With the magical holiday season fast approaching, I felt compelled to give you a quick overview of the activities, outings, and tips to enjoy during this year-end period 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 time with that warm Christmas spirit, which I am personally very attached to and which we cruelly need in these difficult times.
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Table of Contents
La Fabrique du Père Noël: the first giant collaborative pop-up store in the heart of Paris
The Fine Equipe, a label for young fashion and design creators, and the dating app Happn have teamed up to imagine a concept store and pop-up café that will remain open for 3 months, in the heart of the Marais in Paris. On the program, more than 150 creators will be featured in a 300 m2 space.
The Café offers various activities to encourage meeting and interaction between two shopping sessions: workshops (Nail art, tattoo…), challenges/games on-site to facilitate social interaction, a “misconnections wall” to find people you crossed paths with by leaving a message, happy hours, a press library,…
Brands present: SoyezBCBG (startup specializing in home laundry, shoe repair, and tailoring delivery); the Bijou Parisien which I mentioned in my last fashion article (until December 31st);
La Fabrique du Père Noël 6 rue des Archives 75004 Paris From November 1st, 2016 to January 31st, 2017 7 days a week – Monday to Saturday 10 am - 8 pm / Late-night shopping and Happy Hour -20% on Thursdays from 7 pm - 9 pm / Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
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A quirky Christmas at Bercy Village
Like every year, Bercy Village celebrates Christmas and participates in the traditional year-end holiday illuminations, from an original and pop perspective.
On the program: light installations, strolling performances, photo studio, and exhibition (all this is obviously free),…
- A photo exhibition “News from Santa Claus” by Florence Levillain until January 2, 2017
The great tip: the exhibition’s photocall, on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, 2016, from 2 pm to 5 pm – Passage Saint-Vivant, a pop-up photo studio will allow you to have your portrait taken in front of one of the exhibition’s photos and leave with a lovely and unusual souvenir: a personalized photo in the company of Santa Claus on a beach.
- Strolling Santa Claus and his elf on Saturday, December 17, Sunday, December 18, and Wednesday, December 21, 2016, from 2 pm to 6 pm.
From November 17, 2016 to January 2, 2017 Free photo studio open to all from 2 pm to 5 pm, Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11
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Rétro Lapin to find the toys from your childhood
This year, Duracell invites you to relive unforgettable moments of play with the family with Rétro Lapin, a pop-up store where old toys and childhood flavors come back to life.
On the program:
- Discover, try, and play again with retro toys and video games (the Dictée Magique, TCR circuit, Super Mario Bros, Tac-tac, scoubidous, etc.)
- Taste the most popular flavors of the last decades (Tang, Frizzy Pazzy, Roudoudous, Tubble Gum, Pipas, Roll’Up, Têtes Brûlées, Soucoupes à la poudre, Boules Magiques, Fresquito and many more…)
- Rediscover the cartoons that rocked our youth
- Bring your old toys on-site to get them repaired
from November 26 to December 4, 2016 Rétro Lapin / Galerie Kogan 96 bis rue Beaubourg, 75002 Paris
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The Alsatian Christmas Market at Gare de l’Est
Like every year, the square in front of Gare de l’Est will host, from December 1st to December 16th, a very gourmet Alsatian Christmas market (the oldest Alsatian market outside the region), presenting a selection of the typical culinary treasures of this region: bredele, jams and candies, goose and duck foie gras, gingerbread, charcuterie, sauerkraut, cheeses, wines, and brandies…
In addition, for the duration of the market, around fifteen artisans will offer to taste a different Alsatian specialty for free every day.
The great tip: a gourmet basket composed of Alsatian products will also be put into play every day. To try to win it, it’s very simple, you just have to answer three questions about Alsace!
Alsatian Christmas Market from December 1st to 16th, 2016 every day from 9 am to 8 pm (10 am to 7 pm on Sundays) Parvis de la Gare de l’Est in Paris
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The Startup Christmas
Several startups decided to join forces this winter to open a pop-up Christmas gift shop, 100% startup-focused.
