So, we’re nine weeks away from leaving for our month-long family stay in Paris, and we’re starting to put together our homeschool curriculum. We’re thinking of focusing on three areas:

1. Paris from the Middle Ages to the Revolution

2. The French Revolution and Its Aftermath (Napoleon, mostly)

3. Art in Paris (we’ll focus on the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists)

We’re going to have to come up with two different programs for the kids. Matthew, who will be 13 when we’re there, is capable of studying at a far higher level than his brother and sister, eight and six. It will be easy enough to teach the little ones what they can handle of Parisian history in that time. Matt’s going to be the challenge.

I’m trying to put together a list of books I should read, and should have Matt read, before we go, so he can have a background in these subject areas. Any suggestions for popular, accessible histories of medieval and Renaissance Paris? For the French Revolution? For French Impressionism?

And, do you have any suggestions within these categories for places to go and things to see — things, that is, that will be especially interesting to children? For the Middle Ages, of course there’s Gothic Paris (the Cluny Museum, Notre Dame, the Church of St Germain des Pres, etc.), but I need to do some reading on the key places in Renaissance Paris. We will visit the Louvre, of course, but I want the kids to focus especially on the Musee d’Orsay, and the Musee Rodin.

As for Revolutionary Paris, my thoughts are that at their age and level, it’s best to teach them the basic history of the Revolution, and its ideals, then show them places where things happened.

At some point, I want the kids to see a real French castle. We are thinking of renting a car and taking an excursion to St-Malo, on the Breton coast. There’s a castle there, and it’s close to Mont Saint Michel. And, of course, Cancale, the oyster paradise, is just down the road. I’d also like to see the D-Day beaches in Normandy. Plus a drive through Normandy’s Cider Route during the fall sounds about right. Fun for the kids, and mom and dad.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Now’s the time to send ’em.