With the magical holiday season approaching, I felt I had to give you a quick rundown of the events, outings, and tips to enjoy during this end of the year, in our dear capital, the Ile-de-France region, and elsewhere.

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.

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The “Sales Gosses” (Bratty Kids) Christmas at BHV Marais

On the agenda, a BHV Marais transformed on Rue de Rivoli into a giant playground, a Christmas fair, gaming battles to compete in, a wild choir, and many other surprises in Santa’s sack.

• A Playstation battle with PS4™ gaming areas and its pop-up on the ground floor invading the store

• The great Christmas Fair on November 26th, with a day full of gifts for young and old

On that day, all activities are free: arcade games, funny and unusual challenges, regressive cooking classes, Alain Ducasse cooking workshops, large-scale gaming battles, a wild choir…

• From November 26th to December 27th on the 5th floor, Christmas sweaters with kitschy jacquards and “old school” pom-pom hats will be on the program for classes at the Mamie Factory set up in the store: demonstrations from Tuesday to Saturday and knitting lessons (20-30 minutes) on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM

• The Christmas choir in the Cour de L’HOMME with over 50 wild singers to jam out on the greatest holiday classics!

Wednesday, November 26th at 7:45 PM, Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 14th at 4:00 PM.

• The Christmas Wonderland children’s area for a meeting with Santa Claus from November 29th to December 20th, on the 5th floor, every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM

A face painter for kids will also be waiting for them on Wednesday, November 26th from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and a balloon-sculpting clown will come up with the wackiest ideas for the kids on December 3rd from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.

BHV Marais

36 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris

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Monster Christmas at Galeries Lafayette

For the first time, Galeries Lafayette is innovating with an upside-down tree.

Under the famous centennial dome on Boulevard Haussmann, this 2014 version of the tree takes root in the architectural veins of the sumptuous Art Nouveau dome to dazzle us during the holidays…

• Monster Show, from November 6th to December 14th on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (+ Sunday, December 7th and 14th), the department store offers shows on the 1st, 2nd, and 5th floors of the main building and on the ground floor of Lafayette Homme

• Toy drive at Galeries Lafayette in partnership with Emmaüs Défi, to allow everyone to celebrate Christmas with dignity

Thanks to this drive, Emmaüs Défi will organize a solidarity toy sale intended for a New Year’s Eve event to allow low-income families to celebrate Christmas.

• The traditional stroll in front of the Christmas window displays, which are very successful this year, I think!

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Thanksgiving at the Hard Rock Café

The Hard Rock Café Paris invites all fans of American culture to enjoy an authentic Thanksgiving menu this Thursday, November 27th.

A friendly and inherently family-oriented celebration, Thanksgiving is above all a moment of sharing. And it will also be an opportunity to do a good deed since for every menu sold, €1 will be donated to the WhyHunger association, which fights against hunger and poverty worldwide.

On the menu (€35):

• Corn chowder
• Turkey breast with cranberry sauce, served with mashed potatoes and an assortment of vegetables
• The traditional pumpkin pie with whipped cream
• Choice of drink: mineral water (33 cl), glass of wine, draft beer (33 cl), or soda

By reservation only: paris_salescoordinator1@hardrock.com or 01 53 24 60 11

Hard Rock Cafe Paris

14 boulevard Montmartre 75009

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A 100% arty and luminous Christmas at Bercy Village

Like every year, Bercy Village celebrates Christmas and participates in the traditional holiday illuminations from an original angle: that of contemporary art.

On the program: light installations, strolling performers, photo studio, and exhibition (all this is obviously free),…

• ElectroRobot (from November 20th to January 26th, 2015), the new digital installation by artist Fred Sapey-Triomphe, in the Cour Saint-Emilion

• Free exhibition My Little Paradise by Miwa Nishimura, which continues until mid-January 2015, immersing us in her wonderland, at the heart of the infinitely small

• For kids and adults alike, Bercy Village is concocting a tantalizing program (still free) of magical shows (in the form of 30 to 40-minute strolls), animated by several live performance companies every weekend in December, to which is added, for the first year, a special light painting greeting card photocall

• Christmas carols revisited by a brass band of frosty musicians

All-audience shows, free and outdoors

Performances at 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM, every Saturday and Sunday

From December 6th to December 21st, 2014

Free photo studio open to all from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Saturday, December 13th

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The Mannele, star of the Alsatian Christmas Market in Paris

Like every year, the forecourt of the Gare de l’Est will host, from December 4th to December 19th, a very gourmet Alsatian Christmas market (the oldest Alsatian market outside the region), presenting a selection of culinary treasures typical of this region: bredele, jams and confectionery, goose and duck foie gras, gingerbread, charcuterie, sauerkraut, cheeses, wines, and brandies…

Star of this edition: the Mannele, a tasty little man made of gingerbread or brioche. Each weekend, throughout the duration of the Alsatian Christmas Market, children will be able to come and decorate their Mannele during free workshops. A giant gingerbread Mannele measuring over 1m high will even be up for grabs!

