Dee_Dee

Woo hoo! It's done! I've rented an apartment in Paris for 4 weeks arriving December 15th, departing January 12th. It has been a dream to not only spend a month in Paris but also to be there for the holidays. Cross two things off my bucket list! As I live in a very rural area 2.5 hours away from the closest city, my primary focus is on museums. I NEED culture! I plan on visiting a museum every morning/early afternoon 6 days a week. I've compiled a list. Now, on to special Christmas holiday things to do/enjoy. I've scanned trip reports and have come up with some ideas. I would appreciate any and all other suggestions/revisions.

Here's my list so far:
Check out the windows at Printemps and Galleries Lafayette
George V and Four Seasons for their decorated lobbies. George V for a glass of champagne
Day trip to Chateau de Vaux Vicomte.
Place Vendôme for Christmas decorations.
Visit the decorated streets of rue des Abbesses/rue Lepic in the 18th
Paris by Mouth cheese tour.
Primtemps rooftop deck? Will it be open?
Wander the Marais on Christmas Day.
Watch people ice skating in front of Hotel de Ville
Take a tour of the Hotel de Ville? I understand there are tours available once a week
A mission for great soupe a l’onion. Au Pied de Couchon?
Buy a buche de Noël?
Wander through the markets on Blvd Richard Lenoir, Marche d'Aligre and Marché Couvert des Enfants Rouges
Day trip to Strasbourg

What were your favorite holiday memories, places to visit? Thanks in advance!

denisea

The Ritz reopened this year, so I would add that to the list.

I love everything about Paris at Christmas so below are links to my TRs from Paris during the holidays. You have a good list going.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-fantastic.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-fantastic.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-in-paris.cfm

Elizabeth_S

We spent 6 weeks in Paris over Christmas and NY a few years ago and had a wonderful time.

On Christmas Eve we went to a concert at La Sainte-Chappelle (Vivaldi's Four Seasons) - it was lovely. Here's the schedule

https://www.classictic.com/en/paris/...e-chapelle/27/

On New Year's Eve we walked to the Seine for a good view of the Eiffel Tower because we mistakenly thought there would be fireworks there. The Tower did have some lighting effect at midnight which was OK and it was a lot of fun to be out. Champs Elysee was closed to cars and packed with happy partiers.

You might want to check out the passages (good to know where there are in case of inclement weather) Galerie Vivienne was beautifully decorated

https://www.timeout.com/paris/en/sho...ges-couverts-1

On Rue Montorgueil in the Marais the food shops had some spectacular Christmas preparations - go the week before as they were gone after Christmas. Amazing fowl, terrines, oysters (get some for Christmas Eve - traditional fare).

Have fun!

denisea

Agree about the concert on Christmas Eve at Ste Chapelle...nice way to spend Christmas Eve. You can also find more concerts throughout Paris on the Classic Tic site.

kerouac

The Christmas windows of Printemps and Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann -- and also the Christmas tree inside Galeries Lafayette -- can be spectacular, although some years are better than others. Here's an example that I filmed a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCDCXxdxfs4

Dee_Dee

denisea - thank you for posting the links to your trip reports. It wasn't long into reading the first one that I remembered reading it when you first posted. It was the "Mr Starbucks" comment. I love the way you two travel! Champs!

Elizabeth - thank you for the reminder about the passages. I now have them on my list of things to do especially on a rainy day! And, I'll definitely stroll rue Montorgueil too. LOVE oysters!

Kerouac - thank you for the Christmas tree/windows link. I'll be there along with all the other people! Here's hoping for a good Galeries Lafayette tree this year. I did see the Rock and Roll tree a few years back. Can't wait!

alliegray

If you are looking for ideas for Christmas markets to attend in Paris during the holidays this year, I recommend reading this useful article on Christmas markets in Paris: http://bit.ly/2gg788d

maitaitom

Christmas in Paris is magical. Although it has been ten years, it seems like yesterday that we spent a week there at Christmastime. Below is a link to our week in Paris (and one day in Reims) in words and photos...and below that is a little video I made of the trip. Have a wonderful time.

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/france-2006/</B>

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/paris-video-2006/</B>

kerouac

The Champs Elysées Christmas market has been extended unreasonably -- all the way to January 8th. If merchants are such whores, they should make it last at least until spring.

Christina

In the US, it's the opposite, all that ends right after the holidays, but it starts right have Thanksgiving. I guess in Paris now they have it both ends.

I'm always amazed at how many people need to buy more and more and more Christmas ornaments and all that Christmas kitsch year after year. After all, you can only use it for a few weeks of the year. Specialty food products might be more interesting.

this website says the one at La Defense is the most beautiful for some reason
http://www.marches-noel.org/marches-de-noel-a-paris/#

fuzzbucket

There are 3 stands selling actual Christmas decorations on the Champs-Elysees, if anyone wants to avoid a trip.

Can't imagine why anyone would want to try to smuggle several kilos of dried deer sausage or half a wheel of Emmenthaler back home to Mom and Dad, though.

I'd avoid the dried fruit.

denisea

It used to start right after Thanksgiving in the US, these days, it starts right after Halloween around here!