Never did I think picnicking in the park could be so contentious. By the way Fleur_de_Lis, how do you know people are "stuffy or non-stuffy" until you talk to them? Maybe rich people go to "normal" parks, too. What would you do then? Such a dilemma! Maybe give the park a chance and see for yourself. Albeit, I only talked with one person to ask for directions to the museum, but she never said she was too busy to help me while spreading her Grey Poupon and sipping Dom Pérignon. My comment on our second visit was "and once again the area was busy with moms and their kids, plus plenty of dogs frolicking about." I guess next time I visit, I'll ask if "the moms" are really their moms. I really should research more on which parks have "normal" people from now on.

For what it's worth, maitaitom, I too really love the Parc Monceau and the Musée Nissim de Camondo.

Yikes! My apologies, I was honestly just interested in Kerouac's recommendations on parks since he lives there...I love all Parisian parks and am always trying to find more hidden gem local ones that I may not know about as a frequent visitor to Paris, but not someone who actually lives there (yet!). I did not mean to offend by calling people stuffy. I thought maybe we were all just being funny? And I'm not saying I won't talk to rich people too, or like their parks - lol! But as I am not one of them, I was just interested to hear where everyday locals tend to hang....that's what I meant by "normal."

By the way, I'm a longtime reader/lurker over at your other blog website (if you're the writer of Travels with Mai Tai Tom?) and have always appreciated your humor and insights! But wow, this comment was way harsh, Tai

P.S. that was also a joke. If you know you know (cough cough Clueless)

We really do need a "this is just humor" font.

And I will ask again where did I say that I hate the park? I just think it is inappropriate for simple picnics. Are you hallucinating, starrs?

P.S. that was also a joke. If you know you know (cough cough Clueless)

fleur, I'm an equal opportunity park person. I was attempting to be funny, but as my dad often told me (and now Tracy), "You need a new writer!" Paris is a little different. Where I live, I just try and find a park without gunfire and used needles.

If that's your criteria for finding parks near you, you must live in LA!
If you are referencing Tracy, then you are the author I think you are - loved your Barcelona trip report in particular and used it to help my planning on a recent trip!
AJPeabody, we DO need a "this is just humor" font!! Brilliant idea.

If that's your criteria for finding parks near you, you must live in LA!

Touché! Paris, it is not.

All poor CC wanted were a few picnic suggestions, and it broke out into class warfare. I'm sure you will find a suitable place to picnic, and forget we all chimed in. Have a lovely time with your daughter.

People are rarely disappointed by what they consider to be a picnic in Paris. So it's all oood.

Here's a link to over 1000 TA reviews about the park -
xxx*
Opinions vary - including it being one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, a wonderful place to spend time, and several mention enjoying picnics there. I only read about the first dozen, but I did not see any negative reviews.
Nannies and the neighborhood are mentioned in many, but interestingly enough those mentions were not negative in any way.

I still think it's a great choice, but I don't see nice neighborhoods and nannies as a problem either.
* You'll have to look up the TA reviews for the link. Fodors is not accepting the link (again).

If music or science are of special interest, the two museums dedicated to these pursuits are located almost on opposite ends of the Parc de la Villette, another suitable picnic location.


https://www.cite-sciences.fr/en/home

https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/en

We walked our toddler grandson through the Parc Monceau about a year ago. It is certainly in a posh area of town. I didn't see anyone being obviously repressed or exploited. A very well-dressed little boy, supervised by his very well-dressed mother, did share a toy with our grandson for a bit.

starrs, thanks for the photos. I'm not sure if we'll make it with our relatively short visit but I have it on the list now. I did go read about the history and the owner. Really heartbreaking.

Me either! Trees, a crepe .. close to whatever we're doing at the time we get hungry. Who knew?

Now I feel like going (possibly in one of my BBQ-themed t-shirts) just to inflict a taste of the hoi polloi on this paddock of profuse prosperity and poor parenting.

Just doing the last minute check and heading for the airport. (first stop, Singapore!). All this great advice is probably going to put us over our weight limits. Totally worth it. Thanks again to everyone.

1 - I hope you do! I really enjoyed it. I enjoy house museums in general. Beautiful art work, lovely homes and the size is good = not overwhelming. Cimbrone, a former Fodorite, often recommends one in whatever city I'm visiting and I've never been disappointed. Re the ending = I was floored. There was another woman, an American there, and it was obviously that both of us were affected. I think we were the only ones in the house, but certainly the only ones on that floor. We talked for a few minutes as we processed the loss of the entire family.

2 - The TA reviews referenced drinks and snacks being sold at the park. That may be an option too.

3 - LOVE all the "p"s. PLEASE take a photo and share!

4 - Safe travels. Wishing you comfortable travels on the long flights.

Adding a note - My cab driver had no idea where the museum was. He said in years of driving, no one had asked to go there. I picked up the cab at the Place de la Concorde after visiting l'Orangerie. I handed him the name of the museum on a piece of paper and he shook his head. I told him it was next to the Parc Monceau and he nodded and made his way there. I found that interesting. You won't encounter crowds there, that's for sure!

If l'Orangerie is not on your list, you really should add it. Totally amazing, IMO.


Musée Nissim de Camondo

One of my favorite places in Paris. To be that close to the massive canvases...

Unfortunately. That is the norm now in my state. Very sad.

Have a great time in Paris with your daughter CC!

Have a wonderful trip!!

Have a great trip, CC.

A couple suggestions: I like Buvette for lunch. We usually arrive early in the morning and have to stay awake, so we drop our luggage then start with a walk through the 2nd, take in the views from the rooftop of the Galleries de Lafayette, then walk up the hill through the 9th and have lunch at Buvette, continue to the Sacre Couer for the views, then head to the hotel.

https://ilovebuvette.com/eat-drink-paris-location

We also had a great tasting menu lunch at Septime a couple years ago.

https://www.septime-charonne.fr/en/

" Takeaway is just Australian for ready to eat food as opposed to sitting down in a restaurant. Grocery stores and delis probably wouldn't be called takeaway but they kind of fit in this context. "

Interesting, I think you are in Australia, where I live, and in Paris, delis are ready-to-eat food and grocery stores all have some prepared take-away counter/island. I know there are some delis in the US that have a restaurant part and takeaway but I think they all have takeaway. The supermarkets in Paris do, also, like regular Monoprix supermarkets has a big prepared food/takeaway area.

Bourqeois doesn't just mean middle-class nowadays, it has a connotation of those who are somewhat vacuous and mainly interested in consumption and appearing to be wealthier than they are (at least in the US and I think some other places, also). IN the US, the Real Housewives franchise TV shows promote bourgeois values, the idea that wealth and stuff are the ultimate goals. I think some of the wealthy people with nannies in Paris are probably more upper than middle class, actually, and not trying to look that way, they are. But not as crazy as some of the people who are are all over media nowadays as "influencers", Tiktok, etc. You can see that in the 7th arr also, of course, in parks there, not so working class. Place des Vosges is full of a zillion tourists and not that relaxing IMO. So is the park at end of Notre Dame, including some shady characters who try to steal from or cheat tourists with stupid schemes tourists may fall for. At least during heavy tourist months.

I don't know when you are going to be there, but be advised, I'd avoid the area around the Place de la Concorde on rugby days (which I think are Thurs-Sun this week?). There is a huge fan zone *Rugby Village) being set up there during matches, taking over the entire place.

For a traditional brasserie menu, perhaps still written on the paper tablecoth