Scared by London closures, how about christmas in Paris??
Jul 30th, 2006 | 09:58 AM
#2
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,801
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They don't celebrate Boxing Day, so that's a help.
You might find that museum and store closures in Paris are compensated by church decorations and celebrations, including midnight masses and concerts. I'd check into what times the grand organ will be playing in St Sulpice and if St Denis is having a high mass. I'm not religious, but it can really add to your understanding of church architecture to see these cathedrals put to use in huge formal celebrations, which is what they were designed to do.
If you are not at all interested in churches, you will probably find there are concerts and other entertainment activities happening on Christmas eve and Christmas. Also, if weather permits, walks through the historic districts of Paris will be great.
As for eating, fine hotel restaurants will be open, and Paris has a large non-Christian population. Check out the offerings from Arab, Vietnamese, African and Jewish restaurants.
You might find that museum and store closures in Paris are compensated by church decorations and celebrations, including midnight masses and concerts. I'd check into what times the grand organ will be playing in St Sulpice and if St Denis is having a high mass. I'm not religious, but it can really add to your understanding of church architecture to see these cathedrals put to use in huge formal celebrations, which is what they were designed to do.
If you are not at all interested in churches, you will probably find there are concerts and other entertainment activities happening on Christmas eve and Christmas. Also, if weather permits, walks through the historic districts of Paris will be great.
As for eating, fine hotel restaurants will be open, and Paris has a large non-Christian population. Check out the offerings from Arab, Vietnamese, African and Jewish restaurants.
Jul 30th, 2006 | 10:05 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35,152
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There are no special museum closures in Paris due to Christmas, except the holiday itself. Of course, they will be closed their regular closure days, and some may close a little early on Christmas Eve, if that is a regular museum day. Or, if that is a day they usually have evening hours, they probably will not have them on Christmas Eve.
Jul 30th, 2006 | 12:53 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,129
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France probably makes less fuss over Christmas than other European countries; the French celebrate New Year's Eve much more than Christmas. The 25th is a public holiday, but cafés, bars and restaurants are open, and public transport runs as on a Sunday. The 26th is a normal working day.
Jul 31st, 2006 | 09:20 AM
#6
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,034
Likes: 6
Nothing of importance closes at Christmas in Paris. As the #1 tourist city in the world, it would be surprising if it were otherwise. Shops would normally close earlier than usual on December 24th -- but since December 24th is a Sunday, most of them will actually be open rather than closed as they usually would be on that day. Christmas eve shopping (especially for food) is a national obsession.
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