{"id":15034,"date":"2014-11-17T07:35:15","date_gmt":"2014-11-17T11:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=15034"},"modified":"2019-05-15T12:32:26","modified_gmt":"2019-05-15T16:32:26","slug":"2014-holiday-guide-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/11\/17\/2014-holiday-guide-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 Holiday Guide: Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15045\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-notre-dame-christmas-cathedral-tree.jpg\" alt=\"The Notre Dame Christmas tree by the Seine\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>See the Christmas tree in the plaza in front of Notre Dame<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The trees have lost their leaves and each morning is now greeted by a dusting of frost. Lights gleam off the lingering ice as the smell of king cake drifts through the air. Winter is falling on Paris, but the city itself is more active than ever. From holiday markets and ice skating to parties and events, there\u2019s no better time to visit Paris than during the Christmas season.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ve covered the most interesting and exciting events in the city, so be sure to let us know what you think!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Holiday markets<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15039\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-market-champs-elysees-lights.jpg\" alt=\"The holiday markets along the Champs Elys\u00e9es\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Holiday markets along the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es are a great place to pick up last-minute gifts. (Photo credit: Steve Shupe)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Like a city in a snow globe, there\u2019s nothing more romantic than roaming the holiday markets in Paris as crisp winter winds ruffle visitors&#8217; artfully placed hats. Although small markets spring up all over the city, these are some of our favorites.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As the most iconic street in Paris, the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es is a prime attraction during the holiday season. In fact, it\u2019s the only street that makes our list of the <a title=\"Top 10 must-see sights in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/12\/top-10-must-see-sites-paris\/\">top 10 must-see sights in Paris<\/a>! <strong>The Christmas market at the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es<\/strong> consists of 100 chalets from the Vosges region. This arts and crafts market offers a wide selection of gifts and holiday food, including everything from arts and crafts to mulled wine and crepes. It runs from November 14 thru January 4, and be sure to visit at night to see the Big Wheel illuminated.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Santa\u2019s Village at Saint-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s<\/strong> (from December 6 thru January 2) is another great holiday market. While the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es is spectacular for the lights that span the street, Santa\u2019s Village is known for its window displays and the elaborate Christmas decorations of the surrounding stores!<\/li>\n<li>Deep in the heart of La D\u00e9fense lies a giant square arch known as the Grande Arche. Completed in 1989, the Grande Arche de la D\u00e9fense was built as a monument to humanitarian ideals instead of military victories. In this spirit, it illuminates every Christmas season to the delight of thousands of holiday shoppers. Open from November 20 thru December 27 and featuring nearly 350 structures, the <strong>l\u2019Arche market is easily one of the largest Christmas markets<\/strong> in the city. It\u2019s open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., so there\u2019s really no reason not to make time for a visit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15040\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-market-Place-des-Abbesses.jpg\" alt=\"The holiday markets at the Place des Abbesses\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Drop by the Place des Abbesses for tasty holiday market goodies. (Photo credit: Alessandro Baffa)<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Cozily snuggled in Montmartre, the <strong>March\u00e9 de No\u00ebl in the Place des Abbesses<\/strong> is open between November 28 and December 31. It\u2019s a collection of about 20 wooden chalets, and this year it hosts the \u201cliving Christmas Gourmand in Paris\u201d at the Palais Brogniart. This is a great place to shop for the foodie on your Christmas list given the fine selection of wine, champagne, foie gras, truffles, seafood, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you want to <a title=\"Top yearly events in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/11\/top-yearly-events-paris\/\">read about more of the best yearly events in Paris<\/a>, we\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Ice-skating rinks<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15042\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-ice-rink-hotel-ville.jpg\" alt=\"Ice skating at the Hotel de Ville\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Skate for free in front of the Paris H\u00f4tel de Ville<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Outdoor ice skating has a long history in Paris, but it was during the Belle \u00c9poque that it really became popular. Jean B\u00e9raud\u2019s famous painting <em>The Skaters<\/em> is only one example of a depiction of this Parisian trend. Where can you get your skating fix in the present day? Check out our favorite rinks below.