In these festive, magical moments, I felt I had to give you a quick overview of the events, outings, and great tips to enjoy during this end-of-year period, in our dear capital, the Ile-de-France region, and beyond. The City of Paris (like many others), illuminated for the occasion, is filled during this period with that warm Christmas spirit, to which I am personally very attached.
Melle Bon Plan’s little selection:
Table of Contents
An artistic and futuristic Christmas at Bercy Village
- Bercy Village invites contemporary art into the heart of the Cour Saint-Emilion with a unique digital installation serving as lighting: “Electroyéti”, signed by artist Fred Sapey-Triomphe.
Animated films broadcast on 14 screens overlooking the Cour sit alongside chandeliers made of colorful figurines, installed in the passageways.
- For fans of Christmas whimsy, the little ones will also be able to enjoy the Christmas street performances, animated by several live performance companies (Melba & Compagnie, Turbul, and Ulik Prod) during all the weekends of December.
Shows for all ages, free and outdoors Performances at 2:30 PM, 4 PM, and 5:30 PM, every Saturday and Sunday, from November 30 to December 22, 2013 (duration 20 to 30 min)
The exhibition “Asterix is displayed at Bercy Village!” created in partnership with Albert René editions for the release of the 35th Asterix comic album, Asterix and the Picts, also continues until January 26, 2014.
Practical information: Bercy Village Cour Saint-Emilion / 75012 Paris Free exhibition, open daily under the Bercy Village passageways, from 5 AM to 2 AM, until mid-January 2014
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The Yvelines dressed for the holidays
On the program:
Christmas markets, gourmet treats and handicrafts, music, children’s activities, gastronomy to awaken our taste buds,…
- The Storytelling Festival in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines will be held from Friday, December 6 to Wednesday, December 18.
- The ecological ice rink of Versailles will be in operation from December 4, 2013 to January 2, 2014.
- Carriage and donkey rides will take place at Place Felix Faure in Rambouillet.
The riding school of the Grande Écurie at the Palace of Versailles at the Bartabas Academy will put on a show where 11 riders transform dressage into choreography.
in December on Saturdays at 6 PM, Sundays at 3 PM, and Tuesday, December 24 at 3 PM
- A Christmas Concert by the Barbes de Richebourg where songs about wine, vines, and carols will enchant the ears of young and old on Saturday, December 7 in the town center of Condé-Sur-Vesgre.
More information on your Yvelines outing guide right here.
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Christmas in Mantes La Jolie
The city of Mantes La Jolie also offers beautiful entertainment and some great deals.
- In addition to the traditional Christmas market (from Friday, December 13 to Tuesday, December 24), numerous events such as free concerts or even a Zumba Flashmob will brighten up this holiday season.
- To facilitate access to the events, the Christmas market, as well as the shops, the underground parking lots in the city center (Coeur de Mantes, Normandie, and City Hall) and the train station one will be free on Saturdays, December 14 and 21, 2013, and Saturday, January 11, 2014 (1st day of the sales).
- A Santa’s House will also be open from December 11 to 24. Parents will thus be able to entrust their children (ages 3 to 10) to Santa’s elves while they do their Christmas shopping. Children are welcomed for free for one-hour slots in a fun and festive atmosphere.
The Académie Fratellini Christmas show
Tightrope, flying rope, juggling, and acrobatics take over Muriel Bloch’s tale to tell the story of Batifool, the boy who had a dream… A dream so extraordinary that he refuses point-blank to tell it…
For its new Christmas show, the Académie Fratellini calls on choreographer and dancer Hervé Sika to occupy the center ring of the Big Top with the apprentices of the Higher School of Circus Arts. While hip-hop is the raw material of his work, he is also interested in “the poetry of the circus artist’s body.”
show for all ages from 5 years old thursday December 5 at 7:30 PM / Saturday 7 at 4 PM / Wednesday 11 at 2:30 PM / Saturday 14 at 2 PM / Sunday 15 at 4 PM / Saturday December 21 at 6 PM full price: €18 / reduced price: €13 / student price: €10 / child price (-12 years): €8 / price for residents of the 8 cities of Plaine Commune: €10 - €5 (child)
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The Christmas Chronicle at the Manoir de Paris: To arms, elves!
By now, you must know, I am a fervent fan of the Manoir de Paris (those who joined me still remember it!).
The Manoir offers you some chilling nights during this winter period, with, from December 6 to 22, 2013, and from January 10 to 26, 2014, an elves’ revolt against Santa Claus, it promises to be bloody!
Practical Information:
6-7-8 / 14-15 / 20-21-22 December 2013
10-11-12 / 17-18-19 / 24-25-26 January 2014
fridays / 6 PM-10 PM - saturdays and sundays / 3 PM-7 PM
From 10 years old
Exceptionally, no Christmas tale on Friday, December 13
Dark Night from 6 PM to 10 PM
Annual closure of the Manoir de Paris from December 23, 2013 to January 9, 2014 inclusive_
The Unusual Christmases of Carpentras
Because sometimes I like to mention nice initiatives other than Parisian ones, I wanted to tell you about this great winter festival in Provence with street theater shows, wandering performances, and activities for everyone, which will take place from December 7, 2013 to January 5, 2014 in Carpentras.
On the program for this 6th edition of the Unusual Christmases: 110 free shows, activities (sledding and ice rink), monumental illuminated Christmas trees, Santa Claus, carriage rides, nativity scenes, the Gourmet Market, etc.
Do not hesitate to leave your great tips in the comments of the article to complete it, because obviously, I have not been exhaustive and there are a myriad of other great tips everywhere in France during this period. Happy month of December to all!
