With just days away from Christmas, Paris was exploding with holiday revelers. Although it was rainy, that doesn’t stop the Parisians. The Champs-Élysées was packed with shoppers, tourists and merry makers. On both side of the street, between Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Place de la Concorde, there was a Christmas Market. Shop after shop offered everything from ginger bread and other regional treats to even a Brazilian churrascaria. Yeah I know what you’re thinking, but I was glad to see it there. I only wish that I had had time to eat some!
I sampled at least 4 cups of vin chaud (hot mulled wine commonly referred to as Glühwein or German for glow-wine from the hot irons used for mulling). To me it’s just not Christmas in any country without vin chaud and eggnog.
Almost every visit to Paris affords me the chance to dine at what I can only say is the BEST Italian restaurant in Paris, Fuglina la Famiglia. Located at 2 Rue Waldeck-Rousseau, it’s a bit hard to find, but well worth the effort. I’ve been eating at this establishment every visit to Paris since 2001. Unfortunately this time was the exception. There were just too many other place to try and never enough time for them all.
Normally I stay at the Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center, but as they were fully booked, I opted for the Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel. This is a great choice especially if you intend to spend most of your time in central Paris. The price is a bit more, but worth it. Everything is just a short walk away…even Fuglina la Famiglia.
With my next destination being Geneva by train, the Renaissance was perfect as it was only 2 blocks away from the metro station. With only 3 stops on the metro to Gare de Lyon and then a 3 hour ride to Geneva, I was very happy I chose the Renaissance.
Keep watching for my next post about Christmas in Courchevel.
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