(about 65 degrees). Today was my oldest son’s 18th Birthday. We started the day with the Louvre tour (tip: go to the Louvre website and print a map of the Denon wing) I got confused my first trip and would have been lost again trying to put together the RSs maps so I was glad I had the overall map and had marked the RSs tour on it. Then we were off to Trocadero view and Tour Eiffel for our reservations for lunch at Altitude 95. I’d posted my booking experience here before; so the follow-up is it worked just like they said. I surprised everyone as they were looking at the long lines to go up and they were deciding if they had the energy to walk the stairs. The welcome booth between the N/E legs has the word “Restaurants” over the window. We just gave our name and bought tickets to the first floor. Then we were told to go to the green flag at the elevator nearby. We bypassed the lines and were on the next elevator up; my family was lovin’ me (they thought I just bought special passes)! We arrived at A. 95 about 15 min. early (for our 12:30 Res.) but were seated right away. I know others have posted about rude people here and on the phone (my reservationist was pleasant)…well, I found her. As we arrived and I’m glowing in the moment where everyone is surprised with lunch here, I mention nicely that “I had requested a Trocadero view if possible” (they told me on the phone it was not guaranteed) and she snaps at me “We know what the reservations are!!!”. I let it roll. We were right on the window to the Trocadero and our waiters were as pleasant as could be (thank goodness). We put out our few gift bags while my son was in le toilettes. We gave him the trip to Disneyland and a pastry class that night at Ritz Escoffier cooking school, and a few other things. He had a wonderful birthday lunch. MORE...
Posted by
OP
Mars, PA, USA
213 posts
Off we went to buy tickets at the machine (took our credit card) to the second level- short line, and then again (another machine) to the top- about a 25 min. wait. The views were outstanding and the kids loved it. We were surprised at the top there was no wind and it was warm (it was very windy and cool on the ground). Coming down was another 20 min. wait to the 2nd. Level, but no line there to continue down and we went past the 1st level and stayed on to the ground. We walked back up the Trocadero and went to the Maritime Museum (made us check all our bags). All of us loved this museum. It was a nice under-rated surprise. There are wonderful models of all kinds of ships, it’s a beautiful museum, even though it’s all in French. Metro to the Opera Garnier, which we viewed outside and circled as we were looking for the Paris Story Film. We found it for the 5pm show and got our family discount and the RSs book discount for my brother. Don’t bother doing this! MORE...
Posted by
OP
Mars, PA, USA
213 posts
It was poorly done, in uncomfortably tiny seats (my knees were smashed against the seats in front so I can only imagine how my 6’4” husband was) and they just touch briefly on the sites. Several of my group fell asleep…this was up there with the Sewer Tour as a never again. Oh well. Off to the Ritz at Place Vendome to figure out where to drop my son for the pastry class (his voucher came with no instructions). We were an hour early, and the Concierge told us to come back about 5 min. prior, so we went for a drink nearby. Back to drop him off for the 7-9pm class (the same Concierge was no longer there and the new one wasn’t sure how to get him there, they finally had someone escort him to class as it was in a separate area far away) and then the rest of us went to dinner at Lescure nearby (Kent here recommended this place as reasonable in this pricey area). This turned out to be a favorite and the only place we went to twice. 3 Course Menu includes a half bottle of wine for 23.50 Euros. Nice tables outside and a charming interior. Great waiters. This place is just steps from Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries ½ block off Rue de Rivoli (7, rue Mondovi)…great meals at a great price! Went to tour the Tuileries for awhile, then back to the Ritz at 9pm, unfortunately his class was in the bowels of the earth there so we had to get some help to find the right place to wait for him and the class ended about 45 min. late. He had a wonderful time cooking. He was the only one who didn’t speak French so they had a translator for him. They gave him a certificate and he couldn’t stop talking about what he’d made on the way home. END DAY
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
How did you enjoy the Louvre?? It is a favorite of mine, did you only do one wing?
Sounds like your son had an incredible birthday, but I see a problem, how can you ever top all that for his 21 st birthday!! LOL
Posted by
OP
Mars, PA, USA
213 posts
Love the Louvre. I spent the better part of a day here my prior trip when I was on my own, and my daughter was there a few months prior. My brother couldn't believe how close he could get to the paintings-he thought there would be ropes at everything. We'd planned to do another wing over the weekend, but that was part of "being flexible" and going with the groups needs. I'll be back :-)