How to Spend the Best Christmas Ever in Paris
There's nothing as magical as waking up at Christmas time and sharing presents with loved ones beneath a tinsel-laden tree, but then waking up to the view of the Eiffel Tower and the smell of freshly baked bread and croissants from Paris could help.
Paris is the City of Light dazzles more spectacularly than ever during the Christmas season when streets lined with cobblestones and department stores are lit up in festive lights and festive festivities to be had in each neighborhood.
Although you might have to put the dream of a snowy Christmas on the list -it's not a necessity. Paris seldom sees more than an occasional little snow.
There's no shortage of romantic options to spend your winter days in Paris, whether on an evening cruise along the Seine or sitting under the warm heat of a terrace with a glass of wine to drink.
From the most breathtaking backdrops for Christmas concerts to the most enticing spots to go shopping, stay, and enjoy the festivities, Here's everything you need to know to enjoy the most beautiful festive season in Paris truly.
Enjoy mulled wine in the Christmas market.
The Christmas market located in Paris tends to be more like Christmas towns, with dozens -- or sometimes hundreds of wooden Swiss-style chalets serving wine Chaud(hot sparkling wine) and raclette sandwiches that ooze cheese, as well as souvenirs from France to take home for all the people who are enviously looking at you on your Instagram feed.
Markets start popping up all over the city towards the end of November and continue until the beginning of the year; they range from a few stands to as many as 300. For more charming, scenic events, check out the market at Notre Dame or across the river at the Hotel de Ville, where there's a scattering of sapiens of Noel (Christmas tree) and Hot chocolate vendors, as well as a nighttime light show and crowds of children looking for rides on the carousel.
For larger-scale productions, you'll want to make your way to La Magie de Noel (The Magic of Christmas) at the Tuileries Garden; a sprawling Christmas market turned carnival. Further away, near the end of the metro line, 1 is the largest and most significant market in Paris: La Defense.
This market of 350 stalls is situated within the business district at the top of the Grande Arche, a modern landmark that provides a birds-eye glimpse of the entire spectacle.
Shop for your window at the glam department stores.
A well-loved Parisian hobby is leche-vitrineorwindow shopping. However, it's translated as window leaching, which is probably what you'll be tempted to take advantage of when faced with the tempting display options at Paris's grand magasins.
Four big department stores have their own spectacular winter wonderlands, which you can admire from the windows or while you're warming up inside. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann are just within a short distance of each other; both have lavish Christmas trees covered in their art-deco domes. Le BHV Marais and Le Bon Marche also are ablaze with their interiors, with the former's iconic escalator with crisscrossing lines dripping the white light of Christmas and snowflakes.
Beyond the four big ones, La Samaritaine is a must-see department store celebrating its second Christmas since reopening after a closure of 16 years and an extensive LVMH-funded renovation. The stunning Belle Epoque building is worth taking a peek at any time of the season, but as with the rest of Paris, it glistens with extra glamor during Christmas.
Enjoy a stroll in the bright lights of the Champs-Elysees.
Filled with luxurious boutiques, the famous avenue of Paris is not in dire need of a light-up, and that's precisely the kind of thing it is every winter because of the 400 or so trees strung with bright red lights. The dazzling show known as La Flamboyance runs from the arc de Triomphe and down to the Ferris wheel in The Place de la Concorde, where you can have some fun before taking a trip to The Tuileries Market for Christmas.
If you're looking to see additional evidence that the this City of Light lives up to its name throughout the holiday season, you should consider the Open-top tour of the Christmas light show that lets you relax in blankets and cruise through the city, taking in the stunning sights from new levels.
Experience traditional Christmas music in One of downtown's famous churches.
In church, drinking Champagne may not be the most sacramental method of celebrating Christmas, yet it's one of the most memorable. The Parisian churches are worthy of visiting for their stunning architectural design.
In addition to services for the church, many of the most spectacular locations in the city offer concerts in their halls, like at Sainte-Chapelle. It is located in the Ile de la Cite -the island on which Paris was first established. This stunning Gothic church was the residence of the monarchs from France and offers classical concerts in the beautiful stained-glass windows from now until New Year's Eve.
(For an additional fee, they will provide a Champagne and tapas set.) The Christmas Eve event and Christmas Day have already sold out, so make sure you purchase your tickets now If you're planning to be able to attend.
Enjoy a stroll along the Seine on Christmas Eve.
Although Paris is best seen by walking, it's also a delight to see it from a different viewpoint -and what better way to see it than by taking a cruise on the Seine? Tours are offered every day of the year.
However, some sellers offer special Christmas packages, including five-course meals, Champagne, and other special events on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Reserve earlier rather than later because they will likely sell out.
Get dressed up for the ballet on the Palais Garnier.
Dress in your Frenchest elegant attire and set out to enjoy a classy evening at the Palais Garnier, an opera house constructed at the request of Emperor Napoleon III in the late 19th century.
The structure is a masterpiece of architecture and is accessible for daily tours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The hours are the same, except for the afternoon when performances are scheduled. There are a variety of performances scheduled in the winter months, however, do not overlook the famous German choreographer Pina Bausch's " Kontakthof," her third piece that the Paris Opera Ballet will stage.
(Book immediately because tickets are selling out fast.) You can enjoy the show under the stunning ceiling in technicolor, Marc Chagall's masterpiece. The show pays tribute to the most famous composers and artists.
Ice skate against iconic backdrops.
If you're visiting the Tuileries Christmas Market, go easy with the mulled wine to tie on your skates and glide across the charming skating rink, surrounded by wooden chalets and the aroma of Nutella crepes.
A variety of ice rinks have been closed in Paris throughout time, with the spread of the virus closings also affecting them. The ones reopening in the coming year are yet to be determined. Some of the notable past ice rinks that we would like to see return include a rink on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower.
Another is under the dome made of glass in the Grand Palais, and one is right in the middle of the Marais and the square of the Hotel de Ville.
Drink, eat and have fun.
There are plenty of restaurants that close during the period between the Christmas season and New Year's Eve, so if you've been saving places on Instagram for several months, verify that they're still open through their site (or on their Instagram page, as it's usually more current). Suppose you're unsure; book in advance to secure the table. Be aware that many restaurants provide prix-fixe menus.
Take advantage of a stay in one of the most luxurious hotels in Paris.
Do you think of the perfect Christmas present for yourself than waking up on a luxury hotel mattress with a breathtaking sight of the Eiffel Tower? A soothing massage in a stylish spa? There are both offered if you're looking to splash out on luxurious lodging in your travels.
In the downtown area, there's Le Meurice, where you can gaze at the arcades that line Rue de Rivoli while your skin is gently massaged to perfection with a glowing treatment in the La Maison Valmont pour Le Meurice Spa. It is then possible to walk into the lobby and relax with a cocktail for nighttime music at Bar 228, a cozy Bar designed by Philippe Starck, with wood panels and stunning ceilings with frescoes.
If you want to live like royalty, it's tough to beat the timeless luxury in the Ritz Paris, which recently updated its theme around astrology. Ritz Bar will decorate its halls with festive holiday decor. The other luxurious accommodations include the Cour des Vosges. This unique, modern-day pied-a-terre is traditional and lets you dress for the day and gaze out over Place des Vosges, the most famous area in Paris.
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