crepes_a_go_go

I have just booked a very spur of the moment trip to Paris during my children's Thanksgiving school break. Does anyone know of anything that happens around this time of year, maybe Christmas related for instance, that we might want to check out? Any place lighted up specially or maybe Christmas themed shows or something of the sort? We will be doing some touristy things because this will be the first trip for my 11 year old. We will NOT be looking for a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving day. Our favorite Thanksgiving so far was last year spent in London so that we didn't have to face turkey and dressing! But other than that, we are open to anything fun and/or interesting.

All of my previous trips to France have been during the months of April, May and June so I've never researched much for this time of year. I was really glad to read the thread today about the time change there, but I will miss all those wonderful hours of daylight! But maybe I will be able to get to sleep before 1 or 2 am if it gets dark earlier than 10.30pm. And I can't imagine it staying dark so late in the mornings - that will be interesting to experience.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Iza

We were in Paris last year for Thanksgiving and did not see a lot of Christmas related things going on. I guess Parisians don't give in to the American craze of making the Christmas season last for 2 or 3 months ;-). As a matter of fact, it felt more like early fall in Paris rather than early winter. A lot of the leaves were still on the trees and it was very warm.

Our 10 year old daughter "celebrated" the Thanksgiving evening by going up to the highest platform on the Eiffel Tower and experiencing the lights (we had an apartment right nearby).

Seamus

Last year at Thanksgiving we saw some Christmas merchandise in the stores, and the beginning of installation of outside Christmas decorations, but the christmas markets were not opening until later in December.
If you are interested, there is a restaurant in the Marais named Thanksgiving that serves traditional American turkey dinner.

Underhill

We were in Paris over Thanksgiving in 2001, and Galeries Lafayette already had their marvelous Christmas decorations up--gorgeous windows and red-light trees marching along the sidewalk. Trees were up in the rotonde of the Champs-Elysées, and quite a few smaller stores and restaurants had lights outside. It was lovely.

jay

There are several city of paris web sites you can go to. I have the bookmarks at work and will be in the UK until the 2nd of Nov. I can email them but I am sure you can find them on the net. If you send me an email as a reminder I can send them to you. have fun.

Flyboy

Well, 0ne of my favorite things about that time of year in Paris is Beaujolais Nouveau , but I don't suppose that would be very helpful for the kids.

Since I saw your other post and saw that you were looking at the Nation-Republique area, here's something cultural and interesting that is in that general neighborhood:

http://www.cirquedhiver.com/

I think you could contact your hotel about how to reserve tickets. The neighborhood will be plastered with posters when you arrive, so there will be no point in pretending you don't know about it!

ira

Hi crepes,

Lucky you. You will be there for "le Jour de Merci Donnant".

See http://www.people.virginia.edu/~pm9k...s/artrech.html

crepes_a_go_go

Thanks all! I hate that the city won't be all dolled up for the holidays, but I am glad to know that there are places on earth that have not commercialized Christmas to death like we have here in the US.

Flyboy says "Well, 0ne of my favorite things about that time of year in Paris is Beaujolais Nouveau."

Flyboy, you are right that the lure of the Beaujolais for the kids, but what a bonus for me! Thanks for reminding me of this!

TC

One of the best things about Paris in November - NO TOURISTS! We spent Thanksgiving there a few years ago and it was wonderful to waltz into Notre Dame or The Louvre without lines a mile long or taking the train to Versailles to tour the Palace without huge lines.

We found a few small shops starting the Christmas season, however I found it refreshing that Christmas retail hadn't been in full swing since July - like here in the States.

Here are a few web sites with "Paris for Kids" information.
http://www.parisdigest.com/menus/with.htm
http://www.webscapades.com/france/pa...r-children.htm
http://www.franceminiature.com/anglais/index.htm
http://www.paris-tourism.com/kids/

crepes_a_go_go

Yes, yes, yes TC! We love traveling in the off season to avoid tourists. And we love to travel in the winter as we prefer the cold to the heat of summer with no a/c. We are all hot natured people from the South, and we do love our A/C. We try not to go anywhere without it! LOL

Beatchick

Seamus, I was just going to suggest Thanksgiving for Thanksgiving!

I wonder how traditional is the feast?

Thanksgiving
14, rue Charles V
75004 Paris

Epicerie Anglaise
02 33 21 16 76
[email protected]
http://www.thanksgivingparis.com/

Beatchick

Wow - I've been skimming thru the website. This place is awesome! I love the descriptions for traditional American desserts:

<u><b>DESSERTS</b></u>
tous nos desserts sont faits maison


<b>new york cheesecake</b>
le vrai cheesecake newyorkais

<b>mississippi mud pie</b>
tarte au chocolat noir avec une point de caf&eacute; et des cacahu&egrave;tes

<b>pecan pie</b>
tarte au noix de pecan, comme cela se fait au sud

<b>carrotcake</b>
g&acirc;teau aux carottes avec une gla&ccedil;age de cream cheese vanill&eacute;

<b>chocolate chip banana cake</b>
g&acirc;teau &agrave; la banane avec p&eacute;pites de chocolat

<b>louisiana bread pudding</b>
une sorte de pain perdu servi ti&egrave;de avec une sauce au bourbon

ira

Hey beatchick,

Thanks for the menu.

It was so odd seeing the name in English and the description in French.

moondoggie

You will LOVE Paris at Thanksgiving--this will be the second time we're going during that week. And, if you're an Eggs Benedict fan, the Thanksgiving restaurant is famous for them.

Ronda

We are leaving on Thanksgiving for Paris for four days! Our son (26) will be meeting us there. It will be his first time and we are all so excited to be going! We aren't looking for Turkey either but Beaujolais is right up our alley!

I am looking forward to seeing all the Christmas lights. We were there last year on the 1st of November and they were just starting to put them up.

Beatchick

My favorite description, Ira, is for the carrotcake: g&acirc;teau aux carottes avec une gla&ccedil;age de cream cheese vanill&eacute;.

Such a complicated description for such a very simple name (en Anglais).