{"id":13818,"date":"2013-11-04T09:40:20","date_gmt":"2013-11-04T13:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=13818"},"modified":"2013-11-04T09:40:20","modified_gmt":"2013-11-04T13:40:20","slug":"2013-holiday-season-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/2013-holiday-season-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"Enjoy the 2013 Holiday Season in Paris!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13823\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/christmas-market-paris-eiffel-tower-trocadero.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of the Eiffel Tower and a Christmas market. Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalb\u00e9ra.\" width=\"585\" height=\"388\" \/>\n\t<div>A Christmas market near the Eiffel Tower in Paris during Holiday Season. Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalb\u00e9ra.<\/div>\n<\/div>Paris is beautiful at any time of the year, but there\u2019s something extra special about visiting the City of Lights during Holiday Season! From mid-November until mid-January, Paris becomes a magical place filled with sparkling lights, outdoor ice-skating rinks and Christmas markets. Furthermore, there\u2019s Christmas shopping at the Galeries Lafayette and an Enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris!<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ve categorized our favorite holiday season activities, so you can easily create your own travel itinerary for your visit to Paris in the fall or winter of 2013!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Paris Market and Fairs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Paris is known for its many amazing food and antique markets throughout the year. However, come Holiday Season the city steps it up a notch with the Parisian Christmas markets! These amazing outdoor markets feature anything from Christmas gifts to seasonal culinary delights, and can be found all over the city. The following are some of our favorites.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>Champs Elys\u00e9es Christmas Market<\/strong> is the largest Christmas market in Paris. It runs from the Place de la Concorde all the way up to the Champs Elys\u00e9es roundabout. From November 15th to January 5th, you can enjoy mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and more on one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. Of course, this is also a great place to get some serious Christmas shopping done. Have a look at <a title=\"Visit the Champs-Elys\u00e9es, Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/29\/visit-champs-elysees-arc-triomphe-paris\/\">Visit the Champs Elys\u00e9es in Paris<\/a> for more information about the shops.<!--more--><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13822\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/christmas-market-defense-business-district-skyscrapers-paris.jpg\" alt=\"Image of La D\u00e9fense and its Christmas Village in Paris\" width=\"585\" height=\"391\" \/>\n\t<div>The Christmas Village at La D\u00e9fense in Paris<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>Christmas Village at La D\u00e9fense<\/strong> is another huge Christmas market in Paris. Located on the big square right next to the modern Grand Arch of the business district, this market boasts over 300 wooden chalets selling everything from art to gifts. This year, the Christmas market will run from November 22nd to December 29th.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Santa\u2019s Village at Saint Germain des Pr\u00e9s<\/strong> is a picturesque Christmas market along the Boulevard Saint-Germain. The market features 30 stalls, and is a great place to enjoy delicious seasonal food. The Christmas market will start on December 6th and close on January 2nd.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>It comes as no surprise that picturesque Montmartre hosts one of the coziest Christmas markets in Paris. The <strong>Montmartre Christmas Market<\/strong> takes place in December, and can be found on Place des Abbesses near the Sacre Coeur. This small market offers some delicious comfort food and drinks, as well as arts and crafts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lastly, there are several amazing food markets in Paris where you can stock up on ingredients to prepare your own delicious Christmas dinner! Check out our <a title=\"Top 5 Shopping Spots in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/26\/top-5-shopping-spots-paris\/\">Top 5 Shopping Spots in Paris<\/a> for some of the best food markets in town.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ice Skating in Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13820\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/ice-skating-rink-city-hall-paris-winter.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of an ice-skating rink in front of the H\u00f4tel de Ville in Paris\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>The huge ice-skating rink at the H\u00f4tel de Ville in Paris during Holiday Season<\/div>\n<\/div>If you\u2019re looking for an activity for a romantic date in Paris, you\u2019re not short of options. However, ice skating has to be one of the most romantic activities in the holiday season. There are several open-air ice-skating rinks in the City of Lights, and the following are some of our favorites!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>Ice-Skating Rink at the H\u00f4tel de Ville<\/strong> is absolutely enormous, and one of the most popular rinks in town. The rink usually occupies the square in front of City Hall from December until March. There is no entrance fee for the rink, and if you don\u2019t own skates you can rent them for just \u20ac5. Try to go after sunset if you\u2019re on a date, as the H\u00f4tel de Ville lights up beautifully at night.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>For an ice-skating rink with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower, head to the <strong>Trocad\u00e9ro Ice-Skating Rink &amp; Christmas Market<\/strong>. This amazing rink is located on the elevated terrace of the Esplanade du Trocad\u00e9ro, and also doesn\u2019t have an entrance fee. Skates can be rented for \u20ac5. The rink and market will run sometime between December and January. Enjoy some hot cocoa or mulled wine with a view of the Eiffel Tower at the market when you\u2019re done skating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Holiday Season Events<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During Holiday Season in Paris you not only get to celebrate traditional events such as Christmas and New Year\u2019s Eve, but also typical French events such as Beaujolais Nouveau Day. Check out the season\u2019s biggest events!