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Any Port in a Storm :: Compass Points :: Europe :: Paris :: Christmas in Paris 2012
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AuthorTopic: Christmas in Paris 2012 (Read 2,069 times)
kerouac2
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Christmas in Paris 2012
« Thread Started on Nov 17, 2012, 4:09pm »		[Quote]
Anybody who passes through Paris this year during the Christmas season is invited to add their photos or videos to this thread.

For the moment, I will just start off with this little video of the department store windows on Boulevard Haussmann. Frankly, I think they are a bit disappointing because Louis Vuitton took over the Galeries Lafayette windows and Dior took over the Printemps windows. Okay, I'm sure they paid for the animations, but these windows used to be about toys, not luxury goods.

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mossie
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #1 on Nov 17, 2012, 7:25pm »		[Quote]
I feel a trip to Paris coming on, but no. That won't be till the weather picks up in the spring :D

That window display definitely not for the kiddiewinks. What on earth ARE those animals doing with those dancers at 2.10 onwards.
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nycgirl7664
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #2 on Nov 18, 2012, 5:45pm »		[Quote]
You're video is blocked for me on copyright grounds. Grrr.
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kerouac2
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #3 on Nov 18, 2012, 6:22pm »		[Quote]
Yes, I have already been informed. I will try to post a silent version imminently. The problem is because the original video sounded mostly like traffic noise, so I overlaid it with copyrighted music, even though I knew the risk.
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kerouac2
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #4 on Nov 18, 2012, 9:49pm »		[Quote]
Here is the video again without the inadmissible copyright infringement:


(The music you are missing is from the sountrack of Amélie.)
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mich64
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #5 on Nov 18, 2012, 11:05pm »		[Quote]
For myself, the Dior windows are more enjoyable than the Louis Vuitton displays. I did not enjoy the polar bear wearing the bag and scarf. The skating and carousel theme of the Dior display is lovely but more for the adult as well.

I understand how this is dissapointing. The average person is not expecting anything from Dior or Louis Vuitton wrapped under their tree, especially a child. Nothing there for them to dream about. Beautiful yes, seasonal, no. But I would still love to be there to see them in person. :)
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kerouac2
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #6 on Nov 19, 2012, 6:43pm »		[Quote]
Here is the Galeries Lafayette tree, which already arrives in early November (much too early!)

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The Forum des Halles shopping mall has put up its tree as well now.

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The normal aisles of the mall look like this.

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lola
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #7 on Nov 19, 2012, 9:13pm »		[Quote]
Stunning Gal Lafayette tree. The windows are fun, K. Thank you.
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tod2
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #8 on Nov 22, 2012, 12:44pm »		[Quote]
I'm watching the Christmas window displays again....the first time I got it perfectly with the music and I never cease to be amazed at the ingenuity of the little characters and their individual (so human!) actions! Now I watch but it's not the same. Still very beautiful but the music just made it all come alive so much more :-/
So, I went back to your first video clip and am pleased that it works beautifully with music!

What's with the 'blue' theme in Christmas trees?? Must be because green, red and white are sooooooo passe` ;D
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kerouac2
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #9 on Nov 22, 2012, 1:17pm »		[Quote]
You're right -- everything seems to be mostly blue here, but that might just be because it is the most common colour for LEDs (?) .
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #10 on Nov 22, 2012, 3:00pm »		[Quote]
I like the blue. It's so tiring to have the same old white/silver trees displayed everywhere. Paris at Christmas time must be just magical. :)
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #11 on Nov 22, 2012, 5:31pm »		[Quote]
Here is a better look at some of the little people who live in the windows.

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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #12 on Nov 22, 2012, 5:45pm »		[Quote]
Fun, K. Thank you.
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tod2
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #13 on Nov 22, 2012, 6:05pm »		[Quote]
Oh how beautiful! I tried to watch on the full screen mode but everything got "furry" but these photos are absolutely wonderful :D
The Dior hot air baloon ladies had me amused - the one looking through her binocs was priceless.

I have to watch the whole thing again and again to scrutinize the costumes...aren't they just fab?!!
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kerouac2
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #14 on Nov 22, 2012, 6:12pm »		[Quote]
Here are a couple of the more serious "BUY! BUY! BUY!" windows.

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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #15 on Nov 23, 2012, 9:10pm »		[Quote]
I was at La Défense this morning and couldn't help noticing some of the Christmas stuff there, but it was also clear that I will have to go there after dark one of these days to get the proper experience.

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I walked into the Coeur Défense office complex (formerly Lehmann Brothers) because they were more elaborate than most offices.

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And then, since I was on the way to the movies, I passed through the main Quatre Temps mall.

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Father Christmas will be receiving his followers here soon.

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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #16 on Nov 23, 2012, 9:16pm »		[Quote]
After the movie, I strolled through the Christmas market on the esplanade.

