Paris in December, Here I Come!

Christmas in Paris | French Californian

Guess what?

I booked a trip to Paris this December!!!

It will have been almost exactly one year since I was last in Europe and I’m very excited to go back. I honestly thought I would be content to stay put for at least a full year after moving across the world, but nope! My wanderlust crept back in almost as soon as we settled in and bought furniture.

For now, the plan is to spend some time in Paris and elsewhere on my own, then meet Erik for Christmas in Sweden. I’ll be in Europe for almost a full month, and I’m planning on either hopping over to Portugal, taking a day trip to Strasbourg, or perhaps a few days in Copenhagen before heading to Stockholm. I’m completely undecided at this point, but the main tickets are booked and that’s exciting!

I know it’s a bit early to be pining for the holiday season, but since I’ll be visiting Paris when she’s all dressed up, I just can’t help but share some of my favorite holiday scenes from the city with you.

Christmas in Paris | French Californian
The famous café Esmeralda, in-view of Notre Dame’s back side.
Christmas in Paris | French Californian
Tiny adorable christmas trees on Rue Cler!
Christmas in Paris | French Californian
Even when it’s freezing out, the terrace is always open.
Christmas in Paris | French Californian
The upscale Village Royal shopping passage
Christmas in Paris | French Californian
Aux Merveilleux de Fred, makers of meringue-based desserts
Christmas in Paris | French Californian
La Fontaine de Mars – classic scene of the 7th arrondissement

Christmas in Paris | French Californian

Christmas in Paris | French Californian
Cafe menu in the Galerie Vivienne
Christmas in Paris | French Californian
Faux snow at the Champs Elysées Christmas Market
Christmas in Paris | French Californian
I sure wish I had enough money to stay in this fancy hotel!

Christmas in Paris | French Californian

Christmas in Paris | French Californian
A beautiful bakery storefront in Montmartre.

 

To see how I spent the holiday season two years ago in Sweden, see this blog post: Christmas in Sweden.

If I were to take a train out of Paris, which city should I visit? Strasbourg, Lyon, Dijon, Geneva, Brussels, Amsterdam?? If you have any insight, please leave a comment below, or send me a message on Instagram or Facebook!

 

I'm a Californian in my mid-twenties who studied Art History and lived in France for 3 years. I blog honestly about my travels, share my thoughts on life, and get poetic about art and photography. I also sell prints of my photographs on Etsy.

8 Comments

  1. Reply
    Valery

    Lyon, especially the Old Town, was beautiful in September, so I imagine it is gorgeous at Christmastime! Plus, you cannot get a bad meal anywhere there. ?

    1. Reply
      Hannah Wilson Post author

      Lyon has always been in the back of my mind ever since I saw Samantha Brown’s Passport to Europe episode filmed there! The idea of the Traboules, secret passageways through the city, absolutely fascinated me! It’s a serious contender!

  2. Reply
    ladyaero

    Hello! My sister and I are taking our three California kids (her girls, 19 and 14, my son, 16) to Paris for New Years. It will be our first time to Paris (overseas, really, except for one work trip to Dublin, which barely counts!). Are the holiday decorations usually still up after Christmas? Would love to see Paris like this!

    1. Reply
      Hannah Wilson Post author

      Very exciting!! Yes, in my experience, the holiday decorations have always stayed up at least until the day after New Year’s! You should be able to see the decorations and the holiday window displays at big department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps on Blvd Haussmann. Also, be sure to go inside of the Galeries Lafayette because every year they put up a giant Christmas tree right in the middle of the multi-story domed foyer! The only thing that might not still be going are the christmas markets. (although I heard a rumor that the Champs-Elysées christmas market is cancelled this year anyway).

  3. Reply
    Ward

    I’ve enjoyed Christmas in Paris 4 different times. The city is magical! However, this year I’ll be there at Thanksgiving. Excited to visit with a 71 year old family friend, it will be her first visit and my 14th. Paris is always a good idea :)

    1. Reply
      Hannah Wilson Post author

      I get so much joy out of seeing the city all dressed up for the holidays! Hopefully there will still be some autumn leaves left on the trees for your visit, those are wonderful to see as well! Have a great time, Bon Voyage!

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