When winter sets in and Christmas fast approaches, Paris gets dressed up with millions of lights and sparkling colours. Christmas trees pop up everywhere and merry music can be heard drifting on the evening air. Adults and children alike will love the magical atmosphere all around. If you are still looking for an exceptional Christmas holiday, Paris will give you everything you could hope for and more. To enjoy the Christmas spirit Paris-style, below is a special tour that takes in the most beautiful places to see.
Lets start with window-shopping along the famous boulevard Haussmann. These Parisian department stores are renowned for creating a world apart. The Galeries Lafayette and Printemps dominate boulevard Haussmann with real Belle poque grandeur. At Christmas they are a marvellous spectacle with incredible decorations, colours, sparkling lights and huge Christmas trees. This year, Galeries Lafayette is going for a Beauty and the Beast theme to celebrate the new French version of the movie. This year, Prada are taking over from Dior to curate some festive Parisian chic scenes for visitors to the store.
If you prefer something more typical and traditional for Christmas shopping you can visit one of Paris Christmas villages. Our favourite can be found at the bottom of the most beautiful avenue in the world: the Champs Elyses. Uncover a fantastic world there with its 160 wooden chalets, an ice rink, carousel and an amazing Father Christmas with his illuminated sledge. You will find a lot of original and traditional Christmas gift ideas made by French artisans. Need to warm up those hands? There are endless possibilities The children can enjoy a hot chocolate la franaise while the parents can try an authentic vin chaud.
To get there from the Grands Boulevards, we recommend you cross the place de la Madeleine, famous for its luxury delicatessen shops such as Fauchon or Hdiard. You wont be able to resist popping in to one of these fabulous gourmet shops. Indulge yourself with Christmas goodies and buy chocolates, wine and foie gras to bring back as a wonderful gift for your friends and family at home. While youre there, if you like contemporary art, remember that every year the glise de la Madeleine houses an unmissable contemporary nativity scene!
Then youll be a stones throw from the place de la Concorde. Leave the place de la Madeleine via the rue Royale and you will be there in seconds. In the middle you will see another fantastic giant Christmas tree but thats not all! There is also a giant Ferris wheel which will take your breath away. If you want a special and exclusive tour, the VIP Gondola can be booked. Kids will be wowed by the incredible views across Paris. Its best if you go at night to see the Eiffel Tower lit up and the Champs Elyses with its Christmas decorations.
For the best nativity scene in Paris you have to go to the Cathdrale de Notre Dame. Every year almost two million people come especially to see it. You will be amazed by the size and the delightful details it is the most beautiful nativity scene imaginable. Pause for a moments reflection in this hallowed place and let your Christmas wishes come true.
To conclude this amazing Christmas tour of Paris, you have to take the kids to the palace hotel Le Meurice. There they will have the chance to meet Father Christmas and to tell him what they would like to receive for Christmas. A photographer will immortalise this wonderful moment and your children will be treated to gifts and surprises from Father Christmas.
Joyeux Nol.
