Christmas in Paris with Rebecca Raisin
It’s always been my dream to spend Christmas in Paris when the City of Lights transforms into a festive winter wonderland. Christmas markets pop-up in every arrondissement selling a variety of gourmet food and festive offerings, such as vin chaud, spiced aromatic mulled wine to warm your hands as you peruse the stalls with the nutty scent of roasted chestnuts hanging heavy in the air. There are twinkling Christmas lights as far as the eye can see. Skaters swishing by on ice rinks. Musicians playing jaunty Christmas carols. The city is dressed in its best decorations.
There’s also the joie de vivre of visiting the most romantic city in the world as snowflakes dust the gargoyles who perch high above the city, keeping it safe. Paris is always a feast for the senses but more so at Christmastime when the city really comes alive, especially in the evenings.
When I wrote Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel I spent a lot of time researching festive activities for my cast of characters to participate in. I became swept away by just how much there is to do in Paris to celebrate the holiday season. Here is a list of my favourite Christmas offerings if you’re travelling to Paris or plan to one day…
Christmas Markets
La Marché de Noël Notre Dame on the Left Bank is one of my favourite pop-up Christmas markets. It’s central to everything and jam packed with vendors selling food, artisanal creations, regional gastronomy, including every type of French cheese you can imagine, sausages and comfort food that that will make your mouth water. There are drinks, gifts, Christmas decorations, cosy woolly scarfs and hats, chocolates, sweets and so much more. Even Pere Noël makes an appearance and there are lots of activities for kids, like storytelling and colouring in competitions. It is truly magical when coupled with the stunning back drop of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the lapping of the River Seine in the distance.
If you’re feeling more adventurous then head to Tuileries Marché de Noël across from the Louvre. Don a pair of ice skates and glide around a Parisian rink. Every Christmas the Tuileries Garden is transformed into a festive market featuring Swiss-style wooden chalets, serving festive fare and warm drinks. Not only is there an ice-skating rink but there’s also a Ferris wheel that gives you a bird’s eye view of the stunning city below. As always, you’ll be assailed by the scent of French food so make sure you go when you’re hungry!
If you’re prepared to explore a bit further out then I suggest you go to La Défense de Noël, a giant Christmas village and hidden gem in the business district. This is where the locals go! You’ll find food, gifts and festive scenes such as Maison de Pere Noël, Santa’s House. There are nativity scenes, performers and DJs in the village square as well as lots for kids. While it might be further to travel it’s definitely worth it for the quality on offer, the huge expanse of activities and the stunning view of the business district skyline.
A Christmas Tree to Remember
A trip to Galeries Lafayette in the 9th arrondissement near Opera Garnier is a must. The upmarket French department store is famous for its Christmas tree and window displays. The beauty of this Christmas tree is the Byzantine Dome ceiling that sits above and almost steals the show. There are over 20,000 lights in their displays and customers are treated to a sound and light show every thirty minutes. It’s the perfect place to buy a Christmas ornament to take home as a keepsake to remember your holiday.
A Light Stroll
The Champs-Élysées, arguably the world’s most beautiful avenue, becomes even more enchanting at Christmas when the hundreds of horse chestnut trees that line both sides are adorned with millions of twinkling Christmas lights from The Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. There is plenty to do and see as you take a stroll down the avenue, including La Patiniore, an ice-skating rink, Christmas markets, cafés and restaurants including Ladurée, a patisserie famous for their macarons.
Prisms of Light
A visit to Sainte-Chapelle royal chapel is good any time of year but particularly so at Christmas when they offer a classical music Christmas programme. Sink into the sounds as you’re bedazzled by the jewel-like beauty of the 13th century stained-glass windows. It’s like being inside a kaleidoscope; a breathtaking experience and one you won’t forget.
A Jurassic Garden
Every year there’s a new theme at the Jardin des Plantes, the botanical gardens in the Latin Quarter who offer the Winter Festival of Lights, running from November to January. This year they’re showing the Jurassique en voie d’Illumination where the open-air park comes alive with illuminated creatures from the Jurassic era in this immersive outdoor festival under the glittering stars of Paris. This epic display of illuminated art is a must-see for all ages.
There is so much more to see and do in Paris during the festive season! If you’d like to read about the Christmas shenanigans my characters get up to in Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel you can find the book here.
Follow the Boldwood blog as I’ll be posting more Paris hidden gems soon!
