Paris Zoo (Parc Zoologique de Paris) Tickets

The Paris Aquarium is not only Europe's oldest aquarium (it was built in 1867), for years it was also Europe's largest. Housed in the center of the city, on the quarries where Napoleon would house his cavalry, this institution has been part of the fabric of Parisian life for more than a century. This institution embodies the late 19th century fascination with the spectacular. Alongside bearded ladies and camera obscuras, aqua vivariums were all the rage. With 4 million liters of water, and 10,000 fish from around the world, there's plenty to keep you and your family entertained here for hours on end.

From just behind the Eiffel Tower (which you'll probably be seeing up close anyway), the Bateaux Parisiens river cruises depart for trips up and down the Seine. With a sightseeing option as well as a trés elegant dinner cruise, you'll be able to find the trip to suit your taste. Enjoy panoramic views of the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pont Neuf, and many more UNESCO World Heritage Sites as you float down the Seine. It all starts here.

This luxurious 17th-century French palace is a masterclass in excess. It has hundreds of acres of magnificently landscaped gardens, more than 700 rooms, a large collection of French Renaissance art, an opera house, and a 75-meter long hall of mirrors lined with priceless statues and busts. There are no half-measures in its conception or execution – it has more than 1,200 fireplaces! It's one of the most visited attractions in France, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.