|
|
Post by Happygoin on Apr 3, 2007 7:25:58 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I am wondering if there are any specifically Christmas events in Paris such as a ballet or the like. (Although as the risk of incurring the wrath of millions, I am not interested in opera. I've always thought it sounds like a truck backing over cats). For instance, the Nutcracker is a big tradition in Boston as well as the Boston Symphony's Christmas show. Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
|
Post by luckyluc on Apr 3, 2007 7:40:19 GMT -5
My favorite is the come sing Messiah with the Paris Choral Society at the American Cathedral. It has been going on for a few years and there is enough USA and UK expats to join in. Of course you do not have to sing, you can just sit and enjoy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on Apr 3, 2007 8:17:42 GMT -5
It's not techically an "event", but I wouldn't miss checking out the windows at Galeries Lafayette at Christmas. They build special platforms so the children can get nose to nose with the automatons. It's almost as much fun to watch the kids as look at the windows!
|
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on Apr 3, 2007 11:01:59 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I'll definitely put both on the loooong "to-do" list. And btw, Luc, you wouldn't want me to sing along anyway. It's not a good thing  |
|
|
|
Post by phread on Apr 3, 2007 16:30:10 GMT -5
Bouches de Noel are log cakes and marron glaces are candied chestnuts. You pretty much have to agree to try them if you want to get int he country at Noel. Midnihght Mass at any of the cathedrals is highly recommended.
|
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on Apr 4, 2007 6:57:22 GMT -5
Thanks, Phread. Although I just detest chestnuts in any form, I know they are a beloved Christmas treat in France. I had to make a Bouche de Noel as well as a Croquembouche for an exam in pastry school. I still have the pictures of my rather amateurish effort. But I could eat an entire Croquembouche myself! Are they also popular at the Christmas season in France?
|
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Aug 11, 2007 14:45:11 GMT -5
We always make a point to see the speciala Christmas windows. They remind of of the way stores in my northern birthplace decorated....her in FL we hadly ever see the elaborate displays anywhere. Yes! It is almost as much fun to watch the children's faces!  Happygoin! I'll take all those chestnuts you don't like  |
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Aug 11, 2007 23:50:40 GMT -5
What a cute window display, Demarais! They are so fun to watch, especially the animated ones. Your photo reminded me of some I have of different Christmas decorations throughout Paris: These were at Galleries Lafayette, Dec. 2005    Christmas tree suspended from the dome inside GL  Marche de Noel at La Defense  Giant luminarias made out of oil drums!  Hubby and I in a flocked Christmas tree forrest somewhere on the right bank  We truly enjoyed being in Paris at this time of year, cold or not! |
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 12, 2007 0:17:11 GMT -5
We had a lot of fun the Christmas we were there, seeing the creches in all the churches - some were very professional, but others obviously were made by the children of the congregation. I also liked the Christmas trees suspended from the exteriors of buildings.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Aug 12, 2007 1:18:51 GMT -5
Even though I've never celebrated Christmas, I can't imagine a more colorful and exciting holiday. I detest cold weather and can't remember what a real winter is like despite the fact that I experienced many of them growing up in New York, but just seeing those photos of the beautiful Christmas displays almost makes me want to be in Paris at that time of year.
|
|
|
|
Post by frederickwentworth on Aug 12, 2007 4:52:40 GMT -5
Well Shoesy, I agree with you--I hate the cold and particularly the kind of dismal, cold, wet, windy weather of a Xmas in Paris. We flee France as early as we can in December to follow the whales and wallow in tropical seas.
The only reason I might regret a Xmas in Paris is because of the marrons glacés. I agree--they are divine--provided they are fresh--never buy them ready-packed (usual purveyors Ladurée, Lenôtre, etc.). Monstrously expensive but worth it.
If you want to visit off-season, May or October are very very nice. June can be horribly cold and rainy. August (1st to 15th is lovely because everybody has gone on holidays and you have Paris to yourself--the yahoos tend to congregate in the usual touristy places & you can avoid them easily).
