December in Paris is an amazing time. The streets are cold and dank, and pulls to wrap themselves in a blanket, sipping hot mulled wine. But at the same time, the city is filled with the atmosphere of an approaching holiday. Garlands sparkle, everywhere there are Christmas trees, snowmen, at Christmas markets it smells of chestnuts and pancakes, the French are boldly selling souvenirs and jewelry. If you are not afraid of slush and the cold wind, if you want to plunge into the New Year's fairy tale of this magical city - come to Paris in December. You will definitely not be disappointed.
Weather in December
Paris is damp and dank enough. Sunny days are rare, on average in December there are two or three. You have to put up with this. Temperature can range from zero to seven degrees Celsius. The wind is quite cold, it often rains, turning into wet snow. However, snowflakes melt, barely touching the ground, so slush forms underfoot. The day is short. It dawns at nine in the morning, and by five in the evening dusk falls on the city.
What to bring with you?
Tourists are rarely satisfied with the weather in Paris in December. Reviews show that special training and equipment are needed. Be sure to grab the road:
- waterproof jacket or down jacket, gloves, headgear that can protect you from rain;
- two pairs of comfortable shoes on non-slip soles that are not afraid of puddles;
- wool sweater, turtlenecks with a high collar, warm socks ;
- a strong umbrella that can withstand strong gusts of wind.
A good purchase would be a small thermos, which you can take with you for a walk and, if necessary, warm yourself with a hot drink. If you travel on your own, stock up on a Paris travel guide. So you can quickly find warm cafes or cozy bookstores where you can warm up and save yourself from a cold.
Tours in Paris in December
At the beginning of the month there are few tourists. However, the city is already preparing for Christmas, it sparkles with illumination, festive fairs open . This is the best time for imposing walks in the streets of Paris, visiting museums, exploring the sights. You can plunge into the unhurried holiday atmosphere and save a lot.
After December 20, prices skyrocket. If you are planning to fly to Paris for Christmas, it is better to book airline tickets and hotel places in advance. Many tourists fill the city. Talk is heard in hundreds of different languages. An atmosphere of joy reigns everywhere. Excursions are snapped on the fly.
The agencies offer tours for every taste: weekend trips, trips with excursions of various intensities, shopping, children's programs with a visit to Disneyland. You can choose what is closer to you personally. On your first trip to Paris, it is better to give preference to tours that provide basic excursions. Subsequently, many travelers acquire vouchers "economy" and independently compose a holiday program.
Exploring Attractions
Long walking tours in Paris in December are not the best choice. However, this does not stop you from going on a bus trip around the city with a guide. The rest of the time is best spent on visiting museums, theaters, exhibitions and shops. In the first half of December, when there are few tourists, you do not have to stand in lines and push through the crowd.
You can keep warm and usefully spend time in:
- the famous Louvre, where more than 300 thousand masterpieces are represented;
- The House of Invalids, where the Army Museum is located and the remains of Napoleon are kept;
- Museum of Carnival History;
- Fragonar Perfume Museum;
- Versailles Palace, which is 16 km from the capital of France;
- Notre Dame Cathedral, where celebrations are held with organ music;
- cabaret "Moulin Rouge", where you will find beautiful girls, fiery dances, sparkles and feathers;
- Grand Opera Theater, tickets for which must be purchased a month before the performance;
- Museum of Chocolate;
- Plant garden, in the greenhouses of which summer always reigns;
- Grand Rex cinema, where every December a special excursion program is prepared.
City walks
However, sometimes you should leave the warm rooms in order to fully enjoy the festive decoration of the streets. Colored illumination, Christmas trees, angels, chic shop windows are found at every step in Paris in December. Reviews of tourists suggest where to take a walk in the first place. Most of all impressions leave after themselves:
- Christmas markets. The largest of them is traditionally located on the Champs Elysees. Here you can stock up on gifts, enjoy sweets, washed down with fragrant mulled wine, meet French Santa Claus (his name is Père Noel), ride a carousel.
- Galleries Lafayette and Present. In their windows, puppet dolls come to life, delighting the audience with songs, dances and Christmas scenes.
- Skating rinks. They can be found near the Eiffel Tower, opposite the city hall, on Trocadero Square and near Montparnasse Station. You can glide on smooth ice to beautiful music in the light of festive garlands.
- Disneyland This is the best choice for families with children. Here daily parade of favorite heroes, performances, light and ice performances are held.
Christmas in Paris
This holiday is celebrated on the night of December 24 to 25. The main Christmas tree is set in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. Solemn services are held in Notre Dame, and in a special nursery a baby appears - a prototype of the newborn Jesus. In Paris in December, many theatrical performances and decorations are dedicated to this event.
Many Parisians celebrate the eve of the holiday with their family. However, many of them go to a restaurant, where in addition to traditional dishes, an entertainment program is offered. Reservations must be made in advance. Instead of olivier and tangerines, you will be offered oysters, foie gras in raspberry sauce and duck. Romantic couples book a cruise on the Seine.
Absolutely for free you can meet Christmas under the Eiffel Tower, where millions of tourists gather, or on the Champs Elysees. A grandiose salute is clearly visible near the Arc de Triomphe. Do not forget to bring along champagne and some tangerines.
A trip to Paris in December is a great opportunity to see this romantic city in sparkling decoration. You can not only get acquainted with its amazing story, feel the special atmosphere, but also immerse yourself in a Christmas tale. The only thing that the Russian soul may lack is snow. But Paris and Paris in order to impress with its beauty even in dank weather.