The Question: I'm planning a trip with my daughter and six-year-old granddaughter to Paris this April. Can you suggest a small hotel on the Left Bank and recommend activities for my granddaughter?
Paris: the ultimate mother-daughter-granddaughter getaway, where no generation is short-changed. Debbie Dubrow, who writes the popular travel blog Deliciousbaby.com, has these suggestions for diversions:
- Wander among the sculptures at the Luxembourg Gardens. "This park's historic carousel and wonderful playgrounds should be on every six-year-old's itinerary," says Dubrow, a mother of three. "Bring along a picnic lunch so that mom and grandma can enjoy people-watching while the granddaughter plays."
- With 35,000 works of art, the Louvre can be daunting. Dubrow suggests switching it up by starting in the basement, where you can see the remaining bits of the medieval castle's footing. And to pique your granddaughter's interest in the collection, click on the tailcoat-wearing cartoon on the Louvre website ( louvre.fr) to discover the story behind the treasures.
- Raise the bar on the mall experience with a window shop - or splurge - at the Galeries Lafayette www.galerieslafayette.com). "Your six-year-old might not be ready for high fashion, but she'll probably enjoy the great selection of French toys in Galeries Lafayette's huge toy department," says Dubrow.
As for where to stay, Dominic Earle, editor of the Time Out Paris guides, recommends the Hotel de l'Abbaye St-Germain ( hotelabbayeparis.com). "This Left Bank stalwart is a really cozy and relaxed place with a large garden where you can have breakfast," he says. And as a bonus, it's close to your first stop, the Luxembourg Gardens.
E-mail your travel questions to concierge@globeandmail.com.
Karan Smith is a former Globe Travel editor. Special to The Globe and Mail