The season leading up to Christmas is a light-filled, festive time in Paris that can provide an ideal backdrop for a romantic vacation or an enchanting holiday season with the kids. Several annual Christmas events in Paris are not to be missed.
1. Christmas Lights and Holiday Displays in Paris
©Francois Durand/Getty Images
Each Christmas season, elegant holiday lights adorn several quarters and historical sites in Paris, bringing the town out of the November gloom. In 2009-2010 several spots around town will be decoratively lit.
More Information: Details on holiday lights displays in Paris for the 2009-2010 season
Also See: 2009 Picture Gallery of Holiday Lights Displays and Decorations at Paris Department Stores
More Information: Details on holiday lights displays in Paris for the 2009-2010 season
Also See: 2009 Picture Gallery of Holiday Lights Displays and Decorations at Paris Department Stores
2. Paris Christmas Markets
©2006 Cyril Lg. Some rights reserved under the Creative Commons License.
One holiday tradition originating in the Northern Alsace region is the Christmas market, an outdoor "village" of wooden booths offering gourmet treats like mulled wine and gingerbread, gifts, decorations, and other delights.
More information: Paris Christmas Markets in 2009
More information: Paris Christmas Markets in 2009
3. Open-Air Ice Skating
©2006 Ashley Byock.
Several ice-skating rinks are set up around the city of light for the holidays-- with free entry and 5 Euro rental for skates (no charge for kids). A sledding area is available for children at the Hotel de Ville rink. Check back here soon for details on rinks for the 2009-2010 season.
4. Holiday Dining Options
With Paris restaurants likely to be booked full and many closed for Christmas day, your best bet is to try and reserve ahead for lunch or dinner on Christmas Eve. Some restaurants offering holiday dining options this year are the Flo Brasserie restaurants, with solid traditional Cuisine in a Paris 1900 setting.More: Check out food writer Clotilde Dusoulier's picks for a gourmet Paris Christmas at Chocolate and Zucchini.
5. Christmas at Notre Dame Cathedral
©2006 Courtney Traub.
Whatever your beliefs and persuasions, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral for the Christmas eve service can be a memorable and peaceful occasion.
More information: Visit Notre Dame's official website (in French)
