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Paris in December

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Hello. We will be visiting Paris from mid-December to just after the new year. We are planning to spend lots of time in museums, visit major sites like NotreDame, the Eiffel Tower, Versaille,etc. and are looking forward to the Christmas markets. Questions: Are there other special places or events in or around the city that we should make sure to see and do? Any concerts, theater that we should see? (We’re big opera and classical music fans.) Also we’d like to take a one or two day trip to Chamonix or another location to see the Alps. We’re planning to traveling by train. We don’t ski, just want see see some awesome sites. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Posted by
15784 posts

rome2rio.com shows several ways to get to Chamonix. The fastest is train to Geneva, then bus to Chamonix (6 hours). The most direct is an overnight bus ride. You'd want one full day, at least, to ascend the Aiguille du Midi by cable cars for the views.

The best Christmas markets are in Alsace. It's a couple hours by train to Strasbourg, another hour to Colmar. Both are gorgeous to visit. IMO it's well worth a 3-4 day stay.

Posted by
1481 posts

It really depends on what interests you. I've spent a week in and around Paris so far this year and still haven't hit the major tourist sights, although I will be there over Thanksgiving weekend for an art museum/Christmas market indulgence.

Concert schedules, and the opera's, are available. You need to look those up and buy ASAP.

For the Alps, consider a flight to Zurich, which is surrounded by mountains. Lodging may not be cheap; flights are. Round trips on Swiss air are $175, and it's only and hour 20 minutes flight. Zurich has a good Christmas market also.

Things you should consider:

  • Holiday closures. The 24th, 25th, and 31st of DEC, and 1 JAN are days when almost everything in Europe will be closed. Plan accordingly.

  • New Years Eve is a major holiday with parties and fireworks, even more than JUL 4th in the USA. You should plan for this also.

    • While the markets in Strasbourg and Colmar are very good, they are not the only ones worth visiting, and they are not close to Paris. There are other locations within an hour, or two, by train that are worth considering. Consider Metz, for example. Historic, very pretty, good christmas market, close, fantastic museum (Museum of La Cour d'Or), etc.

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