We'll be in Paris December 27-January 2, and checked Fodor's to learn about experiences of others around this time. And WOW, were we ever amazed to find the fabulous video of Maitaitom! Thanks so much, Tom, not only for that, but for all the other pictorial travelogues which we can't wait to explore. We, too, have a passion for travel, and have been to many of the same areas as you guys, and are hoping to experience others.

We picked up that Maitaitom and his lovely wife are planning to spend Christmas week in Paris also, so it must be wonderful. We've been to that magnificent city a few times at different seasons, but never over Christmas week. This trip we are staying in the 6th Arr., hoping to be within walking distance of a lot of restaurants, etc. If anyone has any suggestions of places they particularly liked, or other ideas about specialty things to do at Christmas, we'd really appreciate your ideas.

We've read the previous posts about Paris at Christmas, and again want to say a big thanks to all the Fodorites who've shared experiences, but especially to Maitaitom for his wonderful video. We'll, no doubt, watch it a few more times to keep up our excitement.

We had such a great time in Paris last year at Christmas. Check out Le Comptoir at the Relais St Germain...at that time there are no reservations (which is a good thing, actually). The food is wonderful...get the lobster bisque, if they have it. We stayed across the street and loved the area so much. We had drinks at Le Danton pretty much everyday.

We just enjoyed the windows and the Christmas markets. Maybe the best was our Berthillon ice cream in the park behind Note Dame.

If the Hotel Crillon has not closed when you are there, the brunch at Les Ambassadeurs is wonderful.

We also love L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon...the food is 5 star without the uptight, fussy setting. We have always gone to the one in the 7th, but there is a new one near the ADT.

you can search for "Christmas In Paris was fantastic" for our T/R...have a great time.

Thanks for your suggestions, denisea. Glad to hear that your Paris trip last year was great. We're adding your ideas to our list. The tip about the brunch at Les Ambassadeurs at Hotel Crillon sounds good. We'll check out your T/R.

We stayed near the Odeon metro stop and there were 4 hotels right there...we were at Hotel Louis II, Relais St Germain, across the street, Odeon Hotel one street over and Odeon St Germain, down rue St Sulpice. Very convenient and fun...we walked to Notre Dame and many sites, but were so close to the Metro stop. Lots of cafes around, plus Gerard Mulot.

There is a second (part two) T/R, as well. Photo links are in the two T/Rs. You will see...we loved it. You will have a great time...we go back over Thanksgiving this year.

Well Christmas in Paris is nice like anytime but in several sojourns there at Noel I find nothing really special after Christmas day - some lights but nothing like I expected - a great time to go no doubt and Christmas Day is not quiet but really great with folks going about all over town - really crowded in the streets.

We've checked out the trip reports on Christmas in Paris, and have gotten many good ideas. Thanks to all who have posted their experiences.

We'll be there over New Years'Eve and New Years'Day. Has anyone been there over these days, and if so, are their any suggestions as to things going on and good locations for celebration? Are most things open on New Year's Day? We'd appreciate any suggestions.

One thing that's good to know is that public transportation is free throughout the Paris metropolitan area from 5pm on December 31st until noon on January 1st, and a lot of it operates throughout the night.

Thanks for that tip, kerouac! It gives a lot of leeway for planning.

If you see two bundled up Californians looking for a wine bar that will be us. First bottle is on me! We've been both the week before and the week after Christmas. Both were nice. Of course, before Christmas is more festive, and after Christmas some of the restaurants are closed that week, but we had a great time and hope to again this year.

We arrive (if I don't croak in NYC in Oct.) on Christmas Eve. We'll go over to Notre-Dame in the evening and take a zoomed-in photo of the big screen outside, and then tell everyone back home that we attended the service. Right now I am teaching Tracy the "Gold Ring Scam" so we can pick up some extra spending money.

Have a great trip, and we might run into you (don't pick up the ring, though).

Maitaitom, we'll look forward to your zoomed-in photo of Midnight Mass on the big screen outside Notre Dame, because we'll still be at home in the midwest until Dec. 26. And we won't tell!

We'll be on the lookout for a bundled-up California couple searching for a wine bar, or sipping cappuchino in some cafe on a Parisian street. You may spot a midwest-looking similarly bundled-up couple doing the same. And we won't pick up the gold ring!

We've been spending Christmas week in NYC for a few years, and were in the process of booking this year's trip, when we thought about Christmas in Paris. Thanks again for your trip reports and great video which helped confirm our decision. Ringing in the New Year in Paris should be fun.

When we return from our fall trips, maybe we can chat a bit more about Paris. Meantime, have a great trip to NYC, a fun city at any time of year.