For the workshops, join us on Saturdays, December 6th and 13th, and Sundays, December 7th and 14th at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.

Alsatian Christmas Market / from December 4th to December 19th, 2014

every day from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM (10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays, open late until 9:00 PM on Friday the 19th)

Parvis de la Gare de l’Est in Paris

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Paddington Christmas at Beaugrenelle Paris

Paddington

the teddy bear with his red hat will be the guest of honor at Beaugrenelle Paris for Christmas.

Beaugrenelle invites you to discover his adventures in preview at the Pathé Beaugrenelle cinema but also to enjoy the many children’s activities set up especially for the occasion.

On the program:

• illuminations, magical decorations, a Christmas market on Rue Linois (gingerbread, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts) from December 4th to 27th, and pop-up shops

• a dedicated space, the “Paddington House“, to discover clips from the film

• exclusive and magical encounters with Paddington in the center’s aisles, on December 6th, 13th, and 20th (meeting and souvenir photo)

• hundreds of gifts to be won during a great Paddington contest organized until next November 27th

• a Christmas tree over 8 meters high decorated with baubles in Beaugrenelle colors and adorable Paddington bears (from November 29th)

• a Pathé offer: 1 ticket bought = 1 ticket free upon presentation of the Christmas program available at the reception

• the cookie preparation and tasting workshop designed by La Fabrique – Cookies on December 6th, 13th, and 20th between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

• LaShootingBOX, a photo studio to enjoy a family, couple, or friend photoshoot

• fun workshops for children on Wednesdays, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM (subject to availability) at Viens Jouer à la Maison

• a gift-wrapping stand will also be present to make pretty packages. The funds collected will be donated to an association

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The Elf Academy at the Manoir de Paris

At the Manoir de Paris, Christmas tales are not just simple and sweet stories… During this holiday season, the Elf Academy sets up its boarding school and its various rehabilitation methods in these places taken over for the occasion by Monsieur Fouettard (Father Whipper) and company…

An original and nerve-wracking show on the theme of Christmas, reinvented by the 35 actors of the Manoir who will be there to get you back on the right path…

As usual (but I repeat myself…), I cannot recommend you enough to run to the Manoir if you have never tried this Parisian attraction; it is worth the detour!

Christmas 2014 at the Manoir de Paris

18 Rue de Paradis, 75010 Paris
from December 12th to 21st, 2014 and from January 9th to February 1st, 2015

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2 Months of Krug in Paris

For a taste of the holiday season, the Krug champagne brand offers to rediscover its iconic cuvée, Krug Grande Cuvée, through 4 pairings recommended by Eric Lebel, Chef de Cave at Krug: Parmesan, Truffle, Chestnut, or Artichoke.

Thus, several Parisian addresses are participating in this gustatory alliance, and each chef has given free rein to their imagination and offers a pairing to reveal the aromas and flavors of Krug Grande Cuvée.

One can, for example, enjoy in one of the partner establishments a glass of Krug Grande Cuvée accompanied by a Truffle risotto, or an Arancini with risotto and parmesan, or a Poivrade artichoke heart with parmesan foam and truffle shavings (price varies by establishment).

These gustatory encounters can be discovered in a selection of Parisian establishments in November and December 2014:

• Le Bristol Paris, 112 rue du Fbg St-Honoré, 75008 Paris
• Four Seasons Hotel George V, 31 avenue George V, 75008 Paris
• Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme, 5 rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris
• Shangri-La Hôtel Paris, 10 avenue d’Iéna, 75016 Paris
• Mandarin Oriental Paris, 251 rue St-Honoré, 75001 Paris
• Ledoyen, 8 avenue Dutuit, 75008 Paris
• Le Petit Pergolese, 38 rue Pergolèse, 75016 Paris
• Le 39 V, 39 avenue George V, 75008 Paris
• Byzance Bellota, 18 rue Jean Nicot, 75007 Paris
• Byzance Bellota, 27 rue Yves Kermen, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt
• La Grande Epicerie, 38 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
• Cave Legrand, 1 rue de la Banque, 75002 Paris
• Apoge, 48 rue du colisée, 75008 Paris
• Repaire de Bacchus, 29 rue du Cler, 75007 Paris

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Christmas ahead of schedule at the Hôtel de Ville de Paris

“Paris Rendez-vous”, the events space at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, offers until January 5th, 2015, practical workshops on the theme of Christmas.

On the program:

• free winter tale reading sessions for children aged 3 and up on Wednesdays and Saturdays

• coloring sessions on a giant mural

• greeting card making workshops

• candle making workshops

• coffee tastings

• the Christmas photocall in a typically Parisian setting

Paris Rendez-vous / Hôtel de Ville de Paris

29, rue de Rivoli 75004

Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

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A large skating rink under the nave of the Grand Palais, the Ice Place to Be

For this second edition, the Grand Palais will once again transform into a giant skating rink from December 14th, 2014 to January 4th, 2015.

