pistachio flavor is my favorite. If it's too crowded to get a table, there is a take-away counter next door.

• Angelina Paris is famous for their hot chocolate. I highly recommend trying this delectable drink at least once. A pot of melted chocolate, a carafe of steamed milk and a bowl of fresh whipped cream allow you to custom mix the drink to your liking. My girls had a blast with this, and it was a fun photo op for them as well.

  • Tip: There are several locations in Paris, but Tuileries Gardens is our favorite. There is a takeaway counter if you forget to make reservations. The pain du chocolat is also a must-try!

• Eclairs and creatively made chocolates will please even the pickiest of eaters at A La Mere de Famille, one of the oldest chocolate houses in Paris, dating back to 1761. There are four locations in Paris, but we favor the one in Montmarte.

• Another sweet treat to try in Montmarte is at Aux Merveilleux de Fred, which has been making this French meringue treat since 1982.