Throughout this month of December, in addition to coming to find great gift ideas, you can meet these passionate entrepreneurs who will be able to tell us about their adventure and talk about their products better than anyone, not to mention participating in the varied activities and tastings.
The startups: culture with the Mon Beau Paris Box, fun with Koa Koa creative kits, surprises with Emoovio, gourmet treats with Pep’s Kitchen, or even curiosity with Jiminis insects…
Startup Christmas 12 rue de Clichy From Monday to Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm from December 2 to 24, 2016
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The Christmas exhibition by eBay
For the 1st time, eBay is taking over a public space and unveiling an original exhibition, “1920-2020: unique Christmases by eBay,” which highlights the possibilities of finding the ideal gift. From December 7th to 10th inclusive, under the roof of the Canopée des Halles, you can experience a journey through time thanks to this retrospective Christmas exhibition, from 1920 to the futuristic Christmas in 2020.
The solidarity tip: at the end of the exhibition, the Christmas trees and gifts will be donated to the association Les Nez Rouges, whose goal is to entertain sick children through artists, magicians, actors, athletes…
Exhibition “1920-2020: unique Christmases by eBay” Canopée du Forum des Halles 101 Porte Berger, 75001 Paris From Wednesday, December 7th to Saturday, December 10th from 10 am to 8 pm Free admission
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Christmas gifts made in Montreuil
From December 8th to 10th, the creator factory ICI MONTREUIL (Maker Space, fablab and 1800 m2 co-working space for artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, and creative startups) will organize its Christmas sale with, on the program, a selection of creations and decoration / fashion / accessories / DIY gift ideas from its resident-artisans. Enough to inject a little creativity and proximity into your Christmas shopping!
On the program: small leather goods by Fred Vinel (pouches, bags, etc.), silver jewelry by Marion Clarcq, small furniture from the designers of Furn, the designer Eva Zingoni with fashion accessories and items made from recycled beautiful materials (textiles / jewelry) from major couture houses, the tailor Mauricio aka “Mordix” and his hats and caps for men, tear-proof paper bags, little origami jewelry by Barbara Balland, knitwear by the Danish designer based in Montreuil Louise Walgreen, workshops to build your own guitar,…
Christmas Sale Thursday, December 8th from 12 pm to 6 pm, Friday, December 9th from 12 pm to 6 pm and Saturday, December 10th from 1 pm to 6 pm Free admission Galerie d'ICI Montreuil 135 Bd de Chanzy, 93100 Montreuil
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The Musée de l’Armée Christmas village
For the first time, the Musée de l’Armée invites us to rediscover the Invalides in a new light. Fun and historical tours and investigation games will lead into the Dôme des Invalides, illuminated in Christmas colors for the occasion.
A Christmas village set up at the foot of the Dôme will also offer to honor exceptional French artisans in decorated chalets.
from December 10, 2016 to January 2, 2017 Musée de l’Armée Hôtel des Invalides 129 rue de Grenelle 75007 Paris
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The Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque solidarity Christmas Market
On Sunday, December 11th, the association Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque is organizing its grand solidarity Christmas market at the Palais des Congrès in Paris.
In a festive setting, partner brands offer products sold at very attractive prices for the benefit of heart-diseased children. This operation helps save children’s hearts every year.
Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 10 am to 6 pm Palais des Congrès de Paris Place de la Porte Maillot 75017 Paris
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Georges Méliès at the Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé
The Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé, to which I have already dedicated an article on the blog, is also getting into the holiday spirit by hosting “la Cinémathèque Méliès-Les Amis de Georges Méliès,” the association founded in 1961 by Madeleine, his granddaughter.
On the program, cine-concerts presenting films full of fantasy and surprises, accompanied on the piano by the filmmaker’s great-great-grandson and narrated by his great-granddaughter, according to family tradition.
from December 21, 2016 to January 3, 2017
price: €6.50 / €5 per session
Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé
73 avenue des Gobelins 75013 Paris_
Final word
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Melle Bon Plan
