Thank you all for some of the great advice given to me when I was planning my Paris trip with my 10 year old granddaughter. She and I had a fabulous time. Here is my report of the trip, albeit 4 months later.
First time flying British Airlines; boy those first class passengers fly in style; basically have their own pods of comfort (bed with reading lamp, tray, personal screen) We were in Coach.
Arrival into Paris - rough start for both granddaughter (GD) and I; GD ill all over herself, myself and the bus floor; taxi ride to hotel and we stayed in for the rest of the day/evening at Grand Hotel de Balcons in the 6th Arrondisement. Using Facetime on our IPhone/IPad was very handy for GD to connect with her family back home every evening, especially the first night since she wasn’t feeling so good.
4/9 Sunday: Luxembourg Garden and St. Chappelle We took it easy this morning - doing laundry, a visit to the Pharmacy; later though, we enjoyed the Luxembourg Garden sailboats, tulips blooming, and people watching. The guards at the Palace, a little freaky for GD. St. Chappelle for gorgeous sunlit stained glass; began my pass activation; Short line in early p.m.; GD noticed guards too; heightened security because of government complex there at St. Chappelle
Food: raspberry sorbet; lunch brunch of cantal cheese with green salad for GD and Croque Madame for myself and café au lait for brunch was delicious, but Mushroom artichoke tomate crepe from takeout place for dinner was meh
4/10 Monday: Louve & Eiffel Tower
Food: lovely counter service at The Danton on St. Germaine for croissants with OJ with spoon; and café au lait for me.
Louvre & Eiffel Tower - on foot; GD timid about transportation due to illness, long walk from Louvre to Eiffel Tower and chilly
Security at Louvre quite long but the ticket line was probably 1 - 2 hours wait on top of that - we had a pass so got through sooner; GD thrilled with Mona Lisa; we could not get through the crowd of at least 50-75 people deep; nice for her as this was the one art piece she was familiar with and wanted to see in person. I loved the Winged Victory and Italian Renaissance art. We spent 2 hours here. Just a maze to get out though.
Eiffel Tower arrival was 1 hour early; elevator rides were fine, I a little nervous for GD hoping she wouldn't get motion sickness; all was good though. View was wonderful - very long hot dog in a baguette bun and chocolate crepe for snacks. Walk back through Tuilleries Gardens beautiful with setting sun hitting the Ferris wheel.
Food: Delicious Steak & frittes and very fancy drink for GD at Le Hibou (The Owl) - we ate here twice.
4/11 Tuesday: Rodin and Arc de Triomphe. Very long walk to the Arc up the Champs; really should have attempted the Metro.
Absolutely gorgeous day to explore Rodin gardens; GD and I took our time to enjoy the sculptures outside and only a cursory review of the actual museum since it was a great day to be outdoors. On the way up the Champs, we sat on a lawn and enjoyed our pastries purchased earlier that morning. We had fun taking photos with the Thinker.
The walk to the Arc was long but we took our time and hydrated well. Arrived and proceeded to climb the 278 stairs to the top. Wow, what views - spectacular on a very sunny day. Down below, the eternal flame was beautiful with the country flag flowing above. Since we both were quite tired from the walk, GD and I enjoyed a delicious Japanese meal for dinner just down the street from the Hotel. Dinners have been late - 7:30 to 10:00 on any given night. Really late for GD but she was energized.
4/12 Wednesday - D'Orsay, L'Orangerie, Dehillerin kitchen store French gentleman with very good English in front of the theatre gave us excellent advice for shops and restaurants. We tried Little Breizh for buckwheat crepes with béchamel sauce, spinach and egg/cheese and sweet deliciousness of a chocolate crepe for dessert.