The Reason I Went to Paris

Many would say that traveling to Paris for a tenth time is excessive. I would say that there are always things to see there. The goal this time was to see the Christmas lights throughout Paris, especially the Champs Elysees. Last year, when we were in Paris, they had strung the lights on the plane trees that line the Champs Elysees but had not lit them yet. So, as this adventure developed, I figured that not only was it just as easy to fly into Paris and then train to Zurich but I would get my chance to visit in December. The decorations and lights were well worth lugging my big suitcase around the Metro, train and around the city. Everywhere we went the stores were decorated, the streets at the heart of each arrondisement were strung with lights and the crisp weather added to the spirit of the season. Everyone was dressed in scarves and hats and moving very quickly from store to metro. For some reason I have always thought of the true Paris as being a winter place, with these seasons flashing through my mind. Of course, the city of picnics in the parks and lovers sitting along the Seine is very real but somehow winter held my imagination. Maybe it is just that big cities are truly themselves in the winter, fewer tourists and people struggling to get through the day knowing that may only see the sun shine through they're windows. We would randomly run across trees positioned in groups with or without decorations in a small square just to let the passerby enjoy the season. Paris is lovingly lit anytime of year but the added Christmas lights give it an even warmer, friendlier feel. Trees like the ones above invite you in to enjoy a warm glass of vin chaud (mulled wine) and sit for a while to get warm. Even Paris most fabulous restaurant got in the season and decorated the facade with white trees and the blue led lights that are the trend of the season. We also visited the grand magasins or department stores to see what they had done. They created some over the top window designs but I was amazed by the beautiful tree that was in the Galaries Lafayette and stretched up to the glass dome. Of course, the big name boutiques couldn't be left out. Along Rue Faubourg St. Honore, where the high end shops are located we saw a few good decorations. One shop was putting a horse in its front window and though it was a mannequin, it was pretty impressive. Then there was the great Cartier window. The decorations are so Parisian in that they are over the top but completely stylish. They often use one color, rarely did we see the typical multi color string of lights and like the Cartier front the packages are all wraped in red. I am so thrilled that I finally got to see Paris at Christmas and got to share it with W's. Stay tuned for more photos and thoughts.

Thanks for reading.