Paris in December
Oct 8, 2019, 11:58 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
I've spent Christmas week in Paris every year for the past five years and will do so again this December. I love it that time of year, with fewer tourists, festive lights and grand magasin window displays. There are always things to do on Christmas Day - I've gone to the movies and visited museums (a few are open Dec. 25th). As others have noted, weather is unpredictable but I never found it to be so cold or rainy that I wouldn't return. Perfect weather to relax in a nice bistro with some cassoulet and Cabernet. 
Oct 9, 2019, 7:15 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM MM SC; GE; Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,310
The Musée Jacquemart-André has always been open on Christmas. Atelier des Lumières will be open, they're selling tickets for December 25th. The Musée d'Art et d'histoire du Judaïsme and Institut du monde Arabe are also open that day.
Oct 9, 2019, 10:29 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
Oct 29, 2019, 9:14 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Dallas, Texas
Programs: AA Exp. Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum.
Posts: 1,186
I also love Paris in December. It can be fairly cold, particularly the closer you get to the river so look and forecasts and bundle up as needed. As others have mentioned it gets dark early BUT what you loose in daylight you gain in all the time you save by not having to stand in line with tourists everywhere as its not a popular time of year. The holiday spirit is noticeable and dare I say the French are almost cheery! Many restaurants will have holiday menus with lots of foie gras and champagne. The decorations and Christmas markets are enjoyable. Nothing like a hot spiced wine to stroll through the various markets on a cold evening. I will be heading to Paris this December myself.
Nov 5, 2019, 4:30 am
#21
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Nov 6, 2019, 5:33 pm
#22
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: DTW, but drive to/from YYZ/ORD
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I was in Paris for the first time two christmases ago. No line to buy louvre tickets, no line to get in, no line to see mona lisa , my photo was wide and had no one else in it.
Had Christmas day lunch on the first floor Eiffel tower restaurant. Wanted to repeat with the second floor restaurant but they don't seem open christmas day.
Loved it so much, going back this christmas, have my da vinci tix booked and probably going to hit up the van gogh exhibit (10pm extended closing in dec) and the grand palais .
Had Christmas day lunch on the first floor Eiffel tower restaurant. Wanted to repeat with the second floor restaurant but they don't seem open christmas day.
Loved it so much, going back this christmas, have my da vinci tix booked and probably going to hit up the van gogh exhibit (10pm extended closing in dec) and the grand palais .
Nov 8, 2019, 12:49 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2001
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I was in Paris for the first time two christmases ago. No line to buy louvre tickets, no line to get in, no line to see mona lisa , my photo was wide and had no one else in it.
Had Christmas day lunch on the first floor Eiffel tower restaurant. Wanted to repeat with the second floor restaurant but they don't seem open christmas day.
Loved it so much, going back this christmas, have my da vinci tix booked and probably going to hit up the van gogh exhibit (10pm extended closing in dec) and the grand palais .
Had Christmas day lunch on the first floor Eiffel tower restaurant. Wanted to repeat with the second floor restaurant but they don't seem open christmas day.
Loved it so much, going back this christmas, have my da vinci tix booked and probably going to hit up the van gogh exhibit (10pm extended closing in dec) and the grand palais .
Reminds me I need to get tickets for my kids.
Love Paris during all the seasons, that is why am fortunate to live here.
Nov 8, 2019, 12:50 am
#25
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Nov 8, 2019, 5:29 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 93
Yes - I know it is pretty at night. But other than a quick view of the Arc in the distance, I struggle to find the appeal. Over-priced cafes, sub-par food, low quality stores, and throngs of poorly behaved tourists. There are so many more appealing parts of Paris with better character, food, and just as charming.
Nov 8, 2019, 11:32 am
#27
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Yes - I know it is pretty at night. But other than a quick view of the Arc in the distance, I struggle to find the appeal. Over-priced cafes, sub-par food, low quality stores, and throngs of poorly behaved tourists. There are so many more appealing parts of Paris with better character, food, and just as charming.
We go there for the movies, but during Xmas and when the trees are all lit, it is beautiful. The street lighting will be Nov 20th.
Nov 9, 2019, 2:22 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Dallas, Texas
Programs: AA Exp. Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum.
Posts: 1,186
Looks like the French are planning a major transit strike beginning Dec 5th for an undetermined amount of time. This includes the RATP (subway/bus/suburban rail) and the SNCF (suburban rail and longer distance rail including Eurostar. They are claiming they will NOT maintain required minimum service as stated in union contracts. They are striking over government retirement reform and have said they will remain on strike until the government repeals the planned reform which the president has said is out of the question. I've been in Paris before when they are striking and it is annoying but you can still manage to get around. However the last strike over the same issue was in September and resulted in 10 subway lines being completely shut down. If that is the case in December its going to be a nightmare. I am going Dec 8th to 11th via Eurostar from London. My main concerns are actually having a train to take me to Paris, getting from the train station to my airbnb in Paris and then out to CDG for my return flight to the US. Once in the city I can use the automated lines 1 and 14 to get around and walk otherwise. Should be interesting.
Nov 9, 2019, 3:55 pm
#29
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Looks like the French are planning a major transit strike beginning Dec 5th for an undetermined amount of time. This includes the RATP (subway/bus/suburban rail) and the SNCF (suburban rail and longer distance rail including Eurostar. They are claiming they will NOT maintain required minimum service as stated in union contracts. They are striking over government retirement reform and have said they will remain on strike until the government repeals the planned reform which the president has said is out of the question. I've been in Paris before when they are striking and it is annoying but you can still manage to get around. However the last strike over the same issue was in September and resulted in 10 subway lines being completely shut down. If that is the case in December its going to be a nightmare. I am going Dec 8th to 11th via Eurostar from London. My main concerns are actually having a train to take me to Paris, getting from the train station to my airbnb in Paris and then out to CDG for my return flight to the US. Once in the city I can use the automated lines 1 and 14 to get around and walk otherwise. Should be interesting.
This will be a problem. I won't be in Paris, but my kids will be home, though they will be here for a couple of days. They will be taking taxis and Uber. Hopefully things will settle down by the 29th.
Am not sure the Parisians will be supporting the strike if it goes on too long.
Nov 9, 2019, 4:08 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
Looks like I may have made the right decision when I idly clicked the "pay in seven days" button for at least one of my TGV and SNCF reservations. I'm supposed to go from Paris to Lyon on the sixth, and Lyon-Annecy/Annecy-Paris on the tenth. The latter tickets are fully paid. 
I have until Tuesday to pay for the first trip. I'd appreciate any advice from experienced FTers.
I have until Tuesday to pay for the first trip. I'd appreciate any advice from experienced FTers.