My Christmas in Paris Plan for 2022

My Christmas in Paris Plan for 2022

• Christmas at Château Vaux-le-Vicomte. This is the first Christmas activity we did on Sunday. Neither of us had ever visited before and were so excited to go, as they are the only château I know of in the Paris area that decorates for Christmas (a lot of the Loire Valley châteaux decorate, making the holidays a great time to go). You will definitely want a car to visit, whether you rent one or hire a driver and guide (which I’m happy to help organize). We booked the earliest time slot and had the château practically to ourselves. Be sure to visit the dome for 360 degree views of the gardens and surrounding areas. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, renting a golf cart to drive through the gardens is a great option.
• Looking at Christmas decorations can really be accomplished almost anywhere in Paris. However, places I don’t miss are Place Vendôme, Place Maurice Barrès with Chanel on one side and Dior on the other, the Christmas windows at both Printemps and Galeries Lafayette (and of course the tree at Galeries Lafayette), Anne Vitchen’s stunning tree at the Ritz Paris, and Avenue Montaigne. These are my non-negotiables.
• Staycation in the Marais. While technically a work “trip,” I’m looking forward to staying at a lovely boutique hotel in the Marais. Truth be told, I almost never go to the Marais anymore. It’s just far enough that I don’t want to take the time to walk during the week and always feels so crowded on the weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing some new to me decorations plus lots of beautiful hotel lobbies.
• Hot chocolate at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli. I’ve gotten hot chocolate to go, and I’ve stayed sur place at Mademoiselle Angelina, but I’ve never braved the line to sit in the main tearoom. I’m really looking forward to testing this one out!
• Various Christmas happy hours, lunches, and dinners with friends. It really does feel wonderful to be gathering in groups again.
• Paris Christmas walks. Emily (who writes a wonderful weekly newsletter) and I started these last year I’m still pinching myself that I get to call them a part of my work. I’ve taken couples, families, mothers and daughters, solo travelers and friends around to see the magic of Paris during the holidays. Every walk is different and it brings me so much joy to see others discover the spirit of the season. It’s also such a fun way to connect with people from Instagram or who I’ve met online on a personal level.

• Seeing Swan Lake at the Opera Bastille. I’ve wanted to see a ballet since moving to Paris and a Sunday matinée performance seemed like the perfect opportunity. Romain is being a diva and is a little upset that it’s at the Opera Bastille versus Palais Garnier. It just gives me yet another reason to visit the Palais Garnier and see the Christmas tree.
• Festive tea time at Le Meurice. A lot of Palace hotels have tea time in Paris, but they are often “French” and only serve sweets with the teas. Don’t get me wrong, I love exquisite pastries, but I would much rather have the savory finger sandwiches with. Le Meurice has both (and for the record the Ritz also offers a savory tea time option, but inside Bar Vendôme and not Salon Proust).
• The “Christmas Market” in the Tuileries. Honestly this isn’t a Christmas market, it’s really one step up from a carnival. However, if you go into it knowing that and don’t have high expectations it can be fun. There really isn’t anything artisanal worth shopping for or probably even made in France for that matter (last year there was one glass blower). I recommend going on the Ferris Wheel for incredible views of Paris and trying some of the (overpriced) foods. It’s a good way to cross off vin chaud, tartiflette, raclette, and different winter specialties off your list. They won’t be the best you’ve ever had, but they probably also won’t be the worst.
• Visiting the Le Grand Numero de Chanel exhibit. Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what to expect here. The description is “Spectacular scents, marvelous magic tricks, unexpected discoveries, highly anticipated encounters and many other sensational acts.” It sounds festive and it’s free!
• Celebrating Romain’s birthday with a special dinner. He would absolutely not like that I’m lumping his birthday in with Christmas, but since we’re celebrating it on Friday December 23rd and not on his actual birthday it comes with the territory.
• And last but not least, I plan on watching as many Christmas movies as possible. Romain and I really don’t like to watch the same kinds of movies and TV shows, but we can at least agree on Home Alone (the English and French version), Christmas Vacation, and Bad Santa. I’ve tried to get him to watch The Holiday and Love Actually (he wouldn’t) and I’m not even going to attempt the Netflix/Hallmark etc. offerings. Boomer will watch with me.

I hope you have an absolutely wonderful holiday season filled with love, joy and cheer as well as the three f’s – family, friends, and food! And if you’ll be in Paris this year or in the future I hope this list can provide some inspiration.

