barbmc

I have been to Paris in the Summer. How does the time between Christmas and New Years compare?

I would assume all the outdoor markets are inside as well as flea markets, etc. What about sidewalk cafes?

missypie

Ah, 1988...we were so in love...the most romantic week of my life.

The temps ranged from a day time high of 28 degrees (F) to a high of around 50 degrees. (It's okay, because you know it will be cold and you pack accordingly.)

New Years Eve in Paris was the wildest thing I've ever seen. We ended the night OUTSIDE at a sidewalk cafe in the Latin Quarter (until 4 am), just watching what was going on.

Note that the city was very crowded with tourists, and as New Years Eve approached, it got even more crowded. There were few American tourists, but there were lots of people from all parts of Europe.

stragic

My husband and I were in Paris December 26-31, 2001. Our memories from that trip are of a dark, wet, and bitterly cold city.

We didn't shop at any markets as we were there to see the main tourist sites. The best part of visiting the city during this time was that Paris was decorated with millions of white Christmas lights which were very beautiful.

I returned to Paris in May 2003 and I'm glad I did. Now I can remember Paris as sunny and warm with beautiful gardens. We're returning in September so we'll see what that time of year holds.

missypie

Stragic is right about it being rather dark...I don't recall that we had any sunny days.

Julienas

most attractions are closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Two exceptions: the Eiffel Tower, and the Jacquemart-Andre museum.
Some places will close early on Christmas eve. Some but not all restaurants change their menu and prices for NYE.

For past trends in temperatures, you can check www.weatherbase.com, but that won't guarantee future weather of course.

scatcat

My nephew was in Paris for New Year's Eve last year. It was extremely cold, but he swears he's never had more fun in his life. He has already booked the same time this year. He also went to Venice ditto on the cold.

Maribel

We've done Paris during the holidays several times lately.

Disadvantages:
Gets dark early, wet, damp, sometimes incredibly chilly, even bitterly, achingly cold (need silk underware, lots of layers, a good hat). Some of the top dining destinations are closed until Jan. 7-8. NYE dinner a very costly affair.

The selling points:
All the museums have major shows, fewer crowds (except over NYE wkd.), concerts galore in all churches plus creches, sometimes elaborate, like the Sicilian creche at Eglise St. Sulpice, carrousels abound in the squares, Gala opera or concert on New Year's Eve at the Bastille, internationally renowned performers in the theaters (such as the Theatre Champs Elysees), yummy Buche de Noel and galette des rois displayed in the patisserie windows, degustations galore of champagne on New Year's Eve at the major dept. store food courts and wine stores, highly creative Xmas displays in the Grand Magasins display windows, Christmas market in Place St. Germain, some sidewalk cafes even open with heaters to keep one warm, it sometimes even snows, which is even more magical, white lights adorn the entire Champs Elysees and everyone seems to be in a jolly, festive mood despite the cold.

I actually love Paris during the holidays!

psulli

We spent last New Year's in Paris and it was wonderful. One of the most memorable things was a light snow that made the city look like a fairytale. It was on the cold side but a warm jacket and a warm glass of wine did the trick. It was wonderful not fighting the crowds and the city was lite up to it's finest...many streets decorated by famous artist in lights. I'm looking forward to going again at that time of year. We even found a cafe with heaters to sit outside one day and watch the world go by. It's a different experience than going in the summer but one that can we just as nice.

kswl

We went to Paris this past year for a long weekend spanning New Year's Eve. For us, it was a last minute trip both to get away and celebrate DH's birthday on Jan. 2, so we really didn't care about the weather. And we're not really party people, so we didn't go with the idea of celebrating madly on NYeve. We had a great time, with a few nice meals, very chilly, rainy weather and memorable visits to the museums, which are warm and comfortable in winter.


Our first night in Paris it <i>snowed!</i> The Eiffel tower all lit up with its twinkling lights in the snow is a sight we'll never, ever forget.

LoriS

We've spent time in Paris during Christmas and New Year's twice over the past four years and loved it.

New Year's was quite warm--I remember strolling through the Tuilleries with big blue skiess and lots of people about. New Year's in Paris is one of my favorite times there.

A grand dinner at one of the nicer restaurants and the &quot;production&quot; at midnight-then strolling down the Champs-Elysees (I mean right down the middle of it) with a bottle of champagne right afterwards (the restaurants will keep a bottle cold for you if you bring it in for later)--just watch for the broken glass--it's everywhere!

Another time we flew over on Christmas Day. It was cold and sometimes rainy and it even snowed the day we were leaving--a rarity, so I hear--for Paris.

There's lots of cafes open, etc. and the shopping at the big department stores is also fun. Not so sure about the flea markets.

Several years ago, we actually in Versailles instead of Paris. Got great rates at the Trianon Palace and spent most of the time at their spa.

Have a great time!

missypie

I think they still set up carnival rides in the Tuileries over the holidays. Makes it fun of you're of an age to do that sort of thing.

cantstayhome

Sounds like almost everybody enjoyed Paris that time of year - my hubby and I certainly did! In fact, our return flight (via London on BA) was postponed due to bad weather around London. They offered to put us on the next flight (which was much later that night), but we asked if they would put us on a flight two or three days later - which they did, so we stayed.

The lights were wonderful, people seemed to be in a festive mood everywhere we went. Weather was a bit chilly, but not bad. Was rainy just about every day we were there, though. City was not crowded after New Year's Eve.