With the magical holiday season fast approaching, I had to put together a little summary of the events, outings, and tips to enjoy during this end of the year in our dear capital and the Ile-de-France region.
The city of Paris (like many others), illuminated for the occasion, is filled during this period with that warm Christmas spirit, which I personally am very attached to and which we cruelly need in these difficult times.
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Table of Contents
A “Magic Garden” Christmas at Bercy Village
Like every year, Bercy Village celebrates Christmas and takes part in the traditional end-of-year holiday illuminations by transforming itself into a real “Magic Garden” with majestic hanging Christmas trees since November 20.
On the program: light installations, strolls, photo booth, and exhibition (all of this is obviously free),…
Free exhibition The Parisianer on illustrated Paris, open every day under the Bercy Village passages, from 5 AM to 2 AM, until January 31, 2015).
- For young and old alike, Bercy Village also concocts an enticing (and always free) program of magical shows (in the form of 30-minute strolls), performed by several live performance companies throughout the weekends of December.
My Christmas wishlist and my gift ideas in the Bercy Village shops:
- Some greeting cards unearthed at Loisirs et Création (like the pretty Christmas card that opens this article).
- Beautiful tea gift sets at Dammann Frères (a brand I adore and which I talk about regularly on the blog).
- Scented soaps at Fragonard (12 €).
- A trio of flavored olive oils at Olivers & Co (34 €).
- Scented ceramic ornaments to hang (various shapes exist such as star, bird, tree, and snowflake) from the brand Terre d’Oc at Nature & Découvertes (6.95 € per ceramic).
- Fabric Christmas napkins to decorate the dinner party table at Alice Délice.
All-ages, free, outdoor shows
Performances at 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:30 PM, every Saturday and Sunday
From December 5 to 20, 2014
Bercy Village
28 Rue François Truffaut, 75012 Paris
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The first ‘Made in France’ Christmas Market in Paris
The Village Saint Charles merchants’ association in the 15th arrondissement of Paris is organizing the first edition of the “Made in France” Christmas Market, an event that will bring together French toy creators and manufacturers, artisans, and merchants selling exclusively products made in France at an authentic Christmas Market in the heart of Paris.
Various activities are planned throughout this event, and the neighborhood will be illuminated thanks to giant image projections on the facades created by Le Studio d’imagination.
This Christmas market consists of wooden chalets; the products presented are rigorously selected according to a charter requiring “made in France” and corresponding well to the Christmas theme (festive products, gifts, Christmas decorations, tableware…).
Place Charles-Michels 75015 Paris
from December 9 to 24, 2015
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Christmas from another planet at Galeries Lafayette
On the program at the Galeries Lafayette stores:
For the end-of-year holidays, Galeries Lafayette is launching its Advent Calendar. Every day until December 24, you can try to win a gift in-store or on the Galeries Lafayette website.
- Some Christmas activities at Galerie Lafayette Montparnasse with a Photocall from another planet on the 1st floor from December 11 to 24, a glittering tattoo workshop on the ground floor, the weekend of 19/20 from 2 PM to 6:30 PM.
- The traditional stroll in front of the Christmas window displays around the theme of an intergalactic universe, including Star Wars displays.
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Christmas at Hard Rock Cafe Paris
Holiday cocktails
in Mason jars (17.35 € and 14.45 € for the non-alcoholic cocktail) and Christmas burger (18.95 €), the Hard Rock Cafe Paris offers until January 3, 2016 ephemeral recipes to enjoy the magic of Christmas in this place where good humor and a festive atmosphere are always in order!
I went to test them for you, and I must admit that I was won over by this burger made of two hamburger patties covered with slices of caramelized apples, N’duja (spicy black pork sausage), feta, and a mix of spring vegetables, all served with fries that you happily dip in a homemade aioli sauce—totally delicious.
As a bonus, the Hard Rock is mobilizing for the 8th consecutive year for the Imagine There’s no Hunger campaign. This initiative, launched with Yoko Ono Lennon and the WhyHunger association, fights against child malnutrition and poverty in the world.
So that everyone can support this cause, bracelets and a t-shirt have been created especially for the occasion and will be sold in all Hard Rock establishments as well as on the website, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the WhyHunger association.
Hard Rock Cafe Paris
14 boulevard Montmartre – 75009 Paris
Open every day from 11:45 AM to 11:45 PM
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Winter tales at the Manoir de Paris
At the Manoir de Paris, Christmas tales are not just simple and sweet stories… This year, it is the lost legends of Christmas and forgotten tales that the Manoir brings back to life for the greatest thrill of adults and children alike.
Since December 4, the Manoir de Paris is once again staging an original show with brand new music, revisited sets, and a surprising scenario with 35 actors who reinvent the magic of forgotten tales.
