|Once upon a time Christmas in Paris|
Christmas time in Paris : Family, couple, enjoy the city of lights at its brightest. We can do a 7 day tailor-made program for Christmas holidays according to your aspirations, profile and budget.
Illuminations
Come and see the Illuminations of the Champs Elysées Avenue. There is a special ceremony mid-November. The illuminations last until January.
Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Noël 2010, by Dimitri Destugues, Creative Commons Attribution
The Champs-Elysées Illuminations are this year Thursday November 22, 2018 at 6 pm called Flamboyance, with Paris Mayor, kids from Les Petits Princes charity organization created in 1987, fulfilling the dreams of seriously ill children and adolescents and its sponsor, Karl Lagerfeld Artistic Director of Chanel, for this new edition.
Moreover, you could go to a Paris illuminations cruise on the Seine river to have an overview of the city, especially at night. And why not a diner cruise on a private boat far away from huge bateaux-mouches with thousands of people ! Christmas time in Paris is full of beauty with all those illuminations and Christmas decoration.
Also, in November, participate in Paris Photo Fair, the first world fair for Photography at the prestigious Grand Palais. Paris Photo, the first international fair dedicated to photographic medium, is held every year under the glass roof of the Grand Palais in Paris. Since 1997, the fair has been developing and supporting photographic creation by promoting the work of gallery owners, publishers and artists. Paris Photo fair 8-11 November 2018.
Construction of the Grand Palais began in 1897 for the Universal Exposition of 1900, which included the creation of the Petit Palais and the Pont Alexandre III (my favorite bridge of Paris). During Christmas time, the Grand Palais offers 2 very interesting exhibitions among many others :
- Venice : Europe and the Arts in the 18th Century – 26 September 2018 – 21 January 2019
- Miró – 3 October 2018 – 4 February 2019
The Grand Palais is a historic site, exhibition hall, concert and museum complex located not too far by walk to the Champs-Élysées Avenue.
Celebrating Christmas time in Paris
Visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame with Christmas spirit and its huge Christmas tree every year just in front of the main entrance with the 3 doors/gates. The cathedral was begun in 1160 thanks to the Bishop Maurice de Sully on the Île de la Cité where used to be a temple dedicated to Jupiter under Tibère emperor, descendants of Ponce Pilate and Jesus. L’ Île de la Cité is a “mother cell” of Paris. The cathedral is completed between 1250 and 1270 under King Saint Louis, though it was modified and completed frequently in the following centuries. The cathedral is known to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris, currently Michel Aupetit. 14 million people visit Notre-Dame yearly, which makes it the most visited monument in Europe. Notre Dame is more than a monument, it is a catholic Holy place.
Churches in Paris offer magnificent Nativity scenes, celebrations, concerts and Christmas mass obviously. Les parisiens like to go to La Madeleine church to listen to classical music concerts. You need to make reservation and buy tickets online for around 30 Euros per person. There is a free Christmas concert on December 25th at 4pm. L’église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene since 1492; less formally, just La Madeleine) is a Roman Catholic church in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, by the Place de la Concorde and the Place Vendôme. The Madeleine Church was supposed to be transformed into a temple to the glory of Napoleon’s army but Napoleon himself gave it back to the glory of God in 1813. Its Neo-Classical style was inspired by Roman temples.
Shopping during Christmas time in Paris
Shop in markets, fairs and taste mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and delicious crepes while shopping. Those markets are driving lots of people but the atmosphere is delightful. Kids are happy with lots of activities dedicated to them and if they are nice enough they can meet Santa Claus.
Department stores such as Les Galeries Lafayettes, le Bon Marché, le BHV, le Printemps… have fabulous animated displays in their window shop, adornment and their giant Christmas trees within. Children running from window shop to window shop with their parents feel the magic of Christmas time in Paris. Every year you can discover specfic themes from prestigious artists and creators, with famous people for the inauguration beginning of November. Big Winter Sales are starting in January up to February.
Dining during Christmas time in Paris
Restaurants keep the festive spirit alive all the way into the New Year, with special menus for New Year’s Eve celebration. Light show on the Champs Elysées, cabarets, concerts, operas, drama shows, parties with champagne & party favors in the city of lights are everywhere, for every taste and budget.
There are many places in Paris where you can have French diner and taste French wines and champagne. The French Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715) invented & developped the King of wine, the champagne in the XVII Century in the Abbaye d’Hautvillers with the help of Dom Thierry Ruinart, a noted scholar of the abbey, next to the actual vineyard of Moët & Chandon. At that time only Kings would drink champagne, in the region of Champagne where the magnificent cathedral of Reims used to be the crowning kings place. In Paris, one of the greatest consumers of Champagne is the Moulin Rouge.
You must make a reservation well in advance especially for New Year’s Eve celebration in a restaurant and anywhere you want to celebrate it. Usually, Parisian restaurants after diner transform their dining room into a dance floor.
Visiting Paris during Christmas Time
The most beautiful city has its famous monuments illuminated for the season, landmarks, institutions, activities and events take over the city, offering magical memories for everyone, couple, family, group of friends.
Paris the City of Lights shines her brightest during Christmas time !
Customized tours for Christmas time in Paris
You are a family, a couple, a group… PARIS BY EMY offers lots of activities for every one. We create a personalized visit for you in order to make every one happy, with serenity and joy.
- No platform, no algorithm, no already-made Paris Tours
- Just real human exchanges for an authentic insight into Paris
We plan the perfect Paris Trip for you, your way. You have personalized services from a French local Parisian company, according to your aspirations.
Emy,