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Of all the public ice rinks in Paris, there\u2019s nothing quite like skating on the 1,600 square-meter plot in front of the <strong>H\u00f4tel de Ville (City Hall)<\/strong>. If the architecture and environment aren\u2019t enough to attract you, the fact that it\u2019s free to skate might. No problem if you don\u2019t have your own skates\u2013you can rent skates on-site. There\u2019s even a smaller, separate rink for novices and children.<\/li>\n<li>On the left bank of the river Seine, the neighborhood of Montparnasse is famous for its caf\u00e9s, bars, and thriving artistic community. The <strong>Montparnasse Tower\u2019s ice skating rink<\/strong> is less well-known than the H\u00f4tel de Ville rink, but that also means there are fewer tourists! Spend the afternoon skating, then climb to the top of the tower for a bird\u2019s-eye view of Paris.<\/li>\n<li>What do you do when the soccer season has come and gone, leaving the once-lush stadium fields stiff and crunchy with frost? You turn it into a ski park, of course! From late December to early January, visit <strong>Charl\u00e9ty sur Neige<\/strong> on the Boulevard Kellermann with your kids for a family outing everyone will love. Outdoorsy types can sled down various artificial snow slopes or visit the snow garden, while indoor activites include trampolines for jumping and Wii games to play. Top off the day with a treat from one of the <a title=\"Top 10 pastry shops in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/13\/top-10-pastry-shops-paris\/\">top 10 pastry shops in Paris<\/a>!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Annual holiday events<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s a holiday season without a few parties? Spice things up this Christmas by attending one (or all!) of our favorite holiday events in Paris.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What will you be doing on November 20th? France will be celebrating wine. We\u2019re not joking; <strong>Beaujolais Nouveau Day<\/strong> is a whole holiday dedicated purely to the first release of this particular wine. It&#8217;s the most popular <em>vin de primeur<\/em> in the country, and is released to local markets at precisely 12:01 a.m. local time. The whole holiday began as a race to bring the first bottles from Beaujolais to Paris. Be sure to purchase a bottle and enjoy it with a lovely warm baguette from one of the <a title=\"Top 10 bakeries in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/03\/top-10-bakeries-paris\/\">top 10 bakeries in Paris<\/a>!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15043\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-illumination-champs-elysees-avenue.jpg\" alt=\"Don\u2019t forget to watch Paris light up from the Champs Elys\u00e9es\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The Illumination of Paris kicks off at the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Kicking off a carnival season that lasts for weeks, the Illumination of Paris at the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es is a festival of lights that starts on November 20 and lasts until January 8. Different neighborhoods all illuminate during this season, but none is as spectacular as the <strong>Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es Christmas Illumination ceremony<\/strong>. Arrive early for the best spot in the crowd and wait for the collective gasp as the Christmas season officially bursts into light.<\/li>\n<li>Speaking of the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es, you can\u2019t say you\u2019ve been to a <strong>New Year\u2019s Eve party<\/strong> until you\u2019ve been to the one on this avenue. People from all walks of life convene here to celebrate together. <a title=\"Top 10 coffee shops in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/03\/03\/top-10-coffee-shops-paris\/\">Grab a coffee nearby<\/a> to make sure you last through the evening; we promise it\u2019s worth it. Depending on how late you stay out, you might also want to arrange a ride home. The Paris Metro closes just after midnight, and procrastination is not worth the cold walk home. Don\u2019t miss <a title=\"Paris basic tips and etiquette for visitors\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/30\/paris-basic-tips-etiquette-visitors\/\">our other practical tips for a hassle-free stay in Paris<\/a>. You don\u2019t want to be left high and dry!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15047\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-winter-sales.jpg\" alt=\"Winter Soldes in Paris\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The Winter Soldes season is one of the two biggest shopping events in the country<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>It seems like America has a sale season every few weeks. Paris, however, only has <strong>sale<\/strong> seasons twice per year. One is during the summer, and the other runs from January 8 to February 12. The Winter Soldes are a huge hit all across the country, and it\u2019s a great time to find some of the city\u2019s best deals. Nearly every store participates, so come in the morning or evening to beat the crowds and walk away with a bargain.<\/li>\n<li>We all have our Christmas traditions, but few are as charming as the French tradition of the <strong>Galette des Rois<\/strong>. Literally translated as \u201cthe cake of kings,\u201d this pre-lent confection is a kind of cross between a Danish and a cinnamon roll. Bakers tuck tiny figurines into each cake, so that whoever gets the slice of cake with the figurine is declared the king or queen of the feast!