As usual (but I’m repeating myself here…), I cannot recommend enough that you rush to the Manoir if you have never tested this Parisian attraction, because it is worth the detour!
Christmas 2015 at Manoir de Paris
18 Rue de Paradis, 75010 Paris
From December 4 to 20, 2015 and from January 8 to 31, 2016
Opening: Friday: 6 PM – 10 PM – Saturday and Sunday: 3 PM – 7 PM
Show not recommended for those under 10 years old
Annual closing of Manoir de Paris from Monday, December 21, 2015 to Thursday, January 7, 2016 inclusive
Ticket price for both attractions: Le Manoir & Asylum
Full price 25€ / child price 20€ / fast pass 35€
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Christmas workshops at the Chocolate Museum
The Chocolate Museum regularly organizes many workshops where young (minimum 6 years old) and old can handle and make their own chocolate in the company of its chocolatiers. Participants then leave with the chocolates they prepared.
At the end of this year, the Museum is welcoming families, parents, and children to discover a brand new, unique workshop: creating a superb chocolate Christmas tree to eat on the big day, but also mendiants and chocolate lollipops!
From December 12 to January 30
Reservation required
Price (which includes admission to the Museum): 27.50 € / person
Chocolate Museum
28 bd Bonne Nouvelle 75010 Paris
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Christmas in national monuments
The Centre des monuments nationaux offers family activities, particularly through the “Tales and Stories” series in 11 monuments in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.
The proposed activities take young and old from parks to gardens, from castles to intimate houses, from ramparts to dungeons, to meet the kings, queens, and famous characters who have left their mark on history and heritage.
“Tales and Stories”
from December 19, 2015 to January 3, 2016
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The Clichy Christmas Village
For the first time, the City of Clichy is offering Clichois (yes, that’s what you call them, I did my little research) a village for the Christmas holidays.
On the program: local businesses hosted in a charming Christmas market, entertainment and shows, fairground attractions, mountain restaurant…
Santa Claus will personally welcome children and parents from 4 PM to 7 PM every day from December 19 to 23 and during the “Goodbye Santa” party on December 23.
The tip: 7500 “vouchers for one free carousel ride” distributed to the children of Clichy.
Christmas Village
From December 12 to January 3, from 10:30 AM to 8 PM (3 PM to 8 PM on December 25 and January 1)
Place des Martyrs, Clichy / M° Mairie de Clichy
Price of carousel rides between 2.50 € and 4 €
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Playing star with Santa Claus and his electric sleigh at L’Atelier Renault
This year, Santa Claus has decided to abandon his reindeer and it is at the wheel of a Twizy, the electric two-seater from the Renault brand that he will start his gift tour.
During his world tour, he parked his electric sleigh in the windows of L’Atelier Renault.
On the program:
- Santa Claus will stop at L’Atelier Renault from December 02 to 18 (Wednesday and weekend 10:30 AM to 10 PM) and from December 19 to 25 (every day from 10:30 AM to 10 PM).
- You will be able to see him and sit next to him in his red and white Twizy for a souvenir photo.
- Children will also be able to discover a beautiful tree at the foot of their drawing activity area.
Atelier Renault
53, Avenue des Champs-Elysées 75008 Paris
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Private dinners by Anne de Paris with Argenterie d’Antan
For this holiday period, I would like to share with you a very confidential tip for private dinners in the spirit of an exclusive and original Paris to highlight all the beauties of the capital, combined with French codes of Fine Dining, so appreciated at Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
With this in mind, Anne de Paris, an event communication agency and luxury concierge service, has partnered with Argenterie d’Antan (6 rue de Birague 75004 Paris), a specialist in antique silverware, to organize select dinners in the Parisian apartment of painter Marc Chagall while he was painting the frescoes of the Opéra Garnier dome. You can also admire one of his works exclusively there.
The location also gives a breathtaking view of the capital, with the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, and the Eiffel Tower.
The apartment can be privatized for lunch or dinner for 2 to 6 people or for a cocktail party for up to 30 people via the email anne@anne-de-paris.com
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Christmas in the Yvelines
Because there is always a lot going on in the Yvelines department (concerts, conferences, shows, Christmas markets, gastronomic events), here is my small selection of events not to be missed during this period:
- Christmas Village in Saint Germain en Laye, which opens its doors from December 11 to 24.
- “Romeo and Juliet” ballet choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj at the Royal Opera of Versailles from December 17 to 20.
- Ecological ice rink in Versailles, in front of the town hall until January 3.
- The great Christmas Parade in Rambouillet on December 19 at 7:30 PM.
- The new show choreographed by Bartabas for the riders of the Versailles Equestrian Academy, la Voie de l’écuyer (which I already told you about on the blog) until December 28.
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A final word
Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan, Agathe Poupeney, Adeline Monnier, Chocolate Museum
