cristeen

Husband and myself will be vacationing for a week in Paris the beginning of December, 2009. We are staying in the 1st Arrondissement. This is our 1st trip to Paris, though we have traveled to several other countries. We are planning on visiting the popular attractions, museums, etc.... We chose this time of year for several reasons, one being the romantic idea of Paris at Christmas time. We are anticipating walking the streets looking at lights and decorations and storefront displays decorated for the holidays. We are lucky in that we will be there the 1st Sunday of the month and be able to take advantage of the several free admissions to museums and attractions. Is there anything we may not have easily found or considered that we should not miss at this special time of year? We enjoy simple things, foods, wines, festivals. We are not real tour type people. We would love any experience or suggestions any may have.
Thanks so much for any thoughts or suggestions.
~Cris

Leburta

The walk up the Champs-Élysées at night is magical in December when the avenue is lit. You'll also enjoy all the "winter" foods -- hearty pot au feu and others. Dress warmly and enjoy!

WillTravel

Hot chocolate at La Coupole. I'm sure there are other great places for hot chocolate, but theirs is very good.

godmother_lr

bookmarking for my trip. Thanks.

cristeen

Thank you all. Love the suggestions. I knew I could count on you Fodorites! Perfect suggesions. I'm even more excited about going in December, now.

Palenque

Check out the display windows of Au Printemps and next door Galeries Lafayette for their Christmas-themed displays involving moving fairy-tale characters, etc - extrememly popular with Parisians - ground level front.

and Christmas Markets - largest one is at La Defense - not sure of dates but suppose early December would be on.

Paris Christmas Market at La Defense - Visiting France
The Paris Christmas Market at La Defense has 10 thousand square meters of Christmas market stalls and is lit up beautifully at night. ...
http://www.visitingeu.com/.../paris-...a-defense.html

SimilarVideo results for la defense Christmas market paris
Paris Christmas Market
2 min 17 sec - Dec 11, 2007
www.youtube.com

Xmas Walk at Paris La Défense
4 min 15 sec - Dec 17, 2008
www.youtube.com

A little tour of the Paris Christmas Market in La Defense. Pull up a chair and grab some vin chaud. A little tour of the Paris Christmas Market in La . ...
http://www.fodors.com/.../paris-chri...s-367860-2.cfm -

gomiki

Chris66, Where is the exhibit about the Eiffel Tower? At the Tower? And I saw the exhibit about the Venetian painters in Boston this summer and it was excellent.

luvparee

The chocolat chaud l'Africain (dark hot chocolate) at Angelina's on rue de Rivoli -- to die for!!!!

Enjoy!

Michel_Paris

Chris, good info.
I'm glad someone mentioned the Grands Magasins. I visited one December and found the window displays with the animations to be worth a detour. Magical.

Palenque

YouTube - A Galeries Lafayette Xmas window
41 sec - Dec 29, 2008
www.youtube.com

Christmas Display at Les Galeries Lafayette
45 sec - Nov 26, 2008
www.youtube.com

Michel - i too was enchanted with the Grands Magasins display windows Christmas animations - and i will be in Paris this Christmas, hopefully, and even after Christmas they are still a big draw - i went one Dec 27th and there were still huge crowds there.

isabel

Does anyone know about when (what date) they put up the Christmas decorations in Paris?

cristeen

Perfect! Exactly what we are looking for. Thank you. I'm marking my map for them all. Much appreciated!

cristeen

isabel-I don't know from experience, but from investingating the postings here, the markets and windows will be on display at least by the end of November.

gomiki

I have been there in mid-November and seen the windows. And the flocked trees on the Champs.

EmilyLalley

The Christmas displays at Printemps and Galleries Lafeyttes are indeed magical and inventive. When I visted in November a few years ago, they were up by Nov. 3, my first night. Hope that is still true for you. I wouldn't miss them for the world, especially at night.

Amy40

Yikes, that's early! I guess there is no Thanksgiving to make the start of the season! I am glad....I'll be there until the 16th, so I'll get a glimpse. My daughter will be green with envy..."Christmas in Paris."