Paris Christmas vacation--
 

We will be in Paris over winter break (family of 4 - two teens) and I have a few questions. (I've just done a Fodor's search but didn't find exactly what I needed)--
1) What is there to do in Paris on Christmas Day? Can anyone recommend restaurants that will be open?
2) Hotel ideas for quadruples or connecting rooms? My research suggests that the 6th or 7th would be good places to stay but that isn't written in stone. I have contacted several hotels that were recommended here and on TripAdvisor but have not heard back.
3) Can we expect museums, etc., to be very busy at that time of year?
Thanks.

We spent Christmas in Paris and had a wonderful time despite the cold weather. Attend Christmas Eve mass at Notre Dame - arrive early and scoot up the side right aisle to get as far front as possible...

The city comes alive after 5:00 on Xmas day - all shops and a lot of restaurants are open. The Eiffel tower is open and the green and red tour busses run all day....

Try Residence des Arts in the 6th district; it has very spacious rooms for 4 people (from what I've read).

Christmas in Paris is wonderful. The large department stores decorate their windows--and buildings--to the nines, and so do many small stores and restaurants. There's a huge tree in the Place Vendôme, and everything is very festive.

A fair number of restaurants are open on Christmas Day; check back around October, when web sites will have the information.

There have been several questions here about quad rooms or connecting rooms. But I would recommend the Hotel Mansart, in the 1st, for real Paris atmosphere. We had a superior twin room that had a connecting door to the room next door, and that would do very nicely for you. Staying in the 1st would put you near the department stores, the decorations along the Champs-Elysées, and other areas of interest (not to mention the Louvre). Museums won't be empty, as many Europeans come to Paris for Christmas, but it certainly won't be the summer crowds.

Hmmm, I hadn't even thought about Christmas Eve. If restaurants re-open after five on the 25th, when do they close on the 24th?

Taking church services out of the equation, any other ideas? Movie theatres will be open, n'est pas?

..a bit off the subject but..my sister visited me in paris at christmas (i cant help you with restaurants as she was staying with me and we ate at home before visiting friends in the country)..although from new england,she found paris cold (..it was and can be very damp)...so just bring hats, mitts and layer..you will be fine..paris is magical at any time and christmas in paris has its own special magic.

Hi
Hotel dining rooms will be open on Christmas eve and day, but many of them are pricey, don't know if that will fit your budget. Many restaurants also close on the day after C'mas, especially since this year that is a Sunday.

The Eiffel Tower is open on Christmas day, as for anything other attractions, I can't say.

You could also go ice-skataing on the rink by the Hôtel de Ville.

Have you given any thought to renting an apartment? Do a search on this forum. There are many places that rent apartments from daily to weekly to monthly. I have done it for as little as 3 days (at Christmastime).

I was there last X'mas.
1. Eiffel Tower is open on X'mas day. That's about it for sight scene. But you can always walk around and explore this lovely city. We went to Eiffel Tower early in the morning to beat the crowd. Had french fries (or freedom fries) with mayonnnaise (wonderful!) on our way to Palais De Chaillot, which is the other side of the tower. Then we had wonderful lunch at Cafe du Trocadero. We found this cafe from our map (If you live in the states, suggest you to get a Paris map from auto club. They mark their choices with price level. They are all good!) In the evening we went to Opera de Paris Garnier to watch a ballet. (You probably need to book some night event in advance.) Then had dinner in another wonderful restaurant nearby.

2. Sorry cannot suggest accommodation for 4 people.

3. Yes the museums will be busy. The trick is to get a Paris pass, then you don't need to wait in line - just walk in! Not to mention it is a $ saver. We got ours at a subway station.

4. You've got to dine in Chartier. One of Fodor's choices. It is nothing you expected, full of surprises yet excitement. Try their steak tartar (spelling may be wrong). O, get there early. You don't want to wait in line for an hour.

Have fun!

TTT

We were in Paris this last Christmas and had a blast. we stayed at the excelsior in the 5th which has quads. Mass at Notre Dame on Christmas eve is a sight to see and experience. i would suggest the earlier childrens mass. the lines for the later masses are very long. The christmas market at lehalles is also fun. The stores are crazy with people. We ended up leaving on Christmas day and driving to Strasbourg for 5 days which was also fun. Paris museums are always very busy so christams is no exception. Not all restaurants are open on Christmas eve or day but a few are. my suggestion would be to find a place that will be open and make reservations. For a real gas at Christmas try Rome. Email me with any questions.