Destinations Europe
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Leslie Veliz
Paris is always a good idea
The unexpected best time to visit Paris is during winter. Rick Steves agrees and suggests the city as a premier holiday destination. There’s so much to see and do. For example, department stores like Galeries Lafayette (pictured) elaborately decorate their interior and exterior for the holidays. As Steves says, this makes them ideal for “window licking.” Of course, doing some holiday shopping won’t hurt either. Other activities he suggests include riding a Christmas Carousel or Ferris wheel. Steves says that the former can be found throughout the city, including by the Eiffel Tower. He also recommends checking out the Champs-Élysées.
During the holidays, the iconic shopping avenue goes all out by decorating its trees with lights. Speaking of, Steves notes that one of the best ways to experience the illuminated Paris during the holidays is by renting a taxi for a night. It’s cheaper than a big bus tour. You can take the circular, out-and-back route from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower along the river. So pack your suitcase and grab your beret; you won’t want to miss out on this spectacular city, especially during Christmastime. However, wherever you visit France during the holidays, stick around for Christmas Eve.
Expect an epic French Christmas Eve dinner
Ricks Steves states that a French Christmas Eve Dinner, also known as Réveillon de Noël, is extraordinary. The travel expert explains that this festive meal is a long dinner comprising several courses, including appetizers, a main course, cheese, and dessert, accompanied by wine. The main meal always features either roast goose or turkey. However, each French region has a unique twist on its Réveillon. For instance, Paris is known for serving raw oysters, Alsace for its foie gras, and Brittany for its buckwheat cakes with sour cream.
But the meal would not be complete without something sweet. Steves noted that Bûche de Noël, aka Yule Log Cake, is traditionally served as dessert. This eloquently decorated sponge cake is folded log-like and features a cream filling. While this is a typical holiday dessert in the States, it originated in France in the 1800s.
As mentioned, the celebrations don’t stop when Christmas ends; they continue until Epiphany. This holiday marks the three Wiseman’s visitation of baby Jesus and is celebrated by eating a tasty treat called Galette des Rois or king cake. While Gallete des Rois differs depending on the region in France, Steve says each cake has a paper crown and a figurine (fève) inside the cake. The one to discover the object in their dessert is crowned the day’s king or queen.
