The children and sightseeing combo is a tricky one to get right. To enjoy a tourist attraction kids need to be impressed … and kids are hard to impress. What’s more, if they’re not enjoying the experience they will make sure that no one within ten feet is either.

As the children of a travel writer, my kids are experienced city breakers and by trial and error we’ve worked out a formula that keeps everyone happy ‘most’ of the time.

At any price point or quality level, the most memorable hotel experiences offer something unique to guests and are not just about a place to sleep for the night. Paris has radically different possibilities for families. Within the luxury hotel category, more brands than ever are catering to kids which means choosing where to stay takes more consideration around the desired experience.

I’ve had five phenomenal luxury experiences in Paris with my family recently.

I’ve had my eye on Le Bristol Paris for years but never organized a stay; quite honestly, I just didn’t see any way this iconic luxury hotel I perceived as old world and stuffy could really cater to families. I finally decided to experience the hotel once and for all before the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) show this year and realized how wrong I was all this time. It took just 24 hours to ‘get’ why Le Bristol Paris has a loyal following including loads of parents traveling to Paris with kids.

There’s no shortage of fine hotels in Paris so the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group had to craft their own version of luxury in the City of Lights. Mission accomplished. When the Mandarin Oriental Paris opened its doors in June 2011 with 99 rooms and 39 suites, a splendid new luxury hotel icon was born.

The “wow” starts the minute you walk into the Mandarin Oriental Paris’ light and art-filled lobby. Visually stunning at every turn, no expense was spared …

Relieved the holidays are almost over? I am. December is the month of perpetual plans. While individual events are fun, they all snowball by the month’s end and leave parents exhausted.

I’m pleased to say that I got my fill of amazing holiday decorations this year as I was lucky enough to kick off December in Paris …

On my family’s recent trip to Paris, I sometimes felt overwhelmed with the staggering amount of amazing architecture and history at every turn. I never tired of looking at it but I did tire of not knowing the stories behind the buildings, statues and paintings. This is where a great tour makes all the difference.

Ciao Bambino has covered a variety of private family tours, including the Paris Muse Louvre tour which receives rave reviews from our readers. I have always wondered if the private guided tours are really worth it with kids.

If you’re looking for a “new” region to explore in France this summer beyond the big name destinations like the Loire Valley, Provence, and the French Riviera, the Dordogne region is a blast to visit with kids of all ages.

One of the reasons I like it so much for families is that the list of things to do is so varied within a small geographic area. Cultural and historic touring can easily be combined with active days out biking, hiking, swimming, and canoeing.

I’m going to admit that I’m torn when it comes to my preference for which “bank” is my favorite home-base in Paris with kids. The Right Bank is grand and home to many of the major tourist attractions, while the Left Bank full of personality and wonderful neighborhoods.

The beauty of CB! Approved Relais Christine is that you don’t have to choose. It’s on the Left Bank in the heart of the coveted Saint-Germain-des-Prés, an area brimming with history, incredible boutique shopping, and kid-friendly cafes …

EElizabeth Thorpe of Poshbrood shared her exciting plans to go to Dordogne over Spring Break with me last night; our conversation reminded me how much I adore this region of France. It’s not widely known as a tourist destination — surprising, as the Dordogne is brimming with wonderful attractions and scenic villages to explore.

Our last visit was with three boys under 11. In addition to our fantastic farmhouse dinners and zip-line adventure, we all adored …

My good friend and author of the Ciao Bambino! book series, Danna Leahy, visited us in Switzerland this summer with her 7 and 10-year-old kids in tow. As part of her itinerary, she planned a four-night stop in Paris.

When Danna explained what she planned to cover during her time in Paris, I laughed. I know the Type A mom personality — ahem — well, as I look in the mirror each morning. Our husbands tell us that we pack too many activities into short periods of time. True.