Joyeux Noel de Paris

 Enjoy with us the fabulous Christmas holiday in Paris....

The magnificent, color-changing, polar bear decorated, paper tree in the dome of the Galeries Lafayette. 

 And let's not forget the window displays in the grand magasins (great department stores). 

The dome of Printemps, another "grand magasin" hosts a lovely restaurant, which was also feeling the holiday sentiment.  

The lights along the Champs Elysee.  In one direction the Grande Roue (Ferris Wheel) at the Place de la Concorde.  In the other, a look up to the Arc de  Triomphe with the enormous French flag flying in it's arch.  

The nearby Christmas Market.

Every neighborhood has lights draped along the streets.  Here is the most elegant we saw, rue Montaigne, home to Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Feragamo, and of course, Dior.

Each arrondisement has its own city hall. Here is ours.

There are Christmas markets all over Paris.  Here is my favorite, at La Defense.

 Santa was not on duty. 

 

Here is another Christmas market that was just outside Napoleon's Tomb. 

One dependable sign of the holidays is the hot mulled wine seller in our own neighborhood in the courtyard of St. Pierre, a 12th century church in the shadow of Sacre Coeur Basilica.

Paris' finest on a "pause", a much gentler term than "break".

The Place du Tertre, a 3 minute walk from  chez nous, at night.  During the warmer months, the square is filled with cafes surrounded by the artists showing their wares  At Christmas time it is very cold, and the square is all but empty.  

 A great Christmas tree in the Marmottan Museum from today's Christmas Eve visit.

 So from our hearts to yours, Merry Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka, and Joyeux Noel!