High Tea and Christmas Markets

A friend and I will be in Paris for one day in Dec, arriving in central Paris at around 10.30am and leaving around 7.30pm. Given that our time is limited we are looking to visit a Christmas market and take in high tea somewhere as a treat towards the end of the day (maybe aroun 4.30) Any recommendations for markets and high tea locations in central Paris (probably right bank) or any ideas of other things to do (we%26#39;ve been to most the major galleries and sites before) would be most welcome.

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Id, I%26#39;m afraid you%26#39;ll find the Christmas markets in Paris a disappointment. There are only two that I know of. One is outside the church at St. Germain des Prés. The other is at La Defense. Admittedly it%26#39;s been two years since I went to them, but I don%26#39;t think they%26#39;ve improved much. They were a sorry lot. Full of imported-from-China tat.

My understanding is that you need to travel to the Alsace region to see true Christmas markets. I hope to one of these years.

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Christmas markets are not particularly important to us, we just thought being in Paris in Dec we might go along to one. Any other ideas gratefully received - especially if we find ourselves with a rainy day!

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One of my favorite things to do, if I%26#39;m fortunate enough to be in Paris over the holidays, is to just walk around and enjoy the amazing window displays. From the Grand Magasins to the small shops and boutiques, the windows are remarkably creative and just beautiful. There are any number of holiday concerts to enjoy as well.

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Ahh, now window shopping we expect to do quite a bit of that!

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There are tea salons throughout the city, but high tea (somebody is going to chime in and say, no really, it is afternoon tea, but I get your point) is not really a French thing and it does not include sandwiches or other savoury treats.

What we do well is the afternoon goûter (snack) which is generally a pastry with tea, hot chocolate or a flute of champagne.

They are quite fashionable these days ad the Figaro just did a great write up of the Paris options. I know the site is in French, but I think Google will translate for you.

lefigaro.fr/scope/articles-restaurants/2009/…

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We could have a wonderful discussion about the difference between high tea and afternoon tea and the social/cultural/economic history of both but...

If you were thinking of something a bit more substantial than a pastry and whatever to accompany it, but not a full meal, you could try a good wine bar. A few around the islands and left bank I like are Le Taverne Henri IV on the Pont Neuf (more or less) close to the west end of the Île de la Cité, l%26#39;Écluse on quai des Grands Augustins nearby and Le Porte-Pot in the 5th. (I don%26#39;t recall the name of the street but can look it up for you if you need me to.) There are several branches of l%26#39;Écluse in different parts of town including one near the Madeleine.

Enjoy!

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Afternoon tea ( I won%26#39;t get on my soap box about the distiinction) at Laduree on champs d%26#39;elysees ,Carette at place de Trocadero

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Received this in an email from the France Hotel Guide

%26quot;Christmas market on the Champs-Elysées from 20 November to 28 December

For the 2nd year, a Christmas market will invade the most beautiful

avenue in the world, between the Arc de Triomphe roundabout and the

Place de la Concorde! Let yourself be overcome by the enchantment of

Christmas, by strolling amongst more than 90 illuminated chalets.%26quot;

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I think a lot of the grand hotels serve afternoon tea. Take a look at Le Bristol which has fashion shows some Saturdays during afternoon tea.

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Thanks everyone for the great advice. On the High / Afternoon Tea issue I do actually fall on the side of afternoon tea, but so many of the swisher hotels seem to call it high tea I thought I%26#39;d better use that term!

I think we might check out Laduree or Carette and the Christmas Market on the Champs Elysees. I%26#39;ve been to Paris a couple of times but with only 9 hours we%26#39;ve decided restrict our visit to a bit of shopping and a trip up the Arc d triomphe as thats the one touristy thing I%26#39;ve not yet done.