{"id":17257,"date":"2016-11-21T19:01:45","date_gmt":"2016-11-21T23:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=17257"},"modified":"2023-03-27T10:44:56","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T14:44:56","slug":"paris-winter-guide-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/21\/paris-winter-guide-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Paris Winter Guide 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Major department stores like Printemps go all out for the holiday season. (Photo credit: 2015-11-Noel-Actualites-Vitrine-Fa\u00e7ade-Printemps)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Paris isn\u2019t called the City of Lights<\/strong> for nothing! As the days get shorter and holiday cheer spreads through the shops and streets of the city, shimmering Christmas lights and unique, festive decorations are put up across Paris. The city\u2019s holiday traditions, from ice skating and carousels to chestnuts and mulled wine, bring Paris\u2019s outdoor spaces to life despite the winter chill. Visit Paris for the holiday season and you can see for yourself!<\/p>\n

To help you make sense of Paris\u2019s many wintertime<\/strong> offerings, this guide lays out the city\u2019s can\u2019t-miss experiences for the holidays. For more guidance on choosing the right home away from home, take a look at our furnished apartments in Paris<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Christmas lights in Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Paris\u2019s streets are full of holiday spirit when transformed with Christmas lights. (Photo credit: Paris-avenue-de-montaigne-fashion-ninara)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As the sun sets and long winter nights begin in Paris, the city lights up in colorful warm tones. There\u2019s the Eiffel Tower<\/a>\u2019s sparkle, enjoyable year-round but always better framed by lit up trees along a nearby avenue, or the small-scale efforts of independent shops around the city. You can find illumination<\/strong> on every corner!<\/p>\n

In fact, it\u2019s something of a tradition for some of the city\u2019s retail outlets to compete for the most creative, innovative, and complex holiday displays. When you stroll through Paris\u2019s shopping<\/a> districts, you can spot some yourself. You can head to Bazaar de l\u2019H\u00f4tel de Ville<\/strong> in Le Marais, Galeries Lafayette<\/strong> in the 8th Arrondissement, or Le Bon March\u00e9<\/strong> on the Left Bank to see what these famous and historic department stores put together for the holiday season. Don\u2019t forget, tourists can get a rebate on taxes if they hail from outside the European Union!<\/p>\n

Paris during the holidays is bright and merry, with locals stopping for warm chestnuts or fresh baguettes<\/a> on the way home from work for a snack or extra warmth. To immerse yourself in the city\u2019s holiday cheer, why not get the experience of truly living in the city? You can rent a furnished apartment<\/strong> and make Paris your home for the holidays!<\/p>\n

Studio vacation rental in Les Halles, 2nd Arrondissement<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Wood beams and natural light add to this Right Bank studio\u2019s charm.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Waking up in Paris on Christmas morning<\/strong> in your own Parisian apartment<\/a> with a view is the perfect way to enjoy the holidays. Besides, Paris one of the most romantic cities in the world, and it comes alive at Christmastime with a friendly, festive atmosphere. Find your niche in the city with this fully furnished studio vacation rental in the heart of the Right Bank<\/a>. You\u2019ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay, all in a picturesque 18th-century building close to everything and affordable for budget travelers, students, or couples. See what people are saying about their experiences and you\u2019ll want to jump on this Paris rental option!<\/p>\n

This studio apartment is situated on the top floor of an 18th-century building<\/strong> in Les Halles. One of the advantages of staying on the top floor is that the apartment has two balconies on opposite ends, making the most of its east-west views of Paris. With the full kitchen, you can even try to cook a traditional French Christmas meal of raw oysters, escargots, fois gras, smoked salmon, scallops and champagne from a local market<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Even Paris\u2019s metro entrances look cheerier during the holidays! (Photo credit: http:\/\/jpblaisephotography.com\/)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

You can experience what it\u2019s like to be a Parisian when you stay in Les Halles<\/strong>. A convenient area for vacationers and long-time Parisians alike, this neighborhood offers no shortage of options for your Paris trip. The Mus\u00e9e du Louvre<\/a> is just 10 minutes away, and the legendary Notre Dame Cathedral is in close proximity as well. The holiday season is the best time of year to explore the city by foot, with traditional cr\u00e8ches de No\u00ebl<\/em> decorating storefronts and public spaces around Paris\u2019s iconic landmarks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just a few blocks away from the accommodation is Rue Montorgueil<\/strong>, home to the last remnants of the famed Les Halles market. This was the largest market in Paris, operating from 1183 until 1971. A stroll down this street of cute stores isn\u2019t just a chance to do a bit of food shopping, but also a great way to get off the tourist trail and experience a bit of the real Paris. For more authentic experiences, don\u2019t hesitate to ask your French neighbors for local secrets and city tips!<\/p>\n

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This three-bedroom apartment is cozy inside and located in a charming corner of central Paris, perfect for the holidays!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If the historic Montorgueil neighborhood seems like an area you can\u2019t wait to see, we have another great option for longer stays. This three-bedroom furnished Paris apartment<\/a> offers contemporary d\u00e9cor and lots of space for travelers with children. The typically Parisian Haussmannien<\/strong> architecture of the surrounding area and the French windows and hardwood floors of the apartment call back to the area\u2019s inspiration for 19th-century impressionist painters. Get out and explore and you can stroll through covered galleries or peruse Paris\u2019s many Christmas markets!<\/p>\n

Christmas markets<\/strong><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s nothing like finishing off your Christmas shopping in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. (Photo credit: http:\/\/jpblaisephotography.com\/)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

