by Becky Padmore
The beautiful and romantic city of Paris is a popular visitors spot all year round. One of the most ideal holiday destinations, tourists flock here to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre among many other sites. For those wishing for an extra special Christmas break Paris can offer a fantastic alternative to spending your seasonal holidays at home. Although it can be difficult to find places that are open especially on Christmas Day. To help you with any problems here is a guide to spending your Christmas in Paris:
Choosing a Place to Stay - Champs-Elysees is a good central location to base yourself but it can be very expensive especially if you plan to eat out in the area. Consider staying in the The Latin Quarter as an alternative. It is a very authentic and lively Parisian area with good a mix of families and students and not too many tourists. Rue Mouffetard is another good area with a wide range of bars, restaurants and shops.
Getting Around - Paris has an excellent metro system which makes everything very accessible. The RER and metros will be running onChristmas day but on a modified schedule. If you are relying on this as your main transportation during your seasonal break it is best to pick up a timetable for the Christmas period at any of information booths in the larger metro stations like Chatelet. If you're looking for more private transport there are plenty of taxis to choose from.
Places to See - On the week leading up to Christmas most of the main tourist attractions are still open. As it gets nearer to Christmas day some may close down for the Christmas holidays so you might have to be more inventive with how you spend your time. Good suggestions are to visit churches, museums, parks and shops. Check out the lights and holiday-inspired window decorations at the big department stores such as The Galeries LaFayette and Au Printemps. Ice skating is another great option try the lovely temporary ice rink in front of the Hotel de Ville. You can bring your own skates or rent them there.
If you haven't seen it before, make sure you include a trip to the famous landmark the Eiffel Tower. The Notre Dame shouldn't be missed either and weather permitting taking a romantic stroll here this time of year is magical. If it's too cold you can always warm up in a lovely Parisian cafe nearby.
Finding Places to Eat - At all other times of the year it's very easy to find great restaurants in Paris. Although during the Christmas periods there can be difficulties. To avoid problems make sure you book a place before you head out to your trip, this can be easily done via the internet. If you find yourself really stuck on your festive break try one of the cosy restaurants in the Sacre Coeur area. There are places here that are not overly expensive and some have a fantastic atmosphere, especially on Christmas Eve. If you aren't fussed about eating traditional seasonal food then they will still be a range of ethic and Asian restaurants to choose from even on Christmas Day. Although you may want to stay in a self-catering accommodation and cook your festive meal yourself, washed down with plenty of French wine of course!
Good planning and creative thinking will make for a fantastic Christmas break in Paris - a wonderfully romantic and magical city. - 39969
About the Author:
To help you with more ideas on fantastic holiday destinations see Becky Padmore's website www.globalgrasshopper.com where you will also find great guides such as making the most of Paris in a day.
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