Why Paris…
I used to live in Paris, and since the moment my daughter was born we read books, watched movies and sang songs about Paris. I had dreamed of taking her as a little girl and it was the number one place that she wanted to visit. The timing with school, work and points worked out, and we booked the trip 5 days before we left.
How we got there…
Booking last minute meant that flight availability was limited. To get there, we used 60,000 United miles (converted from Chase Ultimate Rewards) for two one-way coach tickets on Lufthansa. For the return, we used 128,000 Delta miles for two one-way Comfort Class tickets on Delta. We also used points for all of our hotel stays.
Where we stayed in Paris…
Hotel Le Grand, Intercontinental – Steps from the Opera Garnier, this opulent and historic hotel was a perfect home base for our first couple days in Paris. Ainsley loved the traditional “fancy” dĂ©cor and the grand stair cases that she insisted we use over the elevator. I loved the central location, the wonderful service and the 19th century Parisian experience. As expected from a historic European hotel, the rooms were small, but clean and perfect for the two of us. We stayed here for two nights. For the first, we used an annual IHG free night (a perk of the IHG Chase card). For the second, we used 70,000 IHG points.
Waldorf Astoria Trianon Palace, Versailles – Versailles is an easy daytrip from Paris, but on this trip we opted to stay at the Waldorf Astoria for a night which allowed for a more leisurely visit of the chateau and gardens and gave us a nice break from the big city.
We loved the hotel! It was beautiful and ideally situation just outside the gardens of Versailles. Ainsley loved swimming in the indoor pool. I enjoyed having an aperitif and macaroons in the loggia, and being able to walk to the chateau through the gardens in the morning. We used 59,000 Hilton points for our room.
Renaissance Paris Vendome Hotel, Marriot – We loved the central location of this 1st arrondissement hotel. It is an easy walk from the hotel to the Tuilleries, Louvre, Palais Royal, Place de la Concorde, Rue de Rivoli, and Rue Faubourg Saint Honore. The contemporary dĂ©cor was a nice contrast to the Hotel Le Grande and the breakfast was a great way to start the day. Ainsley also loved the indoor pool. After long days of touring, it was nice to come back to the hotel for an afternoon swim before cleaning up for dinner. We stayed here for three nights and used 135,000 Marriott points (converted from 45,000 SPG points).
What we did in Paris…
Seeing Paris through the eyes of my 6 year old was magical. This trip as much for me as it was for her.
Eiffel Tower – Ainsley’s excitement when first seeing the Eiffel Tower was one of my favorite moments of the trip. Got kids…go up the tower! We woke up early on the first day because of jet lag and were able to get to the tower before the crowds. The Champs-des-Mars was empty so we got some fun pictures. We lined up at 8:45 and got through security by a little after 9 a.m. The tower doesn’t open until 9:30 but we were close to the front of the line. We took the elevator up to the second level and walked down. We were on our way by 10:15.
Musee Rodin – It was wonderful to do a smaller museum with a young child. It was a quick stop after the Eiffel Tower and before lunch and there was stuff to see indoors and outdoors. It also wasn’t as crowed as the Louvre or Musee d’Orsay so it was easy for her to see the art and get up close. There are many small museums in Paris that would be equally wonderful!
THAT Muse Louvre Scavenger Hunt – I would highly recommend this scavenger hunt for families with children eight years old and above. Ainsley was a couple years too young. There was a lot of reading and the museum is very crowded so it is hard to keep track of little ones while hunting for paintings. Ainsley would have much preferred walking through the Italian renaissance wing leisurely to see the Mona Lisa and then heading on our way.
Feeling tired? Stop in any café for café, kir or glass of wine and order a citron presse or a hot chocolate for the kids. Ainsley and her friend loved making their own lemonade from fresh squeezed lemon juice, sugar and water. Making their drink was half the fun.
Monuments in Paris – There are many amazing monuments in Paris. Visit as many of them as you can. Jump in puddles at the Eiffel Tower, make silly faces with your friend at Notre Dame, ride the carousel at the Abbesses metro stop, play on the playground at the base of the Sacre Coeur, climb every chance you get and jump on the trampolines in the Tuileries. My favorite moments with Ainsley were not seeing the famous landmarks and taking tours, but playing!
Musee Grevin – So much fun with kids! This was a first for me in Paris. The kids love touching and taking pictures with the wax figures whether they knew who they were or not.
Chateau de Versailles – An easy day trip from Paris, Versailles is a wonderful way to escape the city. I love the history, the art, the architecture and the opulence. Ainsley loved the grandeur, the gardens and the Petit Trianon. By day three, Ainsley’s tolerance for picture taking was at an all time low. I was not going to put my camera away for Versailles, however. While in the chateau, I gave her the camera to take pictures. She got some great shots. Once in the gardens, we had a contest to see who could take the silliest pictures. We had a blast!
After walking through the chateau (no guide or audio earphones for us) and running through the gardens, we took a row boat out on the lake. This was not as easy as it looks, but we laughed a lot as I struggled to row us back to shore. I would recommend a lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. The food is ok, but the setting on the patio is lovely.
Ainsley’s favorite part of Versailles was the Petit Trianon. I have been to Versailles five times and had never ventured out to it. It was worth it! Especially with a six-year-old. She loved the open spaces and petting the animals at Marie Antoinette’s hamlet.
What we ate…
Chez Janou – One of my all time favorite restaurants. This Provençal restaurant in the 3rd arrondissement, near the Place des Vosges, has one of the best magret de canard I have had. Ainsley loved the frog legs. They also serve all you can eat chocolate mousse for dessert.
Les Fines Gueules – A fabulous wine bar and restaurant just around the corner from the Place des Victoire. A simple menu, good wine, fabulous desert, and nice ambiance.
Le Moulin de la Galette – The food here was not at the level of the first two restaurants in this post, but it was fine and French (they did have a gourmet hamburger on the menu if you are tired of French food). I really liked the setting. It was a beautiful day and we ate on the patio. It was a nice peaceful dining option in Montmartre and was close to the Place des Tetres but felt far from the craziness.
Traveling Lyons 