As you can imagine, the city that is nicknamed the city of lights turns out to be even more magical during the Christmas season. The first thing to do is of course, to wander in its streets to admire the façades of the emblematic monuments, the lights and illuminations of the streets and on the shop's windows. It is also a great time to do an evening cruise on the Seine to see all the illuminations from the river.
Here is also a list of activities ideas to fully enjoy Christmas season in Paris:
1. Enjoy a fairy-tale day trip at Vaux-le-Vicomte
Each year the prestigious castle celebrates Christmas adorning itself with illuminations and Christmas refined decorations. Each rooms are dressed in a different color and offer many surprises transforming the visit of this enchanted castle into a world of marvel.
2. Admire Department Stores' Christmas windows
Well, this is not a secret anymore! It is well-known that the Department Stores are each year competing of ingeniousness to display the most enchanting Christmas shows on their windows. It captivates from the youngest to the oldest. Do what we call in French "window licking" (shopping) and get seduced by each magical universe. The most popular festive windows are displayed at Printemps Haussmann, Lafayette Galeries Haussmann, BHV Le Marais or Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche.
3. Visit Christmas markets
There are several Christmas markets in Paris starting from mid-November. You may want to start with Notre-Dame Christmas market, it is a small artisanal market that offers hands-on gastronomy and crafts. Meet artisans and creators while tasting Christmas nicest treats. The biggest Christmas market in Paris is located in La Défense, with over 350 wooden cabins spread over 10,000 square meters in a festive atmosphere. Finally, discover a real Alsacian market located in Paris Gare de l'Est.
4. Try hot wine
Instead of getting hot chocolate or coffee, try the most popular Christmas beverage with French people. Enjoy the savors of cinnamon, orange and lemon of this spicy hot wine.
5. Go Ice Skating
There are various outdoor & indoor ice rink to try on in Paris during Christmas season. First, you can start by the Le Grand Palais indoor ice rink: the beautiful monument offers the largest skating-rink which becomes at night a full light and music show, definitely a must! Then you might want to try the outdoor rooftop ice-rink at La Défense to get a 360° view of Paris. Finally, try on the traditional ice rink in front of Paris Town Hall, located at the very heart of Paris.
6. Visit the Festival Merveilleux
From December 26th to January 5th 2020, visit the Musée des Arts Forains and discover the Festival du Merveilleux. This fair, organized every end of the year since 2009, displays wonderful festive shows and performances that carry the spectator in another dimension. All kind of artistic disciplines join together during this magical period: storytellers, magicians, aerial silk dancers, funambulists, musicians, puppeteers, tap dancers and other artists to create a magical universe for you and your family to discover.
7. Do a Chocolate tour to offer the best Parisian treats to your family and friends
Paris is home to some of the world’s best chocolate makers, sellers, and aficionados and each has gained notoriety for their special techniques and flavors. During Christmas Season, all the best chocolate makers are preparing delightful and beautiful chocolate treats to enjoy or to offer. This year, chocolate maker Patrick Roger created a beautiful collection of Christmas chocolates in store including pine nuts with chopped almonds and honey and the traditional chocolate Christmas trees. Enjoy a walking tour to discover and taste these chocolate treats. You may want to buy a few to offer to your family and friends for Christmas.
8. Listen to a Christmas Concert
While visiting one of Paris' most beautiful church, take the opportunity to attend a Christmas classical concert. The most impressive concerts are probably the one held in the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle. Located on the Ile-de-la-Cité, the Church is home to one of the largest collections of 13th century stained glass in the world. The excellence of the classical music with the refracted lights coming through the colored glasses offer a mystical atmosphere to the place. Enjoy classic Christmas melodies from the harmonious sounds of violins and other classical instruments.
9. Enjoy a day in Disneyland with your kids
Throughout the year, Disneyland is the perfect place to live a fairy-tale. Add on the most magical season of the year and guess what is the result... if you can't answer to this your kid will definitely will!
10. Plan a pre/post trip to Alsace or Loire Valley
Alsace is very well renown for the beauty of its Christmas markets: especially in Strasbourg; the oldest one; and Colmar; ranked as the most beautiful in 2018. Located only two hours by train from Paris, it is easy to go spend two days there to fully enjoy French Christmas spirit.
Another once in a lifetime must-do is to go visit the Loire Valley Castles during Christmas season. From the beginning of December to the beginning of January, it is “Christmas in the land of châteaux” in Touraine. Six of the greatest Loire Valley châteaux get into the festive spirit with exceptional tours and events: Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon, Langeais, Loches...
Please do not hesitate to contact me (at info@inland-travel.com) if you have any question, or if you would like to organize a trip there. I will be more than happy to help!
Thank you for reading this :-)
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