Rue Amandine

What’s up in Paris for Christmas?

by: Rue Amandine

(above: Le Bon Marché)

You may be visiting Paris for the first or tenth time, you may be far away from Paris, but want to feel the Christmas magic, even across the ocean. Or, just like me, you may be living in Paris and have decided to spend the holidays by staying in the City, with the firm decision of making the most of it.

This year Christmas could be icy, fun, cultural, gourmet… Are you ready? Let’s go!

Snow and ice: welcome in Paris ski resort!

This year, you won’t spend Christmas in the Alps or the Rocky Mountains? Never mind, let’s get a feeling of it in « Paris giant ski resort ».

Like every year, skating rinks will be set up in the City: a great way to practice your favorite figures on ice. Whether in front of la Mairie de Paris, the City Hall, on the Champs Elysées or facing the Eiffel Tower in Trocadéro, you can enjoy this activity from December 18th. And guess what? It's free!

Even better, since last Sunday the Grand Palais has been turned into le Grand Palais des Glaces and hosts the largest temporary ice rink ever created in France. You may attend the evening sessions with entertainment & light and to dance on ice until 2 am! What do you think of thiese Holidays on ice!? Skating under the great glass roof of this historical monument will certainly bu a unique and memorable time!

If you prefer to go for « real snow », let’s head South to the ski resort set up in a Parisian stadium, Charlety sur neige… Ski run, snow shoes walks, giant sledges… Children between the ages of 3 and 16 will be able to practice their favorite sport for free.

Hot chocolate and merry-go-round: Christmas will be fun

You may also follow the typical Christmas Parisian tracks for an immersion in the Christmas magic/shopping/commercial business. You might not be the only ones and you might be taken back by the thick crowd and busy atmosphere… But still, even for Parisians like us, there are some magic moments to capture, such as the amazed look of the kids when watching the Christmas windows or meeting Santa Claus for the first time. For this immersion in the Christmas business choose Le Bon Marché, le Printemps or Les Galeries Lafayette… Which one will be the most inventive? The upside down giant Christmas tree in Galeries Lafayette is already a must. As for me, I love the Santa Claus letter box in front of Bon Marché. A trendiest (and probably coziest option) would be, after a shopping and sight seeing session in le Marais to stop for some more shopping under the illuminated stars of Merci, with a most rewarding slice of home made cake and hot chocolate at the Merci used book café. No Santa Claus nor Christmas music here… and that is for the best!

(above: Christmas at Merci) The Christmas markets are another traditional must-do but do not spend too much time there, as they have lost a bit of their authenticity. The biggest one is on the Champs-Elysées, but the one in Trocadéro offers a great view on the Eiffel Tower… My favorite, would be the smaller one in Montmartre, place des Abbesses. It's perfect for a local atmosphere and a warm glass of hot wine with a waffle (it is cold, you need some energy!) Of course the classic ferris wheel will be back in Place de la Concorde. A perfect way to enjoy a nice view over the City. For the kids, the merry-go-rounds that Mairie de Paris set up for free rides in different parts of the city: Marais, Saint-Germain, Canal Saint Martin… They will be everywhere! But the most beautiful and unusual Christmas activity we all wait for during Christmas days in Paris is the Musée des arts forains. These historical fun fair attractions are opened only once a year for the holidays and offer a journey in the past with stunning attractions. A must-see with or without kids!

Exhibitions, dance and music: Christmas will be cultural

Jeff Koons or Niki de Saint Phalle for their giant sculptures, Hokusai or Garry Winogrand for a more intimate moment… don’t miss the most exciting exhibitions during Christmas holidays and make sure to buy tickets in advance to cut the long lines in the cold… Should you want to experience art in a more interactive way, run to Palais de Tokyo for the great Inside exhibition, an amazing selection of contemporary artists.

(above: Niki de Saint Phalle)

Gaité Lyrique, the digital and numeric gallery is presenting his new interactive exhibition, Capitaine Futur and the extraordinary journey. Another great way to have fun in Paris with the children by a cold afternoon (on Sunday, the special brunch is really nice !)

(above: Brunch at Gaité Lyrique)

As for evenings, if you come from the other side of the Ocean, you can not miss An American in Paris in Théâtre du Châtelet. If you are more in a classic ballet mood, the Nutcracker will be playing in Opera Bastille… A glamorous Christmas evening indeed!

Another dancing option is Torobakan, the new ballet created by Akram Khan and Israel Galvan in Théâtre de la Ville, a mix of Indian dance and flamenco, it should be interesting!

And if you prefer music, you could choose to go to Théâtre des Champs Elysées to enjoy the Christmas oratorio by Bach,You may also treat yourself to an uplifting classical music experience in one of the most lively neighborhoods and take part in the Christmas concert in Eglise Saint Germain on Dec 19th or 23r. Unique!

Palaces and ballets : Christmas will be Royal

If you have some time and if you really want to be plunged into the real Christmas atmosphere, you should definitely visit Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte for a Christmas fairy tale. Wonderful Christmas decorations, animations in the parc, White-Snow show… You can go there by bus or train and spend a memorable day there.

And a last option for an unique evening during Christmas holidays is a night in the royal Opéra in Versailles Palace where you could see the beautiful White Snow ballet by Preljocaj….

