My young son doesn’t remember much of France, but he sure knows the “Eyfee Towee.”

Want to make your visit to the monument more memorable?

Have lunch or dinner inside the Tower (which is particularly spectacular at night.)

On our last trip to Paris, we had dinner at the moderately-priced (for Paris) Altitude 95 restaurant on the first level (Étage 1) of the Eiffel Tower, with a lovely view of the Place du Trocadero.

You can just show up and hopefully get a table; that’s how we did it, but that’s rolling the dice a little too much with kids and we got lucky.

I recommend making reservations ahead of time online, or by calling 33-01-45-55-20-04.

The menu is wide-ranging, but pay attention to prices and don’t “order like an American” ’cause this ain’t Chili’s; a Coke at Altitude 95 is €4.50 (almost US$7.00!)

There is a children’s menu for those under 12 years old.

For a really swank dining event, there’s also the Restaurant Le Jules Verne, on the second level.

You can also buy snacks, salads, hot dogs, pizza, pastries and ice cream at Les Buffets snack bars, although there are usually lines and there’s a bit less ambiance.

Bon Appétit!

Related posts:

• Take the Kids to Paris category on Family Travel

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The fact that every media outlet under the sun is running around looking at the shark-jumped “Da Vinci Code” movie and book locations is irrelevant to my blog’s editorial timing. I would never do something so cheesy as to time a post to a currently popular topic….or point out that one of my most popular posts is “Paris with Kids: The Louvre.”

Would I?

Oh well, if you’re thinking about a trip to the City of Light, for whatever reason, here are some helpful tips I’ve collected:

** To get you started by overwhelming you, from Time Out we have 50 Things to do in Paris (not all of them related to family travel, either, like #7 “Drink Till Dawn” or the erotic museum in #17.)

** All right, all right, it’s a family gig, so here’s the Washington Post’s “Paris with Kids,” a very useful compendium of ideas and tips. The most important one is to see the Eiffel Tower at night (or “Eyfee Towee” as my son called it. Awww.)

I also recommend, as the author does, a stop at Laduree for the fluffy-crunchy-light macaroon cookies. She and her son tried the pistachio and rose ones; so did we and they were great. Also a good sneaky way to teach children’s finicky palates to try new things.

** Where to sleep? The UK’s Telegraph gives you Paris lodging options.

** How about those eats? A Parisian local gives it up for Budget Travel readers; all of her favorite markets, restaurants, bistros and food halls. While we’re at it, here are some bistro behavior tips so you won’t be surprised and offended that the waiters really are sometimes a bit snotty (but harmless.)

As a family we found Paris quite accessible, even with my abysmal French, and not as absurdly pricey as London. People were friendly and helpful, and even when waiters ignored us we had almost expected it anyway. I don’t want to tar them all with the same brush; many were chipper and brought our food quickly and with a smile.

No matter what, French hot chocolate and croissants for breakfast can’t be beat.

Update 8 October 2006: Here’s a nice piece in the San Antonio Express-News about travel to Paris with a 12-year-old.

Update 23 January 2007: From the travel section of the UK’s Guardian Unlimited, some more lodging ideas (I’ve seen many of these same hotels pop up in “Secret Hotels of Paris” sorts of articles.) Don’t focus on the price so much as the location and atmosphere, because with kids in tow you’ll pay more to get a big-enough room.

No sooner had I posted a blurb about the surge in downloadable audio tours than here comes Gadling with a link to a walking tour of Paris, recorded by Rick Steves.

Knock yourself out, Pod People!

The article’s rather heavy on Brit-speak and presumes some knowledge of the sport, but it’s a fun read.

Not wanting to post out-of-date info if I can help it, I did some research and confirmed that Manchester United does still run the sessions.

They are not only in Paris, but elsewhere around the globe, including the U.S.

Looks to me as though you could combine a Soccer School session with a Park visit.

Quite the cultural mixer for the kids.

I just want to know….why did ManU, of all teams, call it “Soccer” instead of “Football?”

Teenagers and older children will see things that they recognize from school texts, and they may even stumble upon artworks that they fall in love with (much to their own surprise, and you know they won’t give you the satisfaction of telling you when they do.)

Younger kids actually like all of the eye candy, as long as the crowds aren’t too insane, you have a rough plan of attack and you keep moving.

In my view, the best distillation of the key items to see and appreciate, plus how to most effectively get to them, is Rick Steves’ guidebook “Europe 101: History & Art for the Traveler” (formerly “Mona Winks,” which you can still find on Amazon.)

True art historians may find them a bit too flippant and simplistic, but those of us in the stroller brigade who can’t lug around 10 pound “serious” tomes appreciate any help we can get (Rick travels with his kids, so he understands.)

Key items to remember:

** What day are you going? The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and some holidays. Check the museum Web site.

** Would a late-day visit work better for you? All wings of the museum are open late on Wednesdays and Fridays until 9:45 p.m. Otherwise it’s 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

** Tickets: Kids under 18 are free! If you’re an art teacher with credentials, you are too. For other free admission options, see here. Avoid standing in line at one of the entrances, and review the many options for getting tickets in advance (mailed ahead to your home) or at other locations in Paris such as the Galleries Lafayette department store or the Virgin Megastore.

Consider the Paris Museum and Monuments Pass, which gets you into most of the “biggies” (the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Musee d’Orsay, etc.) Get it at a number of Paris locations, shown here.

** Don’t Go Hungry. Just a reminder that taking hungry (or sleepy) kids anywhere that demands good behavior will result in someone going insane, usually the parent. There are restaurants and cafes inside the museum, but try to be fortified before you go, and recognize that moment when the only answer is to get out of the Etruscan sarcophagi and get some chow.

** What To See. I cannot begin to capture the scope of the Louvre’s 35,000 works of art, so sorry, class, you’ll have to do some homework. In addition to the Steves book, the museum Web site has a great section for young people, so your family can pick the things that interest them and get a sense of the layout of the buildings. The site even has thematic trails, such as this one on Louvre masterpieces that celebrate beauty (there’s your La Gioconda, or the Mona Lisa as we call it.) You can also pick up a museum handbook in English as you enter, plus there are the usual guided tours and audio tours available.

** Getting There: The closest Metro stop is Palais-Royal/Musee du Louvre. For more entrance options, see the map here.

Have an artistically great time!

(Updated 29 May 2006.)  This is an article from the LA Times (this post originally linked to the same one in the Chicago Tribune but the URL changed.)

I can vouch for the London County Hall hotel that is mentioned; the location is unbeatable for getting around, with quick access to three different Tube stations plus lovely walks and views along the Thames looking across at Westminster.

Big thumbs up for the London Eye for kids, too.