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Celebrate holiday season in an apartment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When the weather outside is frightful, there\u2019s nothing as delightful as tucking your feet into a warm blanket while you sip a home-brewed hot chocolate. <a title=\"Vacation rentals in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/paris-apartment\/vacation\">Staying in a vacation rental<\/a> bridges the gap between travel and home for a short vacation, while a <a title=\"Furnished apartments in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/paris-apartment\/furnished\">sublet apartment<\/a> is a great choice for longer stays. If you want to make new friends with whom you can share the Christmas spirit, consider <a title=\"Find a bed and breakfast in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/paris-apartment\/bed-breakfast\">staying in a B&amp;B<\/a>\u2013\u2018tis the season, after all!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>Things to do and see during the holiday season<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Staying inside can be nice, but what\u2019s the point of traveling if you never leave your apartment? We promise these activities are worth braving the wind and cold, so don\u2019t miss them!<\/p>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15041\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-christmas-galeries-lafayette-shopping.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas at the Galleries Lafayette\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Magnificent Christmas decorations are an annual feature of the Galeries Lafayette<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>If there are two places that reliably have some of the best lights around, it\u2019s the <strong>Galeries Lafayette <\/strong>and<strong> Printemps Haussmann<\/strong> (<a title=\"Top 5 shopping spots in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/26\/top-5-shopping-spots-paris\/\">along with a few other top Paris shopping spots<\/a>). Both department stores spend dozens of hours making sure every last staircase and column is decked floor to ceiling with garlands, lights, and statues. Walking into these stores is like walking into Christmas itself, and if you look closely, you may even see Santa or his elves dashing around preparing presents for Christmas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15046\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-place-concorde-ferris-wheel.jpg\" alt=\"Place de la Concorde Ferris wheel\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>Ride the Ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Most people don\u2019t think of riding a Ferris Wheel in the middle of winter, so most people miss out on the magnificence that is the <strong>Place de la Concorde Ferris Wheel<\/strong>. Located more or less in the center of Paris, the wheel&#8217;s view at the top is one of the most spectacular in town. Besides seeing the city itself, you can also get a <a title=\"Top 10 parks in Paris\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/20\/top-10-parks-paris\/\">great view of some of Paris\u2019s best parks<\/a>! There&#8217;s no need to worry about riding in freezing winds; each capsule is fully enclosed and heated.<\/li>\n<li>There\u2019s something about an ancient cathedral on a snowy Christmas Eve that can\u2019t help but inspire awe, humility, and wonder. When that cathedral is <strong>Notre-Dame<\/strong> and you\u2019re celebrating<strong> Christmas Eve in Paris<\/strong>, there\u2019s just no competition. Come for the service and leave with a beautiful memory and a revived sense of reverence. Listen closely and you might just hear the lingering sound of Victor Hugo\u2019s Quasimodo crying \u201cSanctuary! Sanctuary!\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"img aligncenter wp-image-15044\">\n\t<img src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/2014-holiday-guide-paris-jours-fete-grand-palais.jpg\" alt=\"Paris Jours de F\u00eate Au Grand Palais\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \/>\n\t<div>The Jours de F\u00eate Au Grand Palais in Paris<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>From December 21 thru January 5, you can visit the<strong> Jours de F\u00eate Au Grand Palais<\/strong>, a fabulous indoor funfair within a hall once reserved for royalty. Enjoy unlimited access to over 50 attractions, with fun for children and grown-ups alike. Whirl around carousel rides or nibble on toffee apples; it\u2019s up to you!<\/li>\n<li>If you combine the magic of Disney with the magic of Christmas, what&#8217;s the result? At the very least, an enchanting time! From November 9 thru January 7, <strong>Disneyland Resort Paris<\/strong> is proposes an Enchanted Christmas to complete your Paris holiday trip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With so much to do during the holiday season in Paris, it\u2019s hard to choose what to do first. Which activity are you going to try?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The trees have lost their leaves and each morning is now greeted by a dusting of frost. Lights gleam off the lingering ice as the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[24],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15034"}],"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=15034"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15034\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20003,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15034\/revisions\/20003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}