Christmas holidays 2020 in Paris: “to be or not to be”?
Christmas time is coming despite all global confinements and restrictions.
What will it be like in the “Ville de la lumière”(the city of lights) this particular year? Will the magic holiday lights shine again? Will the charming Christmas markets be open? Will the children as well as the adults enjoy the magic illuminations and animations in the end?
These questions trouble both the guests of the city and the Parisians. Christmas in France is the most important holiday of the year to celebrate with their families. The same thing confirmed the Minister of Health Olivier Véran recently: “Christmas is more than a tradition in France, it is anchored deeply in our culture. It was our choice to tell the French to celebrate it, but nevertheless with the greatest caution”
I will not torture you with the answer - yes! Definitely “to be” to Christmas in Paris! But, this year it will be special anyway.
For the CHRISTMAS MARKETs/animations lovers
Bad news first.
There will be no Christmas markets in the Tuileries garden and Les Halles this year. The two popular balls in Concorde and Bastille are canceled as well. But the good news is that the smaller Christmas markets will resist and open the doors of their charming chalets to the visitors here:
1. Christmas Village of the Hôtel de Ville: from December 11, 2020 to January 3, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., on the Parvis of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, 4th arrondissement.
2. Santa Claus Village of Saint-Germain-des-Prés: from December 10, 2020 to January 3, 2021, at Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church, 3 place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arrondissement.
3. Japanese Christmas at the REcyclerie: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2020, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 83 boulevard Ornano, 18th arrondissement.
4. Arijana: Christmas market: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 2020, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Recyclerie, 83 boulevard Ornano, 18th arrondissement.
5. Feminist Christmas Market: Saturday, December 19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (by free reservation) and Sunday, December 20, 2020, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (by free reservation), at the Grand Breguet, 17 Rue Breguet, 11th arrondissement.
For the show of lights lovers.
Bad news first again.
This year the illuminations will be scaled down.
But good (and here I’ve got much to tell) is that three emblematic places of Paris will be shining brightly: La Place de la Concorde, la Bastille, and the forecourt of the Town Hall (from December 11 until January 3, 2021.) The latter will be the start of a luminous route that will extend to the quays of the Seine. Visitors will also be able to walk in the sparkling forest!
The legendary Champs-Elysees are already dressed in red magic lights waiting patiently for its admirers!
No matter what, the Christmas magic will do its job. Its special friendly and loving atmosphere is in time. Hope it will cure whatever you want to be cured just now. And let the magic be!
