Christmas in Paris was fantastic!
Feb 26th, 2011, 06:22 AM
#61
Great trip report!
I stopped at Starbucks a lot, even though I don't usually at home. It was a great spot to rest for a while and use a very clean bathroom.
The chocolate croissants in the freezer section at Trader Joe's are great too. You let them rise overnight before baking. Amazing.
I stopped at Starbucks a lot, even though I don't usually at home. It was a great spot to rest for a while and use a very clean bathroom.
The chocolate croissants in the freezer section at Trader Joe's are great too. You let them rise overnight before baking. Amazing.
Feb 27th, 2011, 06:17 PM
#62
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starrs...OK that's the second time I have heard that about the Trader Joe's pain au chocolat! Gonna have to check that out soon! A bit of Paris at home sounds good about now!!
merci!
merci!
Feb 27th, 2011, 08:24 PM
#63
Someone said that they same folks do the Wms-Sonoma croissants. Don't know. Just know TJ's are great. I took them for the big house party/Thanksgiving this year and they were a big hit! This last time I bought the mini-croissants. Haven't tried them yet but am tempted every time I open the freezer door 
Whatever you do, don't read the side of the box for the nutritional info. You don't wanna know
That's why they are so good
Whatever you do, don't read the side of the box for the nutritional info. You don't wanna know
That's why they are so good
Feb 28th, 2011, 05:13 AM
#64
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You saw my T/R...are you kidding? If I am going to enjoy my food, I never read the nutritional label! I'll just run an extra mile or two but with French pastry , you can pretty much assume it's not diet food!
Apr 10th, 2011, 08:30 AM
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Denisea,
I just read your trip report again because my mother in law and I decided to spend our Christmas in Paris this year. You made Christmas in Paris so exciting! Thanks. I can't wait to try Marco Polo and Le Comptoir.
I just read your trip report again because my mother in law and I decided to spend our Christmas in Paris this year. You made Christmas in Paris so exciting! Thanks. I can't wait to try Marco Polo and Le Comptoir.
Apr 10th, 2011, 10:38 AM
#66
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cafegoddess...you will enjoy Paris at Christmas. We loved it!
Chaz and I were just talking about Le Comptoir last night. We return to Paris over Thanksgiving this year and will make a point of going back there because I have to have the lobster bisque again and he has to have the beef cheeks again. If I remember correctly, there are no reservations at Christmas time, so go early to get a table. It is very small. The out door seats do come with blankets and over head heaters (I think).
Chaz and I were just talking about Le Comptoir last night. We return to Paris over Thanksgiving this year and will make a point of going back there because I have to have the lobster bisque again and he has to have the beef cheeks again. If I remember correctly, there are no reservations at Christmas time, so go early to get a table. It is very small. The out door seats do come with blankets and over head heaters (I think).
Apr 10th, 2011, 11:02 AM
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My husband is a little concerned about the weather because of his parents age (86 and 85). I told him I will buy them the heaviest silk long johns. I am so excited since we are not going this time of the year.
Thanks denisea for a funny and well written trip report.
Thanks denisea for a funny and well written trip report.
Apr 10th, 2011, 01:04 PM
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You definitely want some good cold weather gear...we both found excellent thin/lightweight underwear to wear under our clothes. I got mine at REI but mostly wore the top, not the bottoms. I can also recommend those little hot hand things...you can get them at REI or even Walmart, but they make them for hands, feet and body. They are good for the really cold days or for extended time outside. Honestly, a truly warm scarf is the my biggest key to staying warm, a hat is second.
We were never really cold for any extended amount of time, even when it was raining. I really think they will be OK but it's a great excuse to stop for vin chaud or a hot chocolate.
I can't wait to see your T/R!
We were never really cold for any extended amount of time, even when it was raining. I really think they will be OK but it's a great excuse to stop for vin chaud or a hot chocolate.
I can't wait to see your T/R!
Nov 1st, 2011, 04:20 PM
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Denisea, just wanted to let you know that, as we're getting more serious about planning for our Christmas Week visit to Paris, we've again read and enjoyed your trip report and pictures. We have a couple of additional questions. Did you make any kind of reservations ahead of time (i.e.from home) for New Years' Eve? We were wondering about planning something within walking distance of our Hotel Le Regent on Rue Dauphine (like dinner and a concert)so that we don't have to rely on transportation with possibly throngs of others. Also, during your stay, did you tend to use the metro or buses to get around? Being wimps, we were wondering which mode of transportation would be a "warmer" option? We appreciate your suggestions, like taking hand and foot warmers. We've been to wonderful Paris several times, but in spring or summer. This will be our first trip at Christmas. We're really looking forward to the experience, but want to be prepared. Thanks again for your great report and for any other additional info you may have.
Nov 1st, 2011, 04:45 PM
#72
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Hi Tomarkot- Always nice to know that your T/R is being read and actually fun to see it revived. We had such a wonderful time....it really was special to be in Paris at Christmas.
I am afraid I will be of no help regarding NYE...we left on 12/27 or 12/28. But your plan sounds like a smart one.
We used the Metro exclusively (OK we took a cab once). We were so close to the Odeon Metro stop, so it was very convenient for us. I do understand that the bus is also easy and we are going to try it out over Thanksgiving this year. Will post back and let you know how it went. I would think if weather is an issue, the Metro might be warmer but with a bus, you would probably be closer to your final destination. It really wasn't bad being outside and I was only really cold twice. (Maybe we were just high from being there and didn't notice it)! I think the thin layers we got from REI to wear under our clothes were our key to staying warm.
You're gonna have a great time. Even though we are going at Thanksgiving, I find myself also wanting to go for Christmas...not enough money or time!
