Dec 3-9 Best of Paris tour - free time things to do

Do you have any base layers? I wear the 32 Degree brand base layers all winter long here in N. Idaho. They are thin enough they go under my jeans with no problems. You may be able to find them in Costco or at Costco online and also at the 32Degree website. I recommend signing up for their emails and you may bet some discount codes. Since you are going soon, I'd probably this weekend and hopefully it will be shipped before next week's madness.

I'd have at least lightweight gloves. My glove liners are Smartwool but they are expensive and you'd not have much need for them ongoing. You may be able to find some less expensive gloves at Target or TJMaxx. Also a warm beanie type cap. You can pick up a cool scarf in Paris.

I'd want a waterproof outer layer. I know it's been rain, rain, rain the last few weeks. I'd wear a puffy jacket underneath it. Again, 32 Degrees has some inexpensive yet warm gear for this.

Are you going in a day or two early? Are you staying at Londres Eiffel? Asking because I've been in November and Rue Cler was dressed up very nicely! I'm sure there are other regular streets that have lovely decorations as well!

Definitely the Van Gogh!

OK, back on my laptop so I can get at my bookmarks for my future trip to Paris around Christmas, lol!!

Here is a Les Frenchies video of 10 things to eat at Christmas Markets. I just cannot tolerate watching them eat...bleech, but that may not bother you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kFhOs8VmA8

This could be interesting....

https://www.lumieresenseine.com/en/

Here is a long list of concerts, markets, etc:

https://www.parisdiscoveryguide.com/paris-events-december.html?fbclid=IwAR0xiBw_TVsmdSwj5OhXxr0HnvV2qlrqwTEnsWH-S88PUISBhmgwExFI0S4

I've always wanted to go to Vaux-le-Vicomte at Christmas:

https://vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/news/vaux-le-vicomtes-in-celebration/

Pam,
Thanks for the packing wisdom. I picked up the 32 degree base layers from Costco just a few days ago. I will make sure I have rain gear too.
I went on a neat website- Parisdiscoveryguide.com. And found a Messiah concert at Eglise Saint-Sulpice for Wednesday night Dec. 6! This church has a wonderful organ so I’m in for a treat.
The Musee Orsay website says to have a reservation to see the Van Gogh exhibit or a Carte Blanche. We go as a tour to the Orsay first thing on Friday morning so I wonder if my 6-Day Paris Museum Pass is classified as a Carte Blanche?
I also want to see the renovated Carnavalet Museum and the Cluny. As usual, tour’s agenda is packed with excitement.

Yes, we are staying at the Londres-Eiffel. I’m arriving on Saturday Dec. 2, one day early and leaving on Dec. 9, a quick 8 days! I’m very excited about it. I have already been on 2 Rick Steves tours this year.

Well, Pam, I may need to go to Paris next year at Christmas, you’ve added many ideas!

Well, I was thinking that I would bookmark this thread and use it for future reference, hahaha!

I am not sure about Van Gogh exhibit. I think you can make a timed entry for the Museum Pass but I am not sure how that would work with a guided entry. The time I did Best of Paris we went in as a group to Orsay but then it was not guided once inside.

I'm glad you've got the 32 degree stuff, lol!!

I wonder if my 6-Day Paris Museum Pass is classified as a Carte Blanche.

No, a Carte Blanche is a member's card, we pay an annual fee.

With a Paris Museum Pass, you will need to reserve a time.

It is a nice exhibit, but beware that it is quite packed …and the lines looked long (speaking as someone who was able to bypass the lines with my Carte Blanche). Don't get discouraged — just be ready (wear comfortable shoes, etc).

I would reserve the earliest time possible in the morning.

As far as packing, yes, rain gear is what has been necessary. Maybe we will be out of this cycle in a couple of weeks by the time you are here, but it has rained and rained and rained. I read the other day about some record we broke with 26 consecutive days of rain or something …

I’ve been to Paris in late January and in early February. It wasn’t that cold; the cafes even had outdoor seating. Unless you are very cold natured I wouldn’t think layers, i.e. “long underwear,” would be necessary.

Judy B, the Van Gogh exhibit at the Orsay is wonderful; make time to see it.

And yes, you will need a timed reservation. We booked for the earliest possible time, and it was still packed. I shudder to think how crowded it would be later in the day.

Go to the Orsay’s website for details and to book. There is an extra charge; I don’t know if your museum pass will give you a discount.

