Paris in December

There is the fascinating Carnavalet Museum, of the history of the City of Paris

History | Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris https://share.google/lvMJiCuy5OpKrGvAm

I am a Louvre-lover, hahaha so I vote for that! Last October I went 3 times in 3 weeks. I am not schooled in Art but there is so much to see there. I generally pick out a wing or a floor that has a piece I'm interested in and just do that, then leave after 2 hours or so.

Last time my focus was on seeing a piece of art suggested by a fellow forum member, Lyndash which was the Tomb of Philippe Pot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Philippe_Pot

It is SO cool but it took 2 tries to find the room open as it was closed on my first visit (even though the website did not note it was closed)! Previously I've gone on a "hunt" for the Vase of Alienor d'Aquitaine which was her wedding gift to her first husband in 1137.

I generally try to stay away from the Denon Wing where the Mona Lisa is located although this next visit I am going to try to make it to that room to have a good look at the Wedding Feast at Cana which is on the opposite wall from Mona. In fact, she is sort of looking at it, haha!

I also recommend the very readable book by Elaine Sciolino, Adventures in the Louvre. She was a journalist for the NYT posted in Paris.

I have not been but I understand Vaux-le-Vicomte is decorated for Christmas and is wonderful. I've been to Chantilly in a warmer month and enjoyed it thoroughly.

You might consider visiting Basilica Saint-Denis if you haven't been. It is the burial place for many of the Kings and Queens of France including Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI as well as Alienor d'Aquitaine's 1st husband, Louis VII. It's essentially a time-line of history.

In Paris you might consider visiting the Archeological crypt which is below the pavement in front of Notre Dame. They were digging in the 1970's (?) for a parking area and oops....came across medieval and Roman ruins at their feet.

Is there a particular historical era that interests you?

If WWII, then the Museum to the Liberation and Resistance is free, closed Mondays and very interesting.

History of instruments and inventions? Musee des Arts and Metiers

Hunting and wildlife (only if taxidermies heads don't bother you)? Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature.

History of Paris - Carnavalet Museum (free)

I love London as well but especially if you just have 3 days (is that 4 nights?) I'd stay in Paris. Honestly, forum members can fill your time!

editing to add: I see I was busy typing away while Kim was to the point about the Carnavalet!

Do you have to stay in Paris? You could take a no more than 2-hour train ride to Metz, Lille, Strasbourg or Colmar and enjoy a proper Christmas market. The ones in Paris are dire in comparison.

I, too, recommend the Musee Carnavalet. Also, a very uncrowded interesting (non art) museum is the Musee des Arts et Metier.

I agree with Happytobehere: Strasbourg! Added bonus, you can get a direct train to CDG for your flight home.

I agree that getting out of Paris would be a good option, but I'm not sure I'd head for London. it will be cold and wet. Most of Dec. is in the 30's or below and either rain or snow. The Military Museum is very good, but you have some interesting alternatives not too far away.

My first thought is Metz, which is a very easy train ride, and completely different than Paris. It's historical, has a great cathedral with windows by Chagall, a fantastic free museum with loads of Roman artifacts, a good Christmas market, and scenery.

Another good option, not much further down the track, would be Trier. This is the place to go if you're into Roman history. It's an interesting city to walk, has a very good Christmas market, and it's really not Paris.

Last place to the east you might consider is Luxembourg, another historical city, good Christmas market, fantastic architecture and museums, and again, culturally different.

enjoy a proper Christmas market. The ones in Paris are dire in comparison.

The ones in Paris are dire, simply said

Thank you so much. Several good suggestions. Will add Carnavalet to the list. I know some of Paris' history so that sounds good. Metz I'll check out. I don't have a specific historic time frame. Love it all.

Vaux-le-Vicomte is part of our cruise and includes a holiday lunch. Been there before in the summer so decorated for Christmas should be special. I have done the Danube Christmas markets and they were great. Had already done a Danube cruise so I could skip the sightseeing. My husband isn't really into the markets so that's fine. There will be some in Paris and Rouen to see. We've done several river cruises and the Christmas one was so fun. Like a floating Christmas house party with great food and casual dress.

Been to Strasbourg and Trier which are worth seeing.

Re the Louvre, we were on a tour in 2021 that included an after hours Louvre tour. There were only 9 in our tour group. Literally more staff than us. If I could post pictures here I have one of the Mona Lisa with no line of people waiting. It was an amazing evening but we only got to see the highlights so plenty to go back and see.