One of the most famous French traditions around Christmas is the outdoor markets<\/strong> in village squares. This cozy wintertime activity takes place in some of the grandest public spaces of Paris!<\/p>\n

Check out Paris\u2019s take on the Christmas markets of Alsace, an eastern French region with a German-influenced holiday tradition, at the March\u00e9 de No\u00ebl Alsacien<\/em> at Gare de l\u2019Est<\/em>, one of the city\u2019s main train stations. Or, you can head to the centrally-located Gare Saint-Lazare<\/em> for a snack of chestnuts and mulled wine at their March\u00e9 de No\u00ebl<\/em> after doing some last-minute shopping at Galeries Lafayette. Finally, don\u2019t miss out on the March\u00e9 de No\u00ebl des Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es<\/em>, which takes place on Paris\u2019s most famous avenue that frames the Arc de Triomphe<\/strong> in warm Christmas lights.<\/p>\n

Christmas shopping near Paris attractions<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When it rains or snows, take refuge in a Parisian store for some Christmas shopping. Photo credit: Alan Eng<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Holiday decorations and twinkling lights are great, but don\u2019t forget that Christmas justifies shopping<\/a>, which is always a joy in Paris! Visitors and locals have their eyes fixed on Christmas windows at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, two big French department stores on the Boulevard Haussmann. For more sophisticated tastes, there is, of course, the Avenue Montaigne \u2013 one of Paris\u2019s famously charming avenues where fashion dreams become reality. This grand avenue looks particularly stunning during Christmas, with lights and holiday market stalls lining its wide sidewalks.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t live without shopping, this two-bedroom rental in the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es<\/a> neighborhood is a perfect match. The vacation rental has French windows, hardwood floors and a stone fireplace<\/strong> to add a touch of class inside and out. When you leave your furnished flat, you can walk the Avenue des Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es<\/a> from the Place de la Concorde to the Place de l\u2019Etoile with the Arc de Triomphe.<\/p>\n

Winter activities in and around Le Marais<\/strong><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s something magical about the snowy hidden gardens that surround Paris\u2019s monuments. (Photo credit: http:\/\/jpblaisephotography.com\/)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

This beautiful, historic Paris neighborhood is teeming with hip galleries and bars\u2013 Le Marais<\/a> is close to everything! Choosing the right location is especially important during the holiday season, when you don\u2019t want to have to trek around the metro and can just enjoy walking around the City of Lights. If you are planning on doing a lot of gift shopping, you can\u2019t find a better area; wonderful little boutiques<\/strong> and upscale department stores pepper the neighborhood. Stroll along Rue de Rivoli towards the famed Galeries Lafayette and you\u2019ll find even more outlets to explore! You can either enjoy an invigorating walk or take the metro to this must-see attraction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Relax with a book or a good TV show and get cozy in this one-bedroom Marais apartment.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

To take full advantage of the area\u2019s charms, you\u2019ll want to stay in a local furnished apartment like this Marais one-bedroom vacation rental<\/a>. It has everything you need to stay cozy after a long day of exploring the city. The prime location is halfway between the picturesque skating rinks of the Place de l\u2019H\u00f4tel de Ville and the unique Centre Pompidou<\/strong>, home to France\u2019s national contemporary art museum.<\/p>\n

If you ask the locals, cooking at home isn\u2019t just a necessity\u2013 it\u2019s a tradition! This accommodation is near the well-known pedestrian area around Rue des Gravilliers<\/strong>, a residential and commercial street with lovely caf\u00e9s, greengrocers and fishmongers. For a true taste of France, try your hand at local delicacies like escargot or frog legs, or just opt for a bowl of the classic French onion soup (you won\u2019t be disappointed!). Take advantage of having your own kitchen and experiment with local produce!<\/p>\n

Enjoying winter in the Paris area<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Families visiting during the holiday season won\u2019t want to miss Le No\u00ebl Enchant\u00e9 at Disneyland Paris! (Photo credit: Jeremy Thompson)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It isn\u2019t just Paris\u2019s urban core that gets in the holiday mood: the entire metropolitan region comes alive! From winter versions of classic attractions to special events happening during the holiday season only, you can see a whole new side of Grand Paris around Christmas. One magical option is the Palace of Versailles<\/a>, located in a Paris suburb easily accessible by train. Its famed gardens look even more otherworldly with a coating of fresh snow and the bright winter sun gleaming down from above. For winter recreation nearby, head to Stade Charl\u00e9ty, a stadium in the 13th Arrondissement that\u2019s transformed into a sledding slope<\/strong> for Parisian teens.<\/p>\n

Families looking for the top 10 things to do in Paris with kids<\/a> may want to consider Le No\u00ebl Enchant\u00e9 at Disneyland Paris<\/strong>, a world-famous Christmas parade celebrating the holiday season. The parade includes favorite characters, special seasonal items, and more, and is just a train ride away from central Paris!<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re trying to find the perfect souvenir<\/strong>, get cozy in a caf\u00e9 away from the snow, or show off your skating moves, Paris has something to offer during the holidays. With a New York Habitat apartment, you can make Paris your home for Christmas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Major department stores like Printemps go all out for the holiday season. (Photo credit: 2015-11-Noel-Actualites-Vitrine-Fa\u00e7ade-Printemps) Paris isn\u2019t called the City of Lights for nothing! As…<\/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\/17257"}],"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=17257"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21329,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17257\/revisions\/21329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}