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In the States, the holiday season really kicks in with Thanksgiving, but in Paris it is celebrated a week earlier on <strong>Beaujolais Nouveau Day<\/strong>. This day marks the release of the famous French wine Beaujolais, which always takes place on the third Thursday of November. On November 21st, you can attend one of the parties held in Paris, or simply buy one of the coveted bottles and toast to the day in your own apartment. Coincidence or not, it is said the wine is particularly well paired with turkey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13821\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/champs-elysees-holidays-christmas-lights-decorations.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the Champs Elys\u00e9es decorated with holiday lights in Paris\" width=\"585\" height=\"391\" \/>\n\t<div>Holiday lights decorate the Champs Elys\u00e9es in Paris<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Usually in the same week as Beaujolais Nouveau Day, the<strong> Christmas lights are lit on the Champs Elys\u00e9es<\/strong>. Every year, 200 plain trees are decorated with glittering lights along the Champs Elys\u00e9es. If you visit the avenue in December you can be sure to see the glowing greenery!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>The Champs Elys\u00e9es is also the place to be on <strong>New Year\u2019s Eve in Paris<\/strong>! Every year, over 100,000 people head to the Champs Elys\u00e9es in the evening on December 31st, to celebrate the New Year. At midnight, the Eiffel Tower lights up the sky with a beautiful display. Bring a bottle of champagne to the avenue to toast with your friends!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Once the New Year kicks in, it\u2019s time for the <strong>January Sales in Paris<\/strong>! From small boutique stores to big department stores such as Printemps, you\u2019ll find deals all over Paris. While the main sale events are held in January, the prices are dropped again in February, so don\u2019t worry about missing anything!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>End the season like a true Parisian by baking a <strong>Galette des Rois<\/strong> on the holiday of Epiphany. It\u2019s a tradition to bake a Galette des Rois, or King cake, on January 6th each year. Alternatively, you can also buy the puff pastry filled with frangipane in a Parisian bakery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Celebrate the Holiday Season with your Family in a Paris Apartment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If your mind is set on baking a Galette des Rois or a delicious Christmas dinner for your family in Paris, you\u2019re going to need a good kitchen. Our <a title=\"Vacation Rentals in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/paris-apartment\/vacation\">vacation rental apartments in Paris<\/a> have fully equipped kitchens where foodies will find everything they need to enjoy the Holiday Season in Paris. Additionally, all apartments have proper living rooms. You can choose an apartment with as many bedrooms as you like, so your family can all stay together in one apartment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Things to See &amp; Do in Paris During Holiday Season<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13824\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/christmas-tree-galeries-lafayette-shopping-department-store-paris.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of the Galeries Lafayette and its Christmas tree in Paris\" width=\"585\" height=\"390\" \/>\n\t<div>The beautiful Christmas tree in the atrium of the Galeries Lafayette in Paris<\/div>\n<\/div>There\u2019s always something amazing to see and do in Paris: the following are our favorite Holiday Season activities!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The famous department store <strong>Galeries Lafayette<\/strong> turns into one big winter wonderland during Holiday Season. Admire the beautiful window displays, and step inside to gawp at the sparkling Christmas tree that you\u2019ll find at the center of the atrium. When you\u2019re done admiring the beautiful decorations, you can enjoy Christmas shopping!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Head to <strong>Disneyland Paris<\/strong> for an activity that is great fun for the whole family. Starting November 10th and ending January 6th, you can enjoy Disney\u2019s Enchanted Christmas! The kids will have a chance to meat Santa, while the adults will enjoy the beautiful snow-covered village from Disney\u2019s Beauty &amp; the Beast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>For a more affordable thrill, check out the <strong>Giant Ferris Wheel at the Place de la Concorde<\/strong>! The entire wheel is covered in glittering lights, and you\u2019ll get an amazing view of Paris from the top.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter size-full wp-image-13819\" style='width:585px;'>\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/christmas-tree-notre-dame-paris-cathedral-holidays.jpg\" alt=\"Image of the Notre Dame de Paris and a Christmas tree\" width=\"585\" height=\"441\" \/>\n\t<div>A big Christmas tree in front of the Notre Dame de Paris <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Lastly, the <strong>Notre Dame de Paris<\/strong> is one of the most beautiful places to attend mass on Christmas Eve. The Midnight Mass at the Notre Dame is most popular, but there\u2019s also an international mass you can attend at 8 pm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed our list of activities for the Holiday Season in Paris! What\u2019s your favorite spot in Paris in winter?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paris is beautiful at any time of the year, but there\u2019s something extra special about visiting the City of Lights during Holiday Season! From mid-November&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[27],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13818"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13818"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13857,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13818\/revisions\/13857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}