What should we plan for day 1?

If it were me, I would not choose a HOHO bus because the ride might put me to sleep. Not sure where your hotel is, but a nice walk in the Jardin de Luxembourg or Tuileries Garden would fit the bill. Pick up a cafe au lait and chocolate crepe along the way.

HOHO bus is a big no! You'll fall asleep in minutes. You've got to keep moving and stay generally outdoors. The best idea if you can, is to is to reserve the hotel for the night prior to arrival, letting the hotel know that you really won't be arriving until the next morning. That way when you arrive you can go up to your room, refresh and then go about your day without feeling like you are killing time and trying to wait until check in. We've found it to be the key to our early arrival times internationally, flying in from the west coast.

Another key is to really hydrate on the plane and keep it up and avoid day of arrival museums and indoor things of that nature. The Rodin museum GARDEN is lovely and gives a nice peek of the top of the Eiffel Tower and beautiful outdoor sculptures.

Ask me how I formulated these ideas over the past 40 years.
PS. You had me at "my granddaughter and I" Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy this very special time together!! Makes my heart happy!

Great ideas! Thank you so much! We are unbelievably excited.

We arrived mid morning from the airport and just dumped the bags at the hotel then walked over to the Eiffel Tower and surrounding area. We sat on park benches and people watched for a while then had a snack before returning to the hotel for checking and short rest before an early dinner. We had a good night’s sleep and didn’t experience much jet lag. I think the key was walking and being outside for us.

We had a mother (57) daughter (25) trip to Paris in mid-April. We landed in CDG around 12:30; went straight to the hotel, checked in and dropped off our bags. We then did pretty much exactly what ncangelose describes above. We went to a cafe for coffee and a light snack, walked around the Eiffel Tower and along the Seine, went back to the hotel—showered, had a fabulous early dinner near the hotel and went to sleep (for 12 hours). We woke up the next day completely “reset” and had a wonderful trip.

I agree with KD that reserving a room for the night before is a good idea. I almost always do that when I have a very early arrival time. For me, it’s worth every penny to be able to go straight to a clean, comfortable room where I can take a shower, unpack a bit, and even nap a little (I know that some will disagree with napping, but I almost always do that and it’s never been a problem for me. But then I like to nap at home too LOL). If you arrive early enough, you might even get a hotel breakfast, since you probably paid for it anyway.

After recovering, I usually go for a neighborhood walk to get oriented, do any “errands” (like finding an ATM), and enjoy a nice, relaxed meal.

Does your tour stay at Londres Eiffel? If so, then definitely head for breakfast or lunch in the area, then walk over to the Eiffel Tower area. You DO need to be pickpocket proof along the Champ de Mars as there are sometimes the "petition girls" who work that area.

For Breakfast or lunch I would head to the Rue Cler area which will be lively on a Sunday.

Avoid the restaurant called Le Champ de Mars at the big intersection of Rue Saint-Dominique and Avenue de la Bourdennais. It is know for overcharging, insisting on a tip and generally trying to rip off tourists!

Are you interested in Art Nouveau architecture? Just around the corner from Londres Eiffel is Avenue Rapp where some really cool building facades.

https://www.parisperfect.com/blog/2011/03/art-nouveau-7th-arrondissement/

Here is a Corey Frye walk of the area as well....at 9:52 in the walk, the Hotel Londres Eiffel is just one building down that side street.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAY8vsAbpFs&list=PLk_oRs9dMxtDWvE3FHnvWgBFbWkPA8KFS&index=50&t=573s

Now if you are not at Londres Eiffel, this information is all useless!! If you can tell us where you will be there will be suggestions for that neighborhood!

I know that some will disagree with napping, but I almost always do
that and it’s never been a problem for me.

I usually take a short nap upon arrival, 1-2 hours and no more. Then I get up and out of the hotel, walk around a bit, have an early dinner, then get to bed by 9:00 or 10:00. Up early the next morning and raring to go. I've never had a problem with jet lag, this always works for me, too.

To the OP, finding a cafe to relax and have a cup of coffee sounds like a good idea, or stroll around and get some fresh air. I'm going to bet that the last thing you'll feel like doing after a 12 hour flight is to get on a bus, though. And don't stray far from the hotel, in case they do have your room ready early. Sometimes if they know you're there and waiting, they will bump it up a bit.

Keep walking toward the Louvre and then stop off at Angelina at 226 Rue de Rivoli for their famous hot chocolate & dessert. That should revive you!

Take a boat ride on the Seine, Vedettes de Paris next to the Eiffel Tower.

We are staying at the Hotel Duquesne Eiffel , 23 Avenue Duquesne.

I agree that booking a room for the night before really makes the trip so you don't have to cut your day in half by going back to check in and shower etc. But if you're not...after you find that café, take it easy since you have a whole 7 day tour coming up - walk around the organic food market "Marché Raspail", browse the beautiful Le Bon Marché department store (the first department store in the world!) and its wonderful food hall, pop into pharmacies (French pharmacies are treasures)...and ask the hotel to call you if your room is ready early (it's not too crazy to think that it might be!).

"We are staying at the Hotel Duquesne Eiffel , 23 Avenue Duquesne"

Oh gosh...sorry I didn't see your updated information. IF you are interested you can still do my suggestions from above as your hotel is still in the same area.

BTW, I enjoy the restaurant La Terrasse du 7eme on the corner of Avenue de la Motte-Picquet which is not too far from your hotel either. They have a room upstairs so this may be where either your welcome or farewell dinner might be. The food is good so to me eating there twice is no problem, lol.

https://www.laterrassedu7.com/en

There is also a very good bakery just down from La Terrasse - delicious pastries and some good sandwiches.

https://www.boulangerie-bretteau.fr

https://www.facebook.com/boulangerieSBretteau/

Have a. wonderful time starting tomorrow! You may be on the plane now!

Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. Don't get on a bus, boat or hotel bed. Just walk.

I completely agree with PharmerPhil. Don’t go to any indoor activity - walk, walk, as much as possible. If you’re exhausted then sit on a park bench momentarily, but make it one in the sunshine. There’s a lot of sites to enjoy just walking around Paris. Avoid, buses, boats, anything that has a motion to it.

Have a wonderful time in Paris!

Welcome to Paris !! Hope your flights went well !