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I'm not normally a big fan of the Champs-Elysées. This avenue is lined with quintessentially Parisian buildings and—frustratingly—international chain stores. What visitors find here looks a lot like what they left at home: a McDonalds, a Sephora, a Nike store, and so on.
At this time of year, however, I make an exception to my grumpy rule. The Champs-Elysées during the holiday season is magic.
Until January 15, the avenue shines with fairy lights. Between the Arc de Triomphe and the place de la Concorde, 400 trees are wrapped in strands containing more than a million lights. Even an anti-Champs Scrooge like me is powerless to resist the twinkling charm.
To complete the experience, vertigo-free visitors should stop at the giant ferris wheel in the place de la Concorde
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Our family went to Paris for a week at Christmas and it was delightful. The whole city waslit up. The decorations in the department store windows and the stores themselves were phenomenal. The weather was cool but pleasant and we had a great time touring the city, mostly on foot and really getting to see it for the first time, even though we had been there many times for short stays, coming and going to other parts of the country. Air fares this time of year are lower and it is a great time to go.
Posted By keith on November 30, 2009, 7:54 PM
I submitted a photo last year taken looking toward the Concorde. Although somewhat impressive from the standpoint of the number of white lights, the Christmas market aspect wasn't much after we were in Strasbourg and Munich for their markets.
Posted By Mark on November 30, 2009, 10:24 PM
Planning a trip to Umbria, Italy, this Spring. Any hints on house rentals? Thanks
Posted By Celeste on December 1, 2009, 6:57 AM
Hi Mark! I haven't yet been to the world's biggest Christmas market in Strasbourg, but I agree that the Munich market is pretty special. The Paris Christmas markets are smaller than their German/Alsatian cousins, but that also makes them a little more accessible. The selection may be smaller but there aren't thousands of people jostling for mulled wine :)
Posted By Meg Zimbeck on December 4, 2009, 1:02 AM
I was in Paris over Thanksgiving. THe lights are incredible! Be sure to look at how the different buildings are decorated also; their Chirstmas decorations are very much in contrast to the city decorations seen in the States
Posted By Susan on December 4, 2009, 6:15 AM
Hi Celeste. With three other couples, we rented the "Villa del Lago" near Castiglione del Lago through a British company called Holiday-Rentals (http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/). They have a lot of villas in Umbria. Castiglione del Lago is halfway between Rome and Florence so convenient to all of Umbria nd most of Tuscany. Check them out.
Posted By James Venesz on December 6, 2009, 11:49 PM
I stayed at Il Torale near lake Trasimeno in Umbria - there are apartments in a variety of sizes and it's a great location for sightseeing. You can look at the website http://www.torale.com/
Posted By Julie on December 20, 2009, 7:48 AM
We would like to visit Paris in Spring, but the plane tickets I found are around $1000/person. Should we wait for better deals? Any tips? Thanks
Posted By Claudia on January 15, 2010, 6:43 PM
We were in Paris a few years ago over the holidays. I agree, the twinkling city is beautiful and very romantic. With a cup of hot cocoa in hand we enjoyed the sparkling building, trees and amazingly elaborate window displays on the CE but also down unexpected alleyways. Definitely would love to go back that time of year!
Posted By javi on February 6, 2010, 8:43 AM