I am afraid I will be of no help regarding NYE...we left on 12/27 or 12/28. But your plan sounds like a smart one.
We used the Metro exclusively (OK we took a cab once). We were so close to the Odeon Metro stop, so it was very convenient for us. I do understand that the bus is also easy and we are going to try it out over Thanksgiving this year. Will post back and let you know how it went. I would think if weather is an issue, the Metro might be warmer but with a bus, you would probably be closer to your final destination. It really wasn't bad being outside and I was only really cold twice. (Maybe we were just high from being there and didn't notice it)! I think the thin layers we got from REI to wear under our clothes were our key to staying warm.
You're gonna have a great time. Even though we are going at Thanksgiving, I find myself also wanting to go for Christmas...not enough money or time!
Nov 1st, 2011, 05:54 PM
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Denisea, thanks so much for your prompt reply. Our Hotel Le Regent is very close to the Odeon metro stop. On Trip Advisor, it has good reviews, so we're hoping! The only downside seems to be very small rooms, but then, many of the little Parisian Hotels seem to be like that. In previous visits, we've stayed in different areas, but this is our first stay around St. Germaine des Pres. We're intend to check out a lot of the restaurants you suggest.
You're probably getting very excited about your upcoming Thanksgiving visit. No matter the time of year, Paris is great to anticipate, isn't it? We wish you a great trip and will look forward to your report.
You're probably getting very excited about your upcoming Thanksgiving visit. No matter the time of year, Paris is great to anticipate, isn't it? We wish you a great trip and will look forward to your report.
Nov 2nd, 2011, 03:41 AM
#74
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We really love the SGDP area. There were a few new restaurants that we didn't get to, as well, that look good. The Christmas market at St Sulpice was also good, especially for food!
I think a tiny room is just part of it...make me more motivated to only be in it to sleep, though. I think the reviews on Trip Advisor are helpful, especially because you can see what is recent and not from 4 years ago!
We are so ready to go...just a few more weeks!
I think a tiny room is just part of it...make me more motivated to only be in it to sleep, though. I think the reviews on Trip Advisor are helpful, especially because you can see what is recent and not from 4 years ago!
We are so ready to go...just a few more weeks!
Nov 2nd, 2011, 06:06 PM
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Hi denisea!
You are returning to Paris this year for Thanksgiving? How exciting!!!! It's been a year and I still think of it every day. I still dream of going during Christmas time.
Have a great time and I can't wait to read your trip report.
BuffaloGirl
You are returning to Paris this year for Thanksgiving? How exciting!!!! It's been a year and I still think of it every day. I still dream of going during Christmas time.
Have a great time and I can't wait to read your trip report.
BuffaloGirl
Nov 2nd, 2011, 07:28 PM
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Hi Buffalo Girl- I just commented to Judy that I miss your thread from last year! We are going over Thanksgiving and are going to the Thanksgiving dinner at Violon D'Ingres. Very excited!
(Hanging on to the thought of it tightly as I just got to my hotel and the reservation is screwed up and I am in a smoking room for tonight...ah, the glamour of business travel).
(Hanging on to the thought of it tightly as I just got to my hotel and the reservation is screwed up and I am in a smoking room for tonight...ah, the glamour of business travel).
Nov 3rd, 2011, 07:00 AM
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denisea, it's fun to see this thread still going! We were in Paris at the same time last Christmas and stayed over for New Year's Eve. It's great to see you are going back to Paris for Thanksgiving! We're going back for Christmas again this year. It's such a special place to spend Christmas, isn't it?!
P.S. If anyone needs a Paris fix order the chocolate croissants from Williams-Sonoma. They are spectacular and less than $2 a piece!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produ...late-croissant
P.S. If anyone needs a Paris fix order the chocolate croissants from Williams-Sonoma. They are spectacular and less than $2 a piece!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produ...late-croissant
Nov 3rd, 2011, 09:40 AM
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Look at the above post from tomarkot re: NYE questions, maybe you can help there BeachGirl. It is fun to see the thread come back to life! We leave in 2 1/2 weeks...so ready to be there!!
Nov 3rd, 2011, 09:57 AM
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I'm looking forward to hearing about the restaurants this trip, denisea. Especially the one's that Joan has recommended!
Paris in 47 days for me...feels like eternity!
tomarkot, NYE transportation stays open late, past midnight? I believe. Dining in your neighborhood or walking distance is highly recommended. The cabs have so much difficulty getting around (one year what was a 20 min cab ride to the restaurant was a ~3 hour~ ride back to the hotel! Metro is too crowded for us on NYE and full of boisterous revelers. Last year we walked to our restaurant and it wasn't too cold and didn't have to worry about buses/cabs/metro. If you have restaurants in mind check out their NYE menu and prices before reserving.
Regarding transportation, we've used the metro for longer distances but love to walk Paris. However, after reading gracejoan3's ongoing report we will take the buses this trip. Hope this helps.
Enjoy planning!
Paris in 47 days for me...feels like eternity!
tomarkot, NYE transportation stays open late, past midnight? I believe. Dining in your neighborhood or walking distance is highly recommended. The cabs have so much difficulty getting around (one year what was a 20 min cab ride to the restaurant was a ~3 hour~ ride back to the hotel! Metro is too crowded for us on NYE and full of boisterous revelers. Last year we walked to our restaurant and it wasn't too cold and didn't have to worry about buses/cabs/metro. If you have restaurants in mind check out their NYE menu and prices before reserving.
Regarding transportation, we've used the metro for longer distances but love to walk Paris. However, after reading gracejoan3's ongoing report we will take the buses this trip. Hope this helps.
Enjoy planning!
