Many people often ask me about how Paris is during the Christmas season, so here is my response. Paris is simply breathtaking, because like many Europeans cities, the cold weather with the lights and Christmas ornaments blend for an even merrier Christmas.
Many districts are decorated differently and have their own distinguished Christmas vibe. Such are the old streets of the Marais, the fabulous square of Place Vendôme and the mini-Christmas market at the Saint Germain quarter.
But if you want to indulge yourself in the traditional Parisian Christmas rituals, then you have to walk by the display windows of the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores on Boulevard Haussmann.
This is the spot where all Parisians take their children to lay their eyes on magical and innovative recreations of fashion, music and all forms of arts, imagined by international designers. Anything from robots, to interactive touch screens and dancing mannequins is what you could expect. Also, don't hesitate to enter the Galeries Lafayette to snap a photo of their sky-high Christmas tree.
As for the touristic, but equally beautiful part, you have the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
The infamous avenue starts off with a Ferris wheel at the center of Place de la Concorde, followed by a huge Christmas market bringing merchants and artisans from all over France, and the world, to sell souvenirs, gifts and yummy meals. So having waffles and hot wine is a must! And of course, if you walk straight to the Arc de Triomphe, you will get to see the symmetrical beauty of decorated trees and columns that have inspired numerous advertisements across the years.
P.S. If you happen to be in Paris, don't miss out on the lighting ceremony of the Champs-Élysées on the 22nd of November 2017.
UPDATE: The Paris City Hall has decided to cancel this year's Christmas market until further notice.