One splendid Thanksgiving, my mom and I ditched the stateside turkey, and flew to Paris for a week. While breaking with November traditions was unexpectedly delightful, what truly enchanted us was seeing Paris reveal her holiday finery.
As we bundled up and tried to emulate the French woman's perfectly imperfect scarf tie, we explored the city which was then covered under a glistening sheet of ice. At times treacherous to travel, the ice looked simply magical as it dangled on Christmas lights and danced on roof lines. Fountains that I had seen gurgling in springtimes past now looked sculptural, suspended in time.
Though Cole Porter taught us to love "Paris in the Springtime," there is nothing more dreamy that Paris in the midst of a deep winter chill.
The tourists who remain in the city are huddled in cafés sipping chocolat chaud rather than clamoring to get to the top of La Tour. The mêtro stations smell of roasting chestnuts instead of tightly packed commuters. One feels inherently more French wearing layers of coats and scarves than milling about in shorts.
So, without further adieu, how about a little Parisian Christmastime to kick the holiday season off right?
If you can't quite book your ticket to De Gaulle yet, wander through these wintry images, play some Piaf on your stereo and burn a Ladurée caramel macaron candle (see more scents of Paris in the Wall Street Journal) and your mind will be in Paris tout de suite.
Such gorgeous pics. I just love the thought of Paris in the winter,coffee, boots & coats-just heaven! xx
ReplyDeletepatisserie coeur
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Paris in the winter is the scent of chestnuts
ReplyDeleteroasting as you exit the metro
and then the aroma of gaufres,
DIVINE French waffles
topped with clouds of whipped cream.
Both a reason to remove a thick glove
and indulge and celebrate the season
as you stroll down the beautiful boulevards.
I too LOVE Paris in the winter!