December (+ Christmas) things to do in Paris

There’s no Christmas market this year along the Champs Elysee. Yes I know – gasp! But guys, December in Paris has lots of other fun stuff to do, restaurants to discover, holiday pop ups to gift shop and so much more. I’ll give you some local insider tips on how to have a smashing holiday season in Paris.

Personally, Christmas is one of my favorite seasons because of all the festivities food and family time. Also people tend be be merrier and hey we could all use some more merriment this year after ALL we’ve been through with the politicking, trafficking, natural disasters and “fake-new” reporting.

 Overall in Paris the mood is optimistic. Last week Thursday it was so cool to see you all that came out to our November coffee meet at Matamata new coffee shop inside 35 Rue du Louvre. Our talks led us through the many joys and fears we all have visiting or making life in a new place like Paris. Remember you can sign up to the private Facebook group here

to connect with each other as well as receive special news and promos for the group members.

It’s been super cold here  and it snowed two days ago the first in a very long time!  Well it didn’t stick; it’s not staying around this year but it was beautiful to have a snowy night on last Thursday night here and brought back good memories of New York, where it’s quite normal to have a white christmas.

Also did you guys see the video of the snow from my apartment window, I posted on insta-stories?? @myparisianlife

There’s also a quick video blog of the best things to do Christmas and New Years in Paris. See it here :

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Some places I know for sure will be open:

Bonhomie that has an amazing selection of very good cocktails. Medetarian and French type fool that the setting is really nice and cozy they have a really good wine selection is in a central location you can either go rather casual or formal if you like

 Address: 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris

 Another one of my favorite restaurants is La Maison Blanche, they have an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower and I love it because the interiors are very luxurious and the menu is very seasonal and they do such a great job with the presentation.

 For my vegan and vegetarian friends there is a La Brasserie Lola that throughout the year in amazing selection of vegetarian meals this year you have to reserve so if you’re thinking of having vegetarian or vegan address real old are you have to call them to reserve your spot for New Years Eve.

Listen there is no shame with staying in on Christmas day! If you’d rather chill and order some food there are a few websites – my favorite is foodora.

STAY

Address: 30-32 Rue du Sentier, 75002 Paris

 If you’re coming to Paris to shop for Christmas I’d see if you don’t have a lot of time definitely you have to go to Galeries Lafayette which is one of the major department stores here that has basically everything under one roof if you’re looking for luxury if you’re looking for high Street if you’re looking for small Persian designers they have everything my favorite part of Galleries Lafayette actually games are for your gourmet which has an amazing selection of French foods and also other international foods and it’s a great place to go to get souvenirs to bring back home

 I just discovered play born dues which is in this onto your neighborhood of Paris it’s a pop up that’s going to be open on till 30 December and they have a diverse selection of young French designers everything from clothing jewelry make up some small gifts that even have a little coffee shop corner if you’re thinking of taking a pause while shopping it’s a great place to go and shop for gifts

 In terms of activities to do this month I’d say a lot of people are coming to Paris to go to Disneyland and that’s always cool it’s always great to take the kids or just to have a great time at Disneyland we want an article last Thanksgiving on Disneyland so you can check that out here another activity.

 

Another activity that’s on the top of my list for Christmas is the Christmas markets.  As I mentioned before there’s no Christmas market along the Champs Elysee this year however at Notre Dame there’s going to be a small Christmas market for some of the local artisans and neighborhood folks to come out in front of the Notre Dame church. This is a great opportunity if you were already thinking of going to sight see, walk along the Seine , going close by to the Latin quarter or if you were going over to Shakespeare and Company (it’s next door!).  it’s a great stop before or after any of these locations .

 The next activity to try when you come to Paris is ice-skating ice-skating.  Two places for sure this year ones under the Eiffel tower, other one is at the city hall of Paris ( Hotel de Ville). So you can take the kids the ice-skating under the Eiffel Tower or at hotel de Ville

 Remember to order you’re welcome to Paris bag if you’re thinking of coming and you don’t know where to get good wines and cheese! If you just want to save time and not have to run around we have made in amazing selection of the best wines and cheese is all delivered with a baguette fresh roasted Parisian coffee a poster map of 2017 best spots to discover in Paris and other small souvenir. BUY BAG HERE.

Check out the Christmas shop windows (DIOR, Printemps, BHV, Galeries Lafayette) and also inside Galeries Lafayette Haussman is a massive tree. Worthy of instagram photos!

There are lots of beautiful places in France that are a train ride away from Paris – and sometimes only an hour or so away from amazing chateaux like Fontainbleue to historic towns like Provins.

Why not? One of the most romantic things to do in the most romantic city

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

Check out the American Church in Paris or go to just about any church in your area ( will be in French though) such as Eglise Madeline

• American Church in Paris
• Address: 65 Quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris
• Madeleine Church Paris
• Address: Place de la Madeleine, 75008 Paris

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