There's a big fireworks show on New Year's Eve, down by the Thames, but you'll have to purchase tickets beforehand. It's a good show, if you like fireworks and crowds. The problem will be walking back to your hotel : )

Since you're coming off a trans-Atlantic flight, you might be a little more tired than you expect. It might be a good idea to lighten up a little on your first day in Paris.

When it's your turn in the taxi line, hand the driver the complete printed address of your hotel, including the Postal Code, and add "Forfait taxi ____ EU" - depending on your address, you'll pay either 50 EU for the Right Bank (Postal Codes ending in 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,16,17,18,19,20) or 55 EU for the Left Bank (Postal Codes ending in 5,6,7,13,14,15). This way, there will be no confusion.
There is no need to tip the driver unless he helps with the luggage. 1 or 2 EU will be appreciated, no need to give more.

There is no tipping in restaurants, cafes, etc in Paris, though many people will leave the extra small change, if there is any.

>>There's a big fireworks show on New Year's Eve, down by the Thames, but you'll have to purchase tickets beforehand. It's a good show, if you like fireworks and crowds. The problem will be walking back to your hotel : )<<

Save your money and the aggravation. You'll get a much better view on the TV in the comfort of your hotel room.

I would NOT attempt to attend the Thames-side fireworks. As Patrick says -- not only is the view better on TV, the event is a mob scene (Times Square-ish) and public transport in the area is a zoo.

Montmartre is a fun place... we enjoyed walking up the steep streets and poking round the shops
It was winter..dont know how we would've enjoyed it in the heat of summer

When you debark from Eurostar in St Pancras, look for the overhead signs saying "TAXI" and line up behind the other people. Be specific about the address of your hotel - print it, if possible.
Taxis in London might be a little more expensive than in Paris, because there is more ground to cover and more one-way streets.

they still have that New Year's Day Parade with lots of American marching bands (when I saw it a whiles ago)- seemed kind of kitschy but I guess something to do on a day when little I think is open in London.

Some of this isn't specific to the 25th, but some of it is:

http://www.parisinsidersguide.com/ch...is-france.html

I googled Xmas day in Paris and got a lot.

I don't know if it's just me but when google maps showed 40 mins from st germain des pres (where I stayed in Paris) to Eiffel Tower, I ended up taking long over two hours. I stopped so often while I was strolling along the Seine...so many beautiful vistas around, so much people watching to do, so many pics to take! Please consider that you're on a vacation, so you won't be marching from one tourist attraction to the other without changing your route impromptu, stopping by at a bakery, clicking pics, getting lost and finding your way again.

Secondly, unless you're not much into arts and museums and want to go to Louvre just because it's a must do, it sounds impractical to manage Louvre, Notre Dame and Pantheon in one day. After a while, some sort of sensory overload would lead to numbness in Louvre and you'd want to take a lunch or snack break and then get back in the game. Allow more time if you want to see at least the popular pieces of art there. I had downloaded some app back then...top 100 in louvre or something like that. I had read up about them, ticked what interested me, noted their location, and it still took me so long.

Yes like rtwin80days says it's often the things you pass when walking between major sights that can be as delightful as the site you are heading to.

I have visited Paris a zillion times in my life - seen all the main sights but am always fascinated by things I see on my long strolls, often with a vague destination but always with lots of detours. See Paris as well as the main sights - that's the problem with a bus tour - you see umpteen famous sights but little often of the cities they are in.

Taking the metro is fun but again you see just tube walls though observing fellow passengers is a delight too.

I thought you may enjoy reading a trip report from an American couple spending Christmas in Paris. There is also a report from Christmas in Nice. It might give you some ideas for things to do and what was open etc.

http://www.slowtrav.com/member/roz/index.htm

(Second report down the list.)

Kay

Paris is alive on Christmas Day - lots of folks out and about - some lesser museums even open and many smaller stores and cafes, etc.

Many towns like London on Xmas Day are dead.

Up to you but I text from Europe rather than making phone calls and T-Mobile means I do it free.

Is it really THAT necessary for you to chat verbally? If it is try using something like Skype.

I was worried as Tmobile's free data is fast enough for google and maps. I used it in China a couple years ago and it was slow to the point I could not load a map when I am outside wifi range.

I heard there are a lot of free wifis in paris and london so I am assuming that'll be less of a problem?