Christmas in Paris?

My husband and I are going to Paris during Christmas time and are super excited! Anybody have any recommendations for fun events? We%26#39;ve already read about the ice skating and Christmas markets. We%26#39;d love to go to nearby small towns to check out a smaller, more regional celebration of the holiday. Anyone else going during that time?

- April

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This from the Grand Palais web site:

%26quot;This year at the Grand Palais, festivity will be a central theme, a leitmotiv running through a succession of the most eclectic and joyous events. For the Christmas period (December 22 -31), the Nave will be home to merry-go-rounds, fairground attractions and all sorts of games, as Jours de Fêtes returns to the Grand Palais four years after the inaugural edition in 2005. An event for all the family, with a carousel dating back to 1900, special areas earmarked for the very young, and live music with a focus on jazz.%26quot;

grandpalais.fr/fr/Accueil/p-93-Accueil.htm

The lights and decorations in Paris will be spectacular. I%26#39;m not sure you will find what you are hoping to by travelling to %26quot;nearby small towns.%26quot; To find what I think you want you would have to travel to the parts of France that have strong historical and cultural links with Germany, most specifically Alsace. Even with the new(ish) TGV line that would be a long day trip, especially in the depths of winter with only about 8 hours of daylight. Strasbourg is about 2.5 hours from Paris and getting from there to the smaller towns and villages and exploring them, while it would make for a delightful three or four day trip, probably with a car, is really not possible in one day from Paris.

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I remember walking through a Christmas market in Rheims in the snow one year on our way to visit the Rheims Cathedral. Unfortunately Christmas markets all over Europe seem to have discovered cheap tinny piped Christmas carols.

In Paris the regular cultural events are in full swing like concerts and the opera which makes Christmas a great time to be there.

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Would Rouen be too far? By car it is about 1 1/2 hours NW from Paris. Rouen is one of France%26#39;s best preserved medieval cities. You will find a local Christmas Market where you%26#39;ll see exquisite porcelain figurines as well as a variety of handicrafts. You%26#39;ll also find their Christmas Creche in the stunning Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame which you may recall when you see it as it was so vividly painted by Monet. There remains a historic medieval quarter with half-timbered houses and don%26#39;t miss the Gros Horloge, a giant Renaissance clock tower that arches over the walk. Visit the place of Joan of Arc too. If you go DO check the schedule for a choir recital in case one would coincide with your visit.

On your way there you might want to stop off at the charming village of Les Andelys for some Norman pancakes (or any pastry) and cider. The climb to the top of Richard the Lionheart%26#39;s castle, the main attraction, is well worth it for the view. It%26#39;s not necessary, imo, to go inside the ruined castle. Of course you do need a daylight view and it is spectacular.

Hope something here will spark your interest. Have fun.