Paris at Christmas

May not help, but here goes: We've only been their at Thanksgiving time (late Nov) but consider Notre Dame Cathedral for Mass, walk Champs E. near Arc for Christmas decorations, and Galleria Lafayette for shopping and HUGE Christmas tree. Your Hotel may know Mass schedule or go to N-D website.

They don't do Mass, but there's the American Church in Paris, which is very nice and very welcoming.

You are going at a wonderful tiime! We go to Paris in late November every year precisely because we adore the way they celebrate the season. Every neighborhood puts up Christmas decorations and lights - some more traditional, some whimsical. Little fir trees sprayed in white or red or pink flocking pop up everywhere. The big stores have major displays - the windows of the Galeries Lafayette are particularly famous - very clever, very over-the-top. At Au Printemps the facade is festooned with amazing lights, as well. As for street markets, well - you can't beat the Champs Elysses transformed into a giant market, I don't think! Late November to January 3rd or so, a huge stretch of the Champs Elysses is given over to a giant outdoor market. Both sides of the street are hung with a veritable BLAZE of lights and lined with deligtful white chalet-style booths selling everything from hot mulled wine to sweaters to chocolate and cheese to Christas ornaments. It is FAN-tastic. (And there are super clean restrooms every block or so - last year it was .50 Euro to use them, as I recall.) At Trocadero last year - and I think this is a regular thing - there's a "European Village" - more of the chalet-style stalls selling food and gifts from many nations, and a skating rink - so you can skate at night under the twinkling lights and watch the Eiffel Tower light show! Last year there was also a skating rink in front of the Hotel de Ville - very fun. There's lots of info on-line, too, to whet your appetite: http://goparis.about.com/od/events/tp/Christmas_Paris.htm http://gofrance.about.com/od/photogalleries/ss/parischristmas.htm I cannot speak to midnight mass - we have never been successful in getting to one. Sorry!

You will find that most major tourist attractions are open except for the 25th (and watch for early closings on the 24th.) The Eiffel Tower is open on the 25th. There's a nice Christmas market on the lower part of the Champs Elysées, one at Trocadero, and one at La Defense. The window displays at Galleries Lafayette are usually great, and Printemps does a good job as well (but not as impressive IMO). Get there early in the morning if you don't want to have to push your way through the crowds. I would recommend going to Christmas Eve mass at whatever church is closest to your hotel/apartment. I wouldn't want to deal with the crowds at Notre Dame, but that's just me. Keep in mind that mass will likely be in French and it can be very difficult to follow, even if you are a regular church-goer in English. (BTDT) I love Christmas in Paris. Hope you do, too.

Thanks so much! Your advice has been great so far. Are most shops and/or markets open on or around Christmas?