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My Christmas in Paris Plan for 2022

• Christmas at Château Vaux-le-Vicomte. This is the first Christmas activity we did on Sunday. Neither of us had ever visited before and were so excited to go, as they are the only château I know of in the Paris area that decorates for Christmas (a lot of the Loire Valley châteaux decorate, making the holidays a great time to go). You will definitely want a car to visit, whether you rent one or hire a driver and guide (which I’m happy to help organize). We booked the earliest time slot and had the château practically to ourselves. Be sure to visit the dome for 360 degree views of the gardens and surrounding areas. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, renting a golf cart to drive through the gardens is a great option.
• Looking at Christmas decorations can really be accomplished almost anywhere in Paris. However, places I don’t miss are Place Vendôme, Place Maurice Barrès with Chanel on one side and Dior on the other, the Christmas windows at both Printemps and Galeries Lafayette (and of course the tree at Galeries Lafayette), Anne Vitchen’s stunning tree at the Ritz Paris, and Avenue Montaigne. These are my non-negotiables.
• Staycation in the Marais. While technically a work “trip,” I’m looking forward to staying at a lovely boutique hotel in the Marais. Truth be told, I almost never go to the Marais anymore. It’s just far enough that I don’t want to take the time to walk during the week and always feels so crowded on the weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing some new to me decorations plus lots of beautiful hotel lobbies.
• Hot chocolate at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli. I’ve gotten hot chocolate to go, and I’ve stayed sur place at Mademoiselle Angelina, but I’ve never braved the line to sit in the main tearoom. I’m really looking forward to testing this one out!
• Various Christmas happy hours, lunches, and dinners with friends. It really does feel wonderful to be gathering in groups again.
• Paris Christmas walks. Emily (who writes a wonderful weekly newsletter) and I started these last year I’m still pinching myself that I get to call them a part of my work. I’ve taken couples, families, mothers and daughters, solo travelers and friends around to see the magic of Paris during the holidays. Every walk is different and it brings me so much joy to see others discover the spirit of the season. It’s also such a fun way to connect with people from Instagram or who I’ve met online on a personal level.

• Seeing Swan Lake at the Opera Bastille. I’ve wanted to see a ballet since moving to Paris and a Sunday matinée performance seemed like the perfect opportunity. Romain is being a diva and is a little upset that it’s at the Opera Bastille versus Palais Garnier. It just gives me yet another reason to visit the Palais Garnier and see the Christmas tree.
• Festive tea time at Le Meurice. A lot of Palace hotels have tea time in Paris, but they are often “French” and only serve sweets with the teas. Don’t get me wrong, I love exquisite pastries, but I would much rather have the savory finger sandwiches with. Le Meurice has both (and for the record the Ritz also offers a savory tea time option, but inside Bar Vendôme and not Salon Proust).
• The “Christmas Market” in the Tuileries. Honestly this isn’t a Christmas market, it’s really one step up from a carnival. However, if you go into it knowing that and don’t have high expectations it can be fun. There really isn’t anything artisanal worth shopping for or probably even made in France for that matter (last year there was one glass blower). I recommend going on the Ferris Wheel for incredible views of Paris and trying some of the (overpriced) foods. It’s a good way to cross off vin chaud, tartiflette, raclette, and different winter specialties off your list. They won’t be the best you’ve ever had, but they probably also won’t be the worst.
• Visiting the Le Grand Numero de Chanel exhibit. Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what to expect here. The description is “Spectacular scents, marvelous magic tricks, unexpected discoveries, highly anticipated encounters and many other sensational acts.” It sounds festive and it’s free!
• Celebrating Romain’s birthday with a special dinner. He would absolutely not like that I’m lumping his birthday in with Christmas, but since we’re celebrating it on Friday December 23rd and not on his actual birthday it comes with the territory.
• And last but not least, I plan on watching as many Christmas movies as possible. Romain and I really don’t like to watch the same kinds of movies and TV shows, but we can at least agree on Home Alone (the English and French version), Christmas Vacation, and Bad Santa. I’ve tried to get him to watch The Holiday and Love Actually (he wouldn’t) and I’m not even going to attempt the Netflix/Hallmark etc. offerings. Boomer will watch with me.

I hope you have an absolutely wonderful holiday season filled with love, joy and cheer as well as the three f’s – family, friends, and food! And if you’ll be in Paris this year or in the future I hope this list can provide some inspiration.