FW
|
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Aug 12, 2007 5:06:07 GMT -5
June, as far as weather is concerned, seems to be quite a mystery.  Last year it was unbearably hot and humid for several days while we were there, and this year poor Gitte complained that she had experienced "winter" at a time when she should have been enjoying her summer vacation.  Such extremes in temperatures have me rather puzzled, but I guess none of us can do anything about that. Since my trips to Paris seem to be when I am accompanying my husband on business, I'll probably continue to go in June, and all I can do is hope for pleasant, sunny weather in 2008.  |
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Aug 12, 2007 6:26:15 GMT -5
Your pictures are wonderful Annette! They were just starting to put up the displays when we were there in November. You've made me wish I'd put of this years trip until a bit later in November!
|
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Aug 12, 2007 6:33:33 GMT -5
demarais - You should have no regrets about any trip to Paris. There will always be something beautiful and special about every month and every season.  |
|
|
|
Post by Shoesy on Aug 12, 2007 7:03:56 GMT -5
Wow, Gitte! Those cakes look divine, and even the chocolate ones look tempting to me!  But the thing that I would find most attractive at Christmas time is the display of trees. As a Jew I never had a Christmas tree, and I always envied the families that did. They're incredibly magical, and the idea of placing gift-wrapped boxes under one of those colorful creations is more than delightful. I think it would give me more pleasure to just marvel at all the lovely trees than to receive a Christmas present or two or three........... |
|
|
|
Post by geordy on Aug 12, 2007 8:38:17 GMT -5
Oh yes I love the photos too! The decorations and the cakes! I noticed when there in mid-November that a lot of people go to check out the window displays on Sundays when the stores are closed and there is less regular pedestrian traffic. And Happy the Paris Opera Ballet does a Nutcracker too. |
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Aug 12, 2007 9:15:45 GMT -5
I've just been checking the Fall?Winter temporary exhibitions. Don't know if any of these would interest you but they've made my list for this trip. Musee de Armee...a new DeGaulle permanent exhibition will be opening and a temp. called I Love the Military. Musee de Luxembourg.. Guiseppe Arcimboldo...I know you must have seen some of his works  Jacquemart-Andre... Fragonard exhibit |
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 12, 2007 11:15:47 GMT -5
Here's a favorite Christmas picture from France (not from Paris, but from Le Passe Simple, our favorite bistro in Aubeterre - they make wonderful risotto with cepes in cold weather, and also great mushroom soup). I thought this was a clever way of having a decorated tree without sacrificing their (scarce) floor space and giving up a table at a busy time of year (and they obviously liked the result, as it stayed up for quite awhile, even after Christmas):  |
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 12, 2007 11:29:17 GMT -5
Gitte, it's okay, I think the tree liked it! In fact, the other trees were upset that they did not get this special treatment! (I think it may be sort of like the geese that people in the US think they should "protect," but the geese absolutely clamor to be fed whenever the farmer comes out with his bucket - it's actually quite a sight, if you've never been around a foie gras producer.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Darcy on Aug 12, 2007 13:05:33 GMT -5
demarais, thanks for the Arcimboldo photo. I've seen his work before, not in person unfortunately, but couldn't remember his name! Please look at the exhibit for me as well.  |
|
Last year it was unbearably hot and humid for several days while we were there, and this year poor Gitte complained that she had experienced "winter" at a time when she should have been enjoying her summer vacation. 
Such extremes in temperatures have me rather puzzled, but I guess none of us can do anything about that. Since my trips to Paris seem to be when I am accompanying my husband on business, I'll probably continue to go in June, and all I can do is hope for pleasant, sunny weather in 2008. 
But the thing that I would find most attractive at Christmas time is the display of trees. As a Jew I never had a Christmas tree, and I always envied the families that did. They're incredibly magical, and the idea of placing gift-wrapped boxes under one of those colorful creations is more than delightful. I think it would give me more pleasure to just marvel at all the lovely trees than to receive a Christmas present or two or three........... 
hahahha