Christmas (and the lead up to Christmas) in Paris

[mez]

I am interested in celebrating Christmas in Paris and also the lead up to it. I've done a search but could not locate any threads, so I thought it would be good to start a repository of Christmas related travel information.

To get us started, things I'd like to know include:
- When do Christmas displays go up in shop and department stores?
- Does Paris have Christmas markets and when and where are they held?
- Are there typical 'Christmas' events that take place in the city?

[Megan]

Great thread Mez - I am there at Christmas too

[MaisonMetz]

Mez -

This past autumn the holiday lights were up at Galeries Lafayette beginning the first week in November. We walked by one evening, and I was surprised but delighted to see them before we returned home on Nov 8. They look like stained glass windows and are absolutely gorgeous - even better in person of course than the photos I'd seen.

Paris Walks, the walking tour company run by Peter and Oriel Caine, offered walking tours of Paris streets with holiday lights this past year. I'd checked their December walks for friends who were in Paris then. Our friends didn't end up doing the walk, so I didn't get any feedback about it.

Jo

[grant]

Galeries Lafayette's christmas decorations simply have to be seen. Coming by the Opera and seeing them peeking through the gap is a memory you'll never forget.

Also they had fantastic themed window displays this christmas past, all under a covered walkway so you can get in close for a look. But something is nagging me now and telling me it was Printemps. Either way, it was next to Galeries Lafayette.

And don't forget for more christmas fun, there is the ice skating rink just down the street at Hotel de Ville.

[Jody]

The windows were decorated last year when we were there in November. They are incredibly imaginative. I loved watching the expressions on the children's faces!

[grant]

The very windows Ah memories.

[annettecinca]

Mez, not sure when the Christmas lights and displays go up, but we were there the first of December last year and also 3 years ago, and the window displays in the department stores are up and running by that time. Here's a link for my report (long, sorry!) for the day we visited the windows:
www.ourparisforum.com/index.cgi?board=reports&action=display&thread=898

There are Christmas Markets at several different locations throughout the city. We ran into two on our trip 3 years ago. Can't remember the location of one (upper 8th or 9th, or lower 17th or 18th arr.), but the larger one we spent some time at was at La Defense (red tents--can't miss it as you come out of the metro). Last year it ran from 28 Nov thru 29 Dec. I think it was Gitte who posted a link to a calendar showing market dates, but I can't locate it now.

Here is a thread with some Christmas Happenings:
www.ourparisforum.com/index.cgi?board=culture&action=display&thread=526&page=1

Also, I really enjoyed the Christmas show at the horse museum at Chantilly:
www.ourparisforum.com/index.cgi?board=culture&action=display&thread=561

And if I'm ever in Paris closer to Christmas, I'm going to visit the Chateau Vaux le Vicompte:
www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/actualites-chateau-events.php?date=2008-12-20

[willow]

Oooo Those windows are so pretty!
I will be in Paris at the end of the year, just in time to catch the decorations!
I will follow this thread since some of these suggestions pertain to me as well!

[geordy]

I've been mid Nov. and the big department stores were already ready with windows and decorations inside. Not all the street lights up as yet though.

Last year arriving btw Christmas and New Year's got to see it all....don't forget The Nutcracker, we saw it at the Opera Bastille.
Christmas fairs and street vendors with mulled wine, cafe, and hot chocolate.

[gracejoan]

I was in Paris a few years back from mid December until the 30th.

The decorations were fantastic. One evening my taxi driver drove me around to see all lighted displays. Beautiful.

I spent Christnas Eve dining at Violon d'Ingres. I don't believe they are serving Christmas Eve anymore. I had Christmas dinner at Les Ambassadeurs (Crillon). That was lovely. They will have the menu online for anyone interested in doing the same.

The Tourist Center will have all sorts of infomration as the time approaches. But then, we have are local forum members that can tell us so much more..........

[cigalechanta]

Those windows are incredible! My fantasy is to spend Christmas in a Provence village where the locals dress as the birth of Christ scene. Not a religious want for me but to see this scene that they carry out year after year than, go to the church and come home and have a feast.
And i am invited

[mez]

Not really Christmas-y, but definitely for winter..iceskating!

Ice Skating at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville

When:Dec 2008 - Mar 2009 (annual)
Cost:Free; skate hire €5
Opening Hours:Mon-Thu 12pm-10pm; Fri 12pm-12am; Sat 9am-12am; Sun 9am-10pm

[willow]

Quick question for those who have been around Christmas time.
My travel partner just read something about a creche/nativity scene that is put up for the holidays. Unfortunately, she doesn't remember where it is or where she read about it! Any ideas?