Every day, families, children, athletes, amateurs, or simply lovers of one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris will be able to enjoy this unique experience.

And every evening, a nocturnal version of the event, during which Le Grand Palais des Glaces will put on its light attire: DJ, giant disco ball, and light show for nights on ice.

Next to the rink, the Café des Glaces will offer a comforting menu throughout, with sandwiches, soups, tartiflettes, hot dogs, chilled fruit juices, and, of course, the essential hot chocolate and mulled wine.

This temporary 2700 m² skating rink was born from an original idea by Olivier Maurey, founder of the Ludéric Group, whose first edition in 2012 was a great success.

The tip: the participation of Ferrero Rocher in the event, which will offer over 300,000 Ferrero Rocher to all skaters during this holiday season.

On the program: happenings, special evenings, launch events, Rossignol pop-up store with its vintage range, a light projection show with Pixel Fall on a 13-meter high and 10-meter wide fountain.

Grand Palais des Glaces / Avenue Winston Churchill 75008 Paris

Every day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and night sessions from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM

Adult prices: €15 / child prices: €10 / free for children under 3 / unique night rate: €25 (skate rental included)

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The Ho Ho Ho Christmas Festival Markets at Glazart

As the holiday season approaches, Les Gavroches invite us to the Ho Ho Ho Christmas Festival at Glazart for a warm day marked by the magic of Christmas.

On the program: tartiflette and mulled wine food trucks, live street art, DJ Sets, Christmas market (fashion, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, gastronomy, crafts…),…

Saturday, December 13th from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM

free entry

Glazart / 7-15 Avenue de la Porte de la Villette, 75019 Paris

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Christmas at Printemps Haussmann

For the holiday season, La Fabrique Cookies, a Parisian brand specializing in cookies, is setting up a pop-up corner on the 3rd floor of Printemps Haussmann in Paris.

Plenty of reasons to grab a cookie during a Christmas shopping trip among the nine recipes that will be prepared daily (milk chocolate banana, candied orange dark chocolate or dark chocolate-walnut, Valence pink praline, Guérande salted butter caramel, or Montélimar Nougat)…

Price: cookies individually (€2) or assortment boxes of 8 cookies (€12)

Pop-up store La Fabrique – Cookies

Printemps Haussmann – 3rd floor

from October 28th, 2014 to January 10th, 2015

Another pop-up store will also be present during the holidays at Printemps, the infusion bar Les 2 Marmottes.

An opportunity to sit down and enjoy an infusion from one of the brand’s 34 references.

Infusion bar Les 2 Marmottes

Printemps Haussmann – in the Boutique Noire

from October 25th, 2014 to December 31st, 2014

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Christmas in the Yvelines

Because in the Yvelines department, there are always plenty of things going on (concerts, conferences, shows, Christmas markets, gastronomic events), here is my small selection of events not to be missed:

• “Snow White” ballet choreographed by Angelin Preljocaj at the Royal Opera of Versailles from December 17th to 21st

• Christmas show at the Haras National des Bréviaires in Rambouillet on December 17th and 20th, 2014 at 2:00 PM and on December 18th and 19th

• Concert at the Pavillon de Musique de la Comtesse de Barry on December 14th at 6:00 PM

• Christmas village in Saint Germain en Laye opens its doors from December 6th to 21st

• 7th Christmas market in the town of Chatou from December 5th to 7th, Friday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• Versailles ecological skating rink, in front of the town hall from November 29th to January 4th

• Christmas market at the Musée de la Toile de Jouy (a very pretty museum to discover, by the way!) on 12/12 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, 13/12 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and 14/12 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• Tales and History at the Château de Rambouillet on December 20th and 21st at 10:30 AM, 2:10 PM, and 3:20 PM (free for children)

• The great Christmas Parade in Rambouillet on December 21st at 5:30 PM

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Christmas at the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona

Throughout the month of December and until January 4th, 2015, make way for the magic of Christmas at the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona (Tain l’Hermitage), with a gourmet and magical program.

• Chocolate workshops are offered to visitors throughout the day (registration at the reception of the Cité)

• Saturday, December 20th in the afternoon, the gourmet interns of the Valrhona School take over the Cité du Chocolat; visitors will be able to admire the creations of the gourmet students and enjoy a little sweet treat

• Playful interludes on the weekends of December 6th and 7th, 27th and 28th, and Wednesday, December 24th: the Christmas Elves (Carton Compagnie troupe) offer festive moments with their barrel organ; they stroll around and draw visitors in with Christmas songs, winter tales, and appearances of chocolates

• And starting Saturday, December 13th, to provide decoration ideas to visitors, the “Exposition des Artistes” space presents the chocolate creations of master chocolatiers to reveal the most beautiful chocolate trees

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The final word