City of Light and Festive Cheer
You might not hear the bells ringing or see the snow falling but there are many opportunities to get into the holiday spirit in Paris. The city of lights may be a wondrous place all year round but during the holiday season, it reveals a certain singular charm. For foreigners and locals alike, Paris can turn even the "grinchiest" of humans into a holiday enthusiast.
Stroll Along the Streets
Image Credit: Lillian Wagner
Walking is a daily part of living in Paris but during the holidays, it becomes even more pleasurable and less of a chore thanks to the lights. A crisp chill in the air and twinkling illuminations are almost sure to lift your spirits. To see the best holiday lights, head to the third, sixth, seventh, ninth or eighteenth neighbourhoods. In the third, le Marais, garlands of lights are draped across the streets. Next to Strasbourg-Saint Denis in the third, spot the flamboyantly decorated Christmas trees. The sixth is really the "creme de la creme" in terms of luminescent extravaganza. Check out the neighbourhood's famous cafés, such as Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. In the seventh, head over to Rue Cler and Rue Saint Dominique and see the quaint shops decorated with snow-filled window displays. As for the center of Paris, the ninth, head to Gare Saint Lazare and walk down Boulevard Haussman. Here you'll see some of the most intricate light displays. In the eighteenth, all glowing streets lead to the Sacré Coeur across Montmartre's iconic cobblestones.
Shop Until You Drop
Image Credit: Pixabay/uroburos
The fashion capital of the world, Paris goes all out on in-store decorations. In department stores such as Printemps, Galeries LaFayette, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche and BHV Marais, there are holiday themed window displays along with the elaborate inhouse decorations. This holiday season look out for Reves de Noel (Christmas dreams) at Printemps. Every kiddie's Christmas dream comes true - and you even get to write a letter to Santa. At Galeries LaFayette, the windows are alive with twirling ballerinas and moving polar bears for a Noel Arctic (an Arctic Christmas). But don't stay outside on the sidewalk, go in to see the six floor-high Christmas tree; a crowd pleaser every year.
In Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, the theme Il Neige is in full swing. Pop in for a spot of present shopping while you take in the hanging lights. If the shops in the ninth can't satisfy your seasonal needs, head over to the fourth and stop in at BHV Marais. Their theme, Un Noel a la Montagne, is certain to make you long for the fresh unpolluted air of distant hilltops.
Christmas Markets
Image Credit: Lillian Wagner
Christmas markets or Les Marches de Noel are almost as strong a tradition in France as they are in Germany. These holiday markets pop up around the city and suburbs and instantly draw crowds. From the vin chaud, raclette sandwiches and barbe a papa, they never disappoint. The most famous market in Paris is found on the Champs Elysées. Here you can take a turn on the Ferris wheel, play carnival games, taste some of France's best regional cuisine, take a spin on the ice rink, as well as pick up some Christmas gifts. Alternatively, you could visit the market at Boulevard Saint-Germain. Get off at metro Saint-Germain des Prés and go to the church for a quaint local market with traditional food and trinkets. The biggest marché de noel in the Paris area is found at La Defense, where you'll find 10,000 square meters of Christmas joy in over 300 chalets.
Become a Figure Skater
Image Credit: Pixabay/FPPhotography
If all else fails, put on a pair of skates. There's no shortage of seasonal outdoor rinks in the city. The most popular is the ice rink on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. If you want to go here, though, you’re out of luck, the earliest reservation available is in February. Another popular option is to go ice skating on the Champs Elysées at the Village de Noel. If you fancy indoor skating, head for the Grand Palais, where skaters whiz around beneath a full light show. At Montparnasse, one of the largest rinks in the Paris area is popular with local families rather than tourists. Just don't fall and break an ankle before your flight home!
Now get out there and drink the grinch away with a fragrant glass of vin chaud.
