christmas in paris
During the Christmas holidays, ** Paris is adorned with delicate garlands and elegant ornaments ** in shades of green and red that subtly adorn the main arteries of the city, such as the luxurious streets of the golden triangle, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Avenue Montaigne or Georges V.
The classic lighting of the Champs Elysées , which in 2018 had Karl Lagerfeld himself as godfather; has just been inaugurated by the French actress Ludivine Sagnier. Its 400 flashing trees composed of a thousand little lights, form a magical tunnel that wraps around the opulent avenue from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
STORY SHOWCASES
The windows of Parisian boutiques display automatons and fantastic artifices, creating stories and fairy tales that captivate all audiences; What the well-known Printemps Haussmann; the chic Le Bon Marché, that pays homage to the "king of the woods" with majestic trees; **or BHV ** that claims a traditional Christmas with wooden houses and animals. In addition, in its Observatoire, children can take a photo with Santa Claus.
Boutiques put on their best clothes
THE MARCHES DE NOËL
Certain districts of Paris retain the Christmas spirit of the Marchés de Noël. Its cabins, like little ski villages, offer ** crepes, waffles and mulled wine with cinnamon **, in an atmosphere that transports you to childhood.
These markets are located in symbolic places in the capital, such as the Tuileries Garden; Le Champ-de-Mars, the Quai Branly, Bir Hakeim or Notre Dame, that maintains its characteristic market.
the quarter of Montmartre also enjoys its mountain chalets, specifically the one in Les Abbesses , exhibits handicrafts and other regional products made in France.
The Christmas market in the Jardin des Tuileries
IN THE LACK OF SNOW, ICE SKATING
The nave of the Grand Palais invites you to discover under its monumental glass dome, the ** Grand Palais des Glaces ** , the largest pop-up ice skating rink in the world. At night, this wonderful stage becomes a colorful dance floor of about 3000 m² with disco atmosphere, stroboscopic balls and DJ, to do pirouettes and dance on skates to the rhythm of the music.
Galeries Lafayette , in addition to impressing with its grandiose tree; has opened an ice rink on its roof-terrace. This ephemeral patinoire of 160m² in the open air, promises a nice view of the rooftops of the city, the top of the Opera and the Eiffel Tower. You can enjoy it for free until December 31!
The Grand Palais des Glaces
THE BÛCHE DE NOËL
French patisseries preserve the custom of the typical Christmas Eve cake. Like every December, the best pâtissier chefs strive to make the most exquisite and surprising buche de Noël.
This year the buche of dalloyau Oh Sommet is done based on nuts, honey and chocolate and of yann couvreur Chilling Christmas is a 100% made in France creation; in which the predominant chestnut taste in all its textures.
To celebrate the Epiphany, at the ** Hôtel Plaza Athénée ** ; Angelo Musa and Alexandre Dufeu imagine a galette de rois , Aux écorces in limited edition; that combines the soft perfume of almonds with the acidic aroma of orange.
THE CHRISTMAS TABLES
With the cold, mountain comfort food becomes the protagonist of the tables. Gastronomy being one of the keys to a good celebration; Until mid-February, the cozy Chalet du Park, of the hotel ** Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme ** installed in its courtyard, prepares the Montagnard raclette.
In this luxurious rustic refuge, you will taste it with Saint Nicklaus cheese, grenaille potatoes and alpine charcuterie ; or the Palace version, with truffle
And chef Jean-François Piège's Clover Grill restaurant serves fondue bourguignonne in a deluxe version with excellent meat and original cooking that replaces the oil with a tasty broth.
THE HOT CHOCOLATE
For pure winter plaisir, nothing like a sweet chocolat chaud to warm up. In the ** Residence Kann ** coffee shop, you will taste it surrounded by design; plaq , the new trendy chocolate factory, promulgated by Bean to Bar boasts of its thick hot chocolate, which you can take away.
Y the Toraya Japanese tea room, one of the oldest _pâtisseries_in Japan, which opened in Paris in the 1980s; customize your cup of chocolate, with organic soy milk and matcha.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
At Christmas, Paris dedicates shows for children and adults. The Garden of Plants under the theme Océan en voie d'illumination, it leads its visitors through a poetic nocturnal tour of the garden and the Ménagerie.
This art installation of imposing light constructions represents the different species of the ocean such as killer whales, green turtles, the great white shark or pink flamingos.
The Musée des Arts Forains , on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Merveilleux Festival , mystifies with its amazing magic games, fascinating centuries-old attractions and period games.
This unusual museum develops its representations in its Venetian halls with gondolas, in its Magic Mirror or in the garden groomed for the fêtes de fin d'année.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Festival du Merveilleux
THE CHÂTEAUX NEAR PARIS DRESS UP
The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte suggests a dreamlike Christmas world with refined decoration, both in its opulent rooms and in its the extraordinary gardens of the landscaper André Le Nôtre.
The Palace of Versailles shows the splendor of the court through Le Parcours du Roi , a gala that allows the visitor to discover the most beautiful rooms of the château in a baroque setting.
You will visit the grands appartements and the hall of mirrors at nightfall; in a combination of music, dance, song and theater; in the image of the time.
MASTER MUSIC!
Music lovers will revel in the endearing Christmas concerts. The ** Maison de la Radio ** or Maison ronde, an emblematic building from the 1960s by the architect Henry Bernard; book special evenings during these dates; among them the Britten, Holst and Putt concerto; in addition to the one offered by your Coral; that of his Philharmonic Orchestra; and that of the Orchester National de France , which will toast a New Year around Offenbach, Strauss and Gershwin.
Radio Classique officiates his Christmas Grand Concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées with the participation, among others, of the Republican Guard Symphony Orchestra.
The churches of ** La Madeleine and Saint Germain-des-Prés** host the orchestra Helios who will perform _Minuit Chrétien_by Adolphe Adam; Il s'en Va Loin De La Terre by Berlioz and other popular pieces such as We Wish You A Merry Christmas; And The Glory of The Lord or Adeste Fideles.
With a bit of luck, as a finishing touch to the soirée de réveillon, The City Council will organize a lighting and fireworks show on the Champs-Élysées.
Christmas sweet Christmas… and if it's in Paris, encore plus douce!
Do we ring in the New Year on the Champs-Elysées?