December 15, 2011 by Victoria Wall
When I popped home to the UK in November, London was already in full festive swing with Christmas trees, festive songs and neon lights galore. Sent back with a Cadbury’s chocolate advent calendar adorned with an oversized Santa, I was ready to start the Christmas season with a bang.
Yet once back home across the pond, I realized Paris hadn’t joined in on the fun yet. I was ready to start in on my advent calendar and temperatures were plunging, but where were all those tell tale signs that our favorite mid-winter festival was fast approaching?
This set me thinking. What exactly is a Parisian Christmas? What happens in the cold windy days leading up to the big event? I set out on a mission to discover the seasonal delights that France’s most romantic city had to offer.
Shopping
Although the Christmas shopping frenzy begins relatively late in Paris (thankfully, shops only step into gear at the end of November), once it gets going, it really gets going. Stores go all out with light shows and designer-crafted window displays – always tasteful, bien sur. First stop? Paris’s iconic department stores. Whilst London has toy-filled Hamleys and elegant Harrods, Paris showcases its trademark sophistication with Les Galleries Lafayette and the neighbouring Printemps, where Karl Lagerfeld’s touch marks this year’s displays: think Chanel-clad rock ‘n’ roll dolls strumming their electric guitars and 20m Christmas trees. Continue Reading »
Posted in Events, Shopping, Travel | 5 Comments »
December 22, 2009 by Tory Hoen
Our friend Wendy Lyn (of The Paris Kitchen) shares of one of her favorite Christmas traditions: Poilâne’s irresistible shortbread cookie ornaments… for decorating, eating, or both!
Text and Photos by Wendy Lyn
As soon as the first “sapin de Noël” (Christmas tree) appears on the city sidewalks, I know that is my cue to go to the Poilâne bakery for the pretty all-natural shortbread cookie ornaments.
Parisians have adored this tiny shop since 1932, queing for buttery crossiants, apple tarts, shortbread cookies called “punitions,” walnut scones and boule miche breads made in the wood burning ovens downstairs. During Christmas, it is especially charming — practically raining cookies and tempting customers with heavenly aromas wafting out of the door. Continue Reading »
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December 20, 2009 by Genevieve Sandifer
Although Paris is a fantastic city to visit at any time of the year, it is particularly magical around Christmas. Whether it’s the twinkling street lights, the holiday markets or the smells of delicious rich foods escaping from apartment and restaurant windows, it’s hard to ignore a holiday spirit that revolves (refreshingly) more around food than around the piggy bank.
L’Internaute.fr; Le Site de L’Evenementiel.com
For many, Christmas celebrations in France are centered around a heaping family meal served as dinner on the Eve, or as lunch on Christmas day. Oysters and champagne, foie gras and roasted capon, smoked salmon and Bûche de Noel… many figure-conscious Parisians will diet before and after les fêtes simply in order to make room for all the delicious yuletide specialties. Not partaking in the seasonal gluttony could be interpreted as a lack of joie de vivre; in order to save yourself from this fate worse than death, we recommend putting all thoughts of régime off until the New Year! Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 2 Comments »
December 18, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Ornaments at Christmas market. Photo: hotels-paris-rive-gauche.com
Text by Emma Haberman
With just a few more chocolates left in the advent calendar, it’s time to finalize those Christmas Day plans. If you’re not at home, there’s no better or more magical place to be on December 25th than the City of Light. Though national museums and many stores are closed, there are plenty of ways to take in the city and still celebrate the holiday season in style. A few suggestions for a very HiP Christmas: Continue Reading »
Posted in Events, Parisian Living | 3 Comments »
December 12, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Our friend Kim Petyt, fabulous Paris wedding planner and writer of Parisian Party, shares with us the traditional French Christmas dessert – the bûche de Noël, otherwise known to us as a Yule log. Check out her post below, featuring some beautiful designer takes on the traditional cake.
Photo cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com
Text by Kim Petyt
The holiday season is in full swing, and all across Paris cries can be heard to Bring on Les Bûches! No French holiday meal would be complete without the grand finale, the Bûche de Noël! Paris is especially known for its vast selection of couture bûches – most are available in limited quantities and for a limited time. So if you plan to get your bûche on at this year’s holiday party, you’d better hurry and reserve yours now. Here are some highlights from this season’s cake collections. Continue Reading »
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Mic Mac
Making Magique
Little Brown Pen
