I will be in Paris for about 10 days at Christmas with my daughter (24). I have looked at Fodor's books and familiar with all the standard tourist spots. Question: *Where to have Christmas dinner on a student budget? <BR>*Special things to consider experiencing at this time of year in Paris. <BR>*Chartes a good cathedral/town to visit? ?

Check with the American Church in Paris. it's also a valuable expat community resource. There might be some kind of group Christmas dinner going on that you could join.

Here's an enthusiastic "Yes!" to the suggestion of a visit the cathedral in Chartres. Do a search on this board to learn more. Try to go on a bright day, take binoculars (to get a good look at the stained glass windows), and do one of the tours with Malcolm Miller.

Of course Chartres is a good cathedral town to visit, it's one of the most famous cathedrals in the world!!!! That was its main attraction to me, though, other than that it's just a small unremarkable town. Special things to consider -- just the nice decorations and lights on some major streets and dept store windows, ice rink in front of Hotel de Ville and some outstanding musical concerts in various churches would be my suggestions. As for dinner on a student budget, that's tough because I'm not sure what will be open on Christmas (I'd guess the more expensive places are more likely to be open). I've got several suggestions, one you may think weird, but there is a good, cheap Algerian restaurant Chez Omar in the 3rd arr. that is very popular, attractive, and good and I'm thinking it might be open (if you like couscous). Your best bet might be the Chez Clement restaurant chain -- this is a very moderately priced French restaurant chain (quite a few in Paris so should be one near you) with very pretty and comfortable restaurants with a variety of things on the menu (lots of seafood, it seems, but other stuff); it's nicer than a cafe/coffee shop type place and I know they are open a lot (Christmas Eve I know they are so maybe Christmas) so I think that might be your best bet and you can contact them from their web site to ask (www.chezclement.com). My final suggestion is a personal one which you probably won't go for, but it is one of my most favorite restaurants in Paris (a traditional French bistro) which is not in a touristy area, the people are friendly and the restaurant is very cozy and warm (neighborhood locals, students, families) and the food is outstanding and very cheap for what you get--ie, complete dinner from aperitif, appetizer ... through dessert (they even serve profiteroles, hard to find at all anymore) plus wine for only about 200F--they could well be closed, of course, but you could call (45-77-85-06) Bistro Champetre. They are only a couple blocks south of metro stop Charles Michels in the 15th arr. You might want to give them a try some other night if not Christmas. Most of the places open will tend to be hotel dining rooms, I think, and they will be more expensive.

My husband and I were in Paris last year at Christmas time. The Champs Elysee was a fairland of lights and is not to be missed at that time of year. Hotel deville was charmingly decorated and had an ice rink. <BR> <BR>There are many "winter" foods only available at this time also. The Pot au feu warmed the soul. <BR> <BR>It's just a lovely time to visit. How I wish I could go back again this year! <BR> <BR>Have fun...