A Parisian Christmas Upgrade
A festive stay in the City of Light
Say "joyeux Noel" to Paris! Spend 3, 4, or 5 nights among the glittering trees and Christmas markets in the City of Light. With this upgrade, enjoy a a guided gourmet tour of delectable French holiday treats, a hands-on cooking class, and a 2-day Paris pass with entry to over 60 top attractions.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Paris (CDG)
- Round-trip private airport transfers
- 4 nights in Paris at the Hotel Square Louvois Paris or similar
- Christmas Gourmet Walking Tour
- Breakfast daily
Plus!
- Paris Pass (2-day)
- Traditional French Festive Cooking Class with Market Visit
Want to add London to this vacation? Click here!
Great Ways to Explore
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Learn the secrets of a respected French chef with a hands-on cooking class! Enjoy the fruits of your labor after the class.
- Stroll down Boulevard Haussmann and admire the fabulous lights at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette - two of Paris' famed department stores.
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Get into the holiday spirit at a Christmas market at the Notre Dame, Champs-Elysees or Montparnasse.
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Enjoy entry to the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay, plus a Seine river cruise, wine tasting and much more with your Paris Pass.
-
Taste France's Christmastime delicacies like buche de noel with your included gourmet walking tour!
Wander down tree-lined boulevards, sample nougat and chocolate at a Christmas market and cozy up with a cup of tea in a cafe. Winter in Paris is as magical as you would hope!
On this vacation, enjoy an afternoon guided walking tour taking you to Paris' many gourmet shops, learn how to prepare a French meal with a hands-on cooking class, and see the city sights without the hassle with a 2-day Paris Pass. With your combined tours, have the freedom see Paris at your own pace. Get your shopping done at Galeries Lafayette, ice skate atop the Eiffel Tower or say hello to Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Paris (CDG)
- Round-trip private airport transfers
- 4 nights in Paris at the Hotel Square Louvois Paris or similar
- Christmas Gourmet Walking Tour
- Breakfast daily
Plus!
- Paris Pass (2-day)
- Traditional French Festive Cooking Class with Market Visit
-
Learn the secrets of a respected French chef with a hands-on cooking class! Enjoy the fruits of your labor after the class.
- Stroll down Boulevard Haussmann and admire the fabulous lights at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette - two of Paris' famed department stores.
-
Get into the holiday spirit at a Christmas market at the Notre Dame, Champs-Elysees or Montparnasse.
-
Enjoy entry to the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay, plus a Seine river cruise, wine tasting and much more with your Paris Pass.
-
Taste France's Christmastime delicacies like buche de noel with your included gourmet walking tour!
Wander down tree-lined boulevards, sample nougat and chocolate at a Christmas market and cozy up with a cup of tea in a cafe. Winter in Paris is as magical as you would hope!
On this vacation, enjoy an afternoon guided walking tour taking you to Paris' many gourmet shops, learn how to prepare a French meal with a hands-on cooking class, and see the city sights without the hassle with a 2-day Paris Pass. With your combined tours, have the freedom see Paris at your own pace. Get your shopping done at Galeries Lafayette, ice skate atop the Eiffel Tower or say hello to Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Paris!
Say "bonjour" to Paris! Arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport, then enjoy a transfer to your accommodation. Get into the festive spirit by strolling down the Champs-Elysees with its rows of twinkling trees covered in 150,000 lights.
You may want to activate your 2-day Paris Pass in order to see the city's highlights. Your pass includes entry to over 60 top attractions including the Louvre, a Seine river cruise, 1-day unlimited use of a hop-on/hop-off bus, and more! *Keep in mind that, once activated, the Paris Pass will work for 2 consecutive days only, so plan accordingly!
Transfer to Paris hotel
The Hotel Square Louvois enjoys a very central home, in the heart of Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. Its location in Louvois Square was a focal point of high society and French culture dating back to the early 19th century, and today the same spirit of art and history reigns, in the new Hotel Square Louvoisa. Its elegant style with Art Deco details have made it a number one destination in Parisian chic, where contemporary design and 19th century Haussmannian influences are combined with great refinement, and French classicism contrasts with noble modern materials.
With the influence of bygone charm, the warm and cozy guestrooms convey all the authenticity of the past. The decoration highlights the influences of yesteryear, together with the comfort of today, for a stay where French-style charm plays the leading role. Far from the urban hubbub, the hotel’s Wellness Area with fitness center and herbal tea room is dedicated to peace and relaxation for an interlude outside of time. Under the natural stone vaults, the indoor swimming pool has a hydromassage bench for total relaxation.
Between 4 and 6 p.m., the hotel provides a delicious French-style afternoon tea for its guests. For a "just like home" experience, enjoy a welcome break with a snack made up of sweet creations.
Step into trendy sophistication at this quintessentially Parisian hotel. Upon entering the Royal Madeleine Hotel, you'll notice stunning decor - a mix of rich jewel tones, antique metals, wooden furniture, and eclectic accents. Think: mid-century modern with an artsy twist.