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Did I say it rained all day?

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A Christmas market surrounded by skyscrapers is a bit incongruous.

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Raclette sandwiches (melted cheese poured from the wheels) seem to be a big item this year.

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The foie gras stand drew a more refined and monied group.

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Baking pans for all shapes and sizes!

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Yes, I'll have to go back. Maybe without the rain.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #17 on Nov 23, 2012, 11:13pm »		[Quote]
Wonderful, K. Thank you.

Is Biere de Noel any good? Do you have a favorite Christmas Market, or would that be telling?

We Skyped our daughter in Gap this morning, talking about the onset/onslaught of Christmas here after Thanksgiving. Speculating on how the rest of the world knows when to kick off the Holiday Season. They have lights up in Gap now, but haven't turned them on.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #18 on Nov 24, 2012, 8:51pm »		[Quote]
On the Champs Elysées this evening...

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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #19 on Nov 24, 2012, 10:02pm »		[Quote]
That's a beautiful photograph of the ferris wheel.

I don't know what it is about matryoshka dolls, but they've fascinated me since I was a little girl. Nice photos, k.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #20 on Nov 25, 2012, 11:59am »		[Quote]
People need to eat.

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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #21 on Nov 25, 2012, 1:52pm »		[Quote]
Thank you for the wonderful photos taken of the Christmas lights and market up in La Defense! I felt a tug at my heart strings when I saw them, wishing I had thought about spending the bucks on an airticket for just 10 days or so, because my visa is still valid until December 31st.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #22 on Nov 25, 2012, 4:42pm »		[Quote]
Thanks, tod.

Here is a video from the Champs Elysées at 6 p.m. yesterday. Remember that we are still a month from Christmas, so the crowds will continue to grow -- not to mention the fact that 6 p.m. is not the most crowded time of day to visit, albeit on a Saturday.

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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #23 on Nov 25, 2012, 5:01pm »		[Quote]

Nov 23, 2012, 11:13pm, lola wrote:
Is Biere de Noel any good? Do you have a favorite Christmas Market, or would that be telling?


Bičre de Noël is basically just ordinary beer with a slight addition of caramel to make it a bit darker and sweeter. It makes a good seasonal novelty but it is almost certainly something that people would not necessarily want to be marketed all year long.

The Champs Elysées and the La Défense Christmas markets are the biggest ones in the region. La Défense has the advantage of the esplanade which puts all of the market together in one place. The Champs Elysées market is split on both sides of the avenue, and I can assure you that once you have "done" one side, you have absolutely no desire to cross the street to see the other side -- I am 99% certain that it would basically be all of the same things all over again. One good thing about the Champs Elysées market is that authentic artisans have extremely preferential rental rates while the big commercial stands (also known as "Chinese junk") have to pay a bundle to get a stand.

The importance of this sort of discrimination became apparent when I strolled through the La Défense market. It seemed to me that even somebody selling vacuum cleaners could probably get a stand there.

If I had my druthers, I would say you must absolutely go to Strasbourg for the Christmas market (which opened just yesterday) to see an event more focused and authentic. Strasbourg has limited the market to a total of 300 stands spread across the city (even though they have more than 1000 applications), and they must all be related to Christmas. Naturally, I suddenly found myself with an urge to go there, but a quick check of train fares and hotels calmed me down immediately -- this sort of visit must be planned at least 4 months in advance.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #24 on Nov 25, 2012, 6:43pm »		[Quote]
Oh drat, I was hoping you'd go to the Strasbourg Christmas Market.

Hey, they are CHRISTMAS vacuum cleaners...
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #25 on Nov 25, 2012, 6:54pm »		[Quote]
Well, I do have pictures of it somewhere... but not yet posted here.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #26 on Nov 25, 2012, 7:35pm »		[Quote]
I'm disappointed to learn that the best Parisian Christmas Market is in Strasbourg, but will make do with whatever one we stumble upon. The one in front on Notre Dame is supposed to last until the evening we hit town, I think.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #27 on Nov 26, 2012, 3:52am »		[Quote]
Kerouac, I really enjoyed watching the video you made of the Champs Élysées. Could you tell me what is being served out of the big kettles in response #20 above? I thought it was popcorn, but after watching the video I'm not so sure.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #28 on Nov 26, 2012, 7:12am »		[Quote]
It is tartiflette, an excellent cold weather dish, although I find the concept of eating it while walking around to be more than questionable.
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Re: Christmas in Paris 2012
« Reply #29 on Nov 26, 2012, 10:13pm »		[Quote]
When train fares sale opened in October we managed to get return TGV tickets at 70euros per person ( and the return is in 1st class). We thought this price was OK at the time (especially since we don't sleep over in Strasbourg).
Of course they are PREM tickets.
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