Post by Jenny Bailey
winter postcard via flickr by giulia van pelt
From the glistening of Christmas lights to the city’s silver white winters, there’s no denying that December is one of the best times of year to visit Paris.
So whether you’re keen to step out into the crisp wintry air, or you’d rather stay snug indoors, here’s what’s going on in and around the capital to help you make the most of your voyage en ville.
I never like it when the holidays are over. It means that the best part of winter is over…and winter has just barely begun! So to hold on just a bit longer to the holidays, I leave you with this lovely post by Frank Cierpial from NYC.
By Frank Cierpail
The first time I went to Paris was in the winter of 2007. I was in High School and I had no idea what to expect. I cannot believe I am actually saying this now, but my mother said to me “make sure you go to le louvre!” and my gothic 17 year old self said “What’s that?” Well, I found out what that was and a lot more. I have spent many wonderful summers in Paris since then and the one thing that I love about it is the regularity. Whenever I left Paris, people, places, and things that I love have always been there the next summer, as if they have been waiting for me to come back. New York is the complete antithesis. Every time I return to New York from Paris something else is gone. For example, the summer of 2010 that I spent in Paris was the end of my favorite restaurant “Artepasta”. Artepasta was the perfect New York restaurant; it had the cutest waiters in the city and the best Italian Food for the best price. The city has not been the same since then. But, there are two things in New York that will never change. I started my walk down 5th avenue on 6th avenue between 50th street and 51rst Street at the legendary Radio City Music Hall to see the infamous Christmas tree and the display cases that linger around it. The first window that caught my eye was the window at J Crew. J Crew had a paper maché background with a wreath in the background and mannequins dressed in chic holiday outfits. Continue reading
Some fun ideas for a super chic and shiny New Year’s Eve party style, if I had oodles of cash to spend on a swanky outfit!
I did toss in one of my favorite cosmetic/perfume artists : Serge Lutens. The “à la nuit” eau de parfum hinting to the incredible Moon Drop pearl and diamond earrings by Renee Lewis. And then a little edginess mixed in with the snakeskin Kotur clutch and the Roberto Cavalli crystal snake ring. And well, every girl needs a little sparkle head-to-toe at an end-of-the-year party, so I threw in some sparkly soled Le Silla peep-toes, a simple yet beautiful single pearl and white gold bangle by Melanie Georgacopoulos and a pearl shine Diorific nail lacquer. And of course….the dress! A Kaufman Franco asymmetrical draped stunner all made of sequins.
Now if this outfit doesn’t make you glow, I don’t know what will!
See more of my styled outfits at my ShopStyle page…
I will not however be wearing anything nearly as fabulous as this gorgeous ensemble. Chéri and I were planning on joining my in-laws at a country home of a good family friend, but as Chéri has been sick for 3 days and if he doesn’t feel better tomorrow, we may just stay in Paris and hang out together at home in our PJ’s and sip home made hot chocolate (spiked with rum of course). And that is just fine with me too!
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Mark Addison
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Perhaps I will use one of Mark Addison’s delicious recipes! for toasty drinks in the Winter!!
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What are all of you planning on wearing to celebrate the New Year?
Happy stylish New Year everyone!
*Bisous de Paris*
For this lovely holiday season I leave you with a fabulous Christmas video by the equally as fabulous Lauren Cashwell!
Pour cette merveilleuse saison de fêtes je vous laisse avec un vidéo magnifique de la autant magnifique, Lauren Cashwell!
I seem to be on a scent quest lately with all these perfume posts. I don’t know why, but I hope you all like it. I promise diversity will return to my blog right after the holidays!
I was thinking about all of the home scents that I love this time of year, and obviously my first idea is to share them all with you here. Perhaps it is because yesterday as I was walking up the steps of the building I could smell the fir tree that our building’s guardian put up in the entry hall, perhaps it is the delight of coming home to an apartment that smells lovely and the rapidly approaching Christmas day… But I am avid about holiday scents this time of year. I have four, yes four, diffusers just in the living room! These also are great gift idea for those of you who are not sure what to get people at the last minute! 
Here are my favorites, not in any particular order :
Fir Balsam by Geodesis. It smells like Christmas trees and warm Christmas cheer! They sell it in candle and spray form as well.
I am also crazy about L’Occitane’s Rameau d’Hiver scent. It too smells just like a winter Christmas tree. It brings out the nostalgia and the childhood memories.
I went to see the lights get switched on at the Champs Elysées this year. First time I have done this.
The city has updated their holiday light display and has put in place super ecological lights that are saving much more energy than they used to.
Diane Kruger was the invited celebrity to come flip the switch to light up 200 trees with around 1.5 million lights on about 10 kilometers of LED light strings spread out over 2.5 kilometers of prime Paris real estate.
The lights will be lit every night from 5pm to 2am until January 10th.
I then went wandering around the central part of Paris, and gathered some holiday cheer for you all in the form of photos….