Nestled in the heart of Paris' 8th arrondissement, the Opera district, this elegant hotel makes a perfect home base for your Parisian adventure. Just a 15-minute walk to the Louvre and Tuileries Garden, the Royal Madeleine is easily accessible by the Metro.Â
Open the door to your luxurious room and find Wi-Fi, TV, plush bedding, L'Occitane products, and much more. In the mood to relax? Head down to the zen spa and steam all your stresses away in the sauna. Why not take a dip in the heated pool or rest in the herbal tea room? Keep up your workout routine at the on-site fitness center - so you can make more room for pastries and baguettes! Speaking of food, treat yourself to a lovely lunch or a classy cocktail at the Royal Madeleine's Restaurant ROYAL.
Make yourself at home in this quaint boutique-hotel that pairs Parisian elegance with English comfort. Located in the heart of the city, you will be immersed in the beauty and artistic culture of Paris. Wake up to colorful flowered fabrics, exposed beams, and eclectically chic decor. Start your day with a coffee and a croissant on the garden patio, then take a refreshing bath using complimentary L'Occitane toiletries. Walk over to The Luxembourg Gardens, Sorbonne, the Pantheon, or the Louvre, and stop at a local cafe along the way. Need some help with directions, tours, or tickets? Not to worry -- a friendly staff, including a concierge, will happily assist you.
After an exciting day of exploring, shopping, and eating, escape the bustle of the city and unwind in your comfortable, soundproof, air conditioned room. Raid the mini-bar, make some tea, and use the hotel's complimentary WiFi to plan your next day of adventure.Â
Paris Pass (All-Inclusive) - 2-Day Pass
Experience the best of Paris with the 2-day Paris Pass, while enjoying great savings with all-inclusive access to 35+ attractions, tours and experiences. From climbing the iconic Eiffel Tower to breakfast at the charming Cafe Louise, we've got you covered! Hop on-board Big Bus Paris for a tour of the City of Lights, take in the city from the water on a Seine River Cruise, enjoy a guided climb to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower, explore different parts of Paris with a selection of walking tours, and finish off the day with wine tasting at Les Caves de Louvre. See more, spend less. Sync your digital pass to the Go City app for a seamless experience - the digital guide will help you plan and reserve attractions for the best city break in Paris.
The 2-day Paris All-Inclusive Pass includes:
- Access to 35+ activities, over 2 consecutive days
- Must-do activities including the Eiffel Tower, Seine River cruise, and Montmartre walking tour
- Digital pass and guide to included activities (download to your mobile device or print at home before you go).
Day 2. Paris
There's nothing like waking up in Paris. Take advantage of a lovely morning at leisure!
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided gourmet walking tour of Paris' holiday treats.
Oysters are synonymous with Christmas in Paris. Sip champagne and slurp oysters at Le Dome, one of Paris' oldest bistros where Picasso used to dine!
Parisian Christmas Gourmet Walking Tour
In the heart of St-Germain-des-Prés, discover the joy of the holiday season with this special Christmas-themed gourmet food tour. Your guide will take you to some of the some wonderful specialty gourmet shops of the neighborhood, where you'll sample pastries, chocolates and other festive French products only available at this time of year. Learn about the traditional French "13 desserts" and sample delicious nougat, spiced gingerbread and candied fruits.
After visiting the neighborhood and discovering the Christmas market, you'll wrap up your tour by getting out of the winter cold and into a tea room, where you'll have a chance to sit, warm up, and enjoy tea, coffee, hot chocolate or mulled wine. An excellent way to celebrate Christmastime in Paris! Â
Day 3. Paris
In the morning, learn how to make traditional French Christmas dishes with a hands-on cooking class! After the class, sit down and enjoy the meal you've prepared.
Continue using your Paris Pass. Art lovers will go nuts over the collections at the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay, while wine aficionados will want to take advantage of the wine tasting.Â
In the evening, lace up some skates and glide around the highest ice rink in Paris on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, 200 feet above ground. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from this incredible vantage point!
Traditional French Festive Cooking Class with Market Visit
While in Paris during these winter months, why not indulge yourself in an exciting opportunity to spend a morning visiting a local market to shop for fresh ingredients, then learning how to cook a succulent Christmas meal, French style under the expert guidance of a highly respected French chef.Â
The meal is prepared and cooked in the chef's own kitchen, and limiting numbers to 8 allows for a real hands-on practical cooking class. In the company of the Chef, you go to a Parisian outdoor market to choose the fresh products that will be used in that day's recipes. Then, you will work your way through the special menu, learning as you go. No previous cooking skills are necessary, as you will be coached through every step. The class ends when everything has been cooked and the group sits down together to enjoy the fabulous food and wine offered.Â
The class begins with the market visit at 9am, and ends at around 2pm, after you’ve enjoyed your delicious home-cooked holiday meal, in the company of new friends. At the end, you will receive all the recipes, so you can cook a traditional French Christmas meal at home. (Minimum age to participate is 6 years old).
Day 4. Paris
Start the day with a visit to a festive Christmas market. Paris has markets near the Notre Dame, Champs-Elysees, Montparnasse, La Defense, Quai Branly and Gare de l'Est. Stop and admire the goods at the various stalls and pick up a few unique souvenirs for friends and family.
Spend the remainder of the day partaking in Paris Christmas traditions! Take a ride on the Ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde and window shop at Galeries Lafayette, Bon Marche and Printemps. Don't miss the dazzling nighttime light shows at these famed department stores.
Day 5. Depart France
Your Parisian Christmas getaway ends today. At the appropriate time, transfer to Charles de Gaulle airport for your flight home.