The exhibit has amazing works unlike “typical” Van Goghs. It is well worth seeing.

Book a dinner at a historic brasserie. Brasserie Bofinger and Le Grande Colbert are two favorites, but there are more.

Definitely check out the Christmas markets. There should be lots of them in full swing. There is one at Tuileries garden that has more of a carnival vibe with a Ferris wheel and games, plus lots of food stalls and shopping. If you time a Ferris wheel ride just before the top of the hour, you’ll have a view of the Eiffel Tower twinkling.

https://www.leparisien.fr/etudiant/sortir/paris/eve-marches-de-noel-a-paris/

As for other things to do, i highly recommend the Nissim de Camondo house/museum. It’s wonderful and behind it is the lovely Parc Monceau.

Jane and Kim,
I will purchase my ticket for Van Gogh on the Orsay website. Thanks for the heads up.
Sherry, Travel4fun and Susan,
Thanks for your ideas about Christmas markets and restaurant tips.

I hope the rain cycle will end before I get there.

Pam, I will check out your links too.

So many good ideas!

Update- I purchased my Van Gogh ticket for the late Thursday evening. The d’Orsay is open until 21:45! We go to Versailles on Thursday and we are free to take the train back to Paris whenever we like so this is a perfect day to take in Van Gogh. I hope the crowds will thin out as people go to dinner, probably wishful thinking! My plans are shaping up.

I’m wondering if I should take the train to Chartres on Sunday or maybe another trip? The tour begins at 4 pm Sunday. Opinions? Or maybe concentrate on the Christmas markets, department stores, etc.? I’m only there for 8 days.

You'd have to leave Chartres by 2.15 to make it to a 4 pm meetup for the tour in Paris. I would not attempt a trip to Chartres just for what is basically a half-day.
But if you have good weather, this is enough time to go to Versailles and see the exterior of the palace + gardens.

I second Balso's comment. There will be plenty to do in Paris and you can save Chartres for "next time".

I have been thinking about your museum pass. You know it's actually 144 hours not really 6 days any more? So if you enter your first sight that needs the museum pass, which looks like it's Sainte-Chapelle on Dec 4, then you will still have it available on Dec 9 which is the day the tour ends but you are basically on your own. If you want to go to any of the smaller museums you'd be able to. Cluny Museum / Musee du Moyen Age is one of my favorites. Archeological Crypt under the plaza in front of Notre Dame is one that is covered by the pass. Near your hotel is Quai Branley which covers the non-European civilizations.

Or you can look at Christmas decorations, lol!!

Have you visited Musée Marmottan Monet before? I loved seeing "Impression, Sunrise" (1872) in person and there's an interesting Berthe Morrisot collection. Of course I'm an art historian/artist and YMMV. My partner loved it as well. I don't believe it's ever been covered by the museum pass but it's definitely worth your effort.

I'll second the suggestion for the Musée Marmottan Monet; it's filled with wonderful Monet artworks and well worth the visit.

If you're a Monet enthusiast as I am (he's my favorite artist), a day trip to Giverny to his home and gardens is worth the visit. The grounds are really amazing, and standing at the end of the lily pond, where you can envision his creating one of his great lily pond artworks, is a wonderful experience.

Other places to visit:

My favorite chapel of all time has to be St. Chappelle; after you go there, you can walk over to the Latin Quarter and wander around, find some great places for lunch. Some of the finest stained glass you'll ever see, on a par with Chartres or Notre Dame de Paris (which I can't wait to revisit in a couple of years).

Montmartre is worth a visit as well; it's known as an art district and has a lot to offer.

We love the Rodin Museum; it's a peaceful visit since most of the big sculptures are outside.

Dinner: if you're on the Left Bank, look for Restaurant Allard; it's been around for many years and is a great place to eat (Hemingway used to eat there back in the day).

Pam and Balso,
I agree Chartres is not a good idea when I really thought about it.

The tour is taking us to Versailles on Thursday, the day I have the Van Gogh ticket for the evening at the d'Orsay. That will be a great day.

Silas Marner - I have visited the Musée Marmottan Monet and absolutely loved it! Such a great home with wonderful furnishings. Yes, Giverny is one of my favorite places on the planet! I simply won't have time on this trip to go there. I've also been to the wonderful Rodin Museum.

