2 years ago we had our first joint trip to Paris – separately we have both been to Paris numerous times for school trips, days out and family holidays but never before had we been to Paris at Christmas time.
Normally holidays should be spent in the sun (well so Sarah thought) but there is something magical about Paris at Christmas.
On our first trip we arrived in Paris after a trip on the Eurostar to find our hotel room had a view of the Eiffel Tower. After embracing the romantic atmosphere and testing the bed we set about finding our way to Champs de Elysees.
Strolling hand in hand dressed in warm winter coats we posed for photos and found an amazing restaurant to have dinner. The best thing about the Avenue des Champs-Élysées at this time of year is the fact that it has a Christmas market or village (19th November - 24th December 2011) - in fact Paris has plenty of markets around in the 6th arondissement at Saint Germain des Prés (Santa's village, from early December), and at St. Sulpice (from around 10th December - crafts and traditions). Others can be found at in the Trocadero Gardens (mid to end December 2011) Montparnasse, the Gare de l'Est and the Place de la Nation (from Dec. 1st).
Of course we did the usual Eiffel Tower admiring and enjoyed the view from the Arc de Triumph (after all a view of Paris has to include the Eiffel Tower and if you are up it, it defeats the point). We then found an antiques market and got lost in sampling food!
And as this is Fun Fact Friday here are a few French facts for you before we go…..
Paris is the capital city of France, the largest country of Europe with 550 000 km2.
Paris, with 2 million inhabitants, is the center of Ile de France, a 12 million people region.
Each year, 44 million tourists visit Paris and the surrounding Ile de France region. Paris is year after year the most visited city in the world.
The top attractions are Disneyland (15 million visitors a year), the Louvre Museum (8), the Eiffel Tower (7), Centre Pompidou (5), Versailles Palace (5) and Cite des Sciences(3).
We will be adding to our top spots to visit over the next few days so for now Au Revoir.....
Love it but writing your blog isn't exactly packing! :D Anyway, have an awesome weekend! :D
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