A crisp Parisienne weekend..

After another long week of work, meetings, training and sorting out becoming a bit French... it was time for the weekend and a nice stroll through some parks and of course checking out the sights on a beautiful afternoon. 

First a little picnic of bread and cheese and ham in Parc de Saint-Cloud. If you haven't been here, please take the time for a wander down. It has some of the best views in Paris. You can see the whole Paris sky-line, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, the whole shabang! Beautiful on a crispy December afternoon.

After that we took a trip on the metro to the Eiffel Tower, Line 6 is a nice trip as its mainly outside and you can peer out at all the beautiful house as you wizz past. Of course the tower was busy as the sun was out and there were no clouds to be seen. The tower was standing proud and posed for some beautiful photos! As its Christmas we indulged in the over priced markets and got ourselves some yummy Churros!  Perfect to warm you up on a cold day! and in fact, well worth the 3€! 

The Tower at about 3pm with the moon cheekily making an appearance!! 

We still had some energy left (thanks to the churros!) so we took the metro again and headed up to Montmartre. Which i have now decided is one of my most favourite places in Paris. The view, the buildings, the tranquillity, the shops and of course the restaurants! :)

At this time of year, Montmartre offers a beautiful Christmas market just at Sacre Coeur with the best Vin Chaud and Chocolat Chaud! Traditional Christmas songs are played over a tannoy and the smells and sights of Christmas fit perfectly in this setting! Really a place to go to get you in the Christmas spirit.....

Christmas Wishes.

So after a long weeks working, what did I decide to do at the weekend?
Go and do a little shopping... well window shopping as its not pay day yet!

So here are some of my Christmas Wishes.

But firstly, if you are in Paris, or decide to visit Paris for the festive season, you are in for a treat! There are so many markets to visit and everything is dressed up nice and pretty!!
Head down to the Champs Elysée for a traditional Christmas Market. Starting at Concorde and working its way up to Champs Elysée Clemenceau. On the way stop off for a lovely glass of vin chaud (in a keeps sake glass!) and lots of tasty treats.

La Defense also haws a glorious market right underneath the Grande Arche selling arts and crafts as well as food and other things, and if you get cold you can always pop into the shopping centre for some retail therapy for yourself!

There are some other great markets around, St Germain-des-Pres, Place des Abbssess, Trocadero Gardens- Where there is an ice-rink i hear- (will check it out this weekend and let you know!) So lots you can see and do.

But, for the hearty Christmas shopper, unafraid of crowds, who doesn't get the crazy shopping sweats, and doesn't mind being pushed around in a mob like mentality, then head down to Galeries LaFayette. It has some of the most stunning decorations I have seen!

If you have never been to Galeries LaFayette before, think Selfridges London, mixed with Macys NYC with a bit of Harrods class in the main hall, and here is where you can find all your Christmas wishes... :)





So here is my Christmas wish, and wish it will stay I'm sure. But hey, a girl can dream.











But remember, when we are going crazy trying to find the right gift, pushing people for the last roll of your favourite wrapping paper...queuing for over an hour in some over priced store.......