First of all congrats!!!

Just want to say that I would not put pressure on yourself to creat the 'perfect' trip - no trip is perfect. Approach this as an adventure and if things dont go exactly as you envisioned enjoy the moment anyways!

3 days is definitely not too long in Strasbourg. The markets there close mid-day on 24 Dec and 25 Dec will be very quiet. I would plan to take the train on the afternoon of the 24 (I am not sure what the trains are like on 25 Dec so hopefully someone in France can advise).

The countryside wont be at its best in Dec and Bordeaux is way on the other side of the country (and not that scenic to be honest).

I would plan to spend a week in Paris and maybe add a few days in Dijon in Burgundy. I havent been to Lyon, so maybe that is a good option as well.

We spent the week of New Years in Paris in 2009/2010 so I will post the link to our trip report and pics.

Happy Planning!

Here you go: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bikerscott-jamikins-in-paris-christmas-2009.cfm

thanks you , i'm going to go though ur report and take tips on my paris trip from there

Congratulations!

First thing to do is dump Bordeaux from your list. If you must have caneles, you can find them in Paris. Three days is perfect for Strasbourg (if you can take a half-day trip to Colmar, so much the better). I would then split the remaining time between Lyon and Dijon, giving Lyon more days than Dijon (it's the second-largest city in France and will likely have lots of seasonal festivities). Train service will be somewhat limited on the two actual holidays, but you can investigate that at www.sncf.com or www.-tgv-europe.com.

Be sure to visit the official websites for each city, and check out www.whatsonwhen.com for events.

You need to be flexible with your plan because of the weather. Have a long list of indoor things to do/see and then take advanatage of better outdoor weather - you will probably get some days in the 40s with sunshine - to do outdoor things. Realize that gardens will be dead and countryside brown and crunchy - so definitely focus on cities or towns.

Apparently my fiance feels it isn't air to be so close to italy and not stop there. he's a foodie !!

So now we're goona start in FLORENCE -> VENICE -> STRASBOURG-> end in PARIS

Now im going to research xmas in florence and venice , then def see Strasbourg and colmar though we might just get there just post xmas. then end the year with the bubbly in new years

this seems like a taste of both the places....

@Stcirq , thanks for the links , and yes ill find caneles in paris ... among other divine sweets

nytraveler : lets hope for the best weather .... it can make all the difference