Enjoy!
Photo : Prête-Moi Paris
Photo : Prête-Moi Paris
I wrote about it in October, and now it is here : The newest music festival on scene in Paris just opened last night (November 23, 2012) with a beautiful and spectacular concert in the Saint Sulpice church. The Simphonie du Marais directed by Hugo Reyne, played a program of “Sacred Music from Richelieu to Louis XIV” that included Lully, Michel-Richard Delalande, Guillaume Bouzignac and Marc-Antoine Charpentier. They opened with Cantate Domino of Bouzignac, a joyous but saddened song of triumph written about the siege at La Rochelle in 1628. The concert flowed through the pieces by Bouzignac on to a Te Deum by Charpentier. An intermission was granted and then we were rewarded with the Jubilate Deo ombis terra by Lully (1660). The concert climaxed at the end on the Te Deum of Delalande and we were even granted an encore piece!
J’en ai parlé en octobre, et voilà que c’est arrivé : Le tout dernier festival de musique à arriver à Paris s’est ouvert hier soir (Le 23 novemebre 2012) avec un concert spectaculaire dans l’église Saint Sulpice. La Simphonie du Marais sous la direction de Hugo Reyne, a joué un programme des “Musiques Sacrées de Richelieu à Louis XIV” qui incluait Lully, Michel-Richard Delalande, Guillaume Bouzignac et Marc-Antoine Charpentier. Le concert s’est ouvert avec la Cantate Domino de Bouzignac, une chanson à la fois joyeuse et triste écrite sur le triomphe du siège de La Rochelle en 1628. Le concert se poursuivait sur les motets de Bouzignac et vers le Te Deum de Charpentier. Après l’entracte on a pu se délecter sur le Motet pour la Paix de Lully (1660). Le pic du concert est arrivé à la fin avec le Te Deum de Delalande et nous avons même eu le plaisir d’un bis! Continue reading
Post by Jenny Bailey
Candy Cane Cocktail from food2.com
During the Christmas season, Paris is brimming with festive merriment – especially when it comes
to beverages. In the period leading up to Christmas, locals traditionally meet up with their friends
and loved ones for a seasonal drink. Bars are full of people laughing, joking and toasting each other’s
good health “á ta santé!” With some of the best cocktails in the world invented in the City of Lights,
there are plenty of places suitable for a Christmas knees-up. Here are some of my festive favorites :
Harrys New York Bar By Frederic de Villamil
Mulled Wine on the Champs Élysées
Paris’ largest Christmas market takes place on the Champs Élysées and is a great place to pick up
a cup of mulled wine, known in France as vin chaud. This winter beverage is typically made from
red wine, sugar, cinnamon and lemon and isn’t typically as sweet as some other countries’ recipes.
With a cup of warm wine in hand, visitors can browse the many stalls for French seasonal souvenirs,
which include gingerbread and Bûche de Noël.
White Lady at Harry’s New York Bar
Swap your snowball for a cocktail that looks far more festive, (and tastes much better too). The
White Lady, made with gin, Cointreau, lemon juice and egg whites, is amongst several famous
cocktails that were invented in Harry’s New York Bar on Rue Danou. These concoctions include
the Sidecar, the French 75 and, it is often disputed – the Bloody Mary. The glamorous bar was
formerly frequented by the likes of Rita Hayworth, Humphrey Bogart and even James Bond is a fan,
proclaiming it the best place in Paris to get a solid drink.
Glass Slippers at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris holidays are magical around Christmas time – the parades, the lighting of the tree ceremony and even
the novelty Santa hats resplendent with Mickey Mouse ears. The resort is also a surprisingly
good place to get a cocktail, and there are plenty of themed bars around Eurodisney Paris to choose from. At the
Disneyland Hotel, befriend the staff at Café Fantasia and see if they’ll mix you up a Glass Slipper
which consists of prosecco, crème de violette and white rum. This is one cocktail which will make
you feel like a princess this holiday season.
Cranberry Mojitos at Ave Maria
Lest we forget the true meaning of Christmas, there’s always Ave Maria. What could be more fitting
around Christmas time than raising a glass or two in a bar named after the mother of Jesus? The
cocktails here are as quirky as the décor, which is themed around Hindu Gods. One of the most
famous creations is Agua Borabora served with mango, kiwi, vodka and champagne, but as it’s
Christmas go for something slightly more festive like a Cranberry Mojito.
Bloody Mary at the Ritz
With the Christmas drinking follows the inevitable Christmas hangover and we’ve yet to find a better cure than the Bloody Mary. There’s a bit of a disagreement in Paris over which bar first invented the Bloody Mary, the Ritz or Harry’s New York, but one thing we do know is that both bars make an excellent version. This Christmas tipple is an essential part of the holiday season and the elegant surroundings of the Ritz will certainly make that hangover a bit more bearable.
