I will very shortly be on holiday - but not in Paris! I have however prepared twelve special posts over the Christmas period - rendez-vous on Sunday evening for the first one!
This is the last 'weekend' listing of the year. I wish you all very happy holidays wherever you will be celebrating them and whatever you will be celebrating!
If you are going to be in Paris over this period, here are some quick ideas of things to do:
The Marché International de Noël Tropical
I love the Christmas atmosphere in Paris (a few days before the event, not in November!), but it's true that you can often find the same things all over the city. For a completely different look at Christmas, the best place to go this weekend is La Villette. At the MINT Expo (the International Tropical Christmas Market), you'll find handcrafted goods, clothing, jewellery, spices, and gourmet cuisine from Africa and the Caribbean.
Grande Halle de la Villette, 75019
Friday 18th : 10h – 22h
Saturday 19th : 10h – 23h
Sunday 20th : 10h – 22h
http://www.mintexpo.com/english/
The Musée des Arts Forains
This collection of 19th century travelling fairground equipment, housed in an old wine storage facility, is generally a museum more in name than in practice. However, until January 3rd the museum is exceptionally open to the general public. The visit is organised around a Christmas theme, but once inside you will find an establishment that is organized in a similar manner to a fairground, and you are free to wander around the exhibits as you please. You can also play with or ride on some of the attractions, including small merry-go-rounds with colourful carved animals.
Musée des Arts Forains
53 Avenue des Terroirs de France, 75012
http://www.pavillons-de-bercy.com
A Fairground at the Grand Palais
On a larger scale, you will also find a giant indoor fairground under the superb verrière of the Grand Palais until January 1st.
18th December - 1st January, 11am to Midnight
5 Euros
Take Away Cocktails!
Over the Christmas period, a temporary take away outlet has been set up in the Marais with the unusual concept of selling take away cocktails. Choose the cocktail you want and they will provide you with the exact doses of each of the ingredients that make up the drink, as well as the equipment you'll need to make it. Drink kits are sold by the 1/2 litre for short cocktails and by litre for the long ones (enough for 4-6 people) and will set you back 25 Euros.
Cocktails Spirits
47 rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
http://www.cocktailspirits.com/
Wish we could be in Paris for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteMaybe next year.
Looking forward to your 12 special posts, and want to wish you a very Happy New Year!
Jim & Mitch
The Musée des Arts Forains is really an amazing place.
ReplyDeleteI had seen the place that sells cocktails on rue Vieille-du-Temple. I was wondering what it was. My opinion: just another concept to please the "in crowd" from the Marais, but sadly, cocktails are not just about the ingredients, the bartender's skills are the most important part.
A propos du musée des arts forains : je l'ai visité lors d'une journée du patrimoine, je l'ai trouvé assez poussièreux. Mon mari a eu l'occasion d'y aller pour un événement car les locaux se louent.
ReplyDeletePar contre j'avais ensuite photographié de joyeux bourdons se gavant de pollen dans le magnifique parc fleuri de Bercy...
Bonne vacances, et bonnes fêtes Adam. Tout le monde est plus ou moins absent de chez lui ou dans sa tête en ce moment...
Tu fais un travail formidable, tu es d'un enthousiasme assez communicatif, continue ainsi l'année prochaine et tant que tu voudras pour notre plus grans plaîsir...