Bistronomy and cocktails…. Christmas will be hipster!

Baby sitter are booked: after the crazy day at the Ferris Wheel or the Christmas market, you may treat yourself with a good dinner in one the of the 2014 new addresses that have to be discovered : my must go is the new address of Jean-François Piège (famous for his Michelin starred Thoumieux), that he opened with his wife a couple of days ago: Clover. One can’t miss a lunch at 28 euros orchestrated by the talentuous Piège. Porte 12 also made the buzz these last weeks with their award of best restaurants by le Fooding, together with Faubourg 52 (arrive before 8pm, no booking possible). I would add to that list my two favorites of 2014, the kind of gastro-bistrots that I like: On Canal Saint Martin, the cozy and friendly Hai Kai that will celebrate its first birthday on the 31st and Servan, that opened last spring and that is one of the best addresses for a good lunch or dinner of the 11th arrondissement.

(above: Hai Kai

And if the babysitter can stay really late, the most Parisian thing would be to go for a drink in trendy SOPI (South Pigalle); delicious cocktail at la Buvette, or the hister Dépanneur or Dirty Dick…

Should it be cozy, sparkling, musical, cultural, trendy, gourmand or a bit of everything…. Have a Merry Parisian Christmas!

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RUE AMANDINE

Amandine is our new Parisian guru here at violet7, and we are more than happy to share her wisdom.

Step onto Rue Amandine and experience a personalized visit to the City of Lights ! Amandine offers apartments in a number of Parisian neighborhoods ; there are plenty to choose from, of varying ambiance to suit your every whim, and you will be comfortable upon your arrival in Paris.

Then, a personalized «roadbook » is created, based on your specific preferences to custom tailor your stay. Tours, restaurant reservations, activities – everything is fitted to your needs to make your vacation a perfect, one-of-a-kind delight.

Check our her article on our site of course – you'll discover what a Parisian Christmas is all about – and then take a trip on over to www.rueamandine.com. Don't forget to subscribe to her newsletter for the latest updates on 'What's up in Paris'!

Merci Amandine!

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Ice rings in Paris: Hotel de Ville and Gare Montparnasse (from Dec 19th to March 1st), Trocadéro Christmas market, Champs-Elysées Christmas market. Le Grand palais des glaces: from Dec 14th to Jan 4th, from 10am to 8pm and 9pm to 2am everyday (until 6pm on Dec 24th and Dec 31st).

Charlety sur neige: Stade Charlety, 99, boulevard Kellermann 75013, Paris (RER B Cité Universitaire, Tramway T3 or Metro Porte d’Italie). From Dec 24th to Jan 3rd.

Christmas market in Paris: Champs-Elysées (metro Charles de Gaulle) from Nov 14th to Jan 4th, Trocadéro from Dec 13th to Jan 4th, Saint Sulpice from Dec 1st to Dec 24th, Montmartre (metro Abbesses) from Nov 29th to Jan 1st and many other Christmas markets in Paris.

Christmas merry-go-round: in front of the town hall, place Saint-Sulpice, place du Trocadéro, metro Bonsergent (near Canal Saint Martin), Place du Bourg-Tibourg and Square du Temple (Marais), place de l’Odéon, place de la Madeleine… From Dec 20th to Jan 4th.

Jeff Koons in Centre Pompidou from Nov 26th to Jan 16th (metro Rambuteau).

Niki de Saint Phalle in Grand Palais until Feb 2nd (metro Franklin Roosevelt).

Hokusai in Grand Palais until Jan 18th (metro Franklin Roosevelt).

Garry Winogrand in Jeu de Paume until Fev 8th (metro Concorde).

Inside in Palais de Tokyo until Jan 11th (metro Iéna or Alma Marceau).

Gaité Lyrique, metro Réaumur Sébastopol or Arts et Métiers, Capitaine Futur and the extraordinary journey until Feb 8th.

An American in Paris at Théâtre du Châtelet (métro Châtelet) from Nov 22nd to Jan 4th.

Tobokan in théâtre de la ville from Dec 16th to Jan 5th (metro Chatelet).

Musée des arts forains: 53 avenue des Terroirs de France 75012 Paris (metro cours Saint Emilion).

Festival du Merveilleux from Dec 26th to Jan 4th.

The Nutcracker in Opéra Garnier from Nov 26th to Dec 31st.

Christmas oratorio by Bach in Théâtre des Champs Elysées on Dec 20th.

Christmas concert in Saint Germain church on Dec 19th or 23rd at 8.30pm.

Christmas festival in Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte from Nov 29th, see all the details on the website.

White-Snow in Versailles Opéra from Dec 17 to Dec 21st.

Clover: 5 rue Perronet. 75008 Paris.

Haikai: Hai Kai : 104 quai de Jemmapes. From 12pm to 3 pm (4pm on Sundays), and from 7pm to 11pm (except Sundays). Closed on Mondays. - Closed from the 24th to 31st 2014

Le Servan: from noon to 2:30pm et de 7:30-10:30 pm. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday for lunch. Will be closed on Dec 24th and 25th.

La Buvette: 28 rue Henri Monnier. Open everyday 8:30am-Midnight. Will be closed from the Dec 23rd to the 26th included.

#culture