Museums are free on Sundays. The Louvre is amazing.
Yes, the Louvre is amazing if the city's not on strike, LOL.
A great place to stay is around Place de Cliche, which is an easy walking distance to the Sacre Coeur, a very charming area. Elsewhere, there is a charming little hotel we stayed in near the right bank called the Dominy Vendome. It is very close to the Leuvre, Rue de Rivoli, les Jardins, the swanky stores. and les Bateaux (boat rides along the Seine -- take one during the day and another at night -- very different experiences). We walked to the Eiffel Tower (le tour Eiffel) and along the Champs-Elysee to l'arc de Triumph from the Dominy Vendone as well, if you are hard-core walkers. (The Eiffel Tower is a little more than a mile away, but it's a beautiful and flat walk, if your in-laws can handle it). The hotel staff was amazingly friendly and helpful. The breakfasts (included with the stay, as is the case in most European tourist-class hotels) was very good. Ask the hotel staff for their recommendations for local restaurants where Perisiens go, but be sure to take a stab at ordering in French.
There is a great patissere (bakery/coffee shop) that is very popular with Perisiens called La Duree. I highly recommend the macaroons (nothing like "our" macaroons... no coconut, which I hate). French macaroons, in case you don't know, are little sandwich cookies of varying flavors... pistachio, lemon, chocolate, vanilla, etc. Amazingly delicious, especially at La Duree. You will definitely want to take some home with you.
Try to learn at least a little French. I had French in high school, so I know enough to get by and make an attempt. Perisiens warm up very quickly to Americans who make the attempt. There are lots of great computer programs available (Costco has one) or you can check tapes out from your local library. You can even make it a family project.
I have always found French people to be very friendly and I think their reputation of being rude and aloof is undeserved. Numerous times I have had people walk up to me in the Metro stations when I was looking at a map and ask, in English, if they could help me find someplace. I have never experienced that level of unsolicited assistance anywhere else.
If you have time, try to fit in a trip to Brussels for a couple of days (if you've learned any French, you can use it there!).
Enjoy your trip, but remember to be safe. Like any big city, keep your wits about you. Don't carry large amounts of cash (use credit cards for the best exchange rate).
P.S. --- I just saw that you booked on Virgin. That is who we booked the Dominy Vendome through, so if it is available, you might want to check it out and make a hotel change if they'll let you.
