At Necker Hospital, Melania Trump visited a ward decorated with images from "The Little Prince," an iconic French novel written and illustrated by Antoine de Saint- Exupery.
She spoke briefly in French to six children, asking how they were and introducing herself before switching to a translator to ask how long they expected to stay. One of the children, a 14-year-old girl named Ysatis, was in a wheelchair and said she expected to leave the hospital yesterday for a month of rehabilitation.
Ysatis later told The Associated Press she appreciated the visit.
"It was very pleasant and really good. She's beautiful and gorgeous," Ysatis said.
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Martin Hirsch, director of Paris' public hospital system, presented the first lady with a copy of "The Little Prince." "I will keep it, practice my French. It's beautiful," she said.
The first lady, though not as visible as some of her predecessors, has taken on a fairly prominent role on her husband's three international trips. She visited a children's hospital in Italy as well.
Mrs Trump was later expected to visit Notre Dame Cathedral and tour the Seine River by boat with Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. President Trump was to meet with Macron before participating in Bastille Day celebrations on Friday.