We are going to be in Paris on Christmas Day. I see that the Eiffel Tower is open on Christmas Day, but am wondering if anyone knows if the two resturants are open? I will email them and see but wanted to check here as well.
Thanks!
Dawn

Hi dawnnoelm. Can't help you with restaurants on Christmas Day, but I was just wondering: did you settle on the apartment on the left bank (I think that's where it was) or the one on rue des Petits Champs?

Anselm

We were in Paris last Christmas and I'm pretty sure the Eiffel Tower restaurants are closed.

I, too, am interested in your final apartment choice. Great time to be in Paris, you'll really enjoy it.

Hi dawn,

We are planning a trip to Paris/Rome over Christmas & New years. In the pre-planning stage now. I think we will arrive on the 26th.

This has nothing to do with your restaurant question (sorry.) We will be looking for stuff to do also, so I hope to get info from your question as well.

AnselmAdorne -

We ended up with an apartment via VRBO - because the one that I wanted that you recommended was not available from December 23 - Jan. 2 - so we would have had to move mid trip. I was toying with going from LHR to Amsterdam on the 23 - 27 and then to London 27-28 and down to Paris on 28-2 but dh really wants to stay in one place this time.
We traveled with the two girls last June/July in Europe and we were worn out by doing 4 stops in about 19 days.

I even looked into "Christmas" breaks in the Cotswold area as I thought we could stay in London on the 23 - and then go on a "Christams Break" from the 24-27 but it was about 8,000.00 USD for the 6 of us. Too much for us.

I loved the apartments over in the 7th on one of the recommended agencies but they only rent for week to week during the holiday and again, the price was close to 1,000 USD a night. I know I am traveling with 6 persons but really needed to bring it lower.
So here it http://www.vrbo.com/112368

I do not think it is half as nice as the other apartment but it seemed to be the best I could do for the price range and the fact we want three "real" bedrooms. (or the alcove as in the other apartment)

It is 3150 EUROS for the 10 nights - so around 500.00 USD a night for us based on the current exchange rate. Not bad for 6 persons - so around 83.00 a night per person. Of course we don't get to split it up LOL - the bill is ours :-?

Regarding the resturants -- it does not appear it is open on christmas day - that is okay -- I am just researching different things to do on Christmas day.

On the 24 I want to get up and go to the Christmas markets and hit the market to buy our "stuff" for the week.

25 - open - we might (gasp) do Disney Euro if the weather is okay --- I would prefer NOT to but my girls are high on that idea. That is why I seeking alternatives... and found out the tower is open that day

26 - we are going to Caen to the World War 11 museum

27 - London early am for one night -
Marriott County Hall on points

28 London all day - come back in evening

29 Paris

30 Reims - Tour Ruinart caves/cellars or stay in Paris - depends on mood - have 10:00 am reservations

31 Paris

1 Paris

2 home to LAX...

I will say that there is a possiblity I will be staying on for an additional 10 nights or so with our youngest dd. It depends on what kind of airfare I can get back ... I will have to wait till the winter sales are out.

I want to go to Munich for a few nights and then to Amsterdam...we shall see.

Thanks for asking - more then you needed to know eh?

CW - I am excited -- I know it is far away -- but I love the history in Europe - and just the "feel".

Nolefan,

How long are you going to be in Paris again? Did you ever find an apartment in Rome?? You are going to do the over night train right?

We will be there the same time

Did you settle on a place to stay in Paris? The apartment that AnselmAdorne recommended is FANTASTIC as are the owners.

Dawn,

The Jacquemart-Andre Museum, the Natural History Museum (at the Jardin des Plantes), and the Pompidou Center are all open on Christmas Day.

We went to the Jacquemart-Andre, had lunch there (didn't make reservations), walked down to see the department store windows, and strolled around before going home and getting ready to go out to dinner Christmas night. We passed quite a few open cafes in the morning on our way to the museum.

So there are alternatives to Disney! I also think the large zoo at Vincennes is open and the small menagerie at Jardin des Plantes is also open.

CW - we have annual passes to Disneyland in California. It is the LAST place I want to spend the day. I believe I can win this one -- so thank you for the other ideas!

Oh and the apartment is on
Rue des Ecoles - I hope that it is an okay location!

I looked at the apartment and it looks nice. You're actually pretty close to the Jardins des Plantes. But it's a good lively location, convenient for walking and the metro. I think you'll enjoy it.

We walked around Christmas eve afternoon. It was fun to see the Parisians all out doing errands for the holiday. There was no manic rush like we have here at home. Lines at some of the nicer bakeries and cheese shops were well out the door and down the street. So shop early in the day.

Christmas morning the small but very well stocked little grocery near us (we were in the 7th) was open and so was the nearby bakery. Many more eating places were open than I thought there would be. No danger of starving in Paris!

You have a busy schedule but no one will get bored, that's for sure.

If it was just dh and I...the schedule would look MUCH different..one of these days just he and I will make it Europe

Thanks for the feedback on the apartment. It looks okay.

Good news on not everything being shut down as well