People often want to know if they are going to see the Christmas decorations in Paris when their trip is not exactly at Christmas.

Here are the dates for various things this year :

The Champs Elysées will be illuminated from 24 November 2006 to 31 January 2007.

Twenty market streets throughout Paris will be illuminated from 1 December 2006 to 17 January 2007.

Rue Lepic from 1 December 2006 to 17 January 2007.

Place Vendôme, rue de la Paix, rue de Castiglione from 30 November 2006 to 8 January 2007.

Avenue Montaigne & rue Saint Honoré from 24 November 2006 to 7 January 2007.

Bon Marché department store from 17 November 2006 to 31 December 2006.

Galeries Lafayette & Printemps department stores from 2 November 2006 to 31 December 2006.

Skating rink at Hôtel de Ville from 2 December 2006 to 4 March 2007.

Skating rink at Montparnasse from 2 December 2006 to 4 March 2007.

Christmas markets at various dates at Maison de l'Alsace (Champs Elysées), La Défense, Place de la Nation, Place Saint Sulpice, Place Saint Germain-des-Prés, and (subject to the advancement of the renovation works for the TGV-Est) Gare de l'Est.

Thank you, Kerouac! Now I'm even more excited about our Paris trip in December, sounds even more romantic...

Thanks Kerouac!!!! I'm leaving on 11/30 for paris. Any way I can get the dates for those markets?

Try www.parisinfo.fr for the Christmas market dates. I believe that the various starting dates are 29 Nov, 2 Dec or 8 Dec, depending on the locations. You will also find the list of all of the Christmas concerts on the website.

If anyone feels they can't live without seeing Christmas decorations now, a window fully decorated for the festive season can be admired in our [cornish] village!!!!

no, i didn't believe it either and had to reverse the car for another look.

Kerouac-So nice to have those dates for the lucky ones who will see the Christmas lights first hand. Sob, it won't be me!

Great information Kerouac. It won't be me this year...but maybe next!

Any thoughts on finding listings for free concerts in Paris in December?
Thanks!
letour

ttt

Just got back from Paris last Sunday. The department store were all starting to decorate and most of the windows were covered, being prepared for Christmas window decor. I went into Bouchora on Blvd. Haussmann and it was ..I'm guessing about the 6th..all my days were running together, LOL, and they were playing Christmas songs and I got the Christmas bag when they gave me my purchases. I also saw signs for markdows etc...don't know what that was about because I thought that wasn't legal?..Anyway, commercialism strikes, even in Paris.