Catholic Christmas in Europe can be compared to New Year’s Eve in the post-Soviet countries in terms of the scale of celebrations and anticipation of the day itself. All of France and Paris, in particular, begin preparations for the big day a month before it comes. During this time Paris is transformed. Its streets sparkle with magical lights, squares, stores and squares are decorated with fir trees, skating rinks appear and fairs and thematic exhibitions prepare to open.
Traditional celebration of Christmas and New Year by the French
The day of countdown of preparation for Christmas in France is December 6. This date celebrates the day of St. Nicolas, who also like St. Nicholas comes and puts small gifts for children.
During the month, garlands, themed themes and decorations adorn the Champs-Elysees, store windows, streets, central squares and houses. Christmas trees decorated with toys appear everywhere. During the same period, the French stock up on gifts for their loved ones. Christmas in Paris and the whole Catholic world is celebrated on the night of December 24-25. On this day Père Noel (Santa Claus) comes to the children and leaves gifts for them under the tree or puts them in specially prepared socks. On Christmas Day, the French try to spend time with family and people close to them. For this purpose, a table is set with traditional holiday treats, wine and champagne. The festivities can go on until late into the night. New Year is celebrated by Parisians not with such a scale. Gifts are most often no longer given and the French themselves perceive this day as another opportunity to relax. New Year festivities continue until January 6.
Paris landmarks on Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Visitors will find it interesting to visit not only the iconic tourist sites, but also the sites and exhibitions created especially for the celebration. During this period, you can walk around the capital or, alternatively, admire the beauty while sailing along the Seine on a cruise ship. We offer no less convenient format of excursions around Christmas and New Year Paris in a comfortable car.
The French capital looks most beautiful after 16 – 17 hours. After sunset it beckons with its festive lights and decoration. People are charged with this energy and festivities begin at the fairs, where guests can taste national dishes and delicacies, wine and roasted chestnuts. Especially for the winter holidays the skating rink on the Eiffel Tower opens. You can also skate in front of the City Hall. Traditionally, a Ferris wheel is erected on Place de la Concorde for Christmas. It is decorated with a lot of garlands and lights and looks very spectacular at night. The observation wheel works without weekends and visitors have an excellent opportunity to see the festive city from above.
Exhibitions of ice sculptures open in Paris during the New Year vacations and this despite the traditionally warm weather. On Christmas Eve the air temperature outside can fluctuate between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. Not less interesting to the guests of the capital is the exhibition of designer fir trees. Since the tradition to decorate the symbol of Christmas and New Year has its origins in France, representatives of design art cannot avoid it and try to surpass competitors in their business.
New Year and Christmas holidays in Paris with children
Disneyland in Paris, popular with children, does not stop working on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day. On the contrary, it beckons children with its special holiday magic. All the decorations are transformed, and the characters are dressed to match the celebration. Here children can see the real Santa Claus and even receive a gift from him. In addition to the usual entertainment, there are New Year’s shows and no less interesting attractions.
Nightlife in France’s Christmas capital
If you want not only to feel the romantic atmosphere of France, but also to have a good walk, we will tell you how young people celebrate the New Year in Paris in 2017, and offer to go to the most stylish and advanced nightclubs of the capital or visit the famous cabarets with a New Year’s Eve entertainment program.
What else to see in Paris on New Year’s vacation
When traveling to Paris for New Year’s Eve, you can still experience its culture by visiting the Louvre or Orsay museums, the royal palaces of Versailles or Fontainebleau, or simply take a sightseeing tour of Paris. The schedule of their work of tourist places can be adjusted on holidays, and therefore the queues for entry can be huge. If you contact us, you will be able to fully enjoy your vacation and visit iconic places accompanied by our guides, without waiting for hours in endless queues.
In between excursions we will gladly introduce you to the local cuisine. On holidays, all cafes and restaurants are open late and are as happy as ever to welcome their guests. Visiting places between excursions, you will not only warm up, but also feel the atmosphere and warmth of the real Christmas France.
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