Our time in Paris is going very quickly, we are almost half way through. We have been trying to get around to take photos of the Christmas lights and the Christmas Markets and enjoy the Chritmas vibe. Christmas Markets are quite common here. Sometimes just a few chalets of shops and sometimes quite big. We visited 3 different Christmas Markets, the largest of which was the one at Tuileries, which had some fair ground rides, and food and drink stalls as well as the small chalets selling all sorts of things as Christmas presents. We visited twice, the second time we had a go on the ferris wheel which had some great views out over the city. We also went to the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) Christmas Market which was quite small, and mostly set up for families. Our final market was the Notre Dame market, which was actually on the left bank, just across the river from Notre Dame. This was also a small, but busy market. After looking around the market we had a walk around the local streets. Of course as the sun was setting before 5pm each night there was plenty of time to take photos of the lights around town. Our first destination was the Champs Elysée. Our next destination was to Boulevard Haussmann, where a couple of the large department stores are located - Printemps, and Galleries Lafayette. They both had interesting windows, domes and lots of customers. Another evening we went to Saint Honoré, starting at Place Vendôme and then along Rue Saint Honoré and then ending at Madeleine to come home. This is certainly an area of exclusive shopping and deep pockets. We have also had some Christmas celebrations. We went to the Arsenal Yatch Club christmas party, where the highlight was the fresh oysters arriving (a little late) from Brittany. We were then invited to Guillame's boat August for Christmas Eve, where we had raclette with him, Charlotte (aged 93 - who has lived in the port since it opened), and Marc. It was a great night, with lots of conversation, much of it in french, and ending with coffees and whisky on the back deck - luckily it was a mild night. I should say that Howard is looking quite spotty at the moment, as he is doing a skin treatment for skin cancer prevention. On Christmas morning we headed to Aleau for brunch with Jonathan and Jeannie. It was a lovely day. In the evening we had a Bûche de Noel (Yule Log), which is a traditional Christmas dessert here. Also before Christmas, our friends Lon and Pat dropped by. They were in Paris as part of a tour of European Christmas Markets and stayed on Aleau. We have also enjoyed going to the Bastille Market which is very close to us and open on Sunday and Thursday. We also enjoyed the band which plays on Sunday Afternoon in the Place de la Bastille. Finally, I cycle out to Belleville regularly to pick up my herbs, and have visited the belevedere there. Some interesting art.
2 Comments
Richard Switzky
28/12/2023 01:32:46 pm
Wonderful pictures. I'm so glad you've had this great opportunity to explore this beautiful city. Much love to you both and best wishes for a happy new year!
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Mark Poustie
28/12/2023 11:04:23 pm
Thanks Deb for the lovely photos
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