We are planning on spending Christmas Eve thru December 30 in either London or Paris. Can't decide on which one. I have been to both cities several times but never for Christmas. Please send feedback (pros, cons, etc.) (I have one week to confirm flight reservations.) THANKS!!

Consider which city you like best in general and then do that one for christmas. I've not been to London at Christmas but we were in Paris a couple of years ago. Normally you'd expect Paris to have something of an edge weather-wise but that was the year of the tempest that tore down trees in Versailles and generally wreacked havoc all over the place. Even given that, we had a swell time and had no problem finding things open and things to do both on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Enjoy.

London closes down for Christmas. There is no public transport on Christmas Day and reduced services on the 26th, while nearly everything else closes on Christmas Day. In France, New Year is the big celebration, Christmas Day is much like a Sunday, and the 26th is not even a public holiday. This year, Christmas Day is a Saturday, so the UK gets 27 and 28 December as public holidays instead of the 25th and 26th; in France, it's hard luck if a holiday falls over a weekend, so 27 and 28 December will officially be normal working days.

Paris is pretty much the opposite of London -- yes, stores and some restaurants are closed, but many places (including even some museums) are open. You will need a reservation well in advance for Christmas Eve dinner, as that's a big night out in Paris.

For a sampling of Paris at Christmas time, check out last year's report from Metropole Paris:

http://www.metropoleparis.com/2003/850/850scen2.html

As the season draws nearer, you'll find the same type of listings posted for this year. Also check the Paris tourist office web site which lists museums open and and closed on the holiday.

We have gone to London or Paris every year for the past ten years. Since we are very familiar with both we always manage to enjoy either one. London is a good choice because we usually have theatre tickets for 5 or 6 shows. I don't think that is possible in Paris. But Paris is Paris and we have a grand visit there as well. We don't worry about the weather whatever it is. And we walk around a lot and stop in pubs or cafes or shops.
By the way, this Christmas in London we have theatre tkts for Dec 26,27,28,29 so far. We may visit Greenwich and Brighton as well. London has this, Paris has that.