Five Things to do in Paris this Festive Season!

 

I spent a whole month in Paris in late November and early December a few years ago.

 

I didn’t know how I would like that because I knew it would be chilly and rainy.

 

However, I didn’t expect how much I would revel in the festive season.

 

I walked for hours — everywhere!

 

Going out at night was a highlight, meeting friends, seeing all the lights, and sitting in cafés soaking up the convivial ambience.

 

Reflecting,  I would say it was and is one of my favourite times to be in Paris.

 

And if I was going back again this year, this is what I would do:

 

 

Five Things I Would Do

And Visit In Paris

This Festive Season 2024!

 

1. Notre Dame Cathedral!

Of course, this year this is a must!

This past week, three bells were reinstalled in the 850-year-old church, five years after the devastating fire toppled the wooden spire, and ravaged the roof, inner walls and some of the priceless artifacts.

The cathedral will reopen to the public in early December and one will be able to reserve a free spot online.

CLICK Here to find out more.

 

 

2.  Galeries Lafayette Haussman Christmas Tree and Windows

You cannot celebrate the holiday season in Paris without visiting this grand dame of department stores.

 

This year is the 130th anniversary of the flagship store.

 

From November 14th to December 31st, it is going all out with decorations inside and out. Their windows are also legendary.

 

 

It is a tradition to see what the department store’s gigantic Christmas tree will look like.

 

It has just been revealed this week, a spectacular sight even in the photographs.

 

This year’s tree is suspended from the stained glass ceiling under the dome. It has 20,000 sparkling lights, a glass walkway for closeup views and selfies, a sound and light show, and a dazzling fireworks display at the top.

 

 

3. A Christmas Market

 

This is always a great idea.

 

Christmas markets are magical and there are plenty of options in Paris. They start popping open by the end of November.

 

Here are some of the marchés de Noel that I recommend:

 

• Christmas Market at the Jardin des Tuileries: Tuileries Garden, November 16 – January 1, 2025 – Place de la Concorde, Paris 75001
• Notre Dame Christmas Market, November 29 – December 25, 2024, Square René-Viviani, Quai Montebello, 75005 Paris 
• Alsatian Christmas Market: Gare de l’Est – on the rue d’Alsace side, November 29 – December 25, 2024, Paris 75010
• Abbess Christmas Market, Place des Abbesses,November 25th – December 31st. Paris 75018

4.  Ride a Carousel

 

You don’t need to be a kid to hop on a carousel in Paris.  I have seen many of them on my walks around the city but never ridden on one.

 

I would make this a priority!

 

Here are a few places where you can find them and some are more elaborate than others:

 

 

Others include:

Jardin du Luxembourg Carousel

Jardin du Trocadero Carousel (near Eiffel tower)

Hôtel de Ville Carousel

 

 

 

5. Buy An Exotic Chanel Perfume

 

Not everyone loves perfume, but I do, especially French perfume. Yet there is not much selection where I live.  Even Chanel in duty-free stores only offers regulars like Chanel No. 5, Coco, Chance, and Gabrielle.

 

At any Chanel counter in Paris however,  there are 146 different fragrances to choose from like Paris- Biarritz, Cuir de Russo, Bois des Iles,  Coromandel, Paris-Venise, Paris-Riviera and Rue Cambon!

 

I bought Biarritz as in the photo above on my last visit but I am almost out.

 

So this time what would I get? Hmmm.

 

If You Go!

In Paris this month or next?  Let us know what you are doing or planning to do. And if you are an armchair traveller like me this festive season, let me know what you would like to do if you were going.

 

Always love to hear from you!

 

Special Notes:

Bring a winter coat, warm scarves and gloves.  I took two fall coats on my last visit that I thought would be fine for a range of 5 -17 degrees Celsius.

 

But Paris is damp-cold at this time of year, and within an hour of walking around, I got chilled right to the bone.

 

(Good excuse to head to a cafe to warm up!)

 

 

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We would all love to read your thoughts and messages.

 

Best for now!

See you next time!

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