C'est Noël à Paris

Notre Dame in twilight

skating at Hotel de Ville

Christmas season in Paris is amazing.  Markets spring up everywhere, though seem to consist largely of food booths, gloves & hat booths, and jewellery shops.  We have found le vin chaud well worth the three euro as we walk about the slushy streets.

Skating rinks magically appear, and while they might look 'out of place' some years, the weather suits them right now.

Christmas markets

Galleria Fashion

Down to our last few weeks in Paris, we have been attempting to see and do 'just a few more things'.  A person really could go to a museum a day in this city - at least for a year, and perhaps for life -  and the decisions - to see the Monet exhibition at le Grand Palais, or, to see the Monet permanent collection at the Monet musee.  This, of course, does not count the Monets seen in Musee D'Orsay, and there were probably a few in the Louvre...who can remember!   Joan has found there are museums and galleries for anything and everything, including fashion....



The Musee Rodin had an incredible garden with some of Rodin's sculptures scattered about.  This will warrant a return trip in warmer weather.  His 'Gates of Hell' were amazing-and disturbing.  One glitch with this visit - we forgot the camera!  Fortunately, a few of Rodin's works were to be found at the next gallery - in le Petite Palais, which is worth seeing just for the building....

We had one last friend/colleague of Rich's visit for several days this week so managed a bit more night life- some great music/singing in a piano bar in the Latin Quarter, lots of walking, and, of course, a stop at Shakespeare.

 The city really is 'decked out'.  Many stores have beautiful displays creating a sense of winter, or wonder, or sometimes just elegant confusion.  Les grandes magasins have some of the most incredible window displays and people are lined up six-eight deep to see them.  As you might expect, the crowds around attractions like the Eiffel Tower have waned, but the crowds in and around the stores have become incredible.  Police are often found directing pedestrian traffic at intersections.

 Generally, the more lavish the decorations, the higher the price tag if you are looking to consume.  It is great eye candy, however, and in the evening the entire city seems to 'sparkle'.

Window display at Printemps

 Some of the window displays are aimed at children, while others are 'fashion statements' aimed at - who knows.  These were just a few examples of what appears in store windows.  As you might guess, the really great displays had too many people in front of them to get close with the camera, so these will have to suffice.

and another display

People everywhere

 People everywhere!  We managed to get out of here quickly, and found a quieter street just a few blocks away where we could begin some of our own Christmas shopping.

Dior enfants

Of course, with the grandbabies, there is a real purpose to our shopping this year.  Joan has been on the look out for some real 'Parisien' outfits for the two little princesses.  Who knew Dior did children's clothing? And, who can afford to buy these outfits???  If the number of Baby and Children's clothing stores are any indication, there is a baby boom going on in Paris.

And then there are the adult clothes....one is reminded that Paris is all about fashion -
For thirty to Fifty- five thousand euro, 45-70 thousand dollars - Joan could have a lovely dress for the festive season.

The price list corresponds to the picture on the left - this was the most reasonable shop we found on the boulevard.  We may not come home with too much new in our wardrobes....

Someone's Paris but not ours....

...and then there is Prada...

Just before he is asked to leave...

 Well, enough window shopping!  Time to get back to our reality.  So much more to see and so little time left.   ( Hey, is that Richard doing his Christmas shopping????). 

Our Paris