The following is just my opinion, but I thought it was worth sharing because if I had read this I would not have gone.
4 adults, 2 children. 3 nights in Paris during the week after Christmas. Living in Europe, so travel was easy and jet lag not an issue.
Many things about our trip were very nice, especially the weather. From my research I had expected very low temps and lots of rain. We were very pleasantly surprised.
The problem that I didn't anticipate was the crowds! We've been to Paris before and experienced a quarter of what we experienced last week. It was like Disneyland in July. Hoards of people almost everywhere. Trying to show my kids the Mona Lisa became so dangerous from crowd crush that I had to hoist my 7yo up and shove my way out of the back of the mob.
I've been to 18 countries in the last few years, so I do know a fair amount about travel planning and research. I was shocked not to have read about the major crowds in Paris' cold, dark, rainy post-Christmas December.
And I'll say this before someone else feels the need to... Yes, we spent a lot of time in tourist areas showing family the sights. I'm sure if we avoided tourist areas things would have been different. Our hotel was in a quiet neighborhood and our nearby dinners were lovely, quiet and authentic. Our previous visit also included tourist spots - yet without the crowds.
For those looking to travel there at this time of year in the future, now you know.
Paris in December
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Thanks for the tip. I am sure it would be nightmarish with small children in tow.
That's too bad. I do know the Louvre is packed around Christmas and the Mona Lisa is a "must" for many! The level of rudeness and pushing and shoving is only topped (for me) at the Vatican, of all places. I can imagine with kids it is tough. Fortunately, the Louvre is not my favorite site in Paris.
The big department stores were packed and we did not enjoy that (it would be the same here though, which is why I Christmas shop online these days).
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Paris at Christmas two years ago. We were dressed appropriately for the rainly, sleety, snowy weather, so we did not mind it at all. We were happy with snow, as we get very little snow where we live.
It was only the two of us, so it is much easier to get around without children, I am sure. I wish your trip had been better for you.
Probably many cities experience an influx of tourism during the holiday season. NYC is crowded during that time with people wanting to see the windows along 5th Ave, shoppers, and families going to sights and museums. Driving in to NYC, non-peak time, 2 days after Christmas, was like driving in during commuter time. This was true even decades ago.
Sorry your trip was not the magical experience you had hoped for.
I too was surprised at the crowds at the D'orsay over the holidays last year, but I should have known. It's like that at major museums in every city during the school vacation periods. Fortunately, we could wait it out and found it easy to enter the museum once school and work days resumed. If that's the only time one can travel, it's best to be at the museum of your choice upon opening and secure tickets online in advance when possible.
Many capital cities have huge crowds during Christmas season, including Paris, NYC, London, etc. It is quite normal as so many people are on holiday. IN fact, those weeks are the highest rates in Paris hotels, which reflects the demand. I guess if you never went to any big city during Christmas, you might not have thought to find out about that.
At least the weather was good, so that's one positive you can't discount during winter.