My wife, 18yr old daughter, and myself are going to Paris for the Christmas holidays (Dec 20 thru 27). My wife wants to stay in the Latin Quarter, as she heard it was more "cultural." Any ideas as to which arrondissement we should stay in?

I'm looking for any recommendations re a hotel. Will there be a problem getting a room big enough for the three of us (and luggage)?

We're also looking for any ideas re a restaurant for Christmas Eve & Christmas dinner. I understand it's not as big a deal in Paris as here in the States, so I want to be prepared.

I know it's going to be cold and wool is the watch word! Thanks for any ideas!

t

I would be very interested to hear ideas for restaurants serving Christmas in Paris also.

Christmas Eve will likely have more places open, especially hotel restaurants. We had Christmas Eve dinner at a lovely Chinese restaurant--Chez Vong on Rue de la Truanderie near Les Halles. On Christmas Day we had a nice lunch at Pied de Cochon which is open day and night every day. It's a big, pretty brasserie also near Les Halles. Another place--also a day and night brasserie--that is open is Cafe des Capuchins on Blvd des Capuchins near the Opera. If you do a search here using Christmas Paris Restaurants, you should be able to view old threads where this question has been asked and answered. It comes up frequently.

The Latin Quarter is hardly more cultural, more touristy/studenty, yes, but not more cultural. We like it and stay there at Hotel Parc St. Severin or the Hotel de Notre Dame , but I'm not sure what their situations are with triples. As with most Paris hotels the rooms are pretty small. You could do a good search on the two hotel names.

topping... for K...

Hi Tedalano...any thought to renting an apartment for this period versus a hotel? We have done so in the past and really liked it because it had so much more room and a kitchen so we could buy fruits, bread, cheese, wine, etc. to have on hand for breakfasts or light suppers (a plus if nothing is open on Christmas Day). Having a common living room is a big plus when you just want to kick back with a glass of wine and talk about your day or plan the next one. We used welcome2france.com and also thru VRBO.com. Armed with a great tourguide book and an adventureous spirit, we did not miss a hotel consierge at all. I would be most interested in hearing how the Christmas holidays go for you in Paris. Next year our children will be spending this holiday with the families of their spouses and DH and I are considering the same trip.

Sandyd

We always rent an apartment when in Paris. Last month we stayed at a small,but lovely apartment in the Marais. The apartment is one bedroom,but with a large trundle sofa in the lving room so check our www.historicrentals.com. George the owner is wonderful to work with and lives in Florida.

Christmas dinners are indeed a big deal in Paris, possibly more so than here at home. Many restaurants feature a "reveillon" a celebration with a special menu and Champagne. Often these go on for hours. You'll need to reserve a table very, very soon--ask your hotel for help.

I see you don't have a hotel yet--yikes! Get moving ASAP. Try the Danube, which is in the 6th (left bank).

There are cultural activities in many parts of Paris, including the Latin Quarter. I love staying in the Latin Quarter, which is the 5th arrondissement, because of the young atmosphere due to many students, book stores, small movie theaters and the multitude of restaurants of all types including many ethnic restaurants, cafes and wine bars.

The 6th arrondissement, near the 5th, becomes more upscale with great shopping and still has many restaurants and hotels. Both these neighborhoods are on the left bank and would be good locations for a visit.

One of my most memorable Christmases ever was in Paris. We had a special Christmas lunch at the Jules Verne, half way up the Eiffel tower. It was around 12 courses, and by the time it was finished it was dark outside (only around 4:00 pm or so, I think). The view of the Christmas lights from the restaurant was amazing. We then strolled down the Champs Elysee to recover from lunch. Each tree is covered in thousands of little fairy lights, and the atmosphere was very, very magic.

Re hotels, the Hotel Splendid does a lovely 'mini suite'on the top floor, with a double bed, and a sofa bed for the third. The room is quite small, but there is a balcony with a view of the Eiffel Tower front and centre. At night, when it is illuminated, you will find yourselves simply sitting and staring! It is also in a good area for little food shops and restaurants on the Rue Cler.

Dear Tedalano,
My wife and I stay at the K&K Cayre on the edge of the 6th. A great location IMO and prefer over the 5th buts that's your familys decision. The 5'6'7th are all great locations to stay. The K&K Cayre has an executive room that will sleep three. You can check out their web-site kkhotels.com There will be many restaurants open Christmas Eve and day. We were in Paris last year for x-mas and New Years and had no problem finding wonderful places to dine; even without reservations all over the 6 arr. Though if you want to feel comfortable and have res. I would book a hotel first and then have them recommend and book. Enjoy it's a wonderful time to be in Paris. If you stay in the 5th our favorite dining is La Bastide Odeon. A nice french bistro!

We were in Paris for Christmas a few years ago. Going to Notre Dame that day is wonderful. We had not planned well for dinner on Christmas Eve and ended up in a hotel dining room where the food was good--luckily--so, I would heed prior suggestions. We were also in Paris this summer and Pied de Cochon, previously recommended, is excellent.

I will also be in France in December.

I have stayed in almost every arr. in Paris and have also rented apartments (Vacations in Paris--Security deposit is on credit card and get keys while you are here in the US). My experience is the right bank hotels have smaller hotel rooms the closer you get to the Seine. The largest hotel rooms in central Paris that I have rented have been in the 7th near Invalides and the Eiffel. I prefer Invalides area. My opinion, it is the most central (although quieter at night). St. Germain on one side -- Eiffel on the other. Walk across Alexander Bridge and you are central on right bank. Champs on one side Louvre on the other Madeline/Opera straight ahead with a small curve. Some of the hotels in the 5th, 6th, and 7th have one or two suites in their hotel. I have never stayed there but I think Hotel College Du France in the 5th/6th has a reasonably priced family suite in it's hotel. Just remember, a triple is nothing more than a double with an additional rollaway that is going to take up space.

<<Chistmas --not as big a deal in Paris as here in the States>>.

Christmas in Europe is as big a deal in Europe as it is in the States. It is just different (1/2 my family is in Europe). It is a more relaxed traditional religious celebration vs. the States commercial, shopping madness, party until you are exhausted by Christmas day type celebration. Yes they decorate and give gifts (St. Nicholas)and the Christmas dessert tradition yum-yum.

Midnight Mass is very traditional and important in their celebration of Christmas. You may want to attend if only for the sake of experiencing the culture and the choir.

Paris hotel restaurants usually have good food--some have as much as 3 stars.

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