paris with an 8 yr old

Dear Sophie,
I think it is great you are going with your sister.
Euro disney would be great with an 8yo (any excuse for me to go too would be good). I am starting to plan a trip around the world with my daughter who is currently 6 but will be 8 when we go (holiday restriction not want). She studies French at school and it is her request that we go to Paris as a family. Euro dusney is out as she says she wants to go in the US and we will be heading that way anyway.
The things on her 'to-do list' are: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dam, Sacre Ceour, Mont Matre. There is also a small chapel I think called 'Le Chapel' near Notre Dam which I loved, so I will take her there. The Leuvre is a must for culture.
At 23 I would take her to the one of the Youth Hostels. You can get a room for the two of you (slightly more expensive) but that way other people of your age may have experience with interesting things to do. My husband and I took my then 6 week old daughter to Salzburg and stayed in the Youth Hostel and had a great time (no-one could believe it when my husband took the baby in the shared boys shower). She was great and the other travellers loved her.
As far as the evenings are concerned I think you may find you are exhausted (I was even when I did Paris at 23). Seeing the Eifel tower and Arch de T. at night is something to see. You could also catch a movie depending on how you feel about watching a movie in French or I think I recall that there are English theatres. Either way being out and about at night doing coffee or hot choc. is always a great way to see the locals. (People watching anywhere is great).
I must say I wish I had a sister who had taken me to Paris at 8. I am sure that once you get there you will have too much to do. Just remember to ask your sister what she wants and even if you think ho-hum do it because sometimes you find you experience something you wouldn't have other wise. Finally just enjoy and go with the flow. If you don't see everything, the experience of what you do see should be the enjoyable part. Bon Vouage.
Nat70

Have you considered a boat trip on the Seine? The Bateaux Mouches (spelt?!) are reasonably priced and would make for a fun trip, and you could probably find boats that run in the evening. Sorry I can't be more specific, but your guidebook should have details. Basically, this is something I did during the day (I'm 23 too) but it would be pretty at night with all the lights, and suitable for an 8 year old.

Make sure you go to a patisserie too! As the above poster says, cafes are a great place to people-watch.

I don't think there is anywhere you should particularly avoid, apart from possibly the Pigalle area as she may see sights not intended for 8 yr olds . . . I stayed in a hostel ten minutes walk from l'Opera, which was perfectly safe and comfortable. Again, sorry I don't have precise details but I don't have my guidebook with me at the moment. Get a Rough Guide or an LP guide and just avoid anywhere described as a party hostel (I have heard bad things about the Three Ducks hostel if you like to sleep rather than party).

Have a good trip!