These are just a few of the many seasonal cocktails that you can sample in Paris. With a whole host
of traditional wine bars and many Christmas markets located around Paris, this is one city that has
seasonal drinking covered – Santé!
Post by Jenny Baily
Disneyland Paris Christmas by Jenni Louise
One of the defining features of Christmas in Paris is its many Christmas markets, also known
as “marchés de Noël”. There are many different markets happening throughout December, from
the family fun of EurodisneyParis, to the chic market of the Champs-Elyseés. As well as providing an opportunity to pick up
some charming Christmas gifts, these markets add a hearty dose of Christmas cheer to the French
capital.
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
The most popular Christmas market in central Paris is the one which stretches all the way from the
Place de la Concorde to the Champs-Elysées roundabout. With as many as 160 traditional chalets
lining this famous street, there is plenty to see. There’s even a huge Ferris wheel at the Place de la
Concorde. Sip mulled wine as you stroll along the Champs-Elysées, taking in the festive atmosphere
and incredible Christmas light displays.
La Défense
With 350 stands, this is one of the largest and most well-established Christmas markets in Paris.
Located among the high-rise buildings of the business district, this is an impressive market and
worth taking the time to visit. The numerous stalls sell everything you would expect from a
traditional Christmas market, from refreshments to gifts, and there is even an ice skating rink to
keep visitors feeling festive.
Disneyland Paris
Even if you’re planning Disneyland Paris holidays with the family, you needn’t miss out on the
traditional Christmas market experience. Every year the Disney Village is transformed into a
Christmas wonderland, complete with wooden chalets and festive stalls selling everything from
toys to seasonal refreshments. The entire park celebrates Christmas throughout November
and December, and there are even daily snow showers to help create an authentic Christmas
atmosphere.
Place des Abbesses
In the heart of the very pretty Montmartre district, the Places des Abbesses features a small but
perfectly formed Christmas market in December, selling a range of local wares from handmade
jewellery to French sweets. Montmartre is a wonderful part of the city to explore on foot, and if you
can’t find what you want from the market there are plenty of charming local boutiques in the area.
Montparnasse Tower
The Montparnasse Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Europe, and while it’s not the most beautiful
building in Paris, tourists can make the most of its height and enjoy incredible views from the 56th
floor. During winter there’s another good reason to visit – the Christmas market across the street
which specialises in regional French delicacies. This is a great place to pick up some French cheeses
and festive pastries.
Joyeux noël everyone!
Christmas Sparkles in the City of Lights
By contributor Jenny Bailey
Given its reputation as the City of Lights, it’s no surprise that Paris really comes alive during the festive season, when Christmas lights illuminate the streets and major sights. For much of the year it’s the Eiffel Tower that offers the greatest helping of sparkle; come winter time, the rest of Paris gets to join in. These are some of the best places to soak up the Parisian Christmas lights this year:
Paris Lights by Dalbera
Champs-Élysées
Offering one of the grandest stretches of festive lighting in Paris, the Champs-Élysées is lit up in pretty colours from November through to early January. The 450 trees which line this famous French avenue are hung with tiny fairy lights, all the way from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe; a spectacle often referred to as les illuminations. Taking a stroll here when the lights are up can make you feel like you’ve stepped right into a Christmas card.
Notre Dame
Every year a huge Christmas tree is erected beneath the intricate gothic façade of the Notre Dame Cathedral, often standing more than 20 metres high. Resplendent in decorations and bright with festive lights, this is a special seasonal scene which should not be missed. You can choose to attend a service, or experience the annual nativity sound and light show projected regularly within the nave. Either way, a visit to Notre Dame will undoubtedly provide a hearty addition to that overall Christmas feeling.
Disney Christmas Lights by Edwart Visser
Disneyland ParisNotre Dame
The festive season is already underway at Paris Disneyland. The entire park has been transformed into a winter wonderland – complete with ice-skating rink, fake snow, and a giant Christmas tree. There are colourful lights adorning every building, including Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, which is especially sparkly at this time of year. In true Eurodisney Paris style, every day of December feels like Christmas, and there are special events happening daily. However, it’s after the sun goes down and the lights come on that the park really becomes enchanting.
Department Store Lights by Patrick Janicek
Boulevard Haussmann
Department stores around the world tend to be at their most magical during the Christmas season, and this is certainly the case in Paris. While most shops will get into the spirit of things, it’s the department stores of Boulevard Haussmann which offer some of the most decorative Christmas window displays. For almost half a century the capital’s grandest stores, including Printemps and the Galeries Lafayette, have been renowned for their incredible window displays and decorations. In fact, every year the exterior façade of Galeries Lafayette is decked out in over 150,000 lights, making it a popular annual spectacle.
So, whether you’re ice-skating with the kids at Paris Disneyland, or Christmas shopping in the heart of the city, you’ll find Paris certainly lives up to its name as the City of Lights.
