What's more romantic, picturesque and enjoyable than Christmas in Paris? Multi-hued garlands of light illuminate the streets, the shops shine brightly with a wealth of wonderful things to buy, Christmas markets ring with festive songs and the air is rich with the spicy scent of waffles and mulled wine.

 

Animated window displays

 

The tradition is old, but also timeless! Whether big or small, a child or a grandparent (or even a great grandparent!), we can never resist the allure of the splendid window displays presented each year by the famous department stores of Paris. Santa's elves, wandering polar bears, prancing reindeers and even kitchen utensils come to life before the astonished gaze of onlookers staring into display windows and willing to believe in the magic of fairyland.

 

And festive skating rinks

 

In Paris, no Christmas would be complete without ice skating. On the Champs-Elysées, the Trocadéro, in front of the Hôtel de Ville and in the Place Saint-Sulpice, large open-air ice-rinks are open to hesitant beginners and accomplished masters of the triple salchow alike. Don’t miss Eiffel on Ice, an irresistible ice-covered expanse at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. As soon as night falls, the effect is striking. Imagine yourself gliding like a dream in the heart of the Champs de Mars, beneath the Parisian sky and the luminous lace of the Eiffel Tower ... If we add to this enchanting vision the scent of toasted marshmallows, melting chocolate and, for the hungriest, the tartiflette, we are close to heaven on earth.