We will also have a Seine River cruise on one of our evenings and Montmartre is on our agenda. I will look for the Restaurant Allard (Hemingway was one of my favorite authors when I was a college student). I still appreciate him but he's not my favorite any longer.

I'm beginning to see I will have to make a return trip perhaps next fall?

Thanks for so many great ideas. This is why I love the forum!

Hi Judy, great itinerary, you will ❤️ this tour! We did a Christmas Market cruise last December and the weather in Paris was chilly and damp. Definitely pack some long underwear, a hat and gloves. Sounds like you are familiar with Paris and probably have your favorite things to do. You’ll have metro and Museum passes so you can visit additional sites in your free time.

We were in Paris again three weeks ago and reservations were required at many of the museums. There were one hour waiting lines for those with passes but no reservations. The rugby tournaments were still going on so your experience may be different (fingers crossed!) We made two attempts to get into the Orangerie but there were no reservations available for the entire week. The Cluny recently reopened and is very nice (no reservation, no line). We also did the Concergie (no reservation, no line). The Opera House was amazing. Galleries Lafayette is hopefully already on your list! Hope you have a great trip!

I was in Paris for the Christmas markets in 2010. They are everywhere in varying sizes but with very similar goods. We went to the one near Place de Concorde first and that was our favorite, then the one near St. Germain de Pres was nice too. The one near the Grand Arch de la Defense was overkill, but we may have been marketed out by then.

A couple of other ideas:
On my last trip there, I did a Secret Food Tour of Montmartre. It took us off the beaten path and behind the Sacre Coeur for some truly amazing food, along with a good dose of history of the area. Maybe not ideal if it’s pouring (although I did the same tour in London in rain and it was fine!)

I also have done a macaron class at La Cuisine near Hotel De Ville on the Seine. They also offer pastry and bread classes too. It was great, yummy fun! You’ll want to book that ahead, check their calendar.

If you’re into wine, O Chateau lets you order flights/sips or take wine classes or dinner pairings. It was a great opportunity for me to try some very very expensive wines at a very very affordable price! It’s north of the Louvre, about a 10 minute walk. If you’re interested in a class or pairing dinner, I’d book ahead.

AS IF you don't have enough to pick from, I was looking at the Paris Trip Advisor forum just now and was reminded of the Illuminations at the Jardin des Plantes! I've bookmarked this for a future winter trip, lol!

https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/fr/jungle-en-voie-d-illumination

If you are into sculpture at all, you must go to the Rodin Museum. One of my favorites. Of course, with all these suggestion, you'll have to book another trip(s) just to scratch the surface.

Try Musee de Carnavalet. It is near the Marais and houses an excellent collection highlighting the history of Paris. Not usually on people's itineraries, but I think it should be a must-see.

Thanks to all who replied with awesome suggestions. I did visit the Carnavalet Museum and saw the special Van Gogh exhibit at the d’Orsay Museum. I had been to the Rodin on a previous Paris trip. The tour took us to Versailles, my second time there. I never get bored with Paris. We had amazing food, it rained 2 or 3 days, adding to the atmosphere never dampening our spirits. We went to Sacre Cour, Montmartre, two areas I had not visited previously. One day was devoted to the Marais, the Louvre. D’Orsay, Le Orangerie. I went on my own with a tourmate to the Galeries Lafayette to see the spectacular windows! We asked our Uber driver to us take on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe for the beautiful lights lining the street. Absolutely beautiful! Paris in December is everything I dreamed.

Our Rick Steves guide imparted so much French history and information about French culture and attitudes that I feel, for once, I have a better understanding of France. One fact that struck me was there is not just ONE French Revolution, there are 3! 1789, 1830 and 1848. Our wonderful guide said even most French people don’t know that!

Judy! What a wonderful time and brilliant idea to get the Uber drive to go down the Champs-Elysees. Who was your guide?

So great to hear about Paris! Thanks for sharing. Even though I had been to Paris 4 times on solo trips I took the tour in ‘19 and loved it. I had Rebecca Berry and she was wonderful. I’m very ready to go back. How did your clothing choices work out?

Lyndash,
For once, my clothing choices worked well in the consistently cold and rainy weather. 2 turtleneck sweaters, 2 long sleeved tops and a long sleeved dressy shirt with 5 or 6 wool scarves. Gloves and 3 pairs of shoes, a very warm puffy coat with a faux fur lined hood. Oh, a raincoat I layered over my coat and a hotel umbrella.
Pam,
I’m sending you a pm.