Looking at options and could use suggestions from those that know Paris sights at Christmas time.

We are over-nighting in Paris December 23rd for convenience. Arrive 22:40 Gare de l'Est and don't depart from Gare Montparnasse until after 13:00 the next day.

We thought it would be fun to take in some of the Christmas sights/cheer after arriving, but weren't sure if any markets would still be active around 23:00 on a Thursday night (we saw Champs and St. Sulpice/St. Germain markets last year, not that we couldn't "repeat"). Any affordable hotels near the Champs Rond-point? I know, not exactly a budget neighborhood, right?!

Would the window displays at les grands magasins, like Galeries Lafayette which we haven't seen before, still be lit up and running at that time of night? If so does anyone have a hotel in the vicinity to recommend, 100-150 euros/nt? Anyone stay at the BW Chaussée d'Antin before?

Otherwise, our original thought was to stay at a reasonable hotel, like an Ibis, at either of the gares--I was leaning towards Montparnasse because I like the area better and it would make departure the next morning very easy, but we would stay at Gare de l'Est area if that made the most sense time-wise dropping off luggage before evening plans.

We aren't going for "charm hotel" just a basic, clean place to overnight at, and a little time out seeing lights and getting in the Christmas spirit; all suggestions appreciated.

Thanks, dan, for the suggestions. I have stayed around the Gare St. Lazare area, but not the Gare du Nord/Gare de l'Est yet.

Klondike - Having never experienced Paris at Christmas time there would only be one option for me - for you it could mean some repeated stuff, but here goes:

Hotel Ibis Esplanade La Defense ( 44 euros about - new rooms on 14th floor). Reason picking this one: Metro directly to Champs Elysees in all it's beauty ( thanks to Kerouac for showing us!) and then I would carry on the same metro line from Concorde say, to Hotel de Ville.
But, on second thoughts I would probably walk up to La Defense because that's bound to be busy - also the view of the Champs & Eiffel Tower from there is awesome! Then I may hop on the metro and zoom down to the Champs for a while.....

I know this thread is rather old, but there are not a lot of comments.... I think this is too late, but in case of, try these hotels : this one http://www.parisiana-hotel.com is right next to gare de l'Est. Prices are affordable (especially if you choose the special 3nights package). The hotel is nice, warm, cosy, with a pleasant staff! A good value for money. As for Montparnasse area, there is the hotel Moulin Vert http://www.hotel-moulinvert.com/. This hotel is comfortable & welcoming. The staff is great. There is a metro station a few minutes on foot from the hotel. The prices are very reasonnable (from 50Euro)!

Ps : The windows of the Grands Magasins are beautiful every year! You'll enjoy them (take some pictures for us ;D )

The window displays of the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann remain active until 1 a.m.

Thank you, all.

We had a pleasant, albeit too short, stop-over in Paris.

We ended up staying at the Holiday Inn gare de l'Est for convenience and it was most pleasant. Service was excellent and the bed very comfortable on a quiet inner courtyard. We would stay here again but would warn you that the less expensive rooms are extremely small, even by European standards, and the breakfast buffet is pricey so some may prefer to breakfast elsewhere. For a one night stay and the convenience of being right at the station it was just what we needed.

Thank you kerouac, we did make it to the Department store windows in time. I was a bit disappointed in the technical quality of some windows, but it was great fun to watch all the children.

Meilleurs Voeux a tous pour le Nouvel An!

Glad you had a good time! The children's awe looking at the windows is the best part. I was sorry to have to make my photo report when no children were around, but it is just not possible to take acceptable photographs in the crowds.