Paris in Christmas during 12/26 - 12/31 - How is it?
Sep 17, 2013, 12:34 am
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Paris in Christmas during 12/26 - 12/31 - How is it?
Is it worth visiting Paris during Christmas? I am thinking 12/26 to 12/31, that is, 5 nights. Will it be too cold? Is there anything special during the holidays?
Sep 17, 2013, 4:18 am
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The special is that you will be in Paris looking at a beautiful city lit up. Oh yes, last year the Place de la Concord had a big xmas tree courtesy of Nickalodeon, I think.
Sep 17, 2013, 7:09 am
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92 million kids, and their parents. so the museums are crowded. the weather is much warmer than chicago(above 0 C at night). very short days. great food, as middle of game season. restaurants are booked way in advance.
Sep 17, 2013, 12:37 pm
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It is beautiful during Xmas, and for that matter all year around, but now with the new city budget cuts, lots of lights are being turned off... There were rumors that the tower will have some light reduction. So I wonder what will happen during Xmas. Though I think each shopping district puts up their own lights.
Sep 17, 2013, 12:45 pm
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We were there for new years eve this past year. . . as most everyone else posted, it was cold, but certainly bearable and beautiful. We visited a few museums and Notre Dame, which were quite busy. As would be expected, the streets were crowded for NYE... the subway was jam packed going towards Champs-Élysées. Interestingly, the police confiscated or had anyone drinking prior to midnight pour out their alcohol, however, once the clock struck 12, it was a wild party on Champs-Élysées. I believe they shut down the subway after midnight, so keep that in mind if you are traveling far from your hotel or flat for the celebrations, we walked quite a long ways back to our hotel.
Sep 17, 2013, 2:02 pm
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Sep 17, 2013, 2:29 pm
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Sep 17, 2013, 10:33 pm
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Thank you everyone. These are really GREAT ideas. So, between Paris and London, which city is better for tourists during Christmas? I know "better" is subjective, but I mean more enjoyable for tourists. Thanks very much.
Sep 18, 2013, 9:10 am
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london is also very crowded. the activities of interest to us are crowd sensitive, and london is mobbed. dec 26 is boxing day. everything is sold out. paris is less sold out, but the lines to museums are huge. you can avoid with a multiday ticket. i would go to the south of france. lyon, nice, cannes, or small towns somewhere,anywhere in france. the holiday and new year are a great celebration in most any small town, while both paris and london are a zoo. i had business to transact in london, otherwise i would never go over christmas.
Last edited by slawecki; Sep 18, 2013 at 9:17 am
Sep 18, 2013, 11:00 am
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london is also very crowded. the activities of interest to us are crowd sensitive, and london is mobbed. dec 26 is boxing day. everything is sold out. paris is less sold out, but the lines to museums are huge. you can avoid with a multiday ticket. i would go to the south of france. lyon, nice, cannes, or small towns somewhere,anywhere in france. the holiday and new year are a great celebration in most any small town, while both paris and london are a zoo. i had business to transact in london, otherwise i would never go over christmas.
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Sep 18, 2013, 3:33 pm
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S/he looks at it from a tourist point of view while I see it from a local one.
Sep 23, 2013, 7:27 pm
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I'm looking forward to Paris this year, where it seems more likely that I'll find something to do in the city on Christmas Day.
Sep 24, 2013, 2:31 am
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I was in Paris on xmas day a few years ago. Most (non-food) shops are closed. But, since food plays a big role with the French, many of the food markets were open--particularly bakeries.
The Pompidou Museum is supposed to be open (most of the other museums would be closed).
The Metro and busses were running.
In the major railroad stations, only a minimal number of fast food shops remained open.
Very few ATMs had enough money to dispense cash.
By the 26th of Dec. things should return to "normal".
The Pompidou Museum is supposed to be open (most of the other museums would be closed).
The Metro and busses were running.
In the major railroad stations, only a minimal number of fast food shops remained open.
Very few ATMs had enough money to dispense cash.
By the 26th of Dec. things should return to "normal".