Festive strolls

It’s time to celebrate the festive season because christmas is only in 3 days !

Christmas spirit is everywhere : in the streets of Paris, in our plate and in hour house. Let’s go for some festive strolls to finish this year on a high note.

This year I wasn’t too impressed by Christmas decorations in Paris. Unlike other cities in the world I think that Paris isn’t really more magical during Christmas compared to the rest of the year. I don’t know if it’s because of the financial crisis but I’ve got the impression that the more the years pass the less decoration we have.

Don’t worry we still have magical places. For example, it wouldn’t be christmas without seeing the windows of Haussmann stores. Let’s start to stroll then on boulevard Haussmann. I love the Printemps windows in collaboration with Burberry this year. They are telling us the amazing journey of a little boy from London, his hometown, to Paris, the city of light. Le Printemps – 64 boulevard Haussmann – 75009 PARIS

I won’t show you the ones of Galeries Lafayette because there were too many people and I didn’t like them with their fury and colorful monsters. For me it has nothing to do with the christmas spirit but children seemed to like them.

I went to see closer the christmas tree of the Galeries which is always spectacular. This year it’s an upturned giant christmas tree. Impressive but quite kitsch !Galeries Lafayettes – 40 boulevard Haussman – 75009 PARIS

Then, let’s go towards Place Vendôme passing through the chic areas or by making a detour through the beautiful Galerie Vivienne which is always nice to see, no matter the occasion. Galerie Vivienne – 6 rue Vivienne – 75002 PARIS Pierre Marcolini – 3 rue Scribe – 75009 PARISHôtel Westminster – 13 rue de la Paix – 75002 PARISRue de la PaixHere we are on Place Vendôme ! Unfortunately the column and the Ritz hotel are under renovation at the moment so you cannot really enjoy it.  Let’s head towards rue de Rivoli and stop on the way to Marquis de Ladurée for a delicious hot chocolate break.  Les Marquis de Ladurée – 14 rue de Castiglione – 75001 PARISThen let’s admire from the outside Angelina‘s windows… unless you feel like waiting in line for an hour even though I must admit that their hot chocolates are to die for !  Angelina – 226 rue de Rivoli – 75001 PARIS

Let’s finish this stroll by crossing the Carrousel bridge to stroll in the adorable rue des Saints-Pères but I’ll show you more about it another time because this place is so gorgeous that it deserves its own post. Rue des Saints-Pères

Christmas is also private sale season. Of course I couldn’t miss Sézane‘s where I bought another pair of shoes. I went also to Hôtel Bohême that I talked to you about here.  I fell in love with the poetic pictures of My Lovely Things and the wire trophies of Faune en Fil.My Lovely ThingsFaune en Fil

A christmas without a Yule log doesn’t exist so here are some of my favorite ones made by Picard. This snowy forest is made of vanilla mascarpone, chocolate mousse, crème brûlée and a crusty speculoos-chocolate.Snowy forest

Fair Isle Yule log made of vanilla pastry cream, raspberry mousse, raspberry compote and vanilla mousse on a caramelized puff pastry. And these christmas tree macarons aren’t they the loveliest ? There are two flavors : vanilla-maroon and pistachio.  Christmas tree macarons

Christmas is also drinking ginger and spicy tea, decorating the house and wrapping presents.Kusmi Tea Broderie made by Frenchountry Christmas cookies. You can find the recipe here. 

It’s time to for me to wish you a wonderful festive season surrounded by people you love and to tell you “see you next year” because I’m leaving for Korea (South Korea of course) in a few days to visit my brother who is studying abroad. You will see a lot of pictures of my trip on IG or on FB and you will not escape one or two posts here on the blog. ;) What’s your program to celebrate christmas and NYE ? Lots of love and thank you again for being more and more following my strolls, what an amazing adventure I’m living thanks to you ! 

Merrry Christmas !!!

P.S. You can